HARRISBURG, IL — Snake Road, located on the Shawnee National Forest, will remain closed through November 5th and will re-open on November 6th.  Due to recent warm weather, there are still a significant number of amphibians and reptiles moving in the area. Delaying the road opening until November 6th would reduce vehicular mortality for the migrating wildlife. Please use caution when visiting this remarkable area of the Forest.

Snake Road, also known as Forest Service Road No. 345, will be closed between mile post 3.0 and mile post 5.8. The road is closed to vehicles, however foot travel is permitted.

Visitors should be aware that LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond is a federally designated Research Natural Area and the unauthorized collecting and handling of any of these species is prohibited under federal and state law.

For more information about the species found in the area, directions to the road, and/or the LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area, please contact the Shawnee National Forest office in Jonesboro, Illinois at (618) 833-8576 or visit the Forest website atfs.usda.gov/shawnee