The following conduct is prohibited in public use sites:

• arguing with, threatening, harassing, or intimidating another visitor or otherwise interfering with the lawful use by another;

• threatening, resisting, intimidating, arguing with, or intentionally interfering with any official, employee, or agent of the department engaged in the performance of his or her official duties or on account of the performance of his or her official duties;

• failing to comply with a lawful order issued by a department official, employee, or agent acting pursuant to these rules or law;

• creating a safety hazard;

• operating sound-emitting electronic devices, such as speakers, radios, televisions, or other equipment at a volume which projects sound in a manner that disturbs others; or

• operating generators where prohibited or during public use site quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

While in a public use site, payment is required for day use, camping, group use, or any other required fee that is posted by the department on site.

When a site is closed, a person may not enter or remain in the site.

While in a public use site it is prohibited to:

• damage, destroy, or possess any natural features, developed features, or vegetation;

• damage, destroy, possess, or permit the disturbance or removal of topsoil or subsoil, nonfossilized and fossilized paleontological specimens, cultural or archeological resources, or the parts thereof;

• gather or cut firewood for offsite use, except where otherwise authorized by the department;

• design, develop, construct, place, or occupy any unauthorized structure, roads, trails, signs, or landscape features;

• place or leave a geocache or other object without written permission from the department; or

• (use a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, or other metal detecting device at public use sites without written permission from the department.

Unauthorized structures are subject to removal or impoundment.

Unless otherwise posted by the department, within a public use site it is prohibited to:

• camp in any area, except those specifically designated or marked for that purpose;

• camp, leave camping equipment, or otherwise attempt to occupy a campsite that is reserved or occupied by another person or group;

• leave a camping unit or other vehicle, equipment, or personal items in a campsite overnight without a person present;

• camp at one or more campsites in a public use area for a period of longer than 7 nights during any consecutive 30-day period, beginning with the first night occupied unless otherwise posted by the department;

• exceed the designated occupancy limit of a campsite; or

• travel more than 50 yards with a motorized vehicle from a designated road in areas designated for dispersed camping.

Unless otherwise posted by the department, within a public use site, it is required to:

• comply with the terms of a special use permit; and

• vacate a campsite by the posted check-out time.

Campsites shall be vacated by 1 p.m. on the day of departure.

Camping facilities shall be vacated by 12 p.m. on the day of departure.

Boat-in campsites shall be solely for the use of the individuals traveling by watercraft as their primary mode of transportation to the site.

The maximum limit for a single occupancy campsite shall be eight people, one camping unit, and two additional tents unless otherwise authorized by the department.

Unless otherwise posted by the department in a public use site a person may not: 

• light or maintain a fire at state parks or fishing access sites except in a designated fire ring;

• light or maintain a fire outside of a designated fire ring in a public use site where it is posted by the department that fires are limited to fire rings;

• violate an authorized county or state fire restriction order;

• light or maintain a fire or burning materials, that causes damage or threatens to cause damage to property or public use site resources, creates litter, or otherwise creates a public safety hazard;

• cause damage to property or resources, or otherwise create a public safety hazard;

• depart a campsite or day use area without completely extinguishing a fire; or

• light or discharge any fireworks, rockets, or other type of explosives including exploding targets.

Smoking in a public use site is allowed in outdoor areas unless prohibitions are posted by the department.

In public use sites where food storage rules apply and are posted by the department, it is prohibited to fail to comply with the food storage rules.  The following acts are prohibited annually from March 1 to December 1 on all public use sites where food storage rules apply: 

• Possessing or storing any food for human or animal consumption, refuse, or items that may have remnants or smell like food or refuse (including personal hygiene products, beverages, unburned food or garbage residue from fire pits or stoves, or empty food or beverage containers but excluding water or water containers, hay, or hay cubes without additives), unless these items are:

  • attended by a person who is awake, alert, and within one hundred feet and line-of-sight of the items;

  • suspended at least ten feet off the ground and at least four feet from any supporting tree or pole;

