14 Day Stay Camping Limit

Associated Documents

Forest Order

AFFECTED AREA:

This Order applies to all lands within the boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The Closure Area is shown on the attached map, Exhibit A. 

PROHIBITIONS: 

1. Camping, occupying, or otherwise leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies at any locations on the Willamette National Forest described in this order, overnight, for a period longer than 14 calendar days, in a 30-day period. Occupant must move off the Forest after 14 days; return to the Forest must not occur before 30 days have passed.
2. Camping, occupying, or otherwise leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies at any locations on the Willamette National Forest described in this order, overnight, for more than 50 calendar days total within a 365-day period.

EXEMPTIONS: 

Pursuant to 36 CFR §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order: 

1. Persons with a permit, written authorization by a Forest officer, or special use authorization specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission, and approved contractors and their agents directly engaged in approved work outlined in an operating plan or permit allowing extended stay in excess of this order.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

DEFINITIONS:

For the purpose of this order, and pursuant to 36 CFR §261.2, the following definitions apply to this order: 

• ‘Camping’ means the temporary use of National Forest Service System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure.
• ‘Camping Equipment’ means the personal property used in or suitable for camping, and includes any vehicle used for transportation and all equipment in possession of a person camping. Food and beverage are not considered camping equipment.
• ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof.
• ‘Special-use authorization’ means a permit, term permit, lease or easement which allows occupancy, or use rights or privileges of National Forest System land by an authorized officer. 

These prohibitions are necessary to reduce impacts to natural and cultural resources, to protect public health and safety, improve sanitation, and to accommodate equitable access to recreation opportunities—such as overnight camping—for forest visitors. This order will establish consistent limits of stay for camping across the Forest and address challenges posed by long term camping. 

These prohibitions are in addition to general prohibitions pursuant to 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. 

Violations of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (16 USC § 551; 18 USC § 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581). 

Executed at Springfield, Oregon, this 19th day of March, 2025.

Meta Loftsgaarden 
Acting Forest Supervisor 
Willamette National Forest

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