It is camping season on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests

For the Herald

Smelterville, Idaho (May 20, 2016): It is camping season on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests! They will be opening developed campgrounds along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River for the 2016 season starting Friday, May 27, of Memorial Day Weekend. Campgrounds include Big Hank, Devil’s Elbow, Kit Price, Berlin Flats, Honeysuckle and Bumblebee. More information on these sites and how they can be reserved are found at www.recreation.gov. The dump station at Shoshone Base Camp is currently still closed.

The Settler’s Ancient Cedar Grove will remain closed for the 2016 operating season due to safety concerns from last year’s fire activity. The trail had significant damage and the area poses numerous hazards including rolling debris and large hazardous trees that are fire scarred and weakened. Crews will continue assessing this area over the summer.

Visitors are always encouraged to take a hard look at their surroundings when recreating in the forest, especially when selecting a campsite. Hazardous trees are not always apparent. Indicators of dangerous trees include damage to roots, branches or trunk; insect infestations; leaning trees; or dead trees. These types of trees are especially hazardous when the wind is blowing, but may fall at any time resulting in serious injuries or death. For more information on identifying and avoiding hazardous trees, forest visitors are encouraged to download the IPNF Hazard Tree Safety Flyer.

For more information, please contact the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District at 208-664-2318.