  • stored in a container or using a method listed in the most current Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Certified Bear-Resistant Products list or that has been approved under the IGBC's courtesy inspection program (non-commercial products made for personal use may be inspected and approved under that program).  This includes electric fences that are installed properly and meet the design and minimum electrical output specifications on that list, and are tested for proper operation at least every twenty-four hours with a voltmeter; or

  • stored in a closed vehicle, trailer, building, or facility constructed of solid, non-pliable material that, when secured, has no openings, hinges, lids, or coverings that would allow a bear to gain entry by breaking, bending, tearing, biting, or pulling with its claws (any windows must be closed).  Horse or livestock trailers may not have any openings greater than ten inches in two dimensions, and food, refuse, or animal carcasses must be stored more than three feet from any opening.

• Possessing or storing any bird, fish, or other animal carcass or parts thereof (including livestock carcasses) that have not been prepared for human or animal consumption, unless these items are:

  • being field dressed, transported, or prepared for eating;

  • stored in accordance with department-approved storage methods and at least one hundred yards from any known occupied camping area; or

  • possessed more than one quarter mile (straight-line distance) from any known occupied camping area and more than two hundred yards from any established trail or road.

• Camping within one hundred yards of any known bird, fish, or other animal carcass or parts thereof (including livestock carcasses) stored in accordance with Fish, Wildlife and Parks-approved storage methods; or one quarter mile of any known bird, fish, or other animal carcass or parts thereof (including livestock carcasses) not stored in accordance with Fish, Wildlife and Parks-approved storage methods.

The following persons are exempt from this rule:

• persons with special authorization from the department that specifically exempts them from the effect of this rule; and

• any federal, state, or tribal employee placing baits for research or management purposes as part of their official duties.

Unless otherwise posted by the department in a public use site, a person may not:

• deposit household or commercial garbage or trash at a public use site brought in from another property;

• dispose or dump sewage or wastewater from trailers, campers, boats, or portable toilets anywhere except in designated facilities;

• dispose of refuse or fish remains in a latrine or other bathroom facilities;

• dispose of human bodily waste in developed areas, except at a designated restroom, latrine, or other facility intended for such purpose;

• in undeveloped areas, dispose of human bodily waste within 100 feet of a water source, campsite, or trail unless otherwise posted by the department;

• where required, dispose of human waste or toilet paper anywhere but in a department-approved human waste carry-out system; or

• dispose or burn trash in fire rings such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, steel cans, diapers, and all other trash.

Domestic animals (e.g., pets) within a developed area must be physically restrained or on a leash no greater than eight feet in length at all times. 

The owner, handler, or person who brought a domestic animal into a public use site is responsible for that animal and is prohibited from:

• allowing a domestic animal to dig, disturb, or otherwise damage a developed area;

• allowing a domestic animal to be in an area or facility where it is posted by the department that domestic animals are prohibited (excluding service animals);

• violating any public use site-specific posted domestic animal rules;

• failing to remove and properly dispose of any waste produced by the domestic animal in a developed area; or

• allowing a domestic animal to bite, chase, harass, or create a nuisance, annoyance, or danger to visitors, wildlife, and other animals.

Written authorization by the department is required prior to conducting organized dog training or field trials on public use sites.

The department may close trails and other parts of public use sites to the use of horses, llamas, or similar animals. 

Unless otherwise posted by the department, and except where specifically permitted or authorized by a lease, license, or other written agreement with the department, a person may not range, graze, water, or allow cattle or other livestock in public use sites.

A person is required to clean up animal feces, feed, or bedding materials in the developed area of a public use site.

Horses, llamas, or similar animals must be corralled or tethered when not in use.

Proof of certified, weed-free feed is required on all department lands.

The possession, display, carrying, discharge, or use of a weapon in a public use sites must be in compliance with Titles 23, 45, and 87, MCA.

Sites, or portions thereof, may be closed to the discharge of weapons as defined in 45-2-101, MCA, when the director determines there is an undue hazard to human safety, or to protect property and public resources. The closure does not apply to lawful discharges in cases of self-defense.

