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Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

Red Flag Warning issued July 2 at 12:46PM MDT until July 2 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

12:46 PM — 8:00 PM

* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 205 Colorado River Headwaters below 8000 feet. * TIMING...Until 8 PM MDT this evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...7 to 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Air Quality Alert issued July 2 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Denver CO

9:10 AM — July 3rd, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, Cortez and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Thursday July 02 to 900 AM Friday July 03 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Friday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Air Quality Alert issued July 2 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Denver CO

9:10 AM — July 3rd, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Action Day for Multiple Pollutants. WHERE...Douglas, Jefferson, Denver, western Arapahoe, western Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties WHEN...400 PM Wednesday July 01 to 400 PM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Action Day for Multiple Pollutants is now in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor. Elevated levels of Multiple Pollutants will remain possible in the northern Front Range region through Thursday afternoon. Concentrations of both ozone and fine particulates may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category at times on Wednesday and Thursday. For Colorado air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx If possible, please help us reduce ozone pollution by limiting driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles until at least 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026. Colorado is also addressing ozone pollution through state policies. For more information about health impacts and how ozone pollution forms in Colorado, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/ozone- pollution-and-your-health HEALTH INFORMATION...If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Overview

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland spans nearly 2.9 million acres across northern Colorado and southeastern/central Wyoming. The forest is currently open and accessible, though it's deep into winter season with several operational changes. As of mid-December 2025, all district campgrounds are closed for the season but remain open for dispersed use without services (no water or trash service—pack it in, pack it out). Key highways WYO 130 (Snowy Range) and WYO 70 (Battle Pass) are closed for winter. Seasonal gate closures are in effect for roads 42, Seedhouse, 550, Buffalo Pass, and Elk Park. Many roads are inaccessible due to snow, and some backcountry roads have deep ruts requiring high clearance vehicles. The Centennial Visitor Center remains open (call 307-742-9730 for hours), and Christmas tree permits are available through late December. District offices have limited holiday hours through early January 2026. Current conditions show moderate status across all units. Road conditions can be rough, particularly in the Laramie Peak area where switchbacks shouldn't be driven with campers after moisture. Winter recreation like skiing, snowmobiling, and winter camping are popular activities during this season.

Campgrounds

Aspen Campground Aspen Campground Battle Creek Campground Bear Lake Campground Bear River Designated Dispersed Big Creek Lakes Campground Blackhall Lookout Blacktail Creek Campground Bobbie Thomson Campground Boswell Creek Campground Bottle Creek Campground Bottle Creek Group Picnic Site Bow River Campground Brooklyn Lake Campground Brush Creek Pavilion Brush Creek Work Center Barrack Campbell Creek Campground Chapman Reservoir Campground Cold Springs Campground Crosho Lake Camground Curtis Gulch Campground Deep Creek Campground Deep Creek Campground, Medicine Bow-Routt Dry Lake Campground Dumont Campground Dumont Lake Campground Esterbrook Campground Freeman Reservoir Campground

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