Russian River Campground will close to all public use at midnight on Thursday, Aug. 15, to accommodate ongoing construction efforts. The closure is expected to continue through Dec. 1.
According to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service, “major construction with heavy equipment” will be underway this fall and winter. The campground and all trails, roads, parking lots and other facilities in the area will be closed.
Nearby access trails will also be closed. Russian Lakes Trail will be closed from Russian River Campground Road to the intersection of the Russian Lakes Trail Lower and Upper Parking Lot Trails. Angler’s Trail will not be closed, but will only be accessible by boat or the Russian River Ferry.
Aspen Flats and Upper Russian Lakes Cabins will still be open for reservation but will only be accessible from the trailhead at Snug Harbor Road. Barber Cabin will be closed.
The ongoing construction effort, which has triggered repeated closures in the area since 2022, is for reconstruction of a section of Russian River Campground Road with new retaining walls above and below the road; an expanded road shoulder; new road surfacing; and new safety railing.
“Upon completion, the new road will ensure significantly improved access for all campground users, and the retaining wall will minimize the loss of critical salmon habitat due to hillside erosion,” the release reads.
More information about the closure and other nearby camping options can be found at recreation.gov or the Chugach National Forest’s website.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
