Blanco Ranger District and Flat Tops Wilderness Regulations

These regulations are in effect year round except where otherwise posted.  Additional regulations may be posted at trail heads, campgrounds and along roadways. 

For a complete list of all regulations, please see current Special Orders for the Rocky Mountain Region, White River National Forest and the Blanco Ranger District.

The Following Acts are Prohibited throughout the Blanco Ranger District:

• Leaving a fire unattended without completely extinguishing it.
• Carelessly or negligently throwing or placing any ignited substance or other substance that may cause fire.
• Firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.
• Possessing, discharging or using any fireworks.
• Possessing or storing hay, straw or mulch that has not been certified as weed seed-free. 
• Cutting or otherwise damaging any timber, tree or other forest product; except as authorized by a special-use permit, timber sale contract or federal law or regulation.
•  Damaging any natural feature or other property of the United States.
• Removing any natural feature or other property of the United States.
• Constructing, placing or maintaining any kind of road, trail, structure, fence, enclosure, communication equipment or other improvement on National Forest System land or facilities without a special-use authorization, contract or approved operating plan.  Temporary improvements such as game poles, corrals, tent frames, etc. may be allowed as long as no live trees are damaged, and the improvements are dismantled before leaving the site.
• Taking possession of , occupying or otherwise using National Forest System lands for residential purposes without a special-use authorization, or other authorization by federal law or regulation.
• Selling or offering for sale any merchandise, or conducting any kind of work activity or service unless authorized by federal law, regulation or special-use permit.
• Discharging a firearm or other implement capable of taking a human life, causing injury or damaging property:
    a) in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite
       developed recreation site or occupied area, or
    b) across or on a road or body of water; or in any manner
       or place whereby any person or property is exposed to 
       injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
• Abandoning any personal property for more than 14 days.
• Disseminating, posting, placing or erecting any notice, advertising material, sign, handbill, petition or similar written or graphic material without a special-use authorization.
• Possessing or leaving refuse, debris or litter in an exposed or unsanitary condition.
• Placing in or near a stream, lake, or other water body and substance which does or may pollute it.
• Failing to dispose of all garbage; including any paper, can, bottle, sewage, wastewater, material or rubbish, either by removal from the site or area or by depositing it into receptacles or places provided for such purposes.
• Damaging and leaving in a damaged condition a road, trail, or segment thereof.
• Blocking, restricting or otherwise interfering with the use of a road, trail or gate.
• Operating a vehicle in a manner which damages or unreasonably disturbs the land, wildlife, or vegetative resources.
• Shortcutting a switchback on any Forest Development Trail.
• Using a motorboat on any lake other than Meadow Lake (where electric motors are allowed).
• Bringing or possessing a saddle, pack or draft animal in any developed campground unless otherwise posted.
• Operating or using in or near a campsite, developed recreation site, or over a body of water without a permit, any device which produces noise; such as a radio, television, musical instrument, motor or engine in such a manner and at such a time to as to unreasonably disturb any person.
• Occupying or using a campsite within any developed campground by more than 10 persons.
• Possessing, parking or leaving more than 2 vehicles per unit, except motorcycles and bicycles, in any developed campground between May 25 and November 15.
• Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one's own camp unit.
• Camping or otherwise occupying any location for longer than 14 consecutive days where not otherwise restricted.  Campers and equipment must relocated at least 3 miles from their previous locations after 14 days.
• Camping at sites reserved for permitted outfitters when the site is posted as reserved.
• Camping within 1/4 mile of the North Fork Road (Rio Blanco County Road #8 and FDR #205) from the Forest boundary at Lost Creek Guard Station to Trappers Lake Campground. Camping is permitted in developed campgrounds and designated sites.
• Camping within 1/4 mile of the Marvine Creek Road (Rio Blanco County Road #12). Camping is permitted in developed campgrounds and designated sites. 
• Camping within 100' of lakes, streams and Forest System Trails.

Flat Tops Wilderness Regulations:

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System land within the Flat Tops Wilderness:

1. Entering or being in the area with more than 15 people per group, and a maximum combination of 25 people and pack or saddle animals in any one group is prohibited.
2. There is no permit system in place in the Flat Tops Wilderness but we do ask that visitors sign in on provided trailhead registration forms.
3. Camping within one hundred feet of any lake, stream or trail, or any “No Camping” or “Wilderness Restoration Site” sign or within ¼ mile of Trappers, Hooper, Keener or Smith Lakes is prohibited.
4. Building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire within one hundred feet of any lake, stream, or trail or within ¼ miles of Trappers, Hooper, Keener or Smith Lakes is prohibited.
5. Storing equipment or personal property or supplies for longer than 10 days is prohibited.
6. Hitching, tethering or hobbling any pack or saddle animal within one hundred feet of any lake, stream or trail is prohibited.
7. Possessing any pack or saddle animal within ¼ mile of Trappers Lake except for watering or through travel is prohibited.
8. Possessing a dog or other animal that is harassing wildlife or people or damaging property is prohibited. There is no leash law in the Flat Tops, however dogs must be kept under verbal control at all times.
9. Possessing or using a wagon, cart or other vehicle including a wheelbarrow or game cart is prohibited.
10. Shortcutting a switchback in a trail is prohibited.