Recreation Site Regulations

The following general rules and regulations apply to all recreation related activities on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Some are specific to developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, view points, whereas others are valid in both developed recreation sites and in the general forest at dispersed recreation  areas.

Although not a comprehensive list, the regulations cited below are from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) found in 36 CFR 261.1 through 261.23. Other site specific regulations may also be shown as Forest orders or posted on the information boards at developed recreation sites.

Developed Recreation Sites

Recreation Fees

If this is a fee recreation site you must pay the fee and display the envelope or pass according to the direction at the fee station. [36 CFR 261.17]

Camping and Occupancy

  • In campgrounds, you can only camp in those places specifically marked or provided. [ 36 CFR 261.16 (g)]
  • Camping equipment cannot be left unattended in developed recreation sites for more than 24 hours without permission. [36 CFR 261.16 (i)]
  • In developed recreation sites, your campsite must be occupied the first night that your camp is set up. [36 CFR 261.16 (h)]
  • Day use sites can only be occupied from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. [36 CFR 261.16 (e)]
  • In developed recreation sites visitors can only occupy any portion of the site for recreational purposes [36 CFR 261.16 (a)]
  • You must remove all of your camping equipment and personal property when leaving a campsite [36 CFR 261.16 (f)]  

Parking and Motor-Vehicles

  • Please keep all vehicles including trailers within campsite parking spur. Additional vehicles can use overflow parking area. [36 CFR 261.16 (m)]
  • Do not park off the recreation site road or parking area. [36 CFR 261.16 (m)]
  • Operating a motor vehicle other for the purpose of entering and leaving a recreation site is prohibited. [36 CFR 261.16 (o)]

Pets and Livestock

  • Pets must always be leashed (6 foot maximum) or under physical restrictive control in a crate or cage. [36 CFR 261.16 (j)]
  • Pets are not allowed in swimming areas. [36 CFR 261.16 (k)]
  • Saddle, pack, or draft animals are only allowed only in authorized as posted at the site. [36 CFR 261.16 (l)]

Be a Good Neighbor

Although these are not federal regulations, please use these 'good neighbor' practices while recreating in developed sites.

  • Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am in campgrounds– Please be a good neighbor.
  • Unless designated as a group site, all campsites are designed for up to 6 people.

Maintenance and Operation Season

Each develop recreation site shows an 'open season' however the sites may not be maintained and operated during that period of time. During periods when the sites are not maintained or operated visitors can expect to find conditions such as: toilets closed; drinking water turned off; trees, branches, other debris on road and in campsites; and gates closed to prevent vehicle access.
 

Forest-wide Developed and Dispersed Recreation Areas

Garbage

  • Garbage service is not provided. Please pack out all of your garbage. [ 36 CFR 261.11 (d)]
  • Dumping any garbage or substance in a toilet or toilet vault which could damage or interfere the operation toilet is prohibited. [36 CFR 261.11 (a)]

Camping and Occupancy

  • In developed camping areas (e.g. campgrounds) or dispersed camping areas (e.g. non-designated campsites, or hunting camps) it is prohibited to camp in excess of 14 days within any 30 day period, except as authorized by a Forest Officer or District Ranger [Forest order #2010-06-16-WW-12; 36 CFR 261.58(a)]
  • Causing a public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm by making unreasonably loud noises is prohibited. [36 CFR 261.4 (d)]
  • Operating or using a device such as a radio, television, musical instrument, motor or engine to cause an unreasonable disturbance is prohibited. [36 CFR 261.10 (i)]
     

Fires, Firearms and Fireworks

  • Building, attending or maintaining a fires is permitted in fire rings, stoves, grills or fireplaces provided for that purpose. Fires outside of approved fire devices is prohibited. [36 CFR 261.16 (b)]
  • You are responsible for keeping fires under control, remove all flammable materials around the fire ring and grill. Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. [(36 CFR 261.5 (d), (e) and (f)]
  • Firing a gun is not allowed in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area; or across or on a road or a body of water. [(36 CFR 261.10 (d)]
  • Use of fireworks or other explosives is prohibited within all national forests and grasslands. [(36 CFR 261.16 (d)]

Pets

  • Dogs must be kept on a leash or otherwise confined. [36 CFR 261.8 (d)]