Ross Creek Cedars closed to motorized traffic 2026

Kootenai National Forest has closed Ross Creek Road to motorized traffic for the 2026 season after December 2025 flooding damaged the access route to Ross Creek Cedars near Troy, Montana. Forest Service officials said National Forest System Road 398 was structurally compromised in multiple places by landslides, washouts, heavy water flow and debris. The closure applies to motor vehicles, but the scenic area remains open to people traveling by foot or bicycle. The agency said crews have cleared the Ross Creek Cedars Nature Loop and access road, while warning that hazardous trees, debris and uneven surfaces remain. ### Which road is closed, and what does the closure actually cover? National Forest System Road 398 is the road affected by the closure, according to the Forest Service. The agency said the road to the Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area sustained significant damage during the December 2025 flood events and is closed to all motorized vehicles for the season. (fs.usda.gov) Daily Inter Lake reported on May 20 that motorists will not be able to drive the Ross Creek Cedar Scenic Area loop in 2026 because of the extent of the damage and repairs needed. The newspaper said there is no definitive timeframe for reopening the road to vehicles. ### What happened there in December 2025? The December 2025 flood events caused the underlying problem. (fs.usda.gov) Kootenai National Forest said heavy rains, flooding, landslides and debris flows created unstable conditions along Road 398 and undercut sections of the roadway. The Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area also took broader damage beyond the road itself. (dailyinterlake.com) The Forest Service said smaller trees were down throughout the area, some bridges were displaced and unstable conditions remained after the storm. A local report carried by Montanian said the ancient cedars themselves were still standing even as surrounding infrastructure and access points were damaged. (fs.usda.gov) ### Can people still visit Ross Creek Cedars this year? Ross Creek Cedars remains open to non-motorized access in 2026. Kootenai National Forest said visitors may still reach the area by hiking or biking even though vehicles are barred from the road. Forest Service officials asked visitors to use caution because hazardous trees, debris and uneven walking surfaces remain in the area. (montanian.com) The agency said access in 2026 will look different from previous years as crews continue work after the flood damage. ### Is the trail itself open, or only the road? The Ross Creek Cedars Nature Loop has been cleared, according to the Forest Service, and the agency said the scenic area remains open for hiking and biking. (fs.usda.gov) That means the current restriction is aimed at motorized access on the road rather than a blanket closure of the destination. A separate AllTrails listing describes the Ross Creek Nature Trail as closed because of flood damage, but the Forest Service pages are the primary source for current federal access rules and say non-motorized public access remains available. (fs.usda.gov) ### How long will this last, and where should visitors check before going? May 1 is the date on the Forest Service release that set the 2026 access plan, and officials said there is no definitive timeframe for reopening the road to motorized traffic. (fs.usda.gov) The closure is described on Forest Service pages as lasting for the season. (alltrails.com) The Kootenai National Forest recreation page for Ross Creek Scenic Area and the agency’s road-closure alert page are the clearest places to check for changes before a trip. Daily Inter Lake’s May 20 report said the road remains closed to vehicles this summer while hiking and biking access continues. (fs.usda.gov 1) (fs.usda.gov 2)