One Week After the Flood Event, Two Campgrounds Reopen and One Road Closes
Written by Caleb Nelson on June 24, 2022
Following the “thousand-year” flood event in Wyoming and Montana last week, the Shoshone National Forest has been able to reopen portions of the Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground. Damage to Sweetwater Road, Forest Service Road 423, has led to closure of that road.
Southern end of the Shoshone National Forest, courtesy of SNF’s Facebook
“As floodwaters have receded in some areas, all but four campsites within Clearwater Campground have reopened and most of the west loop of Wapiti Campground is now available for use,” Wapiti, Clarks Fork, and Greybull District Ranger Casey McQuiston says. “Due to infrastructure damage and loss, Big Game Campground remains closed.”
According to a recent press release, a “special order” has been signed allowing the closure of Sweetwater Road for the purposes of public safety and “to protect natural resources.” This closure prohibits motor vehicles from accessing the road. Violations of this prohibition order could “lead to enforcement action.” Folks can view the Shoshone National Forest closure order on the state website here.
The Forest Service is reminding outdoor enthusiasts, “a special order remains in place closing Clarks Fork Canyon Road, Forest Service Road 119, and the Morrison Jeep Trail, Forest Service Road 120 due to damage sustained during the flooding starting on June 12, 2022. Portions of this road no longer exist.”
To keep up to date on all flooding-related issues, visit the Shoshone National Forest website and Facebook page. For information specific to this closure order, contact the Wapiti, Clarks Fork, and Greybull Ranger districts office at 307.527.6921.
As America’s first national forest, the Shoshone National Forest has 2.4 million acres of diverse terrain and a mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the forest to meet the needs of present and future generations.
