The Shasta-Trinity and Klamath national forests and state and federal parks are preparing for the kickoff to their busy tourist season starting in May.
While park staff are putting the finishing touches on trail signage and planning summer tours, some areas are closed for the summer due to fire, storm damage, tree diseases and other reasons.
Here are Redding, Lake Shasta and Mount Shasta and park and forest features closed in part or all of 2026.
Shasta-Trinity National Forest closures in 2026
The U.S. Forest service closed to the public the Gateway Trails System in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The closure follows a “massive white fir tree die-off,” the forest service said. The many dead trees are creating a safety hazard for people. The closure is in effect until the end of 2026. The area includes three trails in the Gateway area on the southwest side of Mt. Shasta
At Lake Shasta, the forest service closed through Aug. 14 a stretch of Sugarloaf Creek Road along Backbone Ridge east of the Sugarloaf Creek crossing, and Portions of Silverthorn Road along the lake’s south shore. Ground instability caused these roads to sink, making the road impassable in a vehicle.
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Also in the Shasta Lake Ranger District, Madrone Campground is closed through Dec. 31 due to public safety issues.
Near the Lower McCloud River, parts of the AH-DI-NA area including the AH-DI-NA campground.are closed to protect Chinook salmon eggs and fry in the Shasta Lake Ranger District. The closure lasts through May 22, 2027.
Some forest service land along South Fork Road in the Mount Shasta Ranger District are closed through Dec. 31 to stop the spread of a forest pathogen to Port Orford Cedar. Motorists shouldn’t stop or pull off the road surface when driving on South Fork Road.
The forest service closed three bridges in the Shasta-Trinity forest.
The forest service announced it will lift closures at Mud and Ash Creek on May 3, and Wild Mad Road on May 16.
For older closures, more information or updates, go to fs.usda.gov/r05/shasta-trinity/alerts.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
While most of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is open, there are still a few places closed due to damage from the 2018 Carr Fire.
These include some lesser-used spans of trail and backcountry roadway. Look for signage telling people not to enter, and watch for downed trees throughout the park, especially during and after rain or wind.
The blaze that burned 97% of the park, including 100 structures, was “the most destructive fire in the history of the National Park System,” the National Parks Service said.
Shasta Bally Road is often closed much of spring, so park visitors should check before going. This “steep, narrow, winding gravel roadway” is only open to hikers and other non-motorized recreationalists.
For more information and updates, go to nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/conditions.
Shasta State Historic Park
The restaurant that was Shorty’s Eatery in Shasta State Historic Park closed in February. There’s no plan at this time to re-open the restaurant in the park along Highway 299, west of Redding, said State Historic Parks district safety chief Aaron Wright.
Otherwise, park trails and facilities are open, he said.
For more information, go to parks.ca.gov.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: What’s closed at forests, parks near Redding before summer starts?
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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