WAC 332-52-400   Managing road and trail use.  (1) Who manages road and trail use on department-managed lands? The department manages road and trail use on department-managed lands. The department, or lessee of state land in consultation with the department, may close all of, or portions of, a road or trail for the reasons set forth in WAC 332-52-100.

     (2) What types of recreation uses are permitted on roads or trails?

     (a) The department may designate road and trail use by specific recreation activity, e.g., hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, all-terrain vehicle, off-road vehicle, four-wheel vehicle, snowmobile, or other over-the-snow vehicles.

     (b) Persons shall comply with the posted designated recreational use on roads and trails.

     (3) What types of traffic control measures does the department use on a road or trail? The department may, at any time:

     (a) Establish one-way traffic flow on any road or trail.

     (b) Establish use hours and/or seasonal use on any road or trail.

     (c) Restrict or prohibit use of a road or trail for the reasons set forth in WAC 332-52-100.

     (d) Persons shall comply with the posted traffic control measures on roads and trails.

     (4) What methods does the department use to indicate if a road or trail is closed to motorized vehicle use? In addition to posted traffic control measures, such as signs, the department uses a variety of barriers including but not limited to gates, large berms or trenches, concrete barriers, and large rock or stump piles or other similar large barriers. Motorized vehicular use on or beyond one or more of these barriers is prohibited unless otherwise posted.

     (5) When is operating an off-road vehicle permitted beyond a closed gate? A person may operate an off-road vehicle beyond a closed gate when there is a department-managed road or trail on the other side of or around the gate that is posted open for off-road vehicle use.

     (6) Where are motorized and nonmotorized vehicles permitted off of a road or trail? Persons shall only operate motorized or nonmotorized vehicles off of a road or trail on lands posted or otherwise designated by the department as open for the designated recreational use. All other off-road or off-trail vehicular use is prohibited.

     (7) How do I find out if a road or trail is open or closed? The department will use the following methods to notify the public if a road or trail is open or closed to recreation use: Information displayed on any signs, information boards, kiosks, web sites, maps, or other written form of notice that either allows or prohibits access or specific activities on department-managed lands.

     (8) How do vehicle operators enter or leave a developed recreation facility? Motorized or nonmotorized vehicles shall enter or leave a developed recreation facility only on posted roads or trails.

     (9) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW with the exception of subsection (7) of this section which is neither an infraction nor a misdemeanor.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.30 RCW and RCW 43.12.065. 09-05-034, § 332-52-400, filed 2/11/09, effective 3/14/09.]