SNRA HQ Visitor Center (208)727 - 5013 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Saturday – Dec 20 9:00AM –4:30PM
Stanley Ranger Station (208)774 -3000 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 12:00PM
Monday – Friday 1:00PM – 4:30PM
Ketchum Ranger Station (208)622 - 5371 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM

All three locations will be closed New Years Day and re-open Friday, January 2nd.

ROADS & TRAILS:

• As of December 1st motorized travel is prohibited on unpaved Forest Service roads. Forest roads are not plowed during winter. Winter sports usages as well as wildlife and resource protection are some of the reasons that forest roads close in winter. Please understand that what looks like a plowed road may actually be a groomed cross-country or snowmobile trail. Over the winter, people unfamiliar with winter conditions have mistaken these trails for roads and have become seriously stuck, as well as mangling the trail systems. Please use designated winter parking areas to go exploring.

• SNRA HQ and Visitor Center has Blaine County Nordic Ski and Snowshoe day and 3-day trail passes available for purchase. To check grooming information log onto www.bcrd.org, or call 208-578-9754.

• To check for current avalanche advisories log onto www.avalanche.org .

• To check for current Idaho road conditions and closures log onto http://511.idaho.gov/

• The Ketchum Ranger District has instituted an area closure in the Warm Springs drainage to protect wintering elk and deer, beginning Dec 30th. All National Forest lands in the Warm Springs Drainage east into Ketchum (Wanderers Way) will be closed to ALL entry after Dec 30th. The area closure will be posted with signs at normal access points. The closure will remain in effect through the winter to provide security for wintering big game animals.

CAMPING:

• All developed campgrounds are now closed for the season, with no services available, many are also gated for the winter.

• This time of year campgrounds are not reservable. If you want to make campground reservations for next year please call the National Reservation System at 1-877-444-6777 or go online at www.recreation.gov . Reservations can be made 180 days in advance. All reservations must be made at least four days in advance. There are 33 developed campgrounds in the Sawtooth NRA and approximately 50% of the sites can be reserved while the rest remain first come first served. Reservations cannot be made at local forest service offices.

• Large groups of more than 25 people need to obtain a permit. For information on how to obtain a large group permit please call SNRA HQ at 208-727-5000.

FIRE INFORMATION:

• We are not currently under any fire restrictions. Visitors are welcome to have campfires, as long as they are built in existing metal fire rings; please do not build a fire ring.

• Make sure fires are dead out, and ashes are cool to touch when leaving the campsite. Never leave a campfire unattended.

TIMBER:

• Personal use firewood permits are no longer available. They will be available in the spring.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• We do have hunting regulation booklets; for questions not covered in the booklets please contact: Idaho Fish and Game, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov or call 208-334-3700.

• Fishing Regulation booklets are available; however Forest Service offices do not sell fishing licenses.

• Stop by and check out the books and other materials the Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association has at the Forest Service offices. We have some great holiday gift ideas; bookmarks with sage advice from our animal friends, pocket guides, puzzles, games, award winning children’s videos, beginning artist kits, and guides to winter recreation in the area.

• Educational Programs Offered! We are pleased to offer a variety of educational activities, programs and services to local schools and groups. We have several educational trunks available for loan to educators or group leaders: Insects, Salmon, Skins/Skulls, Wilderness, Wolves, and Trees. Teachers and Group Leaders may call Susan Kranz at 727-5018 for more information. Thank you.

The Snowshoe with a Ranger Program Begins Thursday, January 8th! Get out and experience the magical winter landscape with a free and informative Forest Ranger led tour of the Galena Lodge area. Bring sunglasses and
water. Dress warmly in layers, wear insulated boots, gloves and a hat. Due to
the nature of these walks we ask you to please leave your pets at home. Join
us weekly to learn more about the fascinating history of the area, as well as
the natural landscape. Meet on the porch at the Galena Lodge at 11 AM.
Tours depart at 11:10 and will last approximately an hour and half and will
cover 1-2 miles. The Galena Lodge serves lunch and rents snowshoes. For more information, call the SNRA at 726-5013 or Galena Lodge, 726-4010.