Headed to Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest for the holiday weekend? Here's what you should know

It is time to gather the family and gear and head to your favorite recreation spot. Memorial Day weekend is the kick-off for the summer and traditionally a very busy weekend on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

The public should keep in mind that while some recreation sites on the Forest are accessible, some recreation facilities, roads, and trails may not be accessible this Memorial Day due to recent wet weather and late snow thaw. Before heading out for the holiday weekend, check with local ranger district offices from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PST) for the most current information regarding the area you are planning to visit.

DISTRICT INFORMATION:
Austin-Tonopah Ranger District (775-346-1509): All campgrounds and day use sites will be open for Memorial Day weekend, except for Peavine Campground that will be closed until hazardous trees are removed. All trailheads are accessible, but trails have not yet been reviewed following the winter season for deadfall or maintenance needs. Please report any hazards conditions to the District office. After the Memorial Weekend, an improvement project may be occurring in Kingston Campground to replace infrastructure (picnic tables, fire rings, etc.).

Bridgeport Ranger District (760-932-7070): All campgrounds and day use sites will be open for Memorial Day weekend, except for Trumbull Lake Campground, which is scheduled to open June 10. Please contact the District office for current trail conditions and wilderness permit requirements. Wilderness permit requirements can also be found at https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445856 when purchasing a permit.

Carson Ranger District (775-882-2766): All campgrounds, dispersed camping areas, and day use sites will be open for Memorial Day weekend, except for Mt. Rose, Silver Creek and Crystal Springs Campgrounds. All trailheads at lower elevations are accessible, but trails have not yet been reviewed following the winter season for deadfall or maintenance needs. Please report hazard conditions to the District office. Additionally, some trailheads and trails at upper elevations may not be accessible, due to coverage by snow. For tips on how to recreation in the Tamarack Fire burn area, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1004287.

Ely Ranger District (775-289-3031): All campgrounds, day use sites, trailheads, and trails are currently open. The Ward Mountain Campground still does not have water due to an issue with the well.

Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District (775-738-5171): All campgrounds and day use sites will be open for Memorial Day weekend, except Angel Lake Campground. Lamoille Canyon Road is only accessible to Terraces Day Use area. All trailheads at lower elevations are accessible, but trails have not yet been reviewed following the winter season for deadfall or maintenance needs. Please report hazard conditions to the District office. Additionally, some trailheads and trails at upper elevations may not be accessible, due to coverage by snow.

Santa Rosa Ranger District (775-623-5025, Ext. 4): Lye Creek Campground is still inaccessible due to snow drifts on the road. Current road conditions will also make it difficult to access District trailheads and trails over the Memorial Day weekend.

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (702-872-5486): All campgrounds, day use sites, trailheads, and trails will be open for Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway is now open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week, including on Memorial Day.

Many campgrounds and day use sites on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest require reservations so it is best to visit Recreation.gov to see if there are spots still available. Dispersed camping, which means camping outside of a designated campground, is allowed, but requires a little more effort than pulling up to an established campground. Anyone who plans to dispersed camp needs to arrive fully self-sufficient and prepared to clean up after themself thoroughly. Additionally, it is important for visitors to follow all USDA Forest Service rules and regulations when recreating on National Forest System lands.

On the Carson Ranger District, hikers on the Thomas Creek and Whites Creek trails near Reno, Nevada, need to keep their dogs on leash, while on these two trails. Forest Order 04-17-22-05 (https://bit.ly/WhitesCreek_ThomasCreekDogLeashOrder) is in place to prevent dogs from harassing or harming sheep that are grazing in the area to reduce hazardous fuels. Anyone that violates this Forest Order could be subject to fines of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. In addition, if a dog injures or kills a sheep, the dog’s owner could be held civilly and criminally liable.

While visiting National Forest System lands, it is important to practice Leave No Trace principals, (https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/) which include planning ahead and being prepared, sticking to trails, disposing of both trash and human waste properly, minimizing fire impacts, leaving what is found, keeping a safe distance from wildlife, and being considerate and kind to other people.

Before taking a drive on Forest roads or motorized trails, please check the status by contacting the local Forest Service office or by consulting the Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) to determine when roads and motorized trails are open. MVUMs can be found at https://bit.ly/HTNFMVUM.

In addition, “Tread Lightly” on Forest roads and trails that are wet, muddy, or snowy by limiting or avoiding use to prevent damage (https://www.treadlightly.org/learn/recreation-tips/). Causing damage can be a violation of federal regulations, which could carry a fine up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.

Currently, the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is in Stage 1 fire restrictions. For details on what is prohibited, visit https://bit.ly/HTNFFireRestrictions.

To learn more about fire restrictions, check out these frequently asked questions at http://bit.ly/FireRestrictionsFAQs.

For up-to-date information on fire restrictions across the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Nevada Division of Forestry, please visit: https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures. In California, please check with the appropriate land management agency for current fire restrictions.

For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit https://fs.usda.gov/htnf or participate in the conversation at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.