10 CSR 90-2.030 - Camping and Recreational Activities
(1) Any
violation of the general rules, regulations, division policies, and state
statutes occurring in a campground in any state park or state historic site is
also a violation of division campground management rules.
(2) Camping Fee. Methods of collecting the
camping fee (site to site, office, fee booth, etc.) for each campground shall
be posted as public information. Camping permits, once issued and paid for, are
nontransferable.
(3) Camping Areas.
Camping areas are for overnight camping only. Camping is permitted only on
designated campsites, overflow camping areas, and other camping areas, unless
otherwise authorized by the director or his designee.
(4) Campsite Capacities.
(A) The allowable and acceptable occupancy on
one campsite is as follows: Two (2) sleeping units, only one (1) of which can
be wheeled, and one additional non-sleeping mode of transportation vehicle; or
two (2) tents and two (2) non-sleeping modes of transportation vehicles. The
facility manager must approve this and any other exceptions to the campsite
capacity limits.
(B) Six (6) people
is the maximum number allowed per campsite, unless the group is defined as
indivisible.
1. Indivisible. A group of
persons, campers, tents, and vehicles that cannot be reasonably divided to
occupy more than one (1) site. Examples: Parent(s) or guardian(s) with minor
children or dependents; or a single motorized camper with its
occupants.
(C) Vehicles
and Trailer Wheels. All wheeled vehicles and trailers (boat, etc.) must be
confined to the campsite parking pads or other designated parking areas. Unless
otherwise provided under the special management regulations, no wheeled
vehicles or trailers shall be allowed to park on the grass or along campground
roads.
(D) Capacities may be
limited by campsite design.
(E)
Only one (1) electric plug-in is allowed at each campsite.
(5) Campsite Availability. Reservations are
accepted for most campsites during a certain portion of the year. Unreserved
and nonreservable campsites are available on a walk-up registration basis. A
valid camping permit documents reservation and takes priority as evidence and
first right of occupancy for the standard camping day in the event the campsite
is inadvertently occupied by anyone other than the original holder of the
camping reservation.
(6) Quiet
Hours. Campground quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. All
non-campers are required to leave the campground by 10:00 p.m. This regulation
prohibits any excessive or disruptive noises that are defined as noise
emanating from radios, stereo systems, televisions, electric generators, loud
conversations, etc., which can be heard by other persons not on the same
campsite or same general area. The use of excessive or disruptive noises
applies elsewhere and is not permitted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00
p.m. also, unless otherwise allowed by the facility manager.
(7) Camping Limits. Camping is limited to any
fifteen (15) days within a thirty (30) consecutive day period at one park,
unless otherwise provided by special management regulations. This limit applies
to any individual, group, and/or camping unit.
(8) Unattended Property. Campers shall not be
allowed to leave personal property unattended on a campsite for more than
twenty-four (24) hours without written permission from the facility manager or
designee for special circumstances such as medical emergencies or equipment
failure.
(9) Holding or Reserving a
Campsite.
(A) In addition to a camper's own
campsite, one (1) additional campsite may be held for another camper
anticipated to arrive later that same day, so long as substantial personal
property is placed on the campsite, the fee for the additional campsite has
been paid, and the permit posted at the campsite.
(B) Reservable campsites shall not be
occupied without a reservation, or directions from the park staff. A camping
reservation may be forfeited if the camper has not arrived and has not made
contact with park staff to arrange for late arrival by 3 p.m. on the day after
the camper's scheduled arrival date.
(10) Camping Services. The facility manager
will post in plain view of arriving campers an enumerated list of camping
services and the inclusive dates and times those services are
offered.
(11) Campsites Designated
for Persons with Disabilities. Campsites designed for persons with disabilities
may only be reserved by a party that includes at least one (1) person with a
disability. Same-day camping permits for these sites may be issued to parties
that do not include a person with a disability when all other campsites of the
same type (basic, electric, sewer/electric, sewer/electric/water) have been
sold. Such permits will allow the party to occupy the campsite designated for
persons with disabilities for the duration of their stay.
