USFS Extends Developed Campground Closure on Stanislaus and Other National Forests

Vallejo, CA… USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, extended the developed campground closure on 12 National Forests in California, including the Stanislaus National Forest, to provide consistent COVID-19 mitigation response in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Stay-at-Home Orders. These regional orders will be in effect through Jan. 29, 2021.

Campgrounds are closed on 12 national forests in California’s Greater Sacramento, Southern, and San Joaquin zones, including the Stanislaus National Forest. Some day use sites remain open for the health and welfare of Californians. We urge all visitors to follow CDC guidelines to recreate responsibly and check with your local national forest before visiting.

“This order extension will protect visitors and our employees by reducing exposure to COVID-19 and mitigating the further burden on limited healthcare facilities,” said Randy Moore, Regional Forester of the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. Outdoor recreation can be beneficial for your health but must be practiced safely. We recommend exercising close to your home and complying with local and state guidance and not traveling for your recreation needs. Stay safe. For more on avoiding COVID-19, visit www.coronavirus.gov.

We continue to recommend that you not travel long distances to recreate. If you or anyone in your household feels sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time.  All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during your visits to a national forest. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities can continue. Responsible recreation practices should always be maintained, including:

  • Research winter road conditions and make sure your vehicle is snow ready
  • Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others
  • Do not gather in groups and please follow the latest guidance from officials
  • Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass
  • Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use
  • All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly

Regional Orders are identified as 21-1 (includes Stanislaus NF), 21-2, and 21-3. The Pacific Southwest Region’s eighteen National Forests align with the state of California’s zones as follows:

Southern – San Bernardino, Los Padres, Cleveland, Angeles, Inyo National Forests

Northern – Mendocino, Modoc, Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, Lassen National Forests

San Joaquin – Stanislaus, Sierra, Sequoia National Forests

Greater Sacramento – Eldorado, Tahoe, Plumas National Forests, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

While our ranger offices remain in virtual operations, please contact each office at the numbers listed below:

Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office:  209-459-9238

Calaveras Ranger District:  209-795-1381

Groveland Ranger District: 209-962-7825

Summit Ranger District: 209-459-9236