When open to public use, wildlife management areas and fishing access sites are open to all commission-established hunting and trapping seasons unless otherwise prohibited and posted. The commission authorizes the department to issue specific restrictions on hunting and trapping at a wildlife management area or fishing access site. 

State parks are open to all commission-established hunting seasons unless prohibited by the board.  The board authorizes the department to issue specific restrictions on hunting at a state park where hunting is allowed. 

While hunting in a public use site it is prohibited to hunt within a posted safety zone.

Where hunting is legally allowed, temporary hunting blinds, tree stands, goose pits, and similar structures are allowed and must be removed at the end of the season.

Trapping is prohibited in state parks unless authorized by the board. The board authorizes the department to issue specific restrictions on trapping at a state park where trapping is allowed.

Written authorization by the department is required prior to trapping on department lands.

The rules in this chapter apply to all motorized and non-motorized vehicles.  The following are prohibited in public use sites: 

• operating a motorized or non-motorized vehicle in violation of posted traffic rules, such as speed limits, yield or stop signs, and directional signage;

• operating a motorized or non-motorized vehicle off of authorized routes;

• driving or operating a vehicle on any road, trail, or area which is specifically posted against such use;

• driving or operating a vehicle beyond or around a barrier or structure intended to physically prevent such use;

• operating a snowmobile except in designated areas; or

• operating non-motorized vehicles in violation of posted restrictions.

Unless otherwise posted by the department the maximum speed limit within a developed area is 15 miles per hour, and the maximum speed limit elsewhere in a public use site is 25 miles per hour.

The department may designate and sign individual parking spaces or groups of parking spaces for vehicle parking, boat trailer parking, day use parking, and registered camper parking at public use sites.  Parking outside of these designated, signed parking spaces is prohibited. 

It is prohibited to park a vehicle in any public use site in violation of the posted parking rules.

Vehicles parked in any public use site in violation of (1) and posing an immediate and significant public safety concern may be towed.

If the operator is not with the vehicle at the time of the violation, the registered owner of the motor vehicle is personally responsible for the costs.  A defense that the motor vehicle was driven into a public use site by another person is not allowed unless it is shown that at the time, the motor vehicle was being used without the consent of the registered owner.

Unless permitted by the department, it is prohibited to launch or operate an unmanned terrestrial, aerial, or aquatic vehicle from or on a public use site.

Property, other than vehicles, left unattended for more than 48 hours may be impounded, except where otherwise posted by the department. 

Unattended property that interferes with public safety, orderly management of the public use site or presents a significant threat to department resources may be impounded immediately.

Unattended property impounded pursuant to this rule shall be deemed abandoned unless claimed by the owner or an authorized representative thereof within 60 days.  The 60-day period shall begin at the time the property is placed in the department's custody.

Property left unclaimed will be disposed of in accordance with Montana Operations Manual surplus property policy authorized by 18-6-101, MCA.

Special use permits must be obtained when required.

A special use permit and payment of required fees are required for:

• organized groups or gatherings with 30 or more people at a state park or fishing access site, and 10 or more people at a wildlife management area, fisheries conservation area, or wildlife habitat protection area;

• special events such as weddings and reunions; or

• reservable facilities such as shelters, pavilions, amphitheaters, meeting rooms, or other facilities or areas.

A special use permit may be required for:

• organized groups or gatherings with fewer than 30 people; or

• special uses or activities based on type of use or site-specific conditions.

The availability of a special use permit depends on factors such as: 

• management purposes for the site;

• department capacity to manage the event or activity;

• impacts on the cultural, heritage, natural, wildlife, and recreational resources;

• impacts on interpretive, visitor service, other program activities, or with the administrative activities of the department; or

• impacts on the general public at the site.

Facilities such as shelters, pavilions, amphitheaters, meeting rooms, or other similar facilities or areas may be reserved, subject to availability and approval by staff.

• Reservations must be made within the established reservation window.

• Reservations may be denied or canceled by the site manager to address public safety or resource protection concerns.

