(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.
