Road Closed on Desert National Wildlife Refuge

USFWS Photo

For Immediate Release June 27, 2002

A 3 mile section of the Alamo Road, where it crosses the edge of the Desert Dry Lake, is closed until further notice. The dirt road located on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge connects Corn Creek Field Station and the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. The road remains open from Corn Creek north to the Cabin Springs Road and from Pahranagat NWR south to the Sand Dunes.

Refuge Manager Amy Sprunger-Allworth announced the closing of this short section of the dirt road because the road is deeply rutted and potentially hazardous to travelers. Sprunger-Allworth said, "If people become stranded, as has happened recently, help is over 20 miles away in either direction, cellphone coverage isn’t available, and the temperature can approach 120 degrees. Conditions can be life-threatening and we don’t want anyone to get into trouble."

Signs alerting visitors to this closure are posted at the entrance to Alamo Road from Corn Creek on the south and the entrance from Pahranagat NWR on the north. Additional signs have been posted at the Cabin Springs Road and the Sand Dunes.

Sprunger-Allworth urged everyone traveling on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge to register at the Corn Creek Contact Station and pick up a free map. She went on to remind everyone to be prepared when traveling anywhere in the desert, this means a high clearance vehicle in good repair with enough fuel. Extra water, sunscreen and protective clothing is also recommended.