Rules for Forest Visitors

Print a copy of our "Rules for Forest Visitors" (PDF)

Supervisor's Orders

Camping Rules

  •  If you are staying at a campground or in an area with designated dispersed sites, you must camp only in those places specifically provided or marked.
  • All vehicles, RV’s, and trailers must be parked on your campsite or driveway. Driving or parking off road is not permitted.
  • Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Please be considerate of others.
  • There is a 14 day stay limit unless otherwise noted.
  • There is an 8 person per site limit unless otherwise posted.

Campfires

  • Obey any restrictions on fires. Fires may be limited or prohibited at certain times.
  • Within campgrounds and other recreation areas, fires may only be built in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose.
  • Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. Do not leave your fire unattended. You are responsible for keeping fires under control.

Closures, Restrictions, Alerts, and Notices

Firearms

  •  Weapons are not allowed on National Forest lands outside of hunting seasons. Firearm ranges are the exception. 
  • Firing a gun is not allowed: a) in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area; b) across or on a road or body of water; c) in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged; and d) outside of hunting season, unless a specific supervisor’s order exists stating otherwise.

Fireworks

  • Use of fireworks or other explosives within campgrounds and other recreation areas is prohibited.


Pets and Animals

  • Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas. Animals (except certified assistance animals) are not allowed in swimming areas or sanitary facilities.
  • Saddle or pack animals are not allowed in recreation areas unless posted otherwise.

Public Property

  • Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave natural areas the way you find them. Practice “Leave No Trace” ethics.
  • Do not carve, chop, cut or damage any live trees.

Sanitation

  • Help prevent pollution by keeping garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other waters.
  • All garbage and litter must either be deposited in containers provided, or taken with you when you leave.
  • Camper holding tanks may only be emptied into approved designated facilities.  Many campgrounds in the Forest are not equipped with dump stations, so you may have to travel to nearby communities to find an approved dump station.
  • Graywater from individual campsites, in small quantities, may be disposed of in the toilet facilities or else taken away from the campground and dispersed on the ground over a wide area.
  • When camping in non-designated campsites, be sure to dig and cover a personal latrine, well away from water sources.  Practice "Leave No Trace" methods to erase signs of your presence when you leave.  Disperse rocks used in fire rings, rearrange leaves/twigs to disguise the camp area, and be sure to take all garbage with you.

Vehicle Operation

  • Drivers must obey all traffic signs and operate their vehicles in accordance with posted regulations, and applicable Federal, State and local laws. Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only.
  • Use of vehicles within campgrounds and other recreation areas is limited to entering or leaving those areas.

 

General Notice

All visitors and users of the National Forests are subject to Federal Regulations. The points of conduct listed here are included and enforceable through Federal Regulations.

CFR Title 36, Part 261 – Prohibitions, are applicable to all National Forests. Copies of Title 36 are on file at all Forest Supervisor and District Ranger Offices.