Lee Creek Campground to be closed for water system updates

The Lee Creek Campground and Forest Road 699, Lee Creek Road, on the Lolo National Forest will be closed from July 18 to August 30, 2024, for water system updates.

The water system has been experiencing maintenance issues for the last few years and several aspects of it are no longer functional. The improved water system will provide reliable and safe water to this popular campground.

“Having a fully functional water system at Lee Creek once again will be a huge benefit for our visitors,” said Shaun O’Connor, Deputy District Ranger, Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest.

During the closure, the day use area and associated restroom will remain open. Visitors are encouraged to call the Missoula Ranger District to get the latest updates on construction.

“Parts of the recreation site may be opened earlier as construction is completed,” said O’Connor.

Please see Forest Order 24-012-Lolo D3 Lee Creek Campground Closure Order for more details and a map of the closed area at https://www.fs.usda.gov/lolo under Alerts and Notices.

The Forest Service awarded a contract to Haskins Excavating to complete the $75,000 project.

This investment was made possible by the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund established by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to address the Forest Service’s deferred maintenance backlog while improving critical infrastructure essential to use and enjoy national forests.

GAOA addresses the growing $8.6 billion backlog of deferred maintenance on national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service currently administers more than 370,000 miles of roads, 13,900 trail and road bridges, 160,000 miles of trails, 1,500 dams and reservoirs, 1,500 communications sites, and 30,000 recreation sites across the United States and Puerto Rico.