St. Paul Lake Trailhead-No Camping Closure Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 
Kootenai National Forest
Cabinet Ranger District
Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

1. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (e): Camping

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 resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

As depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A and herby incorporated in this Order, starting at the junction with National Forest System (NFS) Roads 407 and 407A, camping is prohibited within 100 yards of any portion of NFS 407A, including St Paul Trailhead. This closure is in Township 27 North, Range 32 West, Section 3 as depicted in the map attached in Exhibit A.

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect Bull Trout, resource values, and public health and safety at St. Paul Lake Trailhead.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from 05/18/2026 at 0001 Mountain Daylight Time through 07/15/2026 at 2400 Mountain Standard Time, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kootenai/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 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 Cabinet Ranger District in Trout Creek, MT, (406) 827-3533, and Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Libby, MT, (406) 293-6211, for more information about this Order. 
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on 5/18/2026.

/s/ Chad W. Benson
Forest Supervisor
Kootenai National Forest