Please do not park in front of closed forest gates

Black Hills National Forest officials are asking the public to avoid parking in front of closed Forest gates.

Gates are closed to provide a seasonal refuge for wildlife, protect road surfaces and other resources, and provide for public safety as some of the roads are converted into part of the snowmobile trail in the winter. Seasonally closed roads and trails are identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

“We would like to remind Forest users that even though a gate on a road might not look like there is any activity occurring behind it, it is important to keep both the gate and roadway clear for Forest Service personnel, contractors and emergency service vehicles,” said Scott Jacobson, Public Affairs Officer, Black Hills National Forest.

If an emergency response vehicle needs access through a gate, vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Blocking gates is also covered under the Code of Federal Regulations. 36 CFR 261.12 - Forest development roads and trails: (d) It is unlawful to block, restrict, or otherwise interfere with the use of a road, trail, or gate. 

Seasonal recreation sites and roads typically reopen mid-May, conditions permitting.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills, follow the Forest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhillsnf or Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackHillsNF.