Winter Safety

Parking is often limited. If a parking lot is full, do not park along the highway, in no-parking zones, or block other vehicles - including emergency vehicles and snow plows. 

Vehicles parked illegally are subject to ticketing and towing. Do not endanger others or yourself by idling on highways waiting for spaces to open up.

Traveling on forest and other high elevation roads during the winter months is serious business. You should always carry a winter survival kit in case you’re stranded. 

Forest Roads

Roads may be impassable for cars without high clearance and four-wheel drive or chains. Most forest roads are not plowed, so many may be closed. Check with the local district office for current conditions.

Many roads on national forest lands close seasonally for the winter and early spring. These temporarily closed roads are critical to help provide range land for deer, elk, and other wildlife. Winter is an especially stressful time for these animals. 

Seasonally closed roads and trails are identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Get a free Motor Vehicle Use Map at forest offices or online via the Avenza map store.

Do not rely on GPS

GPS will give you options to pick the shortest route, but it may not be a safe route! Diverting from major highways to rural or remote forest roads is not wise, especially during winter months. Blindly following GPS directions into areas you are not familiar with, could turn your trip into a tragic experience.

Use a hard copy map to double check the route, configure your GPS for “highways only,” or a similar setting so that you don’t get directed to snow covered roads where you could become stuck, and always carry emergency equipment and supplies.

Wearing the proper layers for your winter adventure can make the difference between a great time and a miserable one. Watch as forest service employee, Jessica Ebarra, takes us through her go to layering technique.

The way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia is to plan for extreme cold before it arrives. 

Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Seek shelter from the wind as much as possible. Once inside, change into dry clothing immediately if you are wet. Watch for signs for Hypothermia. 

Hypothermia is the number one killer of outdoor enthusiasts.