(12) Overflow Camping. Overflow camping areas
to accommodate special circumstances may be established by the facility manager
with the approval of the district office. The duration of use and location of
overflow camping areas will be determined by the facility management to provide
limited overnight campsites within the capabilities of the facility and its
resources.
(13) Special Use Camp
Areas.
(A) Special use camp areas may be
reserved up to twelve (12) months in advance online or by contacting the
applicable facility. Priority shall be given to nonprofit, youth organizations,
and/or applications based on date of submission if more than one (1) request is
received simultaneously.
(14) Equestrian Camping.
(A) Equestrian campers must camp in
designated equestrian camping areas and comply with all health and safety laws
and regulations.
(B) Animals are
the responsibility of their owners.
(15) Camping along trails is permitted as
follows:
(A) Along certain designated bicycle,
equestrian, and backpacking trails;
(B) By registering before using the trail;
and
(C) In appointed areas along
the trail unless otherwise posted, then at least one hundred (100) feet from
the designated trail, and at least two hundred (200) feet from any public use
area facilities.
(16)
General Camping Rules.
(A) The following are
prohibited:
1. Occupying a campsite without a
valid camping permit;
2.
Discharging of sewage or treated water, commonly referred to as "grey water,"
from tents, campers, or recreational vehicles, except at designated
locations;
3. Fires outside of the
fire pits, barbecue grills (where provided), and other locations approved by
the facility manager;
4. Leaving a
fire unattended;
5. Hanging of
lanterns on trees or shrubs;
6.
Trenching around tent camps for protection against water or wind damage;
and
7. Using electronic insect
killing devices.
(B)
Hammocks may be used with two-inch (2") wide nylon straps when tying off to a
tree. Use may be prohibited depending on the campsite logistics.
(C) Fires may be prohibited throughout the
state park or state historic site by special order of the facility manager when
fire conditions warrant.
(17) Swimming.
(A) No person shall-
1. Swim, bathe, or otherwise enter any waters
owned by, leased to, or under the control of the division that is marked as
non-swimming or restricted, or as instructed by the facility manager or
designee;
2. Dress or undress on
any beach, in any state building, or other place in a state park or state
historic site area, except in bath houses, personal camping units, or
structures provided and maintained for that purpose;
3. Throw, cast, lay, or deposit any glass,
crockery, or any part thereof, or any metallic substance in any swimming area
in any state park or state historic site;
4. Bring a dog or pet into a designated
swimming beach or area as otherwise posted, except for service dogs assisting a
person with a disability;
5. Wash
their body, dogs, or pets with or without soap or other cleansers in swimming
areas or any waters under the control of the director; or
6. Possess intoxicating liquor and/or
non-intoxicating beer in any designated swimming area or adjacent parking lots,
or other areas as posted.
(B) Swimmers and bathers shall be dressed at
all times in proper attire that conforms to commonly accepted social
standards.
(C) Swimming beaches and
pools may be closed to the public and bathing therein be prohibited at any time
when, in the opinion of the facility manager or concessionaire, bathing is
dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.
(D) Fishing and boating are permitted only
outside designated swim areas.
(18) Picnic Areas and Use. Areas are
designated for picnicking to include such amenities as parking, picnic tables,
fire grills, and restrooms. Picnicking is permitted in any state park or
historic site in areas set apart and designated for that purpose. Picnicking is
not permitted in designated campgrounds.
(A)
Use of grills, tables, and benches generally follows the rule of first-come
first-served, but no person or group shall use any picnic area, shelter, or
facility to the exclusion of other persons for an unreasonable time if
facilities are crowded, as determined by the facility manager.
(B) Fires are permitted only in personal
campstoves, or grills provided by the state park or state historic site for
outdoor cooking. Each picnicking party is responsible for ensuring their fire
is completely extinguished before leaving the area, unless it is to be used by
others.
