VANCOUVER, WA--Visitors to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now can camp 28 consecutive days in a dispersed camping site instead of 21 days, the previous limit. After the 28th day, the visitor must move at least five miles from the previous site, for a combined period not to exceed 45 days in a calendar year.

Camping in an area outside of a developed recreation site--such as a campground where facilities are provided--is considered a dispersed camping site.

"The twenty-eight-day limit better serves the camping public, due to the fact the highest use of dispersed camping is during the deer and elk hunting seasons", said Forest Supervisor Ted Stubblefield. "Each season is generally two weeks long and follow one after the other. It is a common and historical practice for the Forest user to hunt both deer and elk over a four-week period, and use the same campsite for both seasons."