Magone Lake and surrounding areas temporarily closed

By on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

PRAIRIE CITY / JOHN DAY – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)

The Malheur National Forest has temporarily implemented an area closure near Magone Lake. Due to timber sale operations that are planned around the lake that must be completed over snow in the Dixie sale, the roads into Magone Lake will be plowed and kept open for logging purposes only. The public will likely want to take advantage of these open roads to access the lake for ice fishing, or other recreational activities. However, the presence of log truck traffic and logging equipment operating in the area would pose a significant safety risk to others driving or recreating on these roads and/or trails.  

MAGONE LAKE CLOSURE AREA:

The temporary closure restricts public access to all lands, roads, trails and recreational facilities within the area closure boundaries. This includes the area within the following boundary:

Starting at the junction of FSR 3618 and FSR 36, north on FSR 3618 to the junction of FSR 3618064, and then north on FSR 3618064. At the end of FSR 3618064, north along the section boundary to the Nipple Butte East Trail #279. At Nipple Butte East Trail #279, east following the trail to County Road 18, southeast on Country Road 18 to the junction of FSR 3620, south on FSR 3620 to the junction of FSR 3600663, south on FSR 3600663 to the junction of FSR 3600663 and FSR 36, and then west on FSR 36 back to the junction of FSR 3618.

All Boundary roads and trails will be closed EXCEPT County Road 18 and FSR 36.

Closure signs will be posted on the ground, and a detailed map of the closure will be available on the Malheur National Forest website and at and Forest offices.

Please recreate responsibly. During the winter months, forest visitors are urged to check weather forecasts and know road and snow conditions. Many roads are not maintained for winter travel and become impassable with snow, ice, and mud.

For additional information about the Malheur National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/malheur.