A Northern Territory recreational reserve where a uranium mine once operated has been closed due to low-level radiation in the area.

The Rum Jungle Mine, about 100 kilometres south of Darwin, operated in the early 1960s.

The area was rehabilitated in 1991 before becoming the Rum Jungle South Recreation Reserve.

The Department of Resources says tests at the waste rock pile at the reserve have detected low-level radiation.

It advised the local council to shut down the reserve as a precautionary measure.

A spokesman says there is no evidence of any public health risk.

The Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist will do a comprehensive assessment of the site.