4x4 Camping

[ibscas]

I love to hit camp spots that are 4x4 accessible only, but would like some more spots to go! I have one (probably politically incorrect) need, though, is that one of the things I love to do is target shoot while camping (and, yes, I clean up my shells and everyone else's for the matter). I've been going outside of Tolland for quite a while because there are not shooting restrictions and seldom any fire restrictions. Does anyone know of good places where I can camp and shoot?

[ZappBranigan]

There are some nice shooting areas in the Hayman Burn part of Pike NF Northwest of Deckers. Because the area is burned out, there aren't many recreational users.

Of course, you have to start watching out for hunters now, since the big game seasons are starting.

Unless you're in an area where shooting is specifically prohibited, the rule is you have to be 150 yards from any road, trail, campsite or other occupied area. It's not stated in the reg, but obviously you also want to be in an area with a good backstop.

[newracer]

You do not have to be 150 yards from a road.

You do have to be 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area and cannot shoot across or on a Forest Development Road or adjacent body of water; or in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.

[Taz]

If you like to take long trips I can highly recommend the Dark Canyon Wilderness outside of Blanding UT.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/scottyo64/Canyon%20De%20Chelly%208-31%20to%209-3-07/Trip%20out%20Dark%20Canyon/DSC05513.jpg

Yes you can drive it.

[Dave McDonald]

You do not have to be 150 yards from a road.

You do have to be 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area and cannot shoot across or on a Forest Development Road or adjacent body of water; or in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.


That 'campsite' word is pretty important to me. I have nothing against shooting, I enjoy target shooting myself occasionally. I have been camping with someone shooting disturbingly close to my campsite. I just packed up and left to avoid a confrontation, but please - in order to bolster the idea of peacefull multiple-use, Hike a good ways out away from the roads and other campsites before you set up your range. 150 yards is a MINIMUM distance. Gunshots in the distance are much easier to ignore than richocets overhead in your campsite with your kids asking 'what kind of bird was that?'

[ibscas]

Hike a good ways out away from the roads and other campsites before you set up your range. 150 yards is a MINIMUM distance. Gunshots in the distance are much easier to ignore than richocets overhead in your campsite with your kids asking 'what kind of bird was that?'

I completely agree, I am VERY safe and considerate when it comes to shooting!

[ibscas]

I was under the impression that you couldn't shoot anywhere in, around or near a national forest - which seems to be a great deal of the excellent offroad camp sites.

[Dave McDonald]

I was under the impression that you couldn't shoot anywhere in, around or near a national forest - which seems to be a great deal of the excellent offroad camp sites.

You can't shoot in a National PARK. You can shoot in a National FOREST.

[ibscas]

You can't shoot in a National PARK. You can shoot in a National FOREST.

That's good to know :). So, from what I've read here, I can shoot anywhere as long as it is not a National Park and as long as it's 150 yards from any building or road or campsite?

[ZappBranigan]

The short (and by no means authoritative) rule of thumb regarding National Forests and National Parks is this:

In a National Park*, anything not specifically PERMITTED is PROHIBITED.

In a National Forest or BLM land, anything not specifically PROHIBITED is PERMITTED.

Now, don't go thinking that means you can conduct animal sacrifices or prospect for oil or dump toxic waste on any NF site - obviously other State and Federal laws still apply. I'm referring specifically to things like hiking, camping, shooting and other types of recreation. IOW, in a National Forest, you can (generally) camp in any area where it's not specifically prohibited. In a National Park, you can ONLY camp in a designated campsite, unless that park has specific rules to the contrary (for example, no-impact back-country camping with a permit.)

*Note that the restrictions on "National Parks" apply to National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Historic Places and any other sites run by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

[ZappBranigan]

That's good to know :). So, from what I've read here, I can shoot anywhere as long as it is not a National Park and as long as it's 150 yards from any building or road or campsite?

Remember also that Federal, State and County statutes, ordinances and regulations also still apply. For example, the part of Rampart Range road North of Devil's Head is subject to a National Forest shooting restriction. However, a much larger area of the Pike National Forest in Douglas County is subject to a County shooting restriction. So it's important to be familiar with all the applicable laws before shooting in a national forest.

