Superior National Forest: Emergency Road Closures Update as Roads Reopen
May 13, 2026 09:23AM ● By Editor
Photo: Zac Gudakov
From Superior National Forest - Updated May 13, 2026, originally posted April 30, 2026
5/13 Updates from the Superior National Forest:
Effective May 12, 2026, the following updates apply to the Superior National Forest’s Emergency Closure Order 09-09-26-04 for ‘2026 Storm Closures.’
Forest Roads Closed
Gunflint Ranger District (Grand Marais)
Gunflint Ranger District
Original post:
Water levels on lakes, streams, portages and rivers continue to change and are causing safety issues in many areas. Spring weather and thaw is always a dynamic and slow-moving situation, sometimes uncovering issues beneath snowpack as it thaws. Forest Service officials continue to coordinate with local, county, and state partners to stay abreast of the effects of spring’s impacts. Visitors are encouraged to use caution when traveling throughout the Forest. Please see www.facebook.com/superiornf, www.x.com/superiornf and www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior for closure order and other forest updates.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
5/13 Updates from the Superior National Forest:
Effective May 12, 2026, the following updates apply to the Superior National Forest’s Emergency Closure Order 09-09-26-04 for ‘2026 Storm Closures.’
Forest Roads Closed
Gunflint Ranger District (Grand Marais)
- Forest Road 313-Shoe Lake Road, from the intersection of the Arrowhead Trail (Cook County 16) west to Loft Lake carry-down access.
Gunflint Ranger District
- Forest Road 325-South Brule River Road at Fiddle Creek, from the junction of Forest Road 152-Lima Grade to FR325D Spur.
- South Farm Lake culvert washout, on Kawishiwi Trail/Prospector ATV/OHV Trail, road closure is near end of Lake County Road 16 to Gate No. 3 of Prospector ATV Trail.
- Forest Road 166-Cross River Road, closed at the junction of the Temperance River Road (approximately 5.15 miles northwest of State Highway 61) going east (approximately 4.9 miles) to County Road 2.
- No changes.
- None closed.
Image: USFS, SNF
Original post:
Heavy rain and melting snow have caused washouts across the forest. To keep visitors safe, an emergency closure (09-09-26-04) is now in effect for three ranger districts.
- Effective: April 29, 2026.
- Where: Check the latest list and map on the Alerts page.
Areas will reopen as soon as they are repaired. Please check the forest's website or social media before you travel.
Forest Roads
The following forest roads have washouts which make them not drivable. They are currently closed due to unsafe conditions.
Gunflint Ranger District (Northeast side of the forest, Grand Marias)
- Forest Road 313-Shoe Lake Road, from the intersection of the Arrowhead Trail (Cook County 16) west to Loft Lake carry-down access.
- Forest Road 325-South Brule River Road at Fiddle Creek, from the junction of Forest Road 152-Lima Grade to FR325D Spur.
- An alternative route to recreation sites - East and West Twin Lakes, Bower Trout (BWCAW entry point 43) and Ram Lake (BWCAW entry point 44) is Forest Road 152-Lima Mountain Road, approximately 4 miles north of the FR325-South Brule River Road intersection on the Gunflint Trail (Cook County 12).
Kawishiwi Ranger District (Northern portion of the forest, Ely area)
- South Farm Lake culvert washout, on Kawishiwi Trail/Prospector ATV/OHV Trail, road closure is near end of Lake County Road 16 to Gate No. 3 of Prospector ATV Trail.
Tofte Ranger District (Southeast side of the forest)
- Forest Road 166-Cross River Road, closed at the junction of the Temperance River Road (approximately 5.15 miles northwest of State Highway 61) going east (approximately 4.9 miles) to County Road 2.
Recreation Sites and Campgrounds
All developed and dispersed recreation sites including developed campgrounds on the forest are still planned to open for visitor use this next weekend. As road and water conditions change, recreation sites will be reevaluated. Be cautious of lake levels and boat access dock areas.Wilderness Entry Points
There are currently no known washouts or flooded roads to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Entry Points; they all remain accessible.
Water levels on lakes, streams, portages and rivers continue to change and are causing safety issues in many areas. Spring weather and thaw is always a dynamic and slow-moving situation, sometimes uncovering issues beneath snowpack as it thaws. Forest Service officials continue to coordinate with local, county, and state partners to stay abreast of the effects of spring’s impacts. Visitors are encouraged to use caution when traveling throughout the Forest. Please see www.facebook.com/superiornf, www.x.com/superiornf and www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior for closure order and other forest updates.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
