The Sawtooth National Forest closed the Stanley Ranger Station to visitors on Monday and will continue staffing the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters north of Ketchum through Wednesday, according to Forest Spokeswoman Jessica Maddock.
Both locations are expected to reopen to visitors in the spring.
Maddock said the forest has not historically closed either center to visitors in the fall. However, she pointed out that the closures were announced in an earlier May press release, in which the Forest stated that both office locations would be open “June 16 through Labor Day.”
The Sawtooth National Forest had temporarily closed both offices for several weeks leading up to June 16, attributing the closures to “recent staffing changes,” the Express previously reported. Those closures arrived in the wake of the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal workers.
“We were very fortunate to have had a number of partners who stepped up to provide visitor services support during our busiest time of year, and we are even more fortunate that our partners are continuing to staff the desk at the Headquarters through Sep. 10,” Maddock wrote recently.
Any visitors who need assistance in Stanley can call or visit the Stanley Museum at 2 Museum Drive in Stanley (208-774-3517). It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 28. Visitors can also call or visit Redfish Lake Visitor Center (208-774-3376), which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sep. 14, then 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Sept. 28.
Visitors in Ketchum can get assistance at the Ketchum Ranger District office, located at 206 Sun Valley Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, Maddock said.
“Fuelwood permits for Sawtooth National Forest are also available for purchase online through the new E-Permit System,” she said. 