• When using a reservable facility, the confirmed reservation will serve as the special use permit.

• If not reserved, facilities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All recipients of a special use permit and people associated with the permitted activity must comply with the terms and conditions of the permit.

Soliciting or demanding gifts, money, goods, or services is prohibited at public use sites, except pursuant to the terms and conditions of a special use permit, commercial use permit, or other contract issued by the department for such activity. 

Public assembly, including demonstrations, picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils or services, dissemination or sharing of other information, and similar forms of conduct that involve the communication or expression of views or grievances, or are reasonably likely to attract a crowd or onlookers, are allowed at public use sites when a permit has been issued.

The department may place stipulations on the permitted activity, such as stipulations to protect public health and safety, protection of site resources, and to ensure the activity is consistent with the purpose of the site.

An application for a permit must be submitted on a form provided by the department.

Areas within public use sites may be designated for permitted public assembly activities provided that activities would not:

• cause injury or damage to cultural, heritage, natural, wildlife, and recreational resources;

• interfere with the management purposes for the site;

• unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in natural, historic, or commemorative zones;

• unreasonably interfere with interpretive, visitor service, or other program activities, or with the administrative activities of the department;

• substantially impair the operation of public use facilities or services of concessioners, holders of commercial use authorizations, or contractors;

• present a clear and present danger to the public health and safety; or

• be otherwise incompatible with the nature and traditional use of the particular site involved.

The department must issue a permit or a written denial within ten days of receiving a complete and fully executed application.  A permit will be issued unless:

• a prior permit application has been or will be granted for the same time and place, and the activities authorized by that permit do not reasonably allow multiple occupancy of that particular area;

• it reasonably appears that the event will present a clear and present danger to public health or safety;

• the event is of such nature or duration that it cannot reasonably be accommodated in that site, considering things such as damage to site resources or facilities, impairment of a protected area's atmosphere of peace and tranquility, interference with program activities, or impairment of public use facilities;

• the location applied for has not been designated as available under (5); or

• the activity would constitute a violation of an applicable law or regulation.

The permit may contain conditions reasonably consistent with the requirements of public health and safety, protection of resources, and the use of the site for the purposes for which it was established.  It may also contain reasonable limitations of the equipment used and the time and area within which the event is allowed.

Violation of these regulations or the terms of the permit may lead to permit revocation in addition to other applicable penalties.

Revocation of a permit or an order to cease will be made in writing, with the reasons clearly set forth.  In emergency situations, a verbal revocation or order to cease may take place, followed by written confirmation within 72 hours.

The commission and board authorize the department to adopt temporary emergency rules to close a public use site or portions thereof to public use as provided in ARM 12.12.122. 

Public use of the public use site means any public occupation of the land.

The commission and board authorize the department to reopen designated recreation areas closed by temporary emergency rules as provided in ARM 12.12.122.

Emergency Closure Criteria

The department may, pursuant to ARM 12.12.121, adopt temporary emergency rules under the following criteria:

• the department receives written request for closure of a public use site from the interagency fire management team or similar authority that provides the description of where to implement the fire closure;

• the department determines that firefighting efforts on or near the public use site create imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare; or

• the department determines that dangerous conditions exist on or near the public use site that create imminent peril to public health, safety, or welfare.

The department may reopen the public use site by repealing a temporary emergency rule when it determines that firefighting efforts or dangerous conditions on or near the area have subsided and imminent peril to the public health, safety, and welfare no longer exists.

Notification of Emergency Closure Areas

Prior to, or simultaneously with, the effective date of the closure of a public use site, the department shall:

• notify the commission or board;

• post notice of the closure on the agency website;

• post notice of the closure within and near the affected area; and

• send press releases regarding the closure to newspapers and media outlets having general distribution in the affected area.

Except where otherwise specified, a violation of these rules is a misdemeanor pursuant to 23-1-106 or 87-6-102, MCA. 

Individuals violating these rules may also be expelled immediately from a public use site for up to 48 hours.  Failure to comply with the expulsion may constitute criminal trespass.