Winter travel restrictions being on the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District

Winter travel regulations will go into effect for the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest on Nov. 24, 2017.

Winter travel includes travel of over-snow vehicles anywhere it is safe, and no motorized wheeled vehicles on Forest roads, groomed snowmobile trails or anywhere else on the Forest until the snow melts. Some restrictions apply in select areas.

“As always we need to be cognizant of the varying conditions, stated District Ranger Liz Davy. “People can still drive our roads with motorized wheeled vehicles if they are not causing resource damage until the snow depth prohibits travel. Snowmobiles can go cross country and on the roads. Grooming for snowmobiling has not started yet and won’t begin until mid-December.”

Snowmobiling is not allowed in designated wildlife winter ranges, on groomed ski trails or in Wilderness Areas. The area west of Highway 20 around Big Bend Ridge is closed to snowmobiles until January 1 to protect animals migrating to their winter range. The other winter range areas in the Tetons are closed all winter to over-snow vehicles. Snowmobilers need to be careful to not damage vegetation or create bare dirt trails by riding only where there is adequate snow cover.

Maps are available at any of the Forest Service offices of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Officials ask snowmobilers and winter recreationists obtain a correct map before traveling on the Forest.