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Alerts

There are many things happening on the Rio Grande National Forest. We encourage you to plan ahead and prepare before you head out on the forest. Check out area restrictions, campground, road and trail closures, fire restrictions, and more.

You may also want to visit the Current Conditions page for road conditions, logging activity, fire information and more. 

The Rio Grande National Forest regularly has the need to provide for public safety or reduce chances for the degradation of natural resources under special circumstances that are not covered by existing forest laws. In those situations, we use supplemental laws, called “Special Orders” that enact prohibitions that address the specific concern area or activity. See the Special Orders listed as "Alerts" below.

We recommend using the "Newest to Oldest" in the Alert Start Date function on the right. 

Forest Alerts

  • Winter Road Closures for Logging

    This special order closes roads on the Conejos Peak Ranger District during logging operations.

    Alert Start Date: December 16th, 2024
  • Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures

    This special order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.

    Alert Start Date: December 6th, 2024
  • Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area

    This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.

    Alert Start Date: December 1st, 2024
  • Food Storage Regulations

    This special order covers food storage restrictions from April 1 to December 1 annually,  within recreation sites across the entire Rio Grande National Forest.

    Alert Start Date: August 6th, 2024
  • Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Occupancy & Use

    This special order covers the entire Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area including the portion on the San Isabel National Forest. The includes restrictions on group size, camping, campfires, horse use, dogs, switchback cutting, and wagon or cart use. 

    Alert Start Date: July 1st, 2024
  • Beaver Creek Recreation Area Use Restrictions

    This special order restricts camping, parking, and dogs in the Beaver Creek Recreation Area. It also prohibits boats at Million Reservoir. 

    Alert Start Date: May 24th, 2024
  • Big Meadows Recreation Area Use Regulations

    This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District. 

    Alert Start Date: May 24th, 2024
  • Camping limit on Rio Grande National Forest

    This special order establishes a 14-day camping limit within a continuous 30-day period anywhere on the Rio Grande National Forest. 

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2023
  • Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Goat Restriction

    This special order prohibits the use of goats in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and Recommended Wilderness areas. 

    Alert Start Date: June 7th, 2021
  • La Garita Wilderness Use Restrictions

    This special order covers the entire La Garita Wilderness area including portions on the Gunnison National Forest. The order restricts group size, camping, campfire and stove use, equipment storing, horse use, dogs, and cutting switchbacks on trails. 

    Alert Start Date: June 3rd, 2021
  • Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness Restrictions

    This special order restricts group use, horse use, camping, campfires, and dogs in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas. 

    Alert Start Date: August 24th, 1999
  • Spectacle Lake Restriction

    This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations. 

    Alert Start Date: June 24th, 1994
  • Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead

    This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.

    Alert Start Date: June 24th, 1994
  • Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure

    This special order closes  FSR # 950, near Crestone,  seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually. 

    Alert Start Date: March 14th, 1994
  • Park Creek Road Speed Limit

    This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road. 

    Alert Start Date: March 14th, 1994
  • Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit

    This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon. 

    Alert Start Date: March 14th, 1994
  • Rito Hondo Day Use Area

    This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the  Rito Hondo Dam. 

    Alert Start Date: March 14th, 1994
  • Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area

    This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1. 

    Alert Start Date: March 14th, 1994
  • Conejos Canyon Roads and Camping Restrictions

    This special order restricts the vehicle use and parking and limits camping to designated areas on FSR# 250 along the Conejos River. 

    Alert Start Date: September 28th, 1992