The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to begin winterizing campground water systems in Lincoln and Sublette counties, signaling the seasonal transition for outdoor recreation sites in western Wyoming.
The work is scheduled to take place between Sept. 29 and Oct. 3, affecting Fontenelle Creek Campground in Lincoln County along with Scab Creek and Warren Bridge campgrounds in Sublette County.
Once the winterization process begins, water service will be shut down for the remainder of the season. Campers are advised to bring their own supplies if they plan to visit after water is turned off.
According to an article published by The Kemmer Gazette on September 24, no fees will be charged at the affected campgrounds once water systems are closed. While amenities will be reduced, public access will remain in place.
Fontenelle Creek Campground will stay open as long as roads remain passable. The boat ramp and lake access are expected to remain available throughout the winter.
According to its website, the Fontenelle Creek Recreation site offers a range of amenities for camping, boating, and fishing. Facilities include potable water, a trailer dump station, two large parking areas near the boat ramp, a fully functional ramp with dock, and handicap-accessible restrooms and campsites.
The site features 55 campsites equipped with covered picnic tables and barbecue grills, along with vault and flush restrooms.
Additional amenities include gravel pathways to restrooms, cement road barriers, trash facilities, a fenced firewood area, and a paved route providing access to the reservoir.
At Scab Creek and Warren Bridge campgrounds, access will continue until the end of October or until the first significant snowfall makes camping conditions unsuitable.
The winterization is designed to protect campground infrastructure from freezing temperatures that can damage water lines and related systems. Annual shutdowns are a standard part of campground management in the region.