National Forests and Grasslands in Texas -Occupancy and Use

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas including the Angelina National Forest, Davy Crockett National Forest, Sabine National Forest, Sam Houston National Forest, Caddo National Grassland and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area"):

1. Camping or maintaining a campsite for a period of time exceeding 14 days in any 30-day period. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(a)].
2. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof when posted closed. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(b)].
3. Camping in or within 300 feet of any developed parking area or boat ramp. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(e)].
4. Camping in violation of posted signs. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(e)].
5. Operating a gasoline engine powered electrical generator between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except in designated areas. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(e)].
6. Occupying an individual campsite with more than eight (8) persons and two (2) tents. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(f)].
7. Parking or leaving a vehicle or trailer in violation of posted instructions. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(9)].
8. Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one's own camp unit. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(h)].
9. Possessing, parking, or leaving more than two (2) vehicles, except motorcycles or bicycles, per camp unit. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(i)].
10. Swimming or being in the water within 100 feet of a designated boat ramp, unless loading or unloading a boat. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(k)].
11. Swimming or being in a designated swimming area at any time except during daylight hours. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(k)].
12. Possessing glass containers in a designated swimming area. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(k)].
13. Swimming outside of a designated swimming area, located in a developed recreation area. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(k)].
14. Possessing or operating a boat within a designated swimming area. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(n)].
15. Being in a developed recreation area between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except a person who is camping or who is visiting a person camping in that area. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(u)].
16. Fishing in designated swimming area. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(v)].
17. Riding, hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(aa)].
18. Baiting wildlife and/or hunting over baited areas is prohibited. However, this prohibition does not apply to the use of traps or snares for the taking of fur-bearing and predatory animals in accordance with applicable state and federal law. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(v)].
19. Failing to remove from the National Forest lands any hunting stand after 72 hours from the initial placement. For the purpose of this Order, a "hunting stand" includes any structure or device used to elevate, camouflage or hide a person so that wildlife may be hunted or observed. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.58(v)].
20. Hunting or observing wildlife from an illegally placed stand. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(v)].
21. Failing to have a hunting stand tagged with the owner's name, address, or Texas Parks and Wildlife Customer ID# when leaving stands unattended. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(v)].
22. Discharging a firearm, air rifle, BB gun, gas gun or archery equipment from, into or across any parking area, trail, boat ramp, camping site or National Forest System Road. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(m)].
23. Hunting or accompanying a hunter within a hunt area during daylight hours at a time when hunting with firearms is permitted and failing to visibly wear:
    1. a minimum of 400 inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange material, of which a minimum of 144 square inches must appear on both the chest and back; and
    2. solid daylight fluorescent orange headwear. [Ref. 36 CFR § 261.SB(v)].

Exceptions: A person is exempt from the requirements of this section only if the person is:

1. Hunting turkey, migratory birds or alligators.

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) and (e)(2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

All lands administered by the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and provide public safety.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect through 12/31/2027 at 11:59pm, unless rescinded.
2. Maps identifying the Described Areas are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and exhibits, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/texas/alerts-notices
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 II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, 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 8 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 National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Supervisor's Office in Lufkin, TX (936) 936-8501, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Area.

Maps: 

Angelina National Forest

Caddo National Grasslands 

Davy Crockett National Forest

LBJ National Grasslands

Sabine National Forest

Sam Houston National Forest

Signed and issued on September 29, 2025

/s/ Kimpton Cooper

Forest Supervisor

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

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