Eldorado National Forest

Welcome

Welcome to the Eldorado National Forest's web site!

Woodcutting Season In The Eldorado National Forest Ends December 31

Eldorado National Forest 2008 woodcutting permits will expire December 31. The Forest Service says 2009 woodcutting permits can be purchased at all ENF Ranger Stations beginning April 1, when the woodcutting season starts up again.(12/08)

• News Release (pdf)

Annual Seasonal Closure of Eldorado National Forest Dirt Roads and Trails Begins January 1

It’s time for winter visitors to the Eldorado National Forest to begin thinking about the annual closing of dirt roads and trails that begins on January 1 and extends through March 31.

“This is the first year the annual seasonal closure of dirt roads and trails will go into effect,” said Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo. “This may be news to some people, however, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to the thousands of people who participated in the travel management decision making process that occurred over the past three years.”

This decision only affects dirt roads and trails. More than 600 miles of paved and graveled roads and trails will continue to be open during this time period.

• Seasonal Closure News Release (pdf)
• Winter Recreation Opportunity Guide (pdf)

Christmas Trees

The Eldorado National Forest does not issue christmas tree cutting permits. If you would like to cut your own trees check out some of the local tree farms. Many of the farms have great activities for kids.

Winter Open House At Loon Lake: Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1

For all those winter recreation enthusiasts or curious newbies, the El Dorado Nordic Ski Patrol is sponsoring this event to give you some great tips and pointers on winter recreation. Activities include demonstrations on backcountry ski skills, ski and snowshoe orientation to local trails, and avalanche beacons. Displays include winter safety, clothing, and ski repair.

• Information flyer (pdf)

Prescribed Burning Update

• Pile burning is in progress on the Eldorado as of the first week of November for the next few months.

Fuels Projects for Fall/Winter Season

Approximately 9,000 acres of national forest lands are scheduled to be prescribed burned this fall and winter, in both pile and understory fire application. Pile burning begins after the rains have thoroughly dampened the forest floor and will continue throughout the winter months. The timing of the actual ignition of a prescribed burn project depends on weather conditions, moisture in the fuels we intend to burn, our ability to control the fires, and permission from the local air pollution control district. For more information on the pile burning and the specific understory burn projects visit the Fuels Project page.

• News Release - Prescribed Burning (pdf)
• Fuels Project page

Eldorado National Forest to Implement Designated Routes Beginning January 2009

Starting in January 2009, the Eldorado National Forest will begin implementing the decision made to restrict all motor vehicles to designated roads and trails. This direction follows Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo’s decision from April 2008, which allows public motor vehicle use on over 1,800 miles of roads and trails across the Forest.

• Motor Vehicle Use Update: August 2008 (pdf)
• Link to a Map of the upcoming Designated Road and Trail System - (Note: this is Modified B of the Final Environmental Impact Statement) (4.6M pdf)

Link For Current Incidents

Normally incidents, like wildfires, that are under Forest Service jurisdiction are usually posted on Inciweb (www.inciweb.org). This site houses web pages for Forest Service incidents from all over the nation. Note: small fires may not be placed in Inciweb.

The Travel Management Final Environmental Impact Statement was released April 2.

The Eldorado National Forest Travel Management Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision was released to the public on April 2, 2008. The documents are available on the project page. The Forest Service can provide interested people with CDs of the documents and maps if needed. The Eldorado held four public open houses regarding the release of the Record of Decision.

• Travel Management Project
• News Release - FEIS release