Current through February, 2024
STATE OF VERMONT NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY PRIMITIVE CAMPING
RULES AND REGULATIONS
AUTHORIZATION
These regulations are entitled and may be referred to as
"Rules Governing the Activity of Primitive Camping on State Lands," and have
been adopted by the authority under the provisions of Title 10, V.S.A., Chapter
83, § 2605-2609, and Title 3, V.S.A., Chapter 51, §
2803(a).
Section 1 Definitions
(a) "Primitive Camping" means temporary
overnight occupancy in a natural environment with no developed facilities and
leaving the site in its original condition so there is minimal or no evidence
of human visitation.
(b) "Public
Land" means real property owned or controlled by the State of Vermont, and
public waters of the State of Vermont as defined in Title 10, V.S.A., Chapter
49, § 1422.
(c) "Primitive Camping
Area" means a specified tract within public ownership where primitive camping
is permitted.
(d) "Agency" means
the Agency of Natural Resources.
(e) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the
Agency of Natural Resources.
(f)
"Agency Representative" means an employee of the Agency with supervisory
management responsibilities for public lands.
(g) "Small Group" means one to ten
individuals.
(h) "Large Group"
means eleven or more individuals. These individuals may belong to or are part
of a larger organization or agency such as scouts, summer youth camp, school,
or college.
Section 2
Designation of Public Land Agency of Natural Resources
(a) Pursuant to Title 19, V.S.A., Chapter 11,
§ 1504(b), and after due notice and public hearing, the Secretary may permit
camping at designated primitive camping areas on public lands and establish
conditions for the use thereof. However, if the Secretary thereafter finds that
use of any designated area is causing undue adverse impact on the environment
or on the health, safety and welfare of the public, the Secretary may close all
or part of such areas for a period of not to exceed thirty-five (35) days and
thereafter only upon due notice and public hearing. Primitive camping on public
lands, other than at designated areas, is prohibited.
Section 3 Primitive Camping Permits Not
Required for Small Groups
(a) Small groups
(one to ten individuals) may primitive camp on public land, subject to these
rules and regulations, without obtaining a permit.
Section 4 Permit Required for Large Groups
(a) Large groups (eleven or more individuals)
may primitive camp only after receiving a permit. Permits will be issued by an
authorized Agency Representative through the district offices of the Department
of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
Section 5 Closure of Areas
(a) The Agency Representative may close an
area to primitive camping if in their opinion camping would be inappropriate
due to the season of the year, weather conditions, excessive use, or
conflicting resource management activities, or to protect public health, safety
or welfare.
Section 6
Fees
(a) There shall be no fee for primitive
camping.
Section 7 Rules
of Use
(a) There shall be one (a) responsible
adult per four (4) campers under the age of 14.
(b) Camping is limited to not more than three
(3) consecutive nights in the same area.
(c) Wood fires are permitted. Fires shall be
built and extinguished in accordance with established procedures published in
the "Vermont Guide to Primitive Camping on State Lands." Fires
shall not be built in dense stands of softwoods.
(d) The Agency reserves the right to remove
any structures or property left after three (3) days.
(e) Tents or shelters within a group site
must be at least thirty (30) feet apart.
(f) Only dead and down wood may be cut. Live
trees, shrubs, bushes or bark shall not be cut, removed, lifted, or otherwise
destroyed except as may be designated by the Agency Representative.
(g) Camping shall be at least one hundred
(100) feet from any surface water; two hundred (200) feet from any trail or
property line; 1000 feet from any building, shelter, platform, or roads
maintained for public vehicular traffic; and 2500 feet from any developed park
facility.
(h) Primitive camping is
prohibited above 2500 feet in elevation unless otherwise designated, on land
leased to other parties and in areas designated as a State-owned natural,
fragile, or waterfowl management area unless by written permission of an
authorized Agency Representative.
(i) A "Carry-In-Carry-Out" policy is to be
strictly observed. All solid waste shall be carried out of the area for
disposal at proper locations. The sanitary disposal of human waste must be at
least two hundred (200) feet away from any water source and in accordance with
established procedures published in the "Vermont Guide to Primitive
Camping on State Lands."
(j) Primitive Camping Practices - all
primitive camping shall follow the "Suggested Practices for Primitive Camping"
which are published in the "Vermont Guide to Primitive Camping on State
Lands."
(k) Violation of
Rules - any person or group who violates any of these rules and/or regulations
may be required to leave the area.
(l) The Agency Representative may make
exceptions to rules 7 (a) (g) in order to accommodate the needs of large
groups.
Section 8
Permitted AreasPrimitive camping will be allowed within designated areas of the
following public lands
Aitken State Forest
Camel's Hump State Park
Camel's Hump State Forest
Coolidge State Forest
Darling State Forest
Dorand State Forest
Elmore State Park
Grafton State Forest
Groton State Forest
L.R. Jones State Forest
Mathewson State Forest
Mt. Carmel State Forest
Mt. Mansfield State Forest
Okemo State Forest
Putnam State Forest
Roxbury State Forest
Townshend State Forest
Victory State Forest
Washington State Forest
West Rutland State Forest
Willoughby State Forest
ARTHUR DAVIS WMA
BALD HILL WMA
BILL SLADYK WMA
LES NEWALL WMA
PINE MOUNTAIN WMA
PLTMSBJRY WMA
ROT MOUNTAIN WMA
STAMFORS MEADOW WMA
STEAM MILL BROOM WMA
VICTORY BASIN WMA
Section 9 NonPermitted Areas
Primitive camping will not be allowed within the following
public lands:
lands owned by Buildings Division
lands owned by Department of Corrections
lands owned by the Military Department
lands owned by Agency of Transportation
lands owned by Division of Historic Preservation
lands owned by Department of Libraries
lands owned by VT Industrial Development Authority
lands of the Dept. of Forests, Parks & Rec. not listed in
Section 8
lands of the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife not listed in Section
8
Statutory Authority:
3 V.S.A. §
2803; 2605-2609
