North Fork campground closed due to high risk of falling trees

Dead and dying trees have closed a popular area campground until further notice.

Spruce Beetle. Image courtesy of Colorado State Forest Service.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), San Isabel National Forest – Salida Ranger District has closed the North Fork campground to overnight use and closed the day-use parking area to vehicles. The closure is for public safety to prevent injury or damage from falling dead trees within and adjacent to the campground and parking area.

Spruce bark beetles have killed nearly all the surrounding trees, creating dangerous conditions in a strong wind event.

The closure is located just before North Fork Reservoir on National Forest System Road 240. Angel of Shavano Campground, Billings Lake, and dispersed campsites along NFSR 240 will remain accessible. Exercise caution if accessing the North Fork reservoir via foot past the closure gate.

According to the USFS Salida Ranger Jim Pitts, the Forest Service is pursuing options, including funding, to remove the dead, potentially hazardous trees in the North Fork campground area.

“Although we don’t anticipate completing this work in time to reopen the campground during the 2020 summer season, we are hopeful to have the work completed this summer with a goal of reopening North Fork Campground and day-use parking in 2021,” said Recreation Manager Ben Lara.

Those with questions or concerns related to this closure should contact the Salida Ranger District Office at 719-539-3591.