(C) Each picnicking party
is responsible for ensuring that all trash, such as boxes, cans, papers,
bottles, garbage, and other refuse is placed in receptacles provided for that
purpose, or is carried out as otherwise required at posted locations.
(19) Horses, donkeys, and mules
are permitted only in designated areas within state parks and state historic
sites and are not permitted in non-equestrian camping areas, picnic areas, or
other public use areas. Horses, donkeys, and mules shall have a rider on them
or be tied in a designated area. Horses, donkeys, and mules shall not be ridden
on foot trails, through streams, off designated trails, or tied to trees
without the permission of the facility manager. In those facilities that
require a rider's permit or that seasonally close riding trails or areas, it is
the responsibility of the rider to obtain the proper permit.
(A) Equestrian owners or riders must show
proof of current negative Coggins test (equine infectious anemia) upon request
by appropriate park personnel and can be denied access to the facilities if
such proof cannot be provided.
(B)
In those undeveloped areas where horseback riding is permitted at random,
horses, donkeys, and mules shall be properly restrained, ridden with due care,
and shall not be permitted to graze unattended.
(20) Hunting. No individual shall use or
discharge weapons of any type in any state park or historic site, without
written permission of the director with the following exception:
(A) Hunting shall be permitted in designated
areas of Missouri's state parks only during periods of special hunts, which
shall be sponsored jointly by the Department of Natural Resources' Division of
State Parks and the Department of Conservation to control or prevent animal
overpopulation or to control or prevent problems related to overpopulation such
as damage to natural resources, property damage, or public health hazards. Due
to the changing locations of these hunts and conditions for hunting, the
policies governing them shall be developed and announced jointly by the
division and the Missouri Department of Conservation prior to the designated
hunts.
(21) Fishing.
(A) Commercial fishing or the buying or
selling of fish caught in park waters is forbidden.
(B) Fishing may be prohibited in certain
areas as designated by the director and upon the proper posting of these
areas.
(22) Boating.
Unless otherwise prohibited boating is allowed in state park waters in
accordance with state and federal rules and regulations. State park waters fall
under the jurisdiction of various state and federal agencies. The Missouri
Water Patrol, Missouri Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and/or
Missouri Department of Conservation promulgates the regulations pertaining to
boating. Specific regulations regarding boating generally are posted at points
of access.
(A) The following actions are
prohibited:
1. Launching or removing
watercraft from any park waters (waters totally owned by the Department of
Natural Resources) or tying to trees or land objects, except at places
designated for this use;
2. Leaving
a privately-owned boat or watercraft of any kind in park waters in excess of
twenty-four (24) hours without written permission of the facility manager or
designee; and
3. Renting, hiring,
or operating for charge any kind of boat or watercraft, whether powered or not,
on any state park or state historic site waters without written permission from
the director.
(B) The
director may establish limits for the horsepower of outboard motors that may be
operated in park waters; limits are posted at each respective
location.
(C) On waters managed
under agreement with the Department of Conservation, special regulations
specified in 3 CSR 10-4.116 also apply and
may be enforced by park staff.
(23) Shelter Houses. Open shelters and/or
enclosed shelters may be provided in the day use areas of Missouri's state
parks and state historic sites.
(A) Open and
enclosed shelters may be reserved up to twelve (12) months in advance online or
by contacting the applicable facility or contracted concessionaire, with full
payment being made at time of reservation.
(B) Shelter rental fees are established by
the division director and posted for public reference.
(C) Reservations cancelled less than seven
(7) days prior to the day of reserved use causes forfeiture of the shelter
fee.
(D) When reserving an enclosed
shelter, an individual from the reserving group must contact the respective
facility manager or designee to arrange for the building to be unlocked prior
to the agreed upon time of use and locked at the end of use.
(E) Shelters must be vacated by 10 p.m.
daily, or earlier if the shelter is located in an area that closes before 10
p.m.
