Shawnee National Forest Temporary Closure of Snake Road for Spring Movement
Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/06/2026 - 05/15/2026
12:00 am
Categories
Shawnee National Forest Temporary Closure of Snake Road
for Spring Movement
Closure order is in effect from March 6-May 15, 2026
(Harrisburg, IL, March 04, 2026) — Forest Service Road No. 345, Snake Road, is
temporarily closed beginning Friday, March 6 to ensure safe crossing for several species of
snakes and amphibians during their bi-annual migration.
Every spring, this 2.5-mile-long road is closed March through May to allow snakes and
amphibians – some of them considered threatened and endangered in Illinois and the United
States – to move from their winter habitat in the limestone bluffs across the road to their
summer habitat in LaRue Swamp.
The gradual, two-month migration event attracts people from across the country eager to
witness the rich diversity of reptile and amphibian species along this single stretch of road.
Snake movements on the road occur as pulses of individual snakes crossing at scattered times
during the day, and at random points along the road. They don’t form groups or cross the road
in large masses.
A lot of factors will go into how many snakes you may see on your visit, but the number one
thing to keep in mind is safety. Visitors should keep their distance from the snakes to avoid
disrupting their critical movement. Visitors are also asked to keep to the gravel road as a best
practice when visiting.
Another important safety reminder is that the handling or collection of snakes is not allowed
and is prohibited by law. Interacting with wildlife can lead to injury, stress to the animal, and
even closures of unique areas we all enjoy. The Shawnee National Forest plays a crucial role in
the habitat of these snakes, and the snakes play a large role in maintaining the health and
balance of the local ecosystem.
Though the road is closed to vehicles, it is open to people traveling on foot. Visitors to Snake
Road may encounter Forest Service volunteers assisting with counting snakes and visitors to the
area. These special “Snake Sentinel” volunteers received training in snake identification and
data collection that they conduct along the Snake Road.
Visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the special regulations that apply to the
area around Snake Road. LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond is a federally designated Research
Natural Area and unauthorized collecting and handling of any of these species is prohibited
under federal and state law. Specific rules and regulations are signed at both ends of Snake Road
and available on the Forest’s website.
For more information about the snake migration and LaRue-Pine Hills Research National Area
visit www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/safety-ethics/respect-wildlife.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people
and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science
and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature
and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote
lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public
land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland
fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct
or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over
130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.