Dispersed Camping
Dispersed Camping (Camping-on-your-own) Guidelines
THE FOREST BELONGS TO EVERYONE... however,
there are some firm guidelines we must all follow out of respect
for everyone who owns the Forest, human and animal. You may
camp most anywhere on National Forest lands (unless otherwise
posted) according to the following guidelines:
There may be restrictions or closures in areas. Please
check our Current Conditons
page for any restrictions and/or closures.
- Generally, there is a 14-DAY PER MONTH STAY LIMIT
(14 days in a 30-day period) on National Forest lands (unless
otherwise posted). Please note that there are some exceptions
where the limit is less than fourteen days. Establishing
residency is against federal regulation.
- No camping or campfires on the forest within city limits.
- Do not camp on private property unless you have the owner's
permission.
- No camping within one-fourth mile of a wildlife watering
tank/hole. (State Law)
- Camp at least one mile from a pay (designated) campground,
or as posted.
- Please do not camp in or drive through open meadowland
due to the scarring effect it causes.
- Firewood may be gathered around your camping area for
use at your campsite but it is illegal to load wood in a
vehicle to take out of the Forest without a special permit.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry.
- Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle
lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings,
fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that
can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely,
then scatter cool ashes.
- Camp 200 feet from the main roadway, 20 feet from forest
road, behind the county or state right-of-way fence
- Always use the pack-in/pack-out method for the disposal
of litter to keep your Forest clean.
- Please use a digging tool to bury all human and pet waste
at least 6 to 7 inches deep.Pets are welcome in most areas
but must be kept leashed at all times.
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