Pinto Basin Road Will Partially Reopen

Nine miles of the flood-damaged Pinto Basin Road will reopen at Noon on Friday, September 30. The segment of road that will reopen for public traffic extends from the present closure at White Tank Campground to the Ocotillo Patch pullout. This will allow public access to the popular Cholla Cactus Garden.

In addition to Pinto Basin Road from I10 to the Ocotillo Patch, Black Eagle Mine, Old Dale, Pinkham Canyon, and Thermal Canyon 4-wheel-drive roads remain closed. Cottonwood Campground and Visitor Center, Cottonwood Spring, and the hiking trails originating at the spring are also closed.

"Park staff are working with Federal Highways Administration engineers to determine how quickly and under what circumstances the Pinto Basin Road can be safely reopened, said Superintendent Mark Butler. We are looking at a phased reopening that will allow us to ensure public safety. In the meantime we ask visitors to observe posted closures so that essential repair work can be accomplished as fast as possible."

Also opening at Noon on Friday are the campgrounds and campsites that were closed for the summer due to low visitation. With the exception of Cottonwood Campground, all park campsites will be available for visitor use by Friday night.