Closed Areas for Aerial Herbicide Applications in September

Please stay out of spray areas during application periods for your safety and the safety of the pilots.Posted spray areas will receive broadcast application of pre-emergent herbicide(s) to suppress invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass. Invasive annual grasses degrade habitat quality, increase fire risk, and outcompete native plant communities. Please direct any questions about this project to LP Mancini at lindsey_mancini@fws.gov or (541) 576-9780.

Review the dates and maps associated with each closed area listed below.

September 30-October 7, 2026: Poker Jim Ridge

  • No campgrounds are closed.
  • Martin Canyon Rd and the eastern portion of Poker Jim Rd is closed.
The map reads aerial spray closures and shows sections of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge that will be closed for aerial spraying.
Image Details

September 30-October 7, 2026: Martin Canyon

  • No campgrounds are closed.
  • Martin Canyon Rd and the eastern portion of Poker Jim Rd is closed.
The map reads aerial spray closures and shows sections of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge that will be closed for aerial spraying.
Image Details

Construction at 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.  No water is accessible at the Refuge headquarters/visitor center.  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.