Current Conditions
Safety is of great importance to the Forest Service, whether it is to help ensure the safety of our visitors or our employees. There are inherent dangers in the outdoors, and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety of themselves and others around them while recreating on the San Juan National Forest.
Current Fire Restrictions / Incidents
Before your visit, it is very important for you to know if there are any fire restrictions in the area. These restrictions may include prohibiting fires outside a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate, use of chainsaws, etc. Visit our Fire Information page for the most up-to-date information
Forest Road Status
The Forest Road Status tables are updated as soon as the Ranger Districts relay the information. Check out our Motorized Vehicle Use Maps for more details on seasonal dates for roads and camping. Any road can be blocked by downed trees or snow at any time. Do not cause ruts or road damage and do not get stuck. You can be ticketed for road damage. The Forest Service and the Counties do not rescue stranded vehicles.
As of May 5, 2025
| Road Name | FR Number | Open (Weather Dependent) | Close (Weather Dependent) |
| Andrews Lake | 590 | 11/30 | |
| Beaver Meadows: Mile 2.6 - 9 | 135 | 5/1 | 12/31 |
| Beaver Meadows: Past Mile 9 | 135 | 6/1 | 11/30 |
| Bedrock Creek* | 792 | 12/15 | |
| Boren Creek* | 794 | 12/15 | |
| Burnt Timber | 595 | 6/1 | 11/30 |
| Cascade Divide | 579 | 5/1 | 11/14 |
| Chattanooga* | 820 | ||
| Clear Lake* | 815 | Weather Dependent - snowy | |
| Columbus Basin* | 498 | Weather Dependent - snowy | |
| East Florida | 596 | 5/1 | 12/31 |
| Endlich Mesa | 597 | 5/1 | Closed 12/01/24 |
| East Vallecito at Mile 1.5 | 603 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| Elbert Creek | 581 | 5/1 | 11/14 |
| First Notch: Mile 0.5 - 7.1 | 620 | 5/1 | 12/31 |
| First Notch: Past Mile 7.1 | 620 | 6/1 | 11/30 |
| Fosset Gulch | 613 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| Haviland Lake / Chris Park | 671/ 791 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| Henderson Lake | 081 | 6/1 | 11/30 |
| Hermosa Park: Mile 0.4 - 8.7 | 578 | Snowy Conditions; gate will remain closed until conditions improve (updated 5/5) | 11/14 |
| Hermosa Park: Mile 8.7-25.3 (Bolam Pass) | 578 | Snowy Conditions; gate will remain closed until conditions improve (updated 5/5) | 11/30 |
| Hotel Draw | 550 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| Junction Creek: Mile 3.5 -10.9 | 171 | 5/1 | 12/31 |
| Junction Creek: Past 10.9 | 171 | 6/1 | 12/1 |
| Lange Canyon | 132 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| La Plata Canyon County Rd** | 124 | Gate open 4/22/24 | 12/15 (or when there's 4 standing inches at gate) |
| Lime Creek Rd* | 591 | Weather Dependent - snowy | |
| Little Molas Lake | 6/1 | 11/30 | |
| Lower Hermosa | 576 | 5/1 | 12/31 |
| Middle Mountain | 724 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| Missionary Ridge (lower to gravel pit) | 682 | 5/1 | |
| Missionary Ridge past Mile 5.7 | 682 | 6/1 | 11/30 |
| Mitchell Lakes* | 740 | Weather Dependent | |
| Ophir Pass* | 679 | Weather Dependent | |
| Pine River* | 602 | Open | |
| Red Rim | 076 | 6/1 | 11/30 |
| Relay Creek | 580 | 5/1 | 11/14 |
| Relay Station | 743 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| South Mineral Creek* | 585 | Weather dependent - snowy | |
| Sauls Creek | 608 | 5/1 | 11/30 |
| Spring Creek | 537 | 5/1 | 12/25 |
* These forest roads are not gated; therefore are not regularly monitored. Please call (970) 884-2512 for the most up-to-date information.
** Winter access on La Plata Canyon Road, CR 124 has changed. La Plata County installed a gate at the cattle guard and will be closed each December through May. All forms of recreation are still welcome - snowmobiles, skiers, fat tire bikes, snowshoeing etc.
