"Snake Road" closed until Halloween

On Labor Day the Shawnee National Forest closed LaRue Road No. 345, locally known as the "Snake Road" between mile post 3.0 and mile post 5.8.

The section of road will remained closed until Oct. 31.

Each spring and fall the road is closed for the protection of snakes migrating between their summer swamp habitats to the winter bluffs, both features of LaRue Pine Hills Ecological Area.
Though the road is closed to vehicular traffic, the ability to travel to the migration area by foot is available. The gradual, two-month migration event has attracted people from across the country eager to witness the rich diversity of reptile and amphibian species along this single stretch of road, according to a release from the Forest Service.