Press Release: High visitation during spring break is impacting the parking, trails and recreation offerings available in the Forest as hurricane recovery continues
El Yunque National Forest continues to recover after impacts from hurricanes Irma and María in September 2017. While the Forest Service has been able to re-open access along most roads in the Forest, about 40% of the recreation areas, trails and services are now available. As reconstruction efforts continue, many areas will remain closed until they are safe to re-open.
The Forest currently has a parking capacity of approximately 150 parking spaces, a significantly reduced capacity from before the hurricanes. When the Forest parking capacity is reached, the gate at La Coca Falls may be temporarily closed to oncoming traffic; as vehicles leave the Forest, the gate would be re-open. Some parking areas in the Forest are limited to 30-minutes. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to avoid the traffic congestion.
The recreation opportunities currently available include:
- The Mt. Britton trail system which offers access to upper elevations of the Forest for scenic views.
- Angelito Trail and Puente Roto along PR 988, and PR 186 with viewing of streams and waterfalls in the western portion of the Forest.
- The Rio Sabana Day Use Area, on the south side of the Forest in Naguabo, is also open on weekends.
- A variety of outdoor recreation activities such as swimming, water sports, hiking, ziplining and other cultural activities are also available in the areas surrounding the Forest.
- There are currently no picnic facilities open in the main recreation corridor on the north side of the Forest. While water and electrical services are being reestablished; portable toilets are providing sanitary services.
The number of trails available for hiking is also limited. Hiking access to the popular La Mina Falls remains closed due to heavy impacts to the trails caused by landslides and floods. Design work to rebuild the trails is underway, but it will take more than a year to complete trail reconstruction and re-establish access.
When visiting the Forest, visitors are encouraged to first stop by El Portalito HUB at #54 Calle Principal in Palmer for information, exhibits, educational activities and a movie. El Portalito HUB in Palmer serves as a temporary visitor and community engagement center while the El Portal Visitor Center is reconstructed. Forest staff may be available in the Forest to help greet visitors and provide orientation.
The Forest Service is asking everyone to be part of keeping El Yunque clean by removing trash and belongings from the Forest.
For more information on the recreation areas currently available in El Yunque and hurricane recovery efforts visit the Forest website at: www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque or the new app, El Yunque NF (eynf.oncell.com). Updates on traffic and capacity conditions can also be found on Twitter and Facebook @ElYunqueNF.
