Guidelines for Dispersed Camping

[joey]

I found this on the USDA website.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Dispersed Camping Guidelines</h2><h3>What is Dispersed Camping?</h3><p>Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.</p><p>There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.</p><h4>Rules for Dispersed Camping</h4><ul><li>Groups of over 75 people who wish to use the forest, need to obtain a special use permit. There is no fee and permits can be obtained at the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/recreation/?cid=fsm9_019929">nearest District Office</a>.</li><li>You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans.</li><li>You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area.</li><li>Please place your campsite at least 100 feet from any stream or other water source.</li><li>Keep a Pack-In Pack-Out camp. Follow <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/fishlake/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5121850&amp;width=full">Leave No Trace</a> guidelines.</li><li>Contact the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/recreation/?cid=fsm9_019929">local Forest Service office</a> to see if any restrictions, especially fire restrictions are in place.</li><li>Be Bear Aware. There are bears on the National Forest, so camp accordingly.</li></ul><h3>Where Can I Disperse Camp?</h3><p>The best way to find out what areas are open to dispersed camping is to contact the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/recreation/?cid=fsm9_019929">nearest Forest Service office</a> to the area you wish to visit. Typically, <strong>dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas</strong> such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed in a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 100 feet from any stream. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.</p><h3>How to Pick a Campsite</h3><p>If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5121850">Leave No Trace</a> guidelines.</p><ul><li>Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damage or killing plants and grass.</li><li>Do NOT camp within 100 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile.</li><li>Do not camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow; try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting</li><li>Do not try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Pick a tent site that is already level with good drainage.</li></ul><h3>Can I have a campfire?</h3><p>Please use existing sites and fire rings. Wood permits are not needed for usage on the forest. If wood is transported home for personal use, pick up a permit at the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/recreation/?cid=fsm9_019929">nearest District Office</a>.</p><p>The National Forest has wildfires each year. Many of these are caused by human activity, typically escaped campfires from dispersed campers. Campfires are allowed when you are dispersed camping unless there are fire restrictions in effect due to high fire danger conditions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping. You can learn about any fire restrictions by contacting the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/recreation/?cid=fsm9_019929">nearest Forest Service office</a>.</p><h4>Tips for Safe, Low Impact Campfires</h4><p>Use existing fire rings if they exist. Minimize the scarring of new rocks, soil, and plants by using existing fire rings.</p><p>Select a site that is not in a meadow or clearing, that is not next to a tree with low overhanging branches, that is at least 100 feet from any water source to protect fragile vegetation.</p><p>Clean an area and make a ring of rocks about two feet in diameter.</p><p>If you don't bring your own firewood collect only dead wood that is on the ground. You should not cut branches off of live trees. If a popular camping area does not have dead wood on the ground, please bring your own firewood. The animals, insects, and micro-organisms in the soil need rotting wood on the ground to survive.</p><p>Before you leave your campfire make sure is it completely out. You should be able to put your whole hand into the ashes without being burned, it should be cool to the touch. Stir the ashes to make sure all embers have cooled. This is very important! Many forest fires are caused by abandoned campfires that were not completely out.</p><h3>Water and Toiletting</h3><p>Water gets contaminated by visitors who do not take care of their human waste or their garbage and food properly.</p><h4>Going to the Bathroom in the Woods</h4><p>Dispersed camping means no bathrooms and no outhouses. That means extra care has to be taken in disposing of human waste. To dispose of feces, dig a hole six (6) inches deep at least 100 feet away from any water source. When you are done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. It could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it.</p><h4>Treating Your Water</h4><p>We used to be able to take a cup and drink directly out of the sparkling creek, a rushing waterfall, or a clear, deep lake. There is NO safe water source anymore. With an increasing population and visitation to our National Forest, water sources have been contaminated with invisible micro-organisms that can make people very ill and even kill them in some cases. Giardhea is a common contamination that has been spread through improper toileting and wild animals to many water sources. It will cause diarrhea, cramping, and other physical problems.</p><p>The only way to ensure that water from any undeveloped source is safe is to treat it. That means heating it until it comes to a rolling boil, using water purification tablets or a water purification filter. Water from faucets in developed recreation areas has been tested and treated and is safe to use without treating.</p><h3>Have Fun!</h3>

 

[minimotos95]

Joey, great info on FS land... might be sticky worthy?&nbsp;<br /> <br />I found this on the BLM site: <br />It is the general policy of the BLM that undeveloped Federal lands under it's administration are available to the public for camping and general recreation, with the following provisions: <br />Camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-mile rad in a 28 day period <br />Pack out what you pack in <br />Avoid camping within 200 ft. of any water source <br />Do not leave campfires unattended<br /><br />EDIT: i&nbsp;think&nbsp;that&nbsp;is 30 air miles

 

[HoboBerg]

In Arizona it 14 days in a 30 day period then you have to move to a different forest at least in the Coconino, Kaibab, Apache-Sitegreaves, and Tonto although some are more laid back then others.&nbsp;

 

[rvwandering]

Good information Joey.<br /><br />&nbsp; Everyone should be aware that there have been some changes in the rules. Some roads have been closed because of overuse and the distance from opened roads where camping is permitted has been restricted.<br /><br />&nbsp;"When car camping on the National Forest, do not drive your vehicle more than 30-feet from the side of designated roads to camp, except in designated camping corridors shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map. In designated camping corridors, one can drive up to 300 feet from the road to car camp. These rules only affect motor vehicle use. Forest visitors can always hike to campsites at farther distances from the roads."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/home/?cid=stelprdb5313448">http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/home/?cid=stelprdb5313448</a><br /><br />So be careful about where you camp. This information is hard to find. The forest service is making updated maps with the road and camping information but it's going slowly. You can get more information by clicking on a forest link on this website ,then clicking through to dispersed camping - <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/locatormap/">http://www.fs.fed.us/locatormap/#</a>&nbsp; or by visiting the forest information center before you camp.<br /><br />We haven't done very much dispersed camping since the new rules went into effect but I have read on other campers' blogs about the rangers coming around with tape measures. They're patrolling in the really popular areas as far as I can tell.

 

[akrvbob]

As has been mentioned, the specific rules vary by every forest so you are responsible to find out for yourself in each location.<br /><br />More importantly, enforcement varies tremendously by area. In some places they are very picky and watch you like a hawk, and in others there is virtually zero enforcement. In my experience if you are enough off the beaten path so that they can't see you, there will be no enforcement. For the most part, they don't have the man-power to be too strict, so they will leave you alone unless you do something to attract their attention. However, there are some areas where they are very strict, so be careful.<br /><br />I've been a campground host for 4 years in the NF and I have never seen enforcement of the rules of no-camping near a campground. I have never even heard of that rule. I've had lots of people disperse camp literally across the street from my campgrounds. <br /><br />Tony and Karen are very right about the new rules. However, as usual, the enforcement varies tremendously depending on which Forest you are in. You <strong>should</strong> be able to get a MVUM in any Ranger Office. Bob