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  • Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area Restrictions

    Mount Shasta Wilderness Restrictions will go into effect on Nov. 9, 2024 through Nov. 8, 2026 under Forest Order 14-24-08. This Forest Order renews restrictions to protect the habitat, soil, and natural resources of the Mt. Shasta Wilderness area and to provide for the safety of the public during their cultural, spiritual, and physical pursuits while visiting the area.

    Wilderness Program Manager Nick Meyers “these restrictions help us to reduce the impacts of the 100,000 or more visitors to the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area every year and support the preservation of the health of the mountain for future generations to enjoy visiting.”

    Under these restrictions all visitors in the Wilderness Area must have a Wilderness Permit, all groups must be limited to 10 or less individuals, all individuals above 10,000 ft must possess a Summit Permit. All visitors must deposit human waste in the appropriate trailhead waste containers. No dogs are permitted within the Wilderness Area. Visitors must remain on existing trails and designated routes and are not to create new switchbacks or go off trail into spring fed meadows.

    Visitors must camp more than 100 feet away from any stream, lake, or designated trail and are limited to camping up to 7 consecutive nights within a 30-day period. Campers must have a valid California Campfire Permit to utilize portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel stoves with a shut off valve. Campfires are not permitted anywhere within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area. Any soapy water must be disposed 200 feet away from any water course.

    Pack stock animals are limited to 10 per group and must not be hitched, tethered or hobbled to a tree, for more than 2 hours unless loading or unloading, or withing 200 feet of a lake, stream or campsite. Pack stock are not permitted on overnight trips and are not to graze withing 200 feet of a lake, stream, trail, or campsite.

    Make sure you know before you go to stay up to date on campground, road, or area closures prior to visiting the Shasta-Trinity National Forest by visiting the website https://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf or calling the information line at 530-926-4511 For current conditions on Mt. Shasta contact the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center at 530-926-9613.

Alert Start Date: November 9, 2024

Alert End Date: November 8, 2026

Rec Sites Affected:

Mt. Shasta Wilderness

Order Number: 14-24-08

Associated Documents

Forest Order 14-24-08 Forest Order 14-24-08 Map

Forest Order

USDA FOREST SERVICE 

SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST

FOREST ORDER NO. 14-24-08

MT. SHASTA WILDERNESS AREA RESTRICTIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This Order is effective from November 9, 2024 through November 8, 2026.

  1. Entering or being in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(a).
  2. Being on any National Forest System trail within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
  3. Entering or being in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area as part of a group of more than 10 people. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(f).
  4. Entering or being in spring-fed meadows, except on designated trails, as shown on the attached map. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (b).
  5. Possessing, storing, or transporting a dog. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s).
  6. Camping within 100 feet of any stream, lake, or designated trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
  7. Camping for more than 7 consecutive nights within a 30-day period. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
  8. Disposing of human waste except in trailhead waste containers. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(g).
  9. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire without a valid California campfire permit. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
  10. Disposing of soap water waste within 200 feet of any water source. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(g).
  11. Storing or leaving unattended any equipment, personal property or supplies for a period in excess of 24 hours. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(f)
  12. Shortcutting a switchback while on a National Forest System trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(e).
  13. Discharging a firearm, except while hunting in accordance with California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m).
  14. Entering or being in the area with more than 10 head of pack or saddle animals. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(a).
  15. Managing pack stock as follows:
    1. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal:
      1. To a tree.
        1. For more than 2 hours in any one place except while loading and unloading.
        2. Within 200 feet of a lake, stream, or campsite. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(aa).
      2. Entering or being in the area with pack or saddle animals overnight. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(a).
      3. Grazing pack or saddle stock within 200 feet of a lake, stream, trails, or campsite. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(e).

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

  1. Persons with a valid Wilderness Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above but may be in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area and on all National Forest System trails below 10,000 feet.
  2. Persons with a valid Summit Permit and Wilderness Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above but may be in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area above 10,000 feet.
  3. 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 the Order.
  4. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
  5. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shut-off valve.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A 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 months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

 

Executed at Redding, California this 8th day of November, 2024.

RACHEL A. BIRKEY

Forest Supervisor

Contact Number:

530-226-2500

Last updated March 20, 2025

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