Russian River Campground closed to public use beginning next week

Published 9:30 pm Wednesday, August 6, 2025

The Russian River Campground and some surrounding areas will be closed to “all public use” beginning next week to accommodate ongoing construction efforts. The area is expected to reopen Oct. 12.

According to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service, the campground, including “all trails, roads, parking lots, campground loops, and all other facilities” will be closed while “major construction” on the Russian River Campground Road is underway. The closure is effective at midnight on Friday, Aug. 15.

The construction is part of an ongoing project that has seen the campground closed and opened at many different times in recent years. It was first closed in August 2022 and most recently opened in June. The release says that a one-mile section of Russian River Campground Road is being reconstructed. This phase “will fortify the new road” against winter conditions and “water seepage.”

This closure will involve “extensive construction work involving heavy machinery,” the release reads.

Russian Lakes Trail is closed from the Russian River Campground Road to the intersection of the Russian Lakes Trail Lower and Upper Parking Lot Trails.

Angler’s Trail is not closed but is only accessible by boat or by the Russian River Ferry from Sportsman’s Landing.

Barber Cabin is closed, but Aspen Flats and Upper Russian Lake cabins remain open for reservation. The release says those locations will not be accessible from the Lower Russian Lakes Trailhead, and instead will be accessible from the trailhead at Snug Harbor Road.

The release says nearby camping alternatives can be found at recreation.gov or fs.usda.gov/chugach.

For more information about the Chugach National Forest or updated forest orders, visit fs.usda.gov/chugach.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/peninsulaclarion.