BRIDGEPORT, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management will be temporarily closing the Travertine Hot Springs in Mono County from 4 p.m., Wed., Oct. 30, to 4 p.m., Wed., Nov. 6, for use by a local Tribe. The public lands described in this order will be closed to all forms of public access, including but not limited to, vehicular, pedestrian, and camping activities.  

“The Travertine Hot Springs has a long history intertwined with the cultures and people of the region,” said Sherri Lisius, Bishop Field Manager. “We ask that visitors to the area respect the privacy of the local Tribe throughout the duration of this important closure and find other areas to recreate during this time.”

The closure area begins at the existing gate near the junction of the access road to the Hot Springs and Jack Sawyer Road. It also includes any other roads and trails that provide access to the Hot Springs. The public can review this map for the full closure area. 

The gate on the access road to the Hot Springs will be locked. All access points will be signed with the closure order. Visitors are encouraged to visit Mono County or California National Conservation Lands for alternative recreational opportunities in the area.

BLM California is committed to managing federal lands and waters in a manner that seeks to protect the treaty, religious, subsistence, and cultural interests of Tribal Nations; that such management is consistent with our nation-to-nation relationship; and fulfills our unique trust obligation to Tribes and their citizens.

More information is available from the BLM Bishop Field Office at 760-872-5000 or BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov.

The Bureau of Land Management will implement a five-day temporary closure of all public use from Oct. 2 – 6, for all 40,000 acres of public lands within Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in San Bernardino County. The temporary closure is necessary to provide for competitor and spectator safety during the annual California 300 off-road race and to protect natural and cultural resources. Johnson Valley Off-Highway Recreation Area and nearby trails in limited use areas, will remain open to the public for recreation.  

“The safety of participants and spectators is our top concern,” said BLM Barstow Field Manager Marc Stamer.  “Please cooperate with race officials and local law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of everyone involved in this event.” 

Visitors to the event must access the approved spectator areas through designated access points provided by California 300.  

The BLM has approved a five-year public land closure for up to nine days a year through 2028. The temporary closure complies with the management plan for the area. Additional information and a map of the closure area for the 2024 race event is available online and at the BLM’s California Desert District Office and Barstow Field Office. The BLM encourages the public to Tread Lightly on public lands.