JACKSON, Wyo. — Camping on the Bridger-Teton is cool. Residing on it? Not so much.
But knowing the actual distinction between “camping” and “residing” can be tricky, so Todd Stiles who serves as Jackson’s District Ranger on the Bridger-Teton is here to explain.
“If you’re camping for recreational purposes and that’s your primary purpose, you’re welcome to do so, as long as you’re following the existing regulations,” said Stiles. “But if you’re trying to live on the Forest lands and you have no address, it’s considered residing and that is illegal.”
The U.S. Forest Service defines camping as the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently-fixed structure. In popular areas in the summer, there’s a five-day camping limit.
Stiles explained that the purpose of having the five-day stay limit from May 1- Labor Day each year, is to provide campsite availability for the broadest range of recreational visitors. It’s also in place to prevent folks from keeping a site for extended periods of time, which can diminish the opportunity for all.
Additionally, shorter stays in popular areas help avoid physical impacts on vegetation and water quality, explained Stiles.
This five-day restriction applies to the really popular areas that folks associate with “dispersed” camping near Jackson. These areas include Curtis Canyon, Flat Creek, Shadow Mountain, Gros Ventre River, Fall Creek Road, Phillips Ridge and Granite Creek. Outside of this annual May 1- Labor Day period of the year, camping stay limits are 14 days consecutive, and at all times of the year, it is 14 consecutive days in the Gros Ventre Wilderness area and in fee campgrounds such as Hoback, Granite Creek, East Table, Wolf Creek, etc.
In terms of “residing” on the Forest, residing is prohibited regardless of how long a person was to do so. Residing is regulated under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 36 CFR 261.10 – Occupancy and Use.
In the past, the Forest Service has handled situations where individuals have overstayed their five-day camping limit.
In November 2021, a man was found guilty of three misdemeanor citations related to long-term camping on lands managed by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Law enforcement investigated reports that eventually led them to an area with unattended campfires, several dilapidated vehicles, trailer homes and extensive garbage scattered throughout. This is what the Forest Service hopes to avoid by enforcing its regulations.
Stiles added that with this issue at hand he’s not blind to Jackson’s housing shortage, especially in the summer months.
“It’s the real deal. I get it,” said Stiles.
“We also struggle with housing for our employees and having enough housing for the Supervisor’s Office and the Jackson Ranger’s District.”
But at the same time, the work of the Service is to enforce these regulations and protect the resources on the lands. Simply put, Forest Service lands aren’t a place to call home.
The public can review camping regulations and fines on the Jackson, Blackrock and Greys River Ranger Districts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for Sublette, Teton and Lincoln County, Wyoming in the file below.
