Camping

PURPOSE: This rule establishes provisions for camping on department areas. (1) Camping is permitted only within areas designated by signs, area maps, or in accordance with posted regulations or by special use permit. Stays are limited to a period of fourteen (14) consecutive days in any thirty- (30-) day period, with the period to commence the date the site is occupied or camping within any given department area first occurs. Personal property must be removed at the end of the fourteen- (14-) day period. Total camping days on all department lands are limited to thirty (30) days within one (1) calendar year. Camping requests in excess of thirty (30) days within a calendar year may be granted with a special use permit. On those areas with established campsites, only two (2) camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site. Quiet hours are effective from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10:00 p.m. Quiet hours are defined as the cessation of excessive noise from people or any mechanical device which causes disturbance to other campers. Campfires are allowed only in designated camping areas or by special use permit. Groups of more than ten (10) people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. (A) On Thomas Hill Reservoir, only one (1) camping or sleep ing unit and a maximum of six (6) people are permitted in each campsite. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* This rule previously filed as 3 CSR 10-4.115. Original rule filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective Oct. 30, 2002. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 28, 2007. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effec tive April 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Sept. 12, 2011, effective March 1, 2012. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2018, effective March 1, 2019. Amended: Filed Aug. 26, 2019, effective Feb. 29, 2020. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.