With high temperatures forecast near freezing all week in the Glendive area, the road at the base of the switchbacks in Makoshika State Park will be limited to walk-in access for the winter season.

The restriction is for safety purposes, as the steep switchbacks are difficult to navigate with snow or ice. The restriction will not affect visitors center hours, which are currently Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The first two miles of the park road are open to motorized traffic, which gives visitors access to the Cains Coulee Campground, lower group use shelter, lower disc golf course (Buccaneer Flats) and trails including Bluebird, Diane Gabriel, Gunners Ridge, Buccaneer and Switchback.

Areas that won’t be accessible by vehicle are the upper disc golf course (Ponderosa Pines), archery range, Hiatt Amphitheater, McDonough Shelter, upper campsites (including Pine on Rocks), and trails including Caprock, Ponderosa, McCarty, Twin Sisters, Hungry Joe, Kinney Coulee and Vista. If they wish, visitors can access areas above the closure by walking or hiking the switchback road behind the closure or using the Switchback Trail.

The park visitors center will be closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day but will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The park is planning a First Day Hike on Jan. 1, with more details closer to the event.