The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bighorn National Forest will close an area, including Tongue River Canyon Trail 002 and the associated trailhead at the Tongue River Canyon Public Access Area, beginning at 8 a.m. on Sept. 10, 2026. The closure will allow U.S. Forest Service contractors to complete repair work on the trail, which was damaged by a rock slide in April 2026. 

The closure is expected to last until early October, or until work is completed. The work will include tread repair and blasting to widen the trail and rubble removal. Equipment will be shuttled between the trailhead and the work site.

Although Trail 002 is on the Bighorn National Forest, access to the trail from the trailhead is on Game and Fish Commission property and is part of the Tongue River Canyon Public Access Area. 

“For public safety, and to expedite repair work, the decision was made to close the trailhead for the entirety of the project,” said Nathan Lindsey, Game and Fish Sheridan Region Habitat and Access Coordinator. “The public will still be able to access the designated camping sites in the canyon and fishing access along the Tongue River, downstream from the trailhead, will remain open. Upstream fishing access from the trailhead will be closed.” 

Closure signs will be placed at the trailhead and at the forest boundary on Sept. 10 and removed as soon as trail access reopens.