Six Rivers National Forest has announced that it is planning to re-open its developed recreational sites, including campgrounds for the 2020 season.

“We’re doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work right now on our sites to get them ready for visitors to enjoy,"  said Bryson Code, recreation and wilderness manager for the forest, in a press release. "We’re making sure the water systems work; the restrooms are clean; and any hazard trees, or those that may have come down over the winter, are removed.”

Campgrounds are currently not allowed to open under state and local shelter-in-place orders.

"We're in constant discussions with the state about what makes sense, particularly area based," said Humboldt County Public Health Officer Teresa Frankovich. "However, there are some things that go along with campgrounds that can be a problem. For instance, travel. I understand people within our county like to use campgrounds but we also get people from outside the county who want to do that. We also know that some campgrounds are structured really well for people to stay in their family unit — some other spaces might not be so easy to do that. So, it's not necessarily a given that all of these look the same and just allowing those all at once makes sense. But I can tell people that I'm well aware of the interest in doing that and I completely get that because I love camping. So, we want to make this work for people and it's our intent to really refine this over the summer, you know, so that sometime in these coming two or three months that we have ahead of us that's going to be doable."

As such, Six Rivers is preparing its campgrounds in the event state and local orders are modified in the coming weeks or months.

Forest Supervisor Ted McArthur urges everyone to recreate responsibly in the Six, which includes maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distance from those not in your family, alerting other trail users of your presence and stepping aside to let others pass with at least 6 feet of distance, following health officials' latest guidelines and, of course, packing out your trash.

Read the full press release form Six Rivers copied below and get that camping gear ready:

Six Rivers to begin reopening recreation sites

EUREKA, Calif. –Six Rivers National Forest staff is hard at work getting its developed recreation sites, which includes campgrounds, open for the 2020 season! For the most up-to-date information on when your favorite campground will be opening on the forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/srnf/recreation or contact your local Six Rivers National Forest office, leaving a voicemail during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8AM to 4:30 PM) for a prompt reply:

· Gasquet Ranger District / Smith River National Recreation Area, Gasquet – (707) 457-3131

· Orleans / Ukonom Ranger District, Orleans – (530) 627-3291

· Lower Trinity Ranger District, Willow Creek – (530) 629-2118

· Mad River Ranger District, Mad River – (707) 574-6233.

According to Bryson Code, recreation and wilderness manager for the forest, “We’re doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work right now on our sites to get them ready for visitors to enjoy. We’re making sure the water systems work; the restrooms are clean; and any hazard trees, or those that may have come down over the winter, are removed.”

Forest Supervisor Ted McArthur said, “We continue to recommend that everyone recreates locally and practices self-sufficiency during visits to your national forest.” Adding, “Recreating responsibly helps ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services and opportunities continues.”

Responsible recreation practices include:

· Maintaining at least six feet of social distance from those not in your family unit or group;

· Not gathering in groups, following the latest guidance from officials;

· Alerting other trail users of your presence and stepping aside to let others pass;

· Packing out your trash and leaving with everything you brought with you; and

· Planning accordingly, as all services may not be available.

For additional information about recreation opportunities on the forest, contact Bryson Code at [email protected] or visit www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/srnf/recreation.

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