Staff Reports

The Hoosier National Forest has temporarily closed all developed recreation sites and mandated a group-size limitation of 10 people or less across the forest.

The areas closed are:

All developed campgrounds. Horse camps are open for parking for access to trails only; no other day use or camping is permitted.

All developed day use areas (including visitor centers, picnic areas and historic sites), with the exception of trails, associated trailheads and their parking lots, and boat launches.

Hickory Ridge Fire Tower

All toilet facilities

Additionally, all groups larger than 10 people must split into smaller groups and recreate at least 200 yards apart.

Other recreation opportunities, such as fishing, dispersed camping, hiking, backpacking and backcountry camping on the forest remain available to the public. All visitors are asked to:

Avoid visiting the forest if they are sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Follow Centers of Disease Control and Prevention guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during their visit to the forest.

Take their trash when they leave.

Make arrangements to use the restroom before or after visits.

If an area is crowded, search for a less occupied location. Also consider avoiding the forest during high-use periods.

If taking part in dispersed camping and choose to have a campfire, exercise absolute caution, keep the fire small, never leave it unattended and drown the fire when done.

The forest service continues to assess and temporarily suspend access to recreation areas that attract large crowds and cannot meet social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC.