BEDFORD — The Forest Service proposes converting a three-mile section of Tower Ridge Road in Monroe County into a section of the Grubb Ridge Trail system. Due to repeated storms, that section of the road, which has been closed since July 2025, has become heavily rutted and unsafe for drivers; the road would be permanently closed to motor vehicles and bicycles and converted to a hiking and horseback riding trail if approved.
“This proposal would improve the experience for visitors in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness by removing some of the human disturbance and impacts to the Wilderness character described in the Wilderness Act of 1964, and still maintain access by the public to our recreation sites on a safer road. This action would also reduce the substantial maintenance costs for this road, which impacts our capacity to maintain other routes throughout the Hoosier National Forest,” said Stacy Duke, the public services staff officer for the Hoosier National Forest.
To achieve this change, the Hoosier National Forest proposes to amend its Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) to remove the sentence “Keep Tower Ridge Road and Hunters Creek Road open.” No changes to the status of Hunters Creek Road are being proposed, as it is maintained by Monroe County, and Blackwell Campground will still be accessible via Tower Ridge Road from State Road 446.
Why this matters
- Protecting wilderness character: The Charles C. Deam Wilderness is treasured for quiet, solitude, and an undeveloped feel, characteristics defined by the Wilderness Act. A gravel road with traffic running through the corridor makes it harder to experience that quiet.
- Making visits safer: Hunters Creek Road—recently improved and paved—offers a smoother, safer east‑west route. Families headed to Hickory Ridge Fire Tower or Deam trailheads can continue to arrive via Hunters Creek Road.
- Responsible use of public resources: Maintenance responsibility for Tower Ridge Road comes at a significant cost, reducing funds available to maintain other forest roads. With upgrades to Hunters Creek Road complete, Tower Ridge Road is now redundant in terms of the access it provides.
- Community access provided: Motorized access to Todd Cemetery and a private inholding would continue. Access to all recreation sites would continue via Hunters Creek Road.
How to learn more and share your input
A draft environmental assessment is available now, launching a 30‑day public comment period. Comments are due September 24, 2026. Read the proposal and view maps at the project’s page https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/hoosier/projects/375236. Electronic comments can be emailed to Stacy.Duke@usda.gov with “Forest Plan Amendment Tower Ridge Road Project” as the subject. Hard copies of your comments may be mailed or delivered to:
Attn: Forest Plan Amendment Tower Ridge Road Project, Stacy Duke, Hoosier National Forest, 811 Constitution Ave., Bedford, IN 47421
