Hazardous trees cause closure of Indian Henry Campground near Estacada

A popular Mount Hood National Forest camping site on the Clackamas River is being closed today due to hazardous trees.

Forest officials said the Indian Henry Campground is being shut down indefinitely to patrons because falling shallow-rooted hemlock trees have caused too much of a safety concern to keep the 86-camping site area open. The campground, located near Estacada, is also a popular area to catch steelhead, chinook and coho salmon in the Clackamas River.

Campers with weekend or other future reservations at the campground are being offered refunds or stays at alternate campgrounds along the Clackamas River.

"Indian Henry is a very special place for so many people," said acting district ranger Brad Siemens in a press release." It is one of our largest and most popular campgrounds; however we must err on the side of public safety."

Forest officials said many of the trees have fallen this spring before Memorial Day and they have become more susceptible to wind since the area's annual pre-season maintenance of hazard trees. The campground is typically opened from May to September or October.

Mount Hood National Forest is currently looking into long-term management plans for the closed campground.

--Everton Bailey Jr.