12.8.803    CAMPING AND LODGING

(1) For purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(a) "camping" means the use of a camping unit for temporary residence or sleeping purposes;

(b) "camping facility" means a lodging structure for overnight sleeping purposes such as cabins, tipis, or yurts;

(c) "camping party" means any individual, family group, or non-family group occupying a campsite;

(d) "camping unit" means one sleeping device or shelter, including but not limited to a tent, motor home, camping bus, truck-mounted camping shell, pull-type camper, or other device designed and commonly used for sleeping;

(e) "campsite" means an area within a state park specifically designated or marked for camping;

(f) "dispersed camping" means camping that occurs in areas that are not highly developed and/or individually signed or numbered;

(g) "occupancy" means the pre-determined maximum number of camping units and/or individuals that may occupy a campsite or camping facility based on size, location, and other site attributes;

(h) "occupy" means the use of a campsite or camping facility for the purposes of camping, by a person or party who has paid the camping fee within the applicable time limits or when it has been reserved through the appropriate procedures of the reservation system; and

(i) "primary occupant" means the person that a campsite or camping facility is registered to and who must be an occupant.

(2) The following are prohibited in state parks:

(a) camping in any state park area, except those areas specifically designated or marked for that purpose;

(b) utilizing a designated campsite, facility, or area for any purpose other than camping;

(c) camping, leaving camping equipment, or otherwise attempting to occupy a campsite that has been reserved or occupied by another person or group;

(d) leaving a camping unit or other vehicle, equipment, or personal items in a campsite overnight without a person present;

(e) camping at one or more campsites in a state park for a period longer than 14 nights during any consecutive 30-day period, beginning with the first night occupied;

(i) before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, extension of the 14-night limit may be allowed if a campsite is available;

(ii) any extension must be approved by park staff prior to check out time;

(iii) extensions may not exceed 7 nights;

(f) exceeding established occupancy limits.

(3) Park managers may allow individuals without a camping reservation to register for a campsite to be occupied that day and one additional campsite at the same time for another camping party, provided he or she has all the required information for registration.

(4) Selected state park campsites or facilities may be reserved through the reservation system.

(a) When making a reservation, one person may register for one or more sites by paying the multiple campsite fee(s) and providing the required information regarding the occupants of the other sites.

(b) Reservations may only be made within the established reservation window.

(c) Reservations may be canceled by the department when necessary to protect campers or for resource protection.

(5) Campsites shall be vacated by 1:00 p.m. on the day of departure.

(6) Camping facilities shall be vacated by 12:00 p.m. on the day of departure.

(7) Proof of disability shall be required, upon arrival, for any party reserving or occupying a campsite specifically designated for ADA use. ADA campsites that remain vacant after 7:00 p.m. may by rented to a non-ADA visitor by park staff only for that night.

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

(9) Park managers may establish an overflow camping area, with occupancy limits and terms and conditions for use, to accommodate a demand for camping that exceeds designated campsite capacity.

(10) Park managers may allow emergency camping only when all designated campsites are full. Individuals using emergency areas must pay the applicable campsite fee and must vacate the site by 1:00 p.m.

(11) The maximum limits for a single occupancy campsite shall be eight people, one camping unit, and two additional tents, unless otherwise authorized.

(12) Individuals hiking, bicycling, or traveling by similar modes of nonmotorized transportation and utilizing a shared bike-in campsite(s) must each pay the applicable campsite fee.

History: 23-1-106, 23-1-111, MCA; IMP, 23-1-106, 23-1-111, MCA; NEW, 2016 MAR p. 825, Eff. 5/7/16.