What is the 200 Feet Rule?
If you’re just starting to get into backpacking, you may have heard the “200 feet rule” tossed around in conversations about campsites. As a newbie, you may wonder “what is the 200 feet rule?”
The 200 feet rule is an important guideline to know if you plan on setting up camp in the backcountry. Being familiar with the rule and the reasoning behind it will help you treat public forests and the people that enjoy them with proper respect.
What is the 200 Feet Rule
The 200 feet rule is that you cannot camp within 200 feet of any trail unless you are in a designated campsite. The reason for this is to keep the trail and views from the trail natural and scenic. It prevents people from camping right by the trail and ruining the view for other hikers. It also keeps the vegetation around the trail safe from the wear and tear of campsites.
This rule is also often applied to camping near water. Do not set up camp within 200 feet of a body of water. The water rule is to ensure wildlife has undisrupted access to water. It also ensures that nothing will seep into the water supply from camp, such as litter or human waste.
So long as you’re in a designated campsite, you are abiding by the rules of the forest. A designated campsite will be marked on maps and have some sort of signage, structure, or food storage system. If you pitch your tent in an area like this, you should be good to go!
How Are These Rules Enforced?
In many parks and forests, these rules aren’t legally enforced. However, that doesn’t mean you should disregard them.
Rangers do hike through the trails to check permits, and if they see you camping too close to the trail or water they may ask you to move. In some cases, they may even issue fines.
Most forests will simply encourage abiding these rules through signs and by educating campers and backpackers about the reasoning behind these rules. Hikers who appreciate and respect the public land will gladly abide by them regardless of the repercussions… or lack thereof.
So even if you find the best campsite ever, if it is close to a trail or right next to the water, please be respectful of the 200 feet rule. There are plenty of other great places to pitch your tent out there!
Other Common Rules
Group Size Restrictions
Many forests will also have restrictions on hiking and camping group size. These are set to prevent crowding and to control the impact that large groups have on campsites and trails. Groups will take up more space at camp, causing more damage to the vegetation.
Larger groups will make more noise and disruption. When people go to the forest, they want solitude. This restriction helps maintain that peaceful atmosphere.
Reservations and Permits
Some forests, especially the popular ones, will require campsite reservations and trail permits. The goal is to protect the area from overcrowding. It also helps to ensure all campers have a designated campsite, so people won’t be making new campsites everywhere. While most reservations and permits are inexpensive, the money often contributes to the upkeep of the forest. So it’s money well-spent!
Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are common in many national parks located in dry or high elevation regions. These are put in place for the safety of the forest. Even if you practice good campfire safety it is important to abide by these restrictions. A dry, windy season can make a forest vulnerable to devastating forest fires.
Bear Can Requirements
Backpacking trails in bear country may require hikers to carry a bear canister or a can of bear spray. A bear canister is a food storage container that cannot be opened by bears. Encouraging backpackers to use these canisters can help manage bear behavior. If food isn’t easy to come by near campsites, bears will be less tempted to hang out by them.
Bear spray, on the other hand, is for self-defense in case a bear becomes aggressive. When a bear begins to approach you, you spray the air in front of it. The spray irritates their eyes and nose, spooking them and making them leave the area. Learn more about bear spray here.
Don’t Feed the Animals
Most parks and forests have rules against feeding the wildlife. This is for the safety of both the animals and the hikers. Certain human snacks may be harmful to some animals, so it’s best to keep the critters on their natural diet. Also, feeding animals encourages them to approach people and their campsites. This can lead to potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace refers to principles rather than rules, but they are principles all hikers and backpackers should be aware of. They revolve around doing as little damage to the natural landscape as possible. You can do so by staying on marked trails, using existing campsites, and cleaning up after yourself. Learn more about these principles here!
Other Regulations
Depending on the forest and the region, some parks may have a variety of other rules and restrictions. These can be put in place due to the dangers or hazards of that forest. They may also be in place due to the misbehavior of previous visitors. Some common restrictions include prohibiting drones, prohibiting firearms, and not allowing pets without leashes.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
