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Alerts

Stay up to date on what’s happening across the Rio Grande National Forest. Before you head out, take a moment to plan ahead. Check area restrictions and see the latest campground, road, and trail closures. You’ll also find current fire restrictions and other important updates.

Current Conditions: Visit the Current Conditions page for the most recent information including road conditions, fire conditions, and more.

About Forest Orders: Sometimes we need temporary rules to protect public safety or natural resources. When a situation isn’t covered by regular forest regulations, we issue a “Forest Order.” These orders create short-term prohibitions for specific areas or activities. Forest Orders appear below as Alerts.

For the easiest viewing, sort Alerts by “Newest to Oldest” under the Alert Start Date filter on the right.

Forest Alerts

  • Fall/Winter Slash Pile Burns Planned

    Rio Grande National Forest announced today their winter slash pile burning plans. As conditions allow, fire crews plan to burn numerous piles of woody debris from timber sale and thinning project areas across the Rio Grande National Forest. This year’s pile burn areas include:Saguache Ranger…
    Alert Start Date: December 11, 2025

  • Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures

    This special order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.
    Alert Start Date: December 6, 2024
    Forest Order: #02-09-04-24-06

  • Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area

    This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.
    Alert Start Date: December 1, 2024
    Forest Order: #02-09-04-24-05

  • Food Storage Regulations

    This special order covers food storage restrictions from April 1 to December 1 annually,  within recreation sites across the entire Rio Grande National Forest. The purpose of this Order to protect wildlife and human safety by reducing the risk of adverse interactions between bears and humans.
    Alert Start Date: August 6, 2024
    Forest Order: #Special order # 02-0-000-24-03

  • Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Occupancy & Use

    This special order covers the entire Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area including the portion on the San Isabel National Forest. The includes restrictions on group size, camping, campfires, horse use, dogs, switchback cutting, and wagon or cart use. 
    Alert Start Date: July 1, 2024
    Forest Order: #02-12-00-24-11

  • Beaver Creek Recreation Area Use Restrictions

    This special order restricts camping, parking, and dogs in the Beaver Creek Recreation Area. It also prohibits boats at Million Reservoir. 
    Alert Start Date: May 24, 2024
    Forest Order: #02-09-04-24-02

  • Big Meadows Recreation Area Use Regulations

    This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District. 
    Alert Start Date: May 24, 2024
    Forest Order: #02-09-04-24-01

  • Camping limit on Rio Grande National Forest

    This special order establishes a 14-day camping limit within a continuous 30-day period anywhere on the Rio Grande National Forest. 
    Alert Start Date: May 16, 2023
    Forest Order: #Special order #02-09-00-23-01

  • La Garita Wilderness Use Restrictions

    This special order covers the entire La Garita Wilderness area including portions on the Gunnison National Forest. The order restricts group size, camping, campfire and stove use, equipment storing, horse use, dogs, and cutting switchbacks on trails. 
    Alert Start Date: June 3, 2021
    Forest Order: #RG-2021-03

  • Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness Restrictions

    This special order restricts group use, horse use, camping, campfires, and dogs in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas. 
    Alert Start Date: August 24, 1999
    Forest Order: #SJRG-990-05

  • Spectacle Lake Restriction

    This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations. 
    Alert Start Date: June 24, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-19

  • Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead

    This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.
    Alert Start Date: June 24, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-18

  • Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure

    This special order closes  FSR # 950, near Crestone,  seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually. 
    Alert Start Date: March 14, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-14

  • Park Creek Road Speed Limit

    This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road. 
    Alert Start Date: March 14, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-11

  • Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit

    This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon. 
    Alert Start Date: March 14, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-09

  • Rito Hondo Day Use Area

    This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the  Rito Hondo Dam. 
    Alert Start Date: March 14, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-06

  • Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area

    This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1. 
    Alert Start Date: March 14, 1994
    Forest Order: #RG-94-05

  • Conejos Canyon Roads and Camping Restrictions

    This special order restricts the vehicle use and parking and limits camping to designated areas on FSR# 250 along the Conejos River. 
    Alert Start Date: September 28, 1992
    Forest Order: #RG-92-13
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