Shawnee National Forest Closes Snake Road Early for Spring Migration
HARRISBURG, IL, March, 10 2025 — Bi-annually the Shawnee National Forest closes Forest Service Road No. 345, also known as Snake Road, to help ensure safe crossing for several species of snakes and amphibians during this critical time of migration. Due to warmer weather, the forest will close the road early this year, beginning Wednesday, March 12.
The 2.5-mile-long road is closed March 15 through May 15 to allow snakes and amphibians – some of them considered threatened and endangered in Illinois and the United States – to migrate from their winter habitat in the limestone bluffs across the road to their summer habitat in LaRue Swamp.
The gradual, two-month migration event attracts people from across the country eager to witness the rich diversity of reptile and amphibian species along this single stretch of road. About 66 percent of the amphibians and 59 percent of the reptiles known to occur in Illinois are found in LaRue-Pine Hills/ Otter Pond Research Natural Area (RNA).
RNAs are set aside to protect and maintain biological diversity and to provide places for research and monitoring of natural communities. More than 1350 species of plants and animals make their home in the LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond RNA. Prairie plants, southern swamp types and plants typical of the eastern and western forests all exist here within 14 different natural communities.
Though the road is closed to vehicles, it is open to people traveling on foot. Visitors to Snake Road may encounter Forest Service volunteers assisting with counting snakes and visitors to the area. These special “Snake Sentinel” volunteers received training in snake identification and data collection that they conduct along the Snake Road. Snake Sentinels are also available to assist visitors with questions about the area or general directions to other recreation sites.
Special regulations apply to the area. LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond is a federally designated Research Natural Area and unauthorized collecting and handling of any of these species is prohibited under federal and state law. Specific rules and regulations are signed at both ends of Snake Road and available on the Forest’s website.
More information about the snake migration and LaRue-Pine Hills Research National Area.
