Klamath National Forest dispersed camping rules

Allowed

The forest says it has many dispersed camping areas. Its Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) show short routes that often lead to dispersed campsites. Stay limits and current fire restrictions apply.

Where it is not allowed

• Trinity Alps Wilderness: you need a valid wilderness permit to camp at any time of year.
• Trinity Alps Wilderness: no more than 14 nights within a 30-day period.

14 consecutive days at any one location; also no more than 30 days per calendar year forest-wide (Order 05-05-00-26-09, 2026-08-20 to 2028-08-20)

Applies to: All National Forest System lands in the Klamath National Forest

Restrictions in effect · Fire order 05-05-00-26-11

In effect September 9, 2026 to October 30, 2026

Fires, campfires and stove fires are banned except at the designated recreation sites in Exhibit A and in the Trinity Alps, Siskiyou, Marble Mountain and Russian wildernesses. Smoking, welding and off-road engine use are restricted. People with a California Campfire Permit may use pressurized-fuel stoves or lanterns with a shut-off valve if they are at least 5 ft from flammable material. This order replaces Order 05-05-00-26-07.

Alerts and orders

Campfire permit

You need a California Campfire Permit for a fire, BBQ or stove anywhere in the forest except developed campgrounds. It is available at any Forest Service or CAL FIRE office in California, or online.

Wilderness permits

Required for the Trinity Alps Wilderness: self-issued permits are available 24 hours a day at the Salmon River/Scott River Ranger District office and other listed stations. Not required for the Marble Mountain, Russian or Siskiyou wildernesses.

Fees

Beaver Creek Campground has no fee. Fees for other sites are not stated.

• Trinity Alps Wilderness: groups are limited to 10 people.
• Trinity Alps Wilderness: store food in a bear-proof canister in the Canyon Creek and Swift Creek drainages, and use a bear-proof system everywhere else.
• Trinity Alps Wilderness: wood fires are banned in Campfire Prohibition Areas 1, 2 and 3.
• Trinity Alps Wilderness: keep bodily waste 200 ft from lakes, streams, springs, campsites and trails, and keep soapy water 200 ft from water. Don't leave gear unattended for more than 24 hours.
• Wilderness areas: all mechanized transport is prohibited, except wheelchairs.

Not stated forest-wide. Off-route motorized use is prohibited in the Siskiyou Crest Vehicle Closure Area (Forest Order 24-05-10).

Motor vehicles are limited to the roads and trails shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

• NFS Roads 47N01, 47N44, 47N52 (Beaver Creek helicopter operations)Status unknown

  2026-09-16

  About 3.5 miles of road closed on 2026-09-16 near helicopter operations on Beaver Creek. No end date is stated.

• Siskiyou Crest Vehicle Closure AreaStatus unknown

  Forest Order 24-05-10 prohibits off-route motorized use along the Siskiyou Crest from Mount Ashland to Siskiyou Peak. No dates are given.

• Happy Camp and Ukonom Ranger Districts orderStatus unknown

  An order prohibits certain acts in the Happy Camp and Ukonom districts, possibly including entry into parts of the Siskiyou and Marble Mountain wildernesses. The alert text is cut off, and no dates or order number are given.

• Grayback Road repairs (Granite Creek slide)Status unknown

  July 6 through September (year not stated)

  Repair work with expected minor delays. Stop and proceed only when the road is clear.

• The phone line for project activity levels and woodcutting restrictions is temporarily out of service. Use the temporary number 530-643-0279.
• Under the fire order, generators are allowed only if attended, used on a cleared area at least 5 ft across, and fitted with a spark arrester.
• For California road conditions, call 1-800-427-7623.

Gaps and conflicts in the official pages when they were checked.

• The home page lists a 2025-09-19 press release titled 'Klamath National Forest lifts fire restrictions'. That is older than the current Order 05-05-00-26-11 (2026-09-09 to 2026-10-30).
• The fire restriction alert page shows 'Alert End Date: N/A', but the order itself ends 2026-10-30.
• Dates and order number for the Happy Camp/Ukonom Ranger District prohibitions order; the alert text is cut off.
• Effective dates of the Siskiyou Crest Vehicle Closure order (24-05-10).
• Whether the closure of Roads 47N01/47N44/47N52 lasted only on 2026-09-16.
• Contact details for the Ukonom Ranger District are not given.
• No MVUM or visitor map link was supplied, and there are no forest-wide rules on off-road travel.
• Campground fees other than Beaver Creek are not stated.
• Year of the Grayback Road repair work.

Is dispersed camping allowed in Klamath National Forest?

Allowed. The forest says it has many dispersed camping areas. Its Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) show short routes that often lead to dispersed campsites. Stay limits and current fire restrictions apply.

How long can you camp in Klamath National Forest?

The stay limit is 14 consecutive days at any one location; also no more than 30 days per calendar year forest-wide (Order 05-05-00-26-09, 2026-08-20 to 2028-08-20).

Are campfires allowed in Klamath National Forest?

Fires, campfires and stove fires are banned except at the designated recreation sites in Exhibit A and in the Trinity Alps, Siskiyou, Marble Mountain and Russian wildernesses. Smoking, welding and off-road engine use are restricted. People with a California Campfire Permit may use pressurized-fuel stoves or lanterns with a shut-off valve if they are at least 5 ft from flammable material. This order replaces Order 05-05-00-26-07. This was the order in effect when the area was checked on September 24, 2026; confirm on the alerts page before you go.

Do you need a permit to camp in Klamath National Forest?

You need a California Campfire Permit for a fire, BBQ or stove anywhere in the forest except developed campgrounds. It is available at any Forest Service or CAL FIRE office in California, or online. Required for the Trinity Alps Wilderness: self-issued permits are available 24 hours a day at the Salmon River/Scott River Ranger District office and other listed stations. Not required for the Marble Mountain, Russian or Siskiyou wildernesses. Beaver Creek Campground has no fee. Fees for other sites are not stated.