BOZEMAN — Unfortunately for fans of the trails at Kirk Hill or Leverich Canyon south of Bozeman, there is bad news.
Both of these popular trails will be closed to hikers and mountain bikers for the remainder of the 2024 season.
In June, the Forest Service announced the closure of Leverich Canyon and Kirk Hill as part of a logging project aimed at reducing fuels.
Forest Service
Forest Service
The Forest Service mentions that the public should anticipate seeing and hearing equipment and crews in the area throughout the fall season. Fuel reduction activities will involve helicopter logging near Leverich Canyon and Bozeman Creek, as well as other logging in the Moser area.
According to the Forest Service, these temporary closures are a necessary measure.
“I acknowledge the temporary impacts this project will have on recreational access within the area, but these treatments are absolutely crucial in fulfilling the purpose and need of safeguarding our community’s municipal watershed, and we aim to enhance safety for the public during implementation,” says Bozeman District Ranger, Corey Lewellen.
While part of Kirk Hill is still accessible for hiking, mountain bikers will not have any access to Leverich at all.
When asked, many hikers this week were unaware of the closure.