(F) When not reserved, open
shelters are available for first-come, first-served use at no cost. Enclosed
shelters are available by reservation only.
(24) Historic Structures. Fees charged for
entrance to historic sites, their associated structures, museums, or features
may be established by the director of the Department of Natural Resources and
posted at the historic sites alongside the hours of operations.
(A) Consumption or introduction of foods or
drinks in any state historic building is prohibited unless in areas so
designated for the public or upon permission of the facility manager or the
director.
(25) Off-Road
Vehicle (ORV) Areas.
(A) ORV areas are located
in Finger Lakes and St. Joe state parks.
(B) ATVs and motorcycles may be operated in
ORV areas. The operation of other vehicles may be permitted with the proper
authorization. Other motorized vehicles are specifically prohibited on wooded
trails at St. Joe State Park, except for maintenance and rescue operations.
ATVs and motorcycles are prohibited on the beaches, beach access trails, and
paved roads.
(C) Passengers are not
permitted on ATVs or motorcycles. Where permitted by the manufacturer, other
motorized vehicles may carry as many passengers as there are seat positions
provided that all passengers wear seatbelts.
(D) Operators of ATVs and motorcycles, and
operators and passengers of other motorized vehicles without fully enclosed
metal cabs, must wear protective helmets that meet United States Department of
Transportation or ANSI Z90.1 certification.
(E) Motorized vehicles, except motorcycles,
must be equipped with a flexible mast, minimum of 72 inches in length, with a
day-glow orange or yellow flag measuring at least 72 square inches displayed at
the top of the mast.
(F) All ATVs
and motorcycles must be equipped with a spark arrestor, functioning brakes, and
muffler designed so that the noise level does not exceed eighty-six (86)
dbA.
(G) Before entering the ORV
area, each off-road vehicle may be inspected by park staff for compliance with
the safety equipment requirements.
(H) The speed limit within the staging area
or the entrance road to the ORV area shall be five (5) miles per hour, with the
speed limit in the designated buffer area between the staging area and the ORV
riding area set at twenty (20) miles per hour. No exhibition driving will be
allowed within these areas.
(I)
Operators under sixteen (16) years of age and/or unlicensed operators must have
direct supervision of a licensed adult while operating a motorcycle or
ATV.
(J) Use of or being under the
influence of alcohol or drugs while operating an ATV or motorcycle is
prohibited. Open or closed containers of intoxicating liquor and/or
non-intoxicating beer are prohibited in ORV areas, staging areas, entrance
roads, and other areas designated for ORV operation.
(K) Access to the lakes in the ORV area at
St. Joe State Park shall be provided to persons for the purpose of fishing
only. Vehicle access requires a pass to be obtained from park staff, which may
be revoked for unauthorized conduct.
(L) A use permit will be required for each
ORV operated in the ORV area. The director shall establish the types of permits
and the permit fee.
(M) ATVs and
motorcycles shall be unloaded and loaded only on designated locations within
the ORV areas.
(N) Areas within the
ORV area may be posted as closed to vehicle traffic for emergencies or due to
other management practices.
(26) Use of Pedal-Powered or Electrically
Assisted Pedal-Powered Vehicles. To facilitate accessibility to the public, the
use of pedal-powered and electrically assisted pedal-powered vehicles is
permitted on all trails designated for bicycle use.
(27) Other Recreational Activities.
(A) State parks and historic sites provide
opportunities for our visitors to engage in varied recreational activities.
However, the division maintains the right to prohibit or otherwise restrict
recreational activities that are not in keeping with the mission and objectives
of the Department of Natural Resources, that may damage property, that require
special safety measures, or that conflict with other uses of an area. Such
prohibitions or restrictions shall be determined by the director, who may
establish policy or procedures to regulate conduct.
(B) Specific recreational activities that are
restricted by policy include using metal detectors, caving, rock climbing and
rappelling, diving, and conducting special events and activities.
(C) Additional recreational activities may be
restricted by policies established after the effective date of this provision
and/or by signage.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.