Wash. Admin. Code § 352-32-030

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 352-32-030 - Camping

(1) Camping facilities of the state parks within the Washington state parks and recreation commission system are designed and administered specifically to provide recreational opportunities for park visitors. Use of park facilities for purposes which are of a nonrecreational nature, such as long-term residency at park facilities, obstructs opportunities for recreational use, and is inconsistent with the purposes for which those facilities were designed.

No person or camping party may use any state park facility for residence purposes, as defined (WAC 352-32-010).

(2) No person shall camp in any state park area except in areas specifically designated and/or marked for that purpose or as directed by a ranger.

(3) Occupants shall vacate camping facilities by removing their personal property therefrom:

(a) No later than 1:00 p.m.,

(b) if the applicable camping fee has not been paid, or

(c) if the time limit for occupancy of the campsite has expired, or

(d) the site is reserved by another party. Remaining in a campsite beyond the established checkout time shall subject the occupant to the payment of an additional camping fee.

(4) Use of utility campsites by tent campers shall be subject to payment of the utility campsite fee except when otherwise specified by a ranger.

(5) A campsite is considered occupied when it is being used for purposes of camping by a person or persons who have paid the camping fee within the applicable time limits or when it has been reserved through the appropriate procedures of the reservation system. No person shall take or attempt to take possession of a campsite when it is being occupied by another party, or when informed by a ranger that such site is occupied, or when the site is posted with a "reserved" sign or when the campsite has an incoming reservation. In the case of a reserved site, a person holding a valid reservation for that specific site may occupy it according to the rules relating to the reservation system for that park. In order to afford the public the greatest possible use of the state park system on a fair and equal basis, campsites in those parks not on the state park reservation system will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No person shall hold or attempt to hold campsite(s), for another camping party for present or future camping dates, except as prescribed for multiple campsites. Any site occupied by a camping party must be actively utilized for camping purposes.

(6) One person may register for one or more sites within a multiple campsite by paying the multiple campsite fee and providing the required information regarding the occupants of the other sites. An individual may register and hold a multiple campsite for occupancy on the same day by other camping parties. Multiple campsites in designated reservation parks may be reserved under the reservation system.

(7) In order to afford the general public the greatest possible use of the state park system, on a fair and equal basis, and to prevent residential use, continuous occupancy of facilities by the same camping party shall be limited. The maximum length of stay shall be no more than 10 nights in one park within a 30-day period. Total nights stayed by the same camping party must not exceed 90 nights per calendar year in all state parks.

These limitations shall not apply to those individuals who meet the qualifications of WAC 352-32-280 and 352-32-285.

(8) A maximum of eight people shall be permitted at a campsite overnight, unless otherwise authorized by a ranger. The number of vehicles occupying a campsite shall be limited to one car and one recreational vehicle: Provided, That one additional vehicle without built-in sleeping accommodations may occupy a designated campsite when in the judgment of a ranger the constructed facilities so warrant. The number of tents allowed at each campsite shall be limited to the number that will fit on the developed tent pad or designated area as determined by a ranger.

(9) Persons traveling by bicycles, motor bikes or other similar modes of transportation and utilizing campsites shall be limited to eight persons per site, provided no more than four motorcycles may occupy a campsite.

(10) Water trail camping sites are for the exclusive use of persons traveling by human and wind powered beachable vessels as their primary mode of transportation to the areas. Such camping areas are subject to the campsite capacity limitations as otherwise set forth in this section. Exceptions for emergencies may be approved by the ranger on an individual basis. Water trail site fees, as published by state parks, must be paid at the time the site is occupied.

(11) Overnight stays (bivouac) on technical rock climbing routes will be allowed as outlined in the park's site specific climbing management plan. All litter and human waste must be contained and disposed of properly.

(12) Emergency camping areas may be used only when all designated campsites are full and at the park ranger's discretion. Persons using emergency areas must pay the applicable campsite fee and must vacate the site when directed by the park ranger.

(13) Designated overflow camping areas may be used only when all designated campsites in a park are full and the demand for camping in the geographic area around the park appears to exceed available facilities. Persons using overflow camping areas must pay the applicable campsite fee.

(14) Overnight camping will be allowed in approved areas within designated sno-parks in Washington state parks, when posted, provided the appropriate required sno-park permit is displayed.

(15) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.

Wash. Admin. Code § 352-32-030

Amended by WSR 24-15-092, Filed 7/19/2024, effective 8/19/2024

Statutory Authority: RCW 79A.05.030 and 79A.05.035. WSR 13-15-020, § 352-32-030, filed 7/8/13, effective 8/8/13; WSR 12-22-031, § 352-32-030, filed 10/31/12, effective 12/1/12. Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW. WSR 07-03-121, § 352-32-030, filed 1/22/07, effective 2/22/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 79A.05.030, 79A.05.070, and 79A.05.075. WSR 03-01-079, § 352-32-030, filed 12/13/02, effective 1/13/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW, including RCW 79A.05.030, 79A.05.035, 79A.05.055, and 79A.05.070. WSR 00-13-070, § 352-32-030, filed 6/16/00, effective 7/17/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040. WSR 98-04-065, § 352-32-030, filed 2/2/98, effective 3/5/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.180. WSR 96-02-015, § 352-32-030, filed 12/21/95, effective 1/21/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040 and [43.51.]060. WSR 95-22-067, § 352-32-030, filed 10/30/95, effective 1/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040. WSR 94-23-024, § 352-32-030, filed 11/7/94, effective 1/1/95; WSR 93-06-001, § 352-32-030, filed 2/17/93, effective 3/20/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040 and 43.51.180(7). WSR 92-19-098, § 352-32-030, filed 9/17/92, effective 10/18/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040 and 43.51.060. WSR 87-08-008 (Order 100), § 352-32-030, filed 3/23/87, effective 5/15/87; WSR 86-06-020 (Order 91), § 352-32-030, filed 2/25/86; WSR 83-09-031 (Resolution No. 67), § 352-32-030, filed 4/15/83; WSR 82-09-035 (Order 60), § 352-32-030, filed 4/14/82; WSR 81-09-034 (Order 50), § 352-32-030, filed 4/14/81; WSR 80-05-007 (Order 45), § 352-32-030, filed 4/4/80. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040(2) and 43.51.060(6). WSR 78-05-082 (Order 39), § 352-32-030, filed 5/1/78; Order 33, § 352-32-030, filed 4/28/77; Order 9, § 352-32-030, filed 11/24/70.