WAC 332-52-300   Campground and campsite use and occupancy.  (1) Do these rules apply to all department-managed lands?

     (a) These rules apply to all persons using department-managed lands for overnight use which includes:

     (i) Campgrounds and individual campsites;

     (ii) Group campgrounds and group campsites (for the purposes of this subsection, "group campgrounds and group campsites" means any designated areas with an established capacity for camping use by groups);

     (iii) Water trail camping facilities and sites (for purposes of this subsection, "water trail camping sites or facilities" means specially designated camping facilities identified with signs that are near water ways); and

     (iv) Developed, designated or dispersed campsites.

     (b) The department may approve exceptions to these rules on a case-by-case basis.

     (2) Are reservations required for campgrounds or campsites? No. Except where posted by the department, persons do not need reservations to use campgrounds or campsites. All campgrounds and campsites for which the department does not require reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

     (3) What is the maximum total length of stay while camping on department-managed lands? The department may determine the maximum length of stay for camping.

     (a) If the department has posted the maximum length of stay, persons shall not stay longer than the maximum length of stay posted.

     (b) If the department has not posted the maximum length of stay, persons shall not stay longer than ten days in a thirty-day time period on any or all department-managed lands. The ten and thirty-day count begins on the date of the first night's camping and applies to the total overnight stays on all department-managed lands during that thirty-day time period.

     (c) Persons shall vacate campsites by removing all personal property from the campsite no later than 1:00 p.m. on the day the time limit for occupancy expires.

     (4) May a campsite in a campground be held for another party for current or future camping dates? Persons shall not hold or attempt to hold campsite(s) for another camping party.

     (5) When may persons occupy a campsite in a campground? Persons may occupy a campsite when persons:

     (a) Find the campsite unoccupied and not already posted as reserved; or

     (b) Hold a reservation for the campsite for the period of occupation.

     Persons shall not occupy a campsite under any other circumstances.

     (6) How many people are permitted to stay in a campsite in a campground? The department may determine the number of occupants per campsite. A group exceeding the predetermined capacity of the campsite shall not use the site overnight.

     (a) If the department posts the maximum number of occupants per campsite, the number of persons shall not exceed the maximum number per campsite per night as posted.

     (b) If the department has not posted the maximum campsite capacity, a maximum of eight people are permitted to camp overnight.

     (7) How many tents are allowed in each campsite in a campground? The department may determine the number of tents allowed in each campsite.

     (a) If the department posts the maximum number of tents per campsite, the number of tents shall not exceed the maximum number posted.

     (b) In developed campsites, the number of tents is limited to the number that will fit entirely on the tent pad.

     (c) Persons shall not expand a tent pad, or clear or alter the vegetation in the vicinity around the tent pad.

     (8) How many passenger vehicles are allowed at each campsite in a campground? The department may determine the number of passenger vehicles allowed at each campsite. Camping parties of one or more persons shall not occupy a campsite with more than two passenger vehicles unless otherwise posted.

     (9) May personal property be left unattended overnight in a campground, campsite, or lands managed by the department?

     (a) Persons must not leave personal property unattended overnight without permission from the department.

     (b) The department will presume unattended personal property has been abandoned and may remove and dispose of the property as authorized in chapter 63.21 RCW or as otherwise determined by the department.

     (10) May a person occupy a residence camp on department-managed lands?

     (a) Persons shall not occupy a residence camp on department-managed lands without the written authorization of the department. A residence camp is an encampment, occupancy, or presence on department-managed lands that is the principal place of residence for the person or occupant.

     (b) A residence camp on department-managed lands is declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated by the department without prior notice or process.

     (11) May firearms be discharged in a campground? Persons shall not discharge a firearm in, adjacent to, from, or within five hundred feet of campgrounds.

     (12) Are campfires permitted in campgrounds or campsites? Persons may have campfires in campgrounds and campsites as authorized in WAC 332-52-135.

     (13) Are pets allowed in campgrounds? Persons may bring pets into campgrounds as authorized in WAC 332-52-140.

     (14) Is camping permitted outside of developed recreation facilities? Yes, except persons shall not camp:

     (a) In a manner that requires more than incidental removal or damage to vegetation.

     (b) In a manner that unreasonably removes or disturbs soil.

     (c) Where camping is restricted to designated campsites only.

     (d) Within five hundred feet of a developed recreation facility.

     (e) In areas designated or posted day-use only.

     (15) How do I know when the campgrounds are open or closed? Information about seasonal or temporary closures may be obtained by contacting the region office, on-line and/or may be posted on-site. If the department has closed and locked the gates or posted the campground as closed, persons shall not use the campground.

     (16) Can campsites be designated for specific recreational activity?

     (a) The department may designate campgrounds or individual campsites for a specific recreational activity, e.g., horses, hike in only, four-wheel vehicle use, ORV use.

     (b) Persons shall comply with the posted recreational use in campgrounds and individual campsites.

     (17) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW except violations of subsections (3), (10), and (11) of this section are misdemeanors.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.30 RCW and RCW 43.12.065. 09-05-034, § 332-52-300, filed 2/11/09, effective 3/14/09.]