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  • Eagles Nest Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

    The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, Eagle-Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger Districts, White River National Forest

Alert Start Date: May 10th, 2024

Alert End Date: December 31st, 2028

Rec Sites Affected:

Eagles Nest Wilderness

Order Number: WRNF 2024-12

Associated Documents

WRNF 2024-12

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, Eagle-Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger Districts, White River National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A ("Described Area" and "Described Trails"):

  1. Entering or being in the Described Area with more than 15 people per group or a maximum combination of 25 people and pack or saddle animals in any one group. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(f)
  2. Being in the Described Area without a valid overnight self-registration form for each group or individual who is camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(a)
  3. Camping within 100 feet of any lake, stream, NFS trail, or any "No Camping" or "Wilderness Restoration Site" signs. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
  4. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire within 100 feet of any stream or NFS trail; within¼ mile of any lake; or above 11,000 feet. 36 CFR § 261.52(a)
  5. Storing equipment, personal property, or supplies for more than 72 hours. 36

C.F.R. § 261.57(f)

  1. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling any pack or saddle animal within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or NFS trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(aa)
  2. Possessing a dog, except working stock dogs or dogs used for legal hunting purposes, which is not under physical control of a leash less than six feet in length.36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s).
  3. Possessing, storing, or transporting any plant material, such as hay or straw, except livestock feed that has been chemically or mechanically processed to destroy viable seeds (e.g., pelletized feed and rolled grains). 36 C.F.R. §261.58(t)
  4. Possessing or using a wagon, cart, or other vehicle, including a wheelbarrow, bicycle, or game cart. 36 C.F.R § 261.57(h)
  5. Shortcutting a switchback of the Described Trails. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(e)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

  1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
  2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA AND TRAILS

The Described Area is the Eagles Nest Wilderness (Exhibit A) in the Summit and Eagle Counties, Colorado and in the Dillon and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest. The Described Trails are all NFS trails within the Described Area.

 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character by managing recreational use within the Eagles Nest Wilderness.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

l. This Order shall be in effect from May 10, 2024, at 12:01 am, through December 31, 2028, at 11:59 pm, unless rescinded.

2) A map identifying the Described Area and Described Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. 

3) Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter 11, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter 11, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

4) A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

5) Contact the Dillon Ranger District in Silverthorne, CO (970)468-5400, and White River National Forest Supervisor's Office in Glenwood Springs, CO, (970) 945- 2521, for more information about this Order.

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area or Described Trails.

Signed and issued on 5/10/2024

Heather Noel
Acting Forest Supervisor
White River National Forest

Contact Name:

Dillon Ranger District

Contact Number:

970-468-5400

Last updated March 10th, 2025

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