USDA Forest Service Lands
Ozark - St. Francis National Forest
605 West Main Street • Russellville, AR 72801 • (479) 964-7200
Ouachita National Forest
P.O. Box 1270 • 100 Reserve Street • Hot Springs, AR 71902 • (501) 321-5202
USDA Forest Service Regulations
State and federal game and fish laws are applicable to National Forest lands. Forest Service law enforcement officers enforce these laws. Listed below are additional regulations that apply to these forests. For more information, contact the offices above or the local district ranger.
Camping facilities are provided in designated sites. Some campgrounds require a fee. Camping in primitive campsites with no facilities is allowed on a first come/first served basis. Starting the day the camp is set up, campsite use is restricted to 30 days in undeveloped campsites and 14 days in developed campsites. Undeveloped campsites may not be reserved by any method. Camping or operating/parking motorized vehicles is not allowed in wildlife openings/food plots.
The following acts are prohibited and are located within the 36 Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR):
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Leaving a campfire without extinguishing it. This includes leaving a fire unattended, or allowing a fire to escape. Note: The person or persons responsible for allowing a fire to escape could be liable for suppression and damage costs.
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Removing any forest product without permit or contract. The gathering of firewood that is dead and down for camp use is allowed.
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Damaging a natural feature or other property of the U.S. This includes any vegetation, soil, timber or other property.
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Removing a natural feature or other property of the U.S. Digging in, excavating, disturbing, injuring or destroying any prehistoric, historic or archaeological resource, structure, site or artifact. (The possession or use of metal detectors within a prehistoric, historic or archaeological site is prohibited.)
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Constructing roads or structures without authorization. This includes using All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) or other vehicles to make new trails or roads. Permanent structures such as permanent tree stands or buildings are prohibited. Portable tree stands are allowed but must be removed by season’s end. Note: The Ouachita National Forest requires all tree stands to be moved within 14 days of their original placement.
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Baiting of game species is prohibited.
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Discharging a firearm or other implement capable of taking human life on or across a Forest Service road or within 150 yards of a campsite, residence or occupied area. Abandoning personal property. This includes deer stands, campsites or other personal property.
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Placing a vehicle or other object as an impediment or hazard to others.
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Failing to properly dispose of all garbage, including any paper, can, bottle or sewage. Sanitary dump stations are at the following recreation areas: Albert Pike, Blanchard Springs, Cedar Lake, Charlton, Lake Sylvia, Lake Wedington, Little Pines, Long Pool and Shady Lake.
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Leaving the road or trail in a damaged condition.
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Interfering with the use of a road, trail or gate. This includes placing a campsite, vehicle or other structure in front of a gate or open road.
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Violation of any state traffic law. This regulation applies to all National Forest roads and any state highways or county roads within the transportation system crossing National Forest lands.
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Operating any motorized vehicle on a forest development road or any portion thereof that is posted as closed, or closed by an earthen mound, gate or other object. This includes all motorized vehicles including ATVs and OHVs. All trails going around the gate, sign or over an earthen mound are not legal trails and are in violation of this regulation. Any road or trail in the Ozark National Forest not classified as a designated route or trail is closed to OHV use. Maps of the designated routes are available at www.AOKForests.com or at any Forest Service office.
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Possessing a beverage defined by state law as an alcoholic beverage. This includes possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, or while in the act of hunting.
Forest Service maps can be purchased from the Forest Supervisor’s and District Ranger’s Offices.
Who needs a permit?
Any individual, business, outdoor organization, interpretive venture or educational group providing commercial outfitting or guiding services on National Forest lands for profit or nonprofit. This includes businesses whose clients use National Forest lands, such as horse camps adjacent to federal lands. Contact the National Forest or Ranger District office in the area where you propose to conduct your operations. On the Web, see http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/ for information about the permitting process.