Bozeman Ranger District Announces Spring Motorized Travel Access

Bozeman MT—Beginning today, May 16th, several lower elevation roads in the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Bozeman will open for motorized travel. This includes the Hyalite Canyon Recreation Corridor, which has been closed for annual spring maintenance. However, due to persistent snow and muddy conditions, the East Fork Hyalite Road to Palisades Falls and North Fork Willow Creek Road #6901 will initially remain closed.

The second phase of openings is scheduled for June 16th. On this date, remaining roads and several trails on the Bozeman Ranger District will open for motorized use. This later timeframe is specifically chosen to allow enough time for the snow to melt and the trails to firm up, especially in higher elevations and on north and east-facing slopes.

“As certain areas begin to open, the unpredictable spring weather in the Bozeman region requires visitors to be prepared for varying conditions on roads and trails,” said Custer Gallatin National Forest, Forest Supervisor, Matt Jedra. “It’s crucial to exercise caution and avoid wet and muddy sections to prevent substantial resource damage.”

Seasonal road closures are determined by the Forest Travel Management Plan and current weather conditions. For detailed information on motorized access and timelines, refer to our Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM), available for free both online and at district offices. Please note the Custer Gallatin National Forest expands from Hebgen Lake Ranger District in West Yellowstone, MT east to the Sioux Ranger District in Camp Crook, SD, therefore road and trail opening dates along with conditions vary across each of the Ranger Districts. Make sure to check the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/maps-guides relevant to the specific district you plan to visit, or connect with your local Ranger District office with the contact information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/offices.