Climbing Walls Closed In Bighorn Forest For Bird Protection

Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest is an incredible destination for outdoor lovers to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Hiking, biking, camping, side-by-side riding, fishing, horseback riding, water activities, and rock climbing are among the most popular activities.

Even though the Bighorns cover over 3,000 square miles of area, there are a lot of options and locations for you to recreate. Even though there are still some things that can come up and throw your plans off a little, causing you to rethink them.

Weather, fire, and overcrowding are three things that may make you call an audible on your plans, but raptor nesting is another. The Bighorn National Forest has announced that if you were planning on going to the Munitions or Oblivion climbing walls in the Valhalla area, it's time to pivot.

Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

These areas in the Ten Sleep Canyon will be closed to climbing until August 15. Until then, the crews will monitor the closed areas.

There are good reasons these climbing areas are closed.

Nesting raptors can be very aggressive, for your safety and the safety of the birds please respect the closure. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, land managers are required to prevent actions that could disturb nesting birds. Your cooperation helps protect these species during this important time of year. Route names are created by route developers and first ascensionists, not the Bighorn National Forest.

Even though Munitions or Oblivion climbing walls are closed, that doesn't mean your climbing opportunities are totally shut down. There are still plenty of options available. You can see other options on the map below.

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Enjoy your summer adventures, be careful, and keep on, keepin' on!