FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Affairs Officer: Lisa Cox
[email protected]
(760) 873-2427
www.fs.usda.gov/inyo
Facebook @InyoNF

Reds Meadow Road reconstruction update

Projected schedule for public access during 2025 summer season now available

Mammoth Lakes, Calif., January 31, 2025 —Inyo National Forest, partner agencies and contractors responsible for the reconstruction of Reds Meadow Road, which leads to Devils Postpile National Monument, are ready to share the projected schedule for the summer 2025 season.

Significant changes include the road now being open on Thursdays with 1-hour delayed traffic control during the peak summer season.

“We are happy to announce that we will now be able to open the road for the public via bus shuttles for a fourth day of the week this summer instead of three,” said Mammoth District Ranger Fred Wong. “However, there will still be construction occurring on Thursdays with alternating one-way traffic each hour.” Fred Wong also added, “Unfortunately, we will also need to close the road one month earlier than normal on October 6 because construction will make the road impassable to all traffic.”

Currently, Red’s Meadow Road is closed to wheeled vehicles for the regular winter season with an anticipated seasonal opening date of July 3, 2025, depending on the weather. During this time, weekends will open for public access transitioning into bus shuttle traffic only later in June, however this is also dependent on road conditions and weather.

The mandatory ESTA shuttle bus runs daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as usual when the road is open. Any other times when the shuttle bus is not running but the road is open, means that personal vehicles may enter and exit, provided they meet the restrictions (see website).

• July 2 at 8:00 p.m. – July 6 at 11:00 p.m.: Open
• July 6 – August 28:
  • Open Thursdays 6 a.m. through Sundays at 11:00 p.m.
    • Please note: Thursdays will have 1 hour traffic delays from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • August 28 – September 1:
    • Open Thursday at 8 p.m. through Monday at 11 p.m.
  • September 2   – September 14:
    • Open Thursdays 8:00 p.m. through Sundays at 11 p.m.
  • September 15 – October 5:
    • Open Saturday at 7:00 a.m. through Sunday at 11 p.m.
    • Last day for ESTA shuttle bus operations is October 5.
  • October 6 – end of year:
    • Closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic for construction and winter season.

PLEASE NOTE:

• At this time, we do not know what campground(s) will be open, or if they will remain closed, pending a decision by concessionaire. Reds Meadow Campground will be closed due to renovations.
• Wilderness permit reservations for trips starting on trails in the Reds Meadow area (Beck Lake, Fern Lake, Fish Creek, High Trail, John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile, John Muir Trail South of Devils Postpile, Minaret Lake, River Trail and Shadow Creek) will only be available on days when the road is open to the public.
  • Please pay attention to the road closures schedule if you are planning to exit from one of these trailheads; the permit reservation system will not prevent you from getting a permit to exit even though the road may be closed.
• There are exceptions to the ESTA shuttle bus for visitors. Read about the exceptions here.
• For information on Reds Meadow Resort, please visit their website: https://www.redsmeadow.com/

For more information visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/inyo/visit-us/alerts-notices/
reds-meadow-road-reconstruction

Questions?
Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center: (760) 924-5500
Or feel free to direct message us on Facebook @InyoNF