Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland winter range closures begin Dec. 1
PRINEVILLE, Ore (KTVZ) -- Winter range closures will take effect on the Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland beginning Sunday, December 1 and will remain in place until April 1, 2025 on the Grassland and May 1, 2025 on the Forest.
These closures include designated areas across the Grassland and the Forest, protecting critical habitat for wildlife during the winter months. They are similar to the four winter range closures recently announced by the Deschutes National Forest.
As part of these seasonal closures, roads marked as “Seasonal Designation” on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) are closed to motorized use during this time. Visitors are encouraged to review the MVUM, available on the Ochoco National Forest website, to identify open routes before planning their trip.
Winter range closures are essential for wildlife survival during the cold months. Animals such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn rely on undisturbed habitats to conserve energy and access limited food resources. Human disturbances, including motorized travel, can cause stress and force wildlife to expend critical energy reserves, reducing their chances of survival.
“These closures help ensure wildlife have the space and resources they need to thrive through the winter,” said Andrew Passarelli, District Wildlife Biologist. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation in respecting these closures to support healthy wildlife populations.”
Visitors can still enjoy winter recreation opportunities on designated open routes, as well as non-motorized activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland offer a variety of outdoor experiences even during winter months.
For maps, closure details, and information on winter recreation opportunities, visit the Ochoco National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco.
