SEELEY LAKE - Beginning Aug. 17 the Seeley Lake Ranger District will not charge a fee at the Seeley Lake and River Point Campgrounds. The free camping at these locations will be in place for the remainder of the season. Fees will be charged again at the beginning of next season. The District will also keep these two campgrounds open past the normal Labor Day closing. They will remain open pending fall weather conditions.
The decision to not charge fees and keep the campgrounds open is meant to encourage use of these recreation sites during the end of summer when use and occupancy typically drops off.
“This makes sense to offer this incentive to the public to enjoy their public lands,” said Seeley Lake District Ranger Rachel Feigley. “We hope this also provides a boost to some degree to the local economy, which was impacted last year by the long fire season and this year by the closure of Big Larch Campground.”
The Big Larch Campground has been closed this spring and summer due to extensive root rot and beetle infestation which have weakened the majority of the trees in the campground. Most of the impacts have been to large Douglas-fir and must be removed to make the campground safe for camping.
The contract to remove the hazard trees was awarded Aug. 20. The work will be completed no later than Oct. 31.
While Seeley Lake and River Point Campgrounds will remain open past Labor Day, services will be limited, so visitors should be prepared for no water (or flush toilets at the Seeley Lake Campground). Garbage service will continue until further notice. Extending the season at the Seeley Lake campground will also allow access to the boat ramp while the Big Larch boat launch is under reconstruction. This project is expected to start Sept. 10 and be completed by Nov. 16.
Road Updates:
• The Upper Beaver Finley Road will be closed approximately three miles past the junction with the Placid Creek Road (349) beginning Aug. 23 for about a week to allow for the installation of an aquatic organism passage structure.
• Expect delays Forest Road #4343 that connects Rice Ridge Road #720 and Morrell Road #4354 due to culvert installations.
• Expect delays on the Rice Ridge Road #720 due to culvert replacement work between mile markers 13 to 17.
For additional information please contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District at 406 677-2233
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