[rondog]

Confused yet? I know I am.

[ibscas]

Remember also that Federal, State and County statutes, ordinances and regulations also still apply. For example, the part of Rampart Range road North of Devil's Head is subject to a National Forest shooting restriction. However, a much larger area of the Pike National Forest in Douglas County is subject to a County shooting restriction. So it's important to be familiar with all the applicable laws before shooting in a national forest.
Yea, that can be confusing! So I suppose it goes back to my original question about where there are good sites that I can offroad to, camp and shoot.

[ZappBranigan]

Might be easier to come up with a few areas where you think shooting might be good, then ask the sheriff's dept of that county if shooting is permitted. And if they say "no", ask them why. They should be able to point you to an ordinance or law. Otherwise, just stay away from the road and away from other forest users and you should be fine. This is one reason I like the Hayman Burn area - very few other users are out there.

In practice, I've gone shooting lots of times and have never been hassled. As long as you obey basic common sense rules (good backstop, shoot in a safe directly, police up your targets, etc) most rural cops and forest rangers will leave you alone. They have much better things to do than harass people for shooting.

Probably the biggest issue is trash. People go up into the mountains with water tanks, furniture, and other junk, shoot it up and leave the trash targets behind. Then, other non-shooters drive by and see the shot up trash and think "man, those shooters are a bunch of uncaring yahoos!" and so, laws designed to limit shooting are passed. I don't know when the Rampart Range shooting restrictions went into place. I used to go shooting there back in the early 80's, just as it was becoming the dirtbike mecca of the front range, and never had any issues. I assume that there were probably some close calls or maybe even a few accidental shootings and eventually the FS and/or Douglas County just decided to close the whole area to shooting.

[newracer]

The short (and by no means authoritative) rule of thumb regarding National Forests and National Parks is this:

In a National Park*, anything not specifically PERMITTED is PROHIBITED.

In a National Forest or BLM land, anything not specifically PROHIBITED is PERMITTED.

Actually even in a National Park if it is not specifically prohibited it is permitted. The NPS has just prohibited most activities or severely limited them.

Here is the NPS regulations.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/36cfrv1_04.html

[mtngoat]

What happened to this dude's original question of where to go camping?

A few spots:

North of Gothic (Crested Butte) just south of Schofield Pass (there can be others in the area so be mindful of the shooting.)

West of Frasier/Winter Park (can't remember the name of the road but I have yet to run into any one else up there)

Apex or American City (ghost town) northwest of Blackhawk south of Rollinsville

Futurity (ghost town) southeast of Buena Vista

Many other possibilities. With the new info of being able to shoot in the NFS -- I say grab a Colorado Gazetteer and find some back roads, go find a flat spot and pitch the tents. It's what I do.

But please, PLEASE, clean up after your self. I am a hunter, hiker, backpacker, mountain biker, and off-roader and I cannot tell you how PI$$ED I get when I see trash left behind.


-Dave

[Funrover]

There is always China Wall!
Eagle Rock

All around BV!

[SMiTTY]

But please, PLEASE, clean up after your self. I am a hunter, hiker, backpacker, mountain biker, and off-roader and I cannot tell you how PI$$ED I get when I see trash left behind.


-Dave

So true....This is why we ALWAYS take in extra bags with us. We pack out what we take in....As well as what other fawkers (:flipoff2:) bring in and leave behind!

[Funrover]

West of Frasier/Winter Park (can't remember the name of the road but I have yet to run into any one else up there)


-Dave

Elk Creek road has some.... church park road, Vasquez, etc etc... there are spot all over that you are allowed......... But not really a 4-wheel trail to get there!

[ibscas]

Sweet, ya'll, thank you for the information. If you think of more I would love to hear about it. I love the place I camp now, but I've camped there like 12 times and am getting bored of exploring the same places :).

Oh, and on the trash issue, I am in TOTAL agreement. So many people are careless and uncaring when it comes to shooting. I went over Labor Day and policed up about 1,000 shells, and miscellaneous trash from other people, it really ticked me off.