Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central CO)

This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest
Divide Ranger District

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Big Meadows Recreation Area of the Divide Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest described further below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area"):
1. Camping except in a designated campsite provided by the Forest Service within Big Meadows Campground. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
2. Parking or leaving a vehicle in violation of posted instructions. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(g).
3. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire except at a designated campsite in Forest Service approved fire ring campsite provided by the Forest Service within the Big Meadows Campground. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
4. Possessing a dog except when it is: on a leash six feet or less in length; a working stock dog; being used for legal hunting purposes; or assisting a person with disabilities. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s). 

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.S0(e), the following Persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer
that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

The Described Area is all NFS lands within the Big Meadows Recreation Area, which includes Big Meadows Campground and 1,000 feet on either side of all of National Forest System Roads (NFSR), including NFSR 410 and NFSR 430 beginning at its junction with NFSR 410 and ending at the curve above Big Meadows Boat Ramp parking lot.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from May 24, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. through May 24, 2029, at 11 :59 p.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit go to /r02/riogrande/alerts. 
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter 11, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Rio Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District at (719) 657-3321 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on June 3, 2024.

ANDREW KELHER
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Rio Grande National Forest