Forest Service shuts down popular campground for the season

The Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests announced Monday that Bumblebee Campground will remain closed through 2015.

The information cites loose limbs in the trees above campsites as the reason not to open the campground, which is located approximately 8 miles outside Kingston.

"These limbs can become falling projectiles in a wind event," the information states.

Last summer, contract crews reportedly removed a large number of diseased, dead and dying trees to improve public safety at the site. During this year's inspections, numerous large, loose limbs were discovered above the campsites. A typical winter, including heavy winter storms and a higher snow loads, would have most likely dislodged the existing limbs. Unfortunately last year's mild winter did not provide the needed stresses to clear the over-story of loose tree limbs.

After a more typical winter season, the district will assess the response of the remaining over-story trees to wind and snow-loading with the goal of having the campground open for the 2016 season.

Although the Bumblebee Campground will remain closed, the neighboring Bumblebee Meadows is open. The meadows have designated dispersed campsites with a vault toilet and portable toilets and are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information about Bumblebee Campground, call the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District at (208) 664-2318.