Garden of the Gods will be closed for at least 2 weeks

A construction project will temporarily close the popular hiking and recreation area known as Garden of the Gods, according to officials with the Shawnee National Forest.

Beginning July 29, pavement projects will shut down a majority of service roads and parking lots at Garden of the Gods. The closing includes Pharaoh Campground, which will close July 28.

All roads and parking lots will be closed. Trails will remain open but hikers and equestrians should stay off closed roads, freshly shaped roads and parking lot surfaces. The only way in and out of Garden of Gods will be to hike trails in from Hitching Post and Golden Circle trailheads.

The repairs are expected to take between two and four weeks, depending on the weather. If contractors finish early, forest officials will provide updates via social media or on the Shawnee National Forest website .

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Garden of the Gods will be closed for at least 2 weeks