Camping Information: Camping is allowed in most places on the Forest. Please note on the Columbine Ranger District, La Plata Canyon and South Mineral Creek allow camping in designated sites only, and camping is not permitted along the Junction Creek Road the first 8.5 miles. Please use existing campsites along Forest Service roads, but do not travel farther than 300 feet from these roads to access the sites. In South Mineral Creek, no motor vehicles are allowed off South Mineral Road (FDR 585) or Clear Creek Road (FDR 815) to access camping sites.
As of April 21, 2025
| Road Name | Forest Road Number | Status | Open Date | Closure Date | Special Condition |
| Barlow Creek (to Bolam Pass)* | 578 | Open to snow | No gate; weather dependent | ||
| Bean Canyon | 257 | Open | |||
| Beaver Rim | 529 | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Beaver Rim F | 529F | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Black Mesa* | 533 / 611 | Closed | No gate; weather dependent | ||
| Black Snag | 512 / 241 | Open to wildlife closure (in place to 5/1) | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Boggy Draw | 527 | Open | |||
| Carlyle Point | 525 | Open | |||
| Cherry Creek | 320 | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Chicken Creek | 385 | Open | |||
| Chicken Creek D | 385D | Closed | |||
| Cottonwood | 532 | Open | |||
| Cottonwood A | 532A | Open | |||
| Dolores-Norwood (County Road 31) | 526 | Open to Disappointment Valley on private and BLM | North of Kinder Morgan compressor station will remain open and semi-maintained throughout the winter. | 526C/G/I is closed; 526N is open | |
| Echo Basin | 566 | Open | |||
| Glade | 514 | Open | |||
| Grouse Point | 390 | Open | |||
| Haycamp Point | 558 | Open | |||
| Hillside Drive* | 436 | Open to snow | No gate; weather dependent | ||
| House Creek, lower | 528 | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| House Creek, east | 528.1 | Open | |||
| House Creek, upper | 529D | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Lone Dome | 504 | Open excluding wildlife closure below the dam | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Lower Boggy Draw | 258 | Open | |||
| Madden Peak | 316 | Open | |||
| Millwood | 559 | Open | |||
| Oak Knolls | 249 | Closed | 249 C is open | ||
| Ormiston Point | 521 | Open | |||
| Railroad Grade | 568 | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Ramparts | 328 | Closed | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Red Arrow | 567 | Open | |||
| Ridge Point | 271 | Open | |||
| Roaring Fork/Divide* | 435/564 | Closed | No gate; weather dependent | ||
| Rock Springs (Haycamp) | 556 | Open | Open to to 556/558 intersection; FSRs, 557, 558 and arterial routes open. | ||
| Ryman Creek | 240 | Open to Glade Subdivision. Wildlife closure in place. | 5/1 | 12/1 | Seasonal closure for wildlife protection |
| Scotch Creek (to Hotel Draw)* | 550 | Open to snow | No gate; weather dependent; Incredibly rough road (Roaring Fork as alternative) | ||
| Taylor Mesa* | 545/547 | Open to Snow | No gate; weather dependent | ||
| West Dolores / Meadows* | 535 | Open to Snow | No gate; weather dependent | ||
| West Mancos | 561 | Open | Open to Transfer Campground |
* These roads do not have a gate therefore are not regularly monitored. Please call (970) 882-7296 for the most up-to-date information.
