Hill slides into road at Makoshika State Park, prompting road closure

MILES CITY – Safety barricades were placed along portions of a road in Makoshika State Park Wednesday after wet weather apparently caused the side of a hill to slide into the road.

According to acting park manager Spencer Morris, the slide likely began the morning of Monday or Tuesday, and more sliding occurred Tuesday evening. The slide area is located a half mile south of Cains Campground. A large amount of dirt and rock gave way, and some of it settled over the main switchback road. There is concern that additional slides could occur.

“After a long, dry season, recent weather events including wet snow and rains have created the conditions to cause this slide,” Morris said. “The slide could, at any time, fully move, causing a total blockage of the road. For safety concerns, the park has closed the road to the southern part of the park. Because of the uncertainty of the slide and for the safety of the public, we are also asking that people not enter the area by foot. At this time, is it unknown when the road and southern part of the park will be re-opened.” 

Access to Cains Campground has not been affected by the slide. Campers in the upper campgrounds have been notified of the danger and have been asked to vacate the area. A barricade has been put in place to prevent people from traveling past Cains Campground. Portions of the road known as the switchbacks are not accessible.

Portions of the park are still accessible, including the visitor’s center, disc golf course, Cains Campground and group use pavillion, along with trails including Blue Bird, Paramount, Buccaneer and Diane Gabriel.

Members of FWP’s Design and Construction bureau are expected to be on site next week, but it is not known how long the barricade will remain in place.

 

-fwp-