Forest Rules and Regulations

As a visitor to the Modoc National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the forest and the natural environment, to ensure the health and safety of visitors, and to promote pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experiences for all visitors. Forest Officers are empowered to enforce the Federal Regulations. Please take time to read and understand them.

As the need arises, the Forest Supervisor may issue Special Orders/Closures that will close or restrict the use of certain areas. Such orders will be posted on bulletin boards around the forest so that visitors can be familiar with them. Copies of the orders will also be available in the offices of the Forest Supervisor and the District Rangers.

Please remember to be careful! You are primarily responsible for your own safety. Look out for natural hazards and dangers when you are in the Forest. If you hike off of trails or swim or dive in rivers or lakes, you do so at YOUR OWN RISK.

 Fee Areas:

• You must pay a fee to use certain developed sites and facilities. Such areas are clearly signed or posted as requiring a fee.
• Where fees are required, you must pay them before using the site, facility, equipment, or service furnished. 

Camping:

• Day use areas such as picnic sites, swimming beaches, and other day use areas are only open between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.  Camping or overnight parking is prohibited in day use areas.
• Campgrounds and other recreation sites can only be used for recreation purposes.
• All campgrounds have a limit to the number of days you can camp.  Campground stay limits are posted at the entrance.
• In campgrounds, camping is permitted only in those places specifically marked or provided.
• At least one person must occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set up.
• Do not leave camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours.
• The Federal Government is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property.
• Remove all personal property and trash when leaving.

Campfires:

• Obey restrictions on fires.
• Open fires may be limited or prohibited at certain times.  At all times, outside of developed areas, a California Campfire Permit is required to have a campfire, use a barbecue, use a camp stove or lantern.  Permits are free from any California Forest Service Office.
• Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, build campfires only in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose.  Keep fires small and contained.
• Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before going to sleep at night and each day before leaving your site.
• YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING FIRES UNDER CONTROL.

Property:

• Do not carve, chop, cut, or damage any live trees. Preserve and protect the Modoc National Forest. Leave natural areas the way you find them.
• Close all gates and be aware of private property boundaries.
• Enter buildings, structures or enclosed areas in National Forests only when they are expressly opened to the public.
• Native American sites, old cabins, and other structures along with objects and artifacts associated with them, have historic or archeological value. Do not damage or remove any such historic or archeological resource. The taking and possession of artifacts is prohibited.

Sanitation:

• Throw all garage and litter in containers provided for this purpose, or take it with you.
• Garbage containers, when provided, are reserved for the use of visitors to the Modoc National Forest, not visitors to or owners of private lands or lands under permit.
• Use water faucets only for drawing water.
• Wash food and personal items away from drinking water faucets.
• Prevent pollution - keep garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other water areas.
• Use toilets properly.  Do not throw garbage, litter, fish cleanings, or other foreign substances in toilets and plumbing fixtures.

Operation of Vehicles:

• Obey all traffic signs.
• State traffic laws apply to all roads in the Modoc National Forest unless otherwise specified.  This includes the requirement for a valid drivers license.
• When operating vehicles of any kind, do not damage the roads, land or vegetation or disturb wildlife. Avoid driving on unpaved roads or trails when they are wet or muddy.
• Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, use cars, motorbikes, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles only for entering or leaving, unless areas or trails are specifically marked for them.
• Park only in marked parking areas.
• Do not park your vehicle so as to block, restrict, or interfere with the use of roads or trails.
• Obey area and trail restrictions on the use of trail bikes and other off-road vehicles.

Pets and Animals:

• Pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation sites.  Leashes or tie ropes may not be longer than 6 feet.
• Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
• Please clean up and properly dispose of all pet droppings.  For more on dogs see Canine Campers.
• Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions.  For more on horses and pack stock see Horse Sense.

Fireworks and Firearms:

• Fireworks and explosives are prohibited in all National Forests.
• Firing a gun is not allowed:  in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area; across or on a road or body of water; in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged.

National Forest Wilderness:

• Motor vehicles and motorized equipment are not allowed in wilderness areas.
• Preserve the wilderness - "Leave only footprints, take only pictures."
• Using a trail, campsite, or other area of the wilderness by a group of more than 25 members is prohibited except with a special-use authorization.
• For more on wilderness ethics see South Warner Wilderness,  Leave No Trace and Rules of Thumb for Wilderness Areas.

Public Behavior:

• No fighting or boisterous behavior.
• Keep noise at a reasonable level.
• Please be considerate of fellow visitors.
• Threatening, intimidating or interfering with any forest employee is a federal offense.

Audio Devices:

• Only operate audio devices, such as a radio or musical instrument, so that it does not disturb other visitors.
• A permit is required for operating a public address system in or near a campsite, developed recreation site, or over a body of water.

Business Activities

• You may not sell, offer to sell or advertise any product or commercial business on the Modoc National Forest.
• Permits are required for any commercial activity including non-profit organizations.  For information see Special Use Permits.

Last But Not Least...

Our final rule: Enjoy your visit!  Plan to come back!