BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — The Boise National Forest says they have closed Bull Trout Campground at Bull Trout Lake and the surrounding area northwest of Stanley after multiple bear sightings in the last couple weeks.
The Forest Service says bears have a great sense of smell and can find food from great distances. And once they find an area with food they are likely to keep returning.
Officials say bears that associate food with humans could pose a threat to both the bear and people.
The closure is technically in effect from August 1-14. The Forest Service says that if the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is able to verify that the bears have moved on by then, they would likely re-open the campsite on August 15. However, if the bears are still there, the closure would need to be extended.
KBOI 2News heard from one person who says he's been planning a camping trip for years with friends and family just for the eclipse on August 21.
He says he was given notice that the reservation is now canceled.
The Forest Service says people who reserved a campsite from August 1-14 will be given refunds.
They also say if the campsite is reopened on the 15th, those people with reservations after that date would have their reservation reinstated. However, if the campsite is going to remain closed, those people would also receive a refund.
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