Goose Creek Road and Trail Maintenance Begins on the Bozeman Ranger District
On the Bozeman Ranger District on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Goose Creek Road #1005 and portions of trail #439 (Goose Creek Trail) and #440 (Bear Canyon Loop Trail) in the northern Gallatin Range are slated for road improvement work starting July 28th, 2025.
Work is expected to continue into early October. Visitors should expect to encounter machinery on the road or trails. Recreationists on the trail should also expect trail conditions that may vary as work continues on Trails #439 and #440. Alternative access can be achieved through the Bear Canyon trail system, Chestnut Mountain Trail #458, and Newman Creek Trail #437.
Road crews will be working on both Goose Creek Road #1005 from Trail Creek Road to the Goose Creek Trailhead. Additionally, the crew will be working above the trailhead on Goose Creek Trail #439 and the eastern portion of Bear Canyon Trail #440 to improve the existing trail corridor. The project will recondition the road base, add improved surfacing, and install drainage and culverts. Brief delays or closures may be necessary for culvert replacements on Goose Creek Road. No other closures are expected at this time.
“While there may be some short-term impacts to public access during road and trail work, enhancing safety and ensuring the resilience of our forest as visitor use continues to increase,” says Jon Gellings, Bozeman District Ranger. “We appreciate visitors’ patience and understanding during the short-term delays and possible closures as we work to create a safer, healthier landscape with increased road surface durability.”
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
For additional information or updates, please call the Bozeman Ranger District Office at (406) 522-2520.