MNF Closing Dolly Sods Roads for Public Safety January 1st

Monongahela National Forest officials will implement the annual winter road closures in the Dolly Sods area by closing the gates on Forest Roads 19 and 75 on Jan. 1st. These roads are closed to motor vehicle use from January to early or mid-April every year to provide for public safety due to variable road conditions in the winter months. Non-motorized use of the roads is allowed.

Cheat-Potomac District Ranger Jon Morgan said the road closures are put in place to ensure the safety of both visitors and employees. It also lessens the risk that forest visitors and emergency responders will be put at unnecessary risk.

Both roads usually reopen by mid-April. Morgan said they will monitor the road conditions in March and April and will reopen the roads as soon as weather permits.

Staff from Monongahela National Forest work with local landowners and residents affected by the road closures to ensure they have access to their property. Landowners and residents who need access behind the gates should contact the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District office in Petersburg for assistance at (304) 257-4488.

Information about the status of other roads and facilities in the Monongahela National Forest is also available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf/.