Cloud Peak Wilderness Regulations

If you plan a trip to the Cloud Peak Wilderness, you should be aware of the regulations described in Bighorn National Forest Special Order BNF-2021-01. These regulations are summarized below.

National Wilderness Regulations:

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are prohibited. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Regulations:

The following are prohibited:

• Entering or being in the Cloud Peak Wilderness without current required registration signed and in the possession of the group or individual.
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire, other than a self­ contained chemical stove above 9,200 feet in elevation. Below 9,200 feet in elevation campfires must be contained on a fire blanket or within a fire pan or enclosed stove so as not to be directly on the ground. Techniques for building a fire in the Cloud Peak Wilderness (PDF 41k)
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire within 300 feet of lakes, streams, or Forest Service designated trails.
• Possessing, storing, or transporting any part of a tree including branches, limbs or trunk above 9,200 feet in elevation.
• Camping within 100 feet of all lakes, streams or other free flowing waters.
• Camping in violation of posted instructions.
• Stock:
  • Hitching, tethering, restraining, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal to a live tree, except while loading or unloading.
  • Hitching, tethering, restraining, or hobbling a horse or other pack animal within 100 feet of lakes or streams, except while loading or unloading, is not permitted.
• Failure to dispose of debris, garbage or other waste including camp structures such as hitching racks, tent frames, and pegs after the use period.
• Failure to dispose of solid human waste in the West and Middle Tensleep drainages portions of Cloud Peak Wilderness by packing it out and disposing off of the Bighorn National Forest in an approved waste disposal facility. 
• Using the Cloud Peak Wilderness with a group larger than 10 people and/or with more than 15 head of recreational stock in any group, larger groups than permitted must split into separate groups which meet the group size limits and must remain a minimum of 1/2 mile apart even at campsites. Groups may have an additional 2 people in their group if a member of the group is trained in Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics and has a copy of their certification with them. 
• Short cutting a switchback in a trail.
• Possessing or using a wagon, cart, wheelbarrow, bicycle, or other vehicle (including game carts).