Flathead National Forest issues temporary road closures

Warm weather, snow melt and spring rains are creating soft road surfaces and spring “break up” conditions on many Flathead National Forest roads.

To provide safe transportation and protect the condition of the road system, the forest officials announced this week they are implementing temporary road closures and load limits across the Forest. For the next few months, forest road managers will check conditions and sign roads as “closed” or assign a load limit as appropriate.

Forest Road No. 38 (South Fork Flathead) is temporarily closed to the public from the gate near the junction with Forest Road No. 5301 (Abbott Bay Road) to the gate at mile 37.5, to allow the road to dry.

Forest Road No. 316 (Canyon Creek Road) remains closed to wheeled motorized vehicles as crews repair damage caused by severe weather and flooding last spring. This closure begins after the junction with Forest Road No. 316D (Ninemile Road) and continues to its junction with Forest Road No. 316C (South Fork Canyon Creek Road).

For further road updates, contact the individual ranger district:

- Hungry Horse / Glacier View Ranger District — 406-387-3800

- Tally Lake Ranger District — 406-758-5204

- Swan Lake Ranger District — 406-837-7500