Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition

Order Number: # R1-2025-01

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
U.S. FOREST SERVICE 
NORTHERN REGION

Occupancy and Use Order

• National Forests 
  • Bitterroot 
  • Custer-Gallatin 
  • Idaho Panhandle 
  • Nez Perce-Clearwater Beaverhead-Deerlodge 
  • Lolo 
  • Flathead 
  • Kootenai 
  • Helena-Lewis and Clark 
• National Grasslands
  • Dakota Prairie 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands administered as National Forests or National Grasslands within the Northern Region (Region 1) of the United States Forest Service in the states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington (the “Restricted Area”). The Restricted Area includes all land, roads and trails located within the boundaries of the following National Forests and National Grassland:

1. National Forests in Montana:
   1. Camping or otherwise occupying a single site for over 16 consecutive days within a calendar year. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a). (see appendix A).
   2. Camping or otherwise occupying any number of sites over 32 cumulative days within a calendar year. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a). (see appendix A).
2. National Forests in Idaho and Dakota Prairie National Grasslands:
   1. Camping or otherwise occupying a single site for over 14 consecutive days within a calendar year. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a). (see appendix A).
   2. Camping or otherwise occupying any number of sites over 28 cumulative days within a calendar year. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a). (see appendix A).
3. Possessing any material containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware, including wood pallets and construction debris, that could be used as firewood. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(cc).
4. Use any refuse for the purposes of target shooting with a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e). (see appendix B).

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, 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 fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty

IMPLEMENTATION

This order will be in effect starting August 1, 2025 and will remain in effect through July 31, 2030, unless rescinded earlier.

A copy of this order shall be posted as prescribed under 36 CFR § 261.51.

VIOLATIONS

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (16
U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581(b)(7)).

Signed and issued on July 17, 2025.

/s/ Kristin Bail 
Regional Forester (Acting) 
Northern Region

Appendix A - Camping Restriction Information

DEFINITIONS:

Definitions for the purposes of this order are as follows:

1. The term “camping” means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure. 
2. The term “occupying” means the physical presence of a person or any personal property. 
3. The term “site” means the campsite or place that is occupied and all NFS lands within ½ mile radius. 

PURPOSE:

1. To alleviate environmental stress and damage associated with longer-term utilization of Forest Service System lands such as soil erosion or compaction. 
2. To limit human and animal waste product contamination contributing to fecal bacteria in waterways. 
3. To limit the overgrazing of a single area by livestock. 
4. To allow forest users to have equal access to recreational areas and activities. 

Appendix B-Refuse Definitions

DEFINITION:

Refuse is defined as any material used as targets, except for the following materials:

1. Cardboard and cardboard targets with reusable frames (not including wooden pallets) removed from the site after shooting 
2. Paper and paper targets with reusable frames (not including wooden pallets) removed from the site after shooting 
3. Reactive targets made of non-metallic materials designed to move or bounce along the ground when hit and removed from the site after shooting 
4. Self-healing targets removed after shooting 
5. Metal targets designed to swing, spin, or knock-down after being shot with a firearm and removed after shooting; and
6. Biodegradable clay targets (clay pigeons). 

PURPOSE:

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