Popular Montana Camping Area Closed Due To Bear Activity
As summer arrives we plan our camping trips. For many spots you will need to make your reservations in advance to assure you can get the dates you are hoping for. Some sites are already sold out for the next couple of months.
If you are planning on camping near Red Lodge, you will want to know this information before you get your entire weekend planned.
The U.S. Forest Service has closed parts of the Beartooth Ranger District south of Red Lodge following reports of increased grizzly bear activity.
Yes, the bears (or bear) have basically taken over numerous camping areas and just their presence alone has made it unsafe to camp. Mainly one grizzly bear has been frequenting the Greenough Lake area, and efforts to haze it away have not worked.
The areas involved include:
- Parkside Campground
- Greenough Lake Campground
- Greenough Lake
- Limber Pine Campground
- Parkside Trail #103
This closure will be in effect until June 12th and they will continue to reevaluate the safety until that time. After they make the appropriate evaluations, the U.S. Forest Service will let the public know if camping in those particular area's will open or remain closed.
Things to keep in mind when you are spending time outdoors, especially during this time of year:
- Carry bear spray and have it readily accessible
- Travel in groups
- Make lots of noise
- Watch for signs of bears in the area
- Hike during daylight hours
Keeping a clean camp is essential for your safety, the safety of other forest users, and wildlife.
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Gallery Credit: Tammie Toren