Snowmobiling Season Opens Friday

The Bighorn National Forest is opening snowmobile season this Friday – but cautions those who are anxious to get into the mountains earlier.
Forest officials say that snowmobiling doesn’t begin until November 16th, AND there should be at least six inches of snow on the ground. Fall and spring are vulnerable times for roads and trails and resource damage can occur easily, and damage to vegetation and and soils can take decades to recover. Officials say that a snow depth of at least six inches protects your machine as well as the natural features of the land.
However, not all areas of the national forest are open to snowmobiles. The Cloud Peak Wilderness, downhill ski areas, cross-country ski trails, the Medicine Wheel Snowmobile Restriction Area, and wildlife area closures are off limits to snowmobiles.
People caught snowmobiling off-road and damaging soil or exposed vegetation are subject to citations.