ATTENTION!

DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS & REQUIREMENTS ARE IN EFFECT FOR SHELDON AND HART MOUNTAIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

FIRES, STOVES, SMOKING, other BURNING and EQUIPMENT:

  • PERMITTED: Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires or charcoal fires is only allowed in Virgin Valley Campground on Sheldon NWR.
  • PROHIBITED: Wood stoves, smoker fires, and portable braziers are prohibited on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.
  • PERMITTED: Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters, and generators with an approved spark arrestor within an area at least 10 feet in diameter and barren of all flammable material.  
  • PROHIBITED: Smoking outside, except in areas barren of all flammable materials at least 6 feet in diameter, or in a vehicle.
  • PROHIBITED: Power saw operations. 
  • PROHIBITED: Welding equipment, including acetylene or open flame torches. 
  • Spark arresting devices must be properly installed and maintained on all internal combustion engines.

 MOTORIZED VEHICLES:

  • Due to extreme fire danger, select roads on Sheldon and Hart Mountain Refuges may be closed due to hazardous conditions.  Vehicles are permitted only on roads where flammable vegetation and debris does not come in contact with the vehicle undercarriage.
  • Vehicles are prohibited on roads marked as closed and on roads in which flammable vegetation or debris may contact the vehicle undercarriage. Be aware of Road Closed signs and Avoid Hazardous Road Conditions such as those shown below:
On road barrier, the image is up close to a sign stating "Road Closed". In the background is a sage step with portions burned from wildfire.
Image Details
  • Vehicles may only drive on roads in which vegetation does not contact the vehicle undercarriage.
Dirt road free of tall vegetation or debris
Image Details
  • Vehicles must be parked in an area barren of flammable material, including  vegetation (this includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, cars, pickups, etc.)
  • All motorized vehicles must carry the following equipment:
    • A shovel not less than 26 inches in overall length, with a blade not less than eight inches wide;
    • one water container of at least one gallon in size filled to capacity or a 2.5 pound fully charged fire extinguisher;
    • Axe or Pulaski Pulaski
      The Pulaski is a special hand tool used in wildland firefighting. The tool combines an axe and an adze in one head, similar to that of the cutter mattock, with a rigid handle of wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The Pulaski is a versatile tool for constructing firebreaks, as it can be used to both dig soil and chop wood.

      Learn more about Pulaski       with a handle at least 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than two pounds.
  • It is prohibited to operate any type of motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle not equipped with an approved and fully-functioning spark arrestor. 

Construction at Refuge Headquarters and along Hot Springs Road

From July 1 to late fall, a large waterline construction project requires the headquarters waterline to be shut off for visitor use.  Visitors may access potable water at Camp Hart Mountain Campground’s pavilion during this time.  Plan accordingly and be prepared to stop for construction as needed.

Refuge Access

All road access is weather permitted.  Use caution as roads may be marked open yet road conditions can change quicky and become inaccessible.  Refuge roads can become hazardous and impassable due to storm events, drifting snow, or wet and muddy conditions. Expect little to no cell service in the Refuge and help could be hours away. Be prepared and carry a shovel, fire extinguisher, tire chains, warm layers such as blankets or a sleeping bag, first aid kit, emergency food, and at least one extra gallon per person of water in your vehicle.

Open Access

  • Primary Roads of Hart Mountain Road and Frenchglen Road are maintained in the winter.  

  • Hot Springs Road and Blue Sky Road is open.  Generally, these roads remain open until weather and road conditions change them to being closed.  Maintenance in winter may vary with road conditions.

  • Hot Springs, Post Meadows, Camp Hart Mountain Campgrounds are open; weather permitted.  New sites were created at Hot Springs Campground. Camp within the buck and rail fences to help with riparian recovery.  First come, first serve.

  • The hot springs are in the Hot Springs Campground.

  • Warner Pond; Access is a rough and steep road.  4 x 4 and high clearance is highly recommended.

     

Limited Access

  • Secondary Roads open between June 15 - December 1, including Shirk Road, Poker Jim Road, and Skyline.  Follow road closures for secondary roads.

  • Barnhardy Road and Post Meadow Roads are seasonally open between August 1 - December 1.  For driving Barnhardy Road, 4 x 4 and high clearance is highly recommended.

  • Visitor Center is intermittently open between 8am-4pm when staffing is available between Memorial Day to Labor Day.

     

Prevent the spread of Invasive Species: To help sagebrush sagebrush
The western United States’ sagebrush country encompasses over 175 million acres of public and private lands. The sagebrush landscape provides many benefits to our rural economies and communities, and it serves as crucial habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including the iconic greater sage-grouse and over 350 other species.

Learn more about sagebrush rehabilitation and spread of invasive weeds, remove debris, mud, and vegetation from bottom of vehicles before traveling into the Refuge.