Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Announces Closure Due to Hurricane Hilary and Potential for Widespread Heavy Rainfall

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Erica Hupp 775-771-4777; Rich Martinez 775-340-2938


Emergency Area Closure # 04-17-23-15

Map (Exhibit A)

Las Vegas, Nev. – Due to the historic flash flooding prediction associated with Hurricane Hilary, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest's Spring Mountains National Recreation Area will be closed effective midnight Saturday, Aug. 19 for public safety. This Forest Order does not apply to private parcels, state highways, or any other non-Forest Service property within the boundaries of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. 

Additional details are outlined in the attached order. The National Weather Service has issued a warning that multiple rounds of heavy rain through Monday will make for hazardous recreation conditions across southern Nevada. For the most current weather information for the greater Las Vegas area visit https://www.weather.gov/vef/.

Forest Service officials want to remind the public to never attempt to drive or hike through an area that has been flooded or a debris flow has occurred. These types of events hide dips in roads or trails and other obstacles. Worse still, there may not be a road or trail at all. Flooding and debris flows can wash away the entire road or trail surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest posts road and trail conditions, as they are reported, at https://bit.ly/Road_TrailConditions. For more information about road and trail conditions, please contact the local Forest office at https://bit.ly/HTNFOffices.