As of May 5, 2025
| Road Name | FR Number | Status | Special Conditions |
| Archuleta Creek | 618 | Open | Closes 1/1 |
| Black Mountain | 661 | Closed | Opens & closes with Plumtaw (634); Closes 1/8 |
| Blanco River | 656 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Blue Creek / Big Branch | 012/664 | Closed | Closes 12/1 |
| Buckles Lake (Main Gate to 2nd Gate) | 663 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Buckles Lake (above 2nd Gate) | 663 | Closed | Closes 1/15 |
| Burns Canyon to 2nd gate | 649 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Burns Canyon above 2nd gate | 649 | Open | Closes 12/1 |
| Castle Creek to Opal Lake TH | 660 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Castle Creek to Fish Creek TH | 660 | Closed | Closes 12/20 |
| Chris Mountain | 681 | Open | Closes with Snow Ranch Road (628) |
| Devil Creek to State Wildlife area | 627 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Devil Mountain | 626 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| East Fork | 667 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| East Toner | 637 | Open | Open & closes with Middle Fork (636); Closes 1/15 |
| Echo Canyon (Nipple Mtn opens) | 029 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Eight Mile Mesa | 651 | Open | Closes 12/1 |
| Falls Creek | 039 | Closed by snow | No gate; weather dependent |
| Fawn Gulch | 666 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| First Fork at Main Gate | 622 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| First Fork at Sheep Creek Gate | 622 | Open | Opens & closes with First Fork at Main Gate; Closes 1/15 |
| Fourmile | 645 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Jack's Pasture | 746 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Jackson Mountain | 037 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Kenney Flats | 006 | Open | Closes 12/1 |
| Left Hand Canyon | 024 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Lower Piedra to campground | 621 | Open | Closes when Lower Piedra Campground closes (end of Sept) |
| McManus (at Plumtaw intersection) | 633 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Middle Fork | 636 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Monument East | 630 | Open | Closes with Turkey Springs Upper (629); Closes 1/15 |
| Monument West | 630 | Open | Opens & closes with First Fork (622); Closes 1/15 |
| Mosca | 631 | Closed | Closes 1/15 |
| Nipple Mountain | 665 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Nipple Mountain above Echo Canyon to MM9 | 665 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Piedra Road | CR 600 / 631 | Open | Remains open all year, plowed in winter |
| Plumtaw | 634 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Poison Park | 644 | Open | Closes with Williams Creek from lake (640); Closes 1/15 |
| Price Lakes | 731 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Snowball | 646 | Open | Closes 12/1 |
| Snow Ranch | 628 | Open | Closes 12/20 |
| Trail Ridge | 639 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Turkey Creek | 647 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Turkey Springs - Upper Gate | 629 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Turkey Springs - Lower/Middle Gates | 629 | Open | High Clearance 4WD / ATV - UTV Recommended; Closes 12/1 |
| Valle Seco Upper to private property | 653 | Open | Closes 12/1 |
| West Fork | 648 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Williams Creek (Gate to the Lake) | 640 | Open | Remains open all year, plowed in winter |
| Williams Creek from lake to Palisades HC | 640 | Open | Closes 1/15 |
| Wolf Creek | 725 | Closed by snow | No gate; weather dependent |
If you need help identifying the Ranger District you are most interested in, please use the map below.
Weather
Weather can change instantly and dramatically on the forest, especially at higher elevations or in mountain passes. Sudden, unexpected mountain storms are common throughout the year. Be aware of the possibilities of thunderstorms during the summer, and snow in late spring or early fall.
- Start early. Storms typically hit early afternoon and can last until after dark.
- If you are planning to be above treeline, start early to avoid exposure during afternoon thunderstorms. Check out our Lightning Safety Guidance for more information.
- Expect and be prepared for rain, hail, snow, or biting wind at any time of the year.
Always check the weather forecast prior to setting out for your adventure on Forest Service land. You can check with the local ranger district office for current weather conditions or check current and predicted weather conditions from the National Weather Service. Check for National Weather Service Alerts before your trip.
Avalanche Awareness & Snowpack
Avalanches are possible any time you have snow on a slope. The best thing you can do before you head into the mountains is check the avalanche forecast at
Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Knowledge of the area, weather, route, and the limitations of your body and equipment can help ensure safe and enjoyable outings. Avalanche potential increases with increasing slope angle, snowfall, rain, wind, changing temperatures and many other factors. If you are traveling where there isn't a current avalanche forecast, here are some simple things that will help you avoid avalanches.
- Avalanches are possible when you have snow on a slope steeper than about 30 degrees.
- Most avalanches happen during or soon after a big snowstorm, period of strong winds, or during a thaw (rapid increase in temperature).
- Signs of higher avalanche danger include recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes.
No avalanche training? Consider getting some. One option is the free beginner classes offered by Friends of the San Juans. Until you receive training, stick to low profile, non-avalanche prone terrain.
For real-time and historical snowpack data, check out the SNOTEL interactive map and report.
Additional recreation winter tips
Stay safe with additional Winter Recreation Tips.