Idaho Department of Lands Closes Popular Recreation Area in Southern Idaho Indefinitely Due to Abuse of Land

JEROME, ID - Effective Wednesday, June 15, 2022, the Idaho Department of Lands will close the endowment land at the East Fork of Rock Creek in Power County to camping and UTVs due to abuse of the land by people recreating in the area. The area is located approximately four miles east of Rockland.

According to the IDL, after moderate weekend use IDL staff discovered that recreationalists continued to leave significant amounts of human waste and trash at the site. It was also found that UTVs were going off trail, damaging the area and leading to an increased risk of erosion.

This 40-acre parcel of land managed by the IDL is used to generate funding for the Public School Endowment.

"Because abusive behavior damaged the land and diminished its ability to generate revenue for public schools, the area is now closed to camping and UTVs indefinitely," read a news release from the IDL.

This isn't the first time the IDL has had this issue. Last year, similar problems existed in the East Fork of the Rock Creek area that resulted in the closure of restrooms and trash service.

Last year, the 2.5 million acres of Endowment Land across Idaho earned a total of $54,798,000 for Idaho's public schools, according to the IDL.

Walk-in day use of the area is still permitted.