Campgrounds delay openings

COEUR d'ALENE - Snow covered access roads, muddy campsites and saturated terrain are combining to delay the opening of several national forest campgrounds in the Coeur d'Alene area.

Five of the nine campgrounds managed by the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests are expected to delay their opening for up to two weeks.

"Many of our higher elevation campgrounds still have large amounts of snow on them, and those that aren't covered in snow have the potential to become a muddy mess," said District Ranger Randy Swick. "Delaying our campground openings will give the sites some time to dry out and prevent damage to the roads and campsites that would otherwise result from normal use in these conditions."

The following campgrounds and campsites are likely to have delayed openings:

• Kit Price, Devils Elbow and Big Hank campgrounds along Forest Road 208, original date was May 20,.

• Honeysuckle Campground on Forest Road 209, original date was May 20.

• Berlin Flats Campground on Forest Road 412, original date was May 13.

• Bumblebee Meadows campsites on Forest Road 209, original date was May 20.

Mokins Bay, Beauty Creek, Bell Bay and Bumblebee campgrounds are all expected to open as scheduled on May 13.

Forest Service staff will continue to monitor conditions and hope to open campgrounds soon.

Information: 769-3000