Outdoor Recreation

In the Carson National Forest, the roads are half the adventure — and knowing which ones are open, which are rough, and which close for wildlife can save a trip. Forest Service roads are the capillaries of the forest, and the Valle Vidal's network is the best example of how they work.

The Carson National Forest runs more than 30 developed campgrounds, from high alpine basins to pinon-juniper country — and knowing which ones take reservations, which are first-come, and when they open can make or break a summer trip. Here is a practical rundown.