Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations: Redwood National Park

Revised 12/27/00

Introduction

The following designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions, are established for Redwood National Park, under discretionary authority provided the Superintendent by provisions of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 through 7.


Section 1.5 Closures and Public Use Limits

(a)(1) Closures:

(i) Waters of Redwood Creek that lie within the boundaries of Redwood National Park are closed to motorized vessel use.

(ii) Climbing an old growth tree is prohibited without a permit. Permits may be issued for approved research only.

(iii) Except in those areas listed in Section 2.22(a)(2)(i) of this Compendium, overnight parking on a roadway or parking lot/area that lies within the boundaries of Redwood National Park is prohibited

(iv) Any road, roadway, skid trail or area of Redwood National Park closed by a sign or closed and/or locked gate is closed to vehicular use, except as authorized in Section 1.6, Permits. All former logging roads or skid trails that are not being maintained as public roads or trails are closed to vehicle use.

(v) Hunting is prohibited by all persons on all lands and waters within Redwood National Park, including those lands that are coterminous with the Yurok Reservation.

(vi) "Bungy-jumping," "base jumping," "hanggliding," "paragliding"and "parasailing" are prohibited.

Effective January 1, 2001, overnight camping and parking at the Freshwater Spit are prohibited except in accordance with the conditions of the Freshwater Spit Special Overnight Parking Permit and upon payment of a nightly fee. The fee is established at $10.00 per night per motorized vehicle and $3.00 per person per night for bicyclists and hikers. Upon arrival for overnight parking purposes, a person must place the appropriate fee in a self-registration envelope and the fee envelope must be deposited into a canister located at an established kiosk along the Spit. A section of the fee envelope is a permit, which will be validated upon payment of appropriate fees. A vehicle operator must remove the permit from the fee envelope prior to depositing the fee and place it on the lower left side of the vehicle’s windshield. A hiker or bicyclist using the area on an overnight basis must possess the permit while at the Spit. Permits must be made available for inspection to any national or state park employee upon request. This fee is established under cost recovery authorities, rather than under the US Recreational Fee program. As such, discounts such as National Park, Golden Access, Golden Age, Golden Eagle Passports or any California State Park pass do not apply. Nothing in this closure should be interpreted as conflicting with those found in Section 2.10 (a)(8) of this Compendium.


Section 1.6 Permits

(a) Activities authorized by permit:

(1) Backcountry Camping in Redwood Creek

(2) Administrative Road Use, Including Tall Trees Grove Access Road

(3) Fires on Gravelbars on the Main Streambed of Redwood Creek

(4) Research/Resource Collecting

(5) Special Events/Public Assembly/Distribution of Printed Matter

(6) Filming/Commercial Photography

(7) Display of Commercial Notices or Advertisements

(8) Commercial Activities

(9) Use of Outdoor Schools

(10) Scattering of Human Ashes from Cremation

Vehicular Use on Seashore - Only for Purposes of Commercial Fishing
Vehicular Use on Seashore - For Permanently Mobility Impaired Persons Only for Purposes of Sport Fishing
Overnight Parking at Freshwater Spit


Section 2.1 Preservation of Resources

(a)(4)Firewood:

(i) Up to 50 pounds (the amount an average adult can carry in one armload) of dead and down wood per day per campsite or picnic site, including driftwood, may be collected by hand for use exclusively as firewood within Redwood National Park campgrounds, picnic areas and on beach wave slopes. Areas where firewood may be collected are:

Freshwater Beach south of Redwood Creek
Hidden Beach north of Redwood Creek
Crescent Beach - from the NPS boundary at South Beach south to the cliffs at Enderts Beach Overlook
Enderts Beach north and south of the mouth of Nickle Creek
From gravel bars of Redwood Creek
Within ¼ mile radius from established campgrounds
(ii) The use of a chainsaw within the park, on beaches or elsewhere, is prohibited except by authorized park work crews..

(iii) The use of mechanical means, including a winch, boom truck or similar device to remove firewood is prohibited.

(iv) No wood taken from within the boundaries of Redwood National Park may be used in any manner for commercial purposes.

(b) Leaving an established trail to shortcut between portions of the same trail or to shortcut to another trail is prohibited.

(c)(1) The following natural resources may be gathered by hand for personal, non-commercial use. Quantities are limited as identified below.

(i) All species of native and non-native berries (one gallon per person per day) and apples (five per person per day)

(ii) Acorns (one gallon per person per day)

(iii) Hazel nuts (one gallon per person per day)

(iv) Unoccupied seashells, (one gallon bucket per person per day

(c) (3)(i) The gathering or possession of any species of mushroom or fungi is prohibited.



Section 2.2 Wildlife Protection

(a)(2) Attracting or calling wildlife by any means is prohibited.

(a)(2)(i) The viewing of wildlife through a scope mounted on a firearm is prohibited.

(d)(1) Lawfully taken and tagged wildlife may be transported through the park on Highways 199 and 101, Bald Hills Road, Johnson Road, Klamath Beach Road and William’s Ridge Road. Lawfully taken waterfowl may be transported by boat across Freshwater Lagoon to the public launch ramp near highway 101. All other roads and waterways within the park are closed to transportation of lawfully taken wildlife unless approved by a park ranger.

(d)(2) An animal lawfully shot on neighboring lands, which runs into the park, may be retrieved if the animal is dead or mortally wounded following notification and investigation by a park ranger. If the injured animal rises and moves away upon being approached by the park ranger, the animal will be considered healthy enough to survive and further pursuit will be prohibited. Park rangers may euthanize a severely injured animal and allow the properly licensed hunter to tag and claim the animal. An unloaded and broken down, cased or otherwise made temporarily inoperable (i.e. bolt removed) weapon may be taken into the park by a hunter when attempting to notify a park ranger of the incident. No engine-driven mechanical equipment such as a winch, hoist, all terrain vehicle, etc. may be used to retrieve the animal. Street legal and licensed motor vehicles may be driven on park roads that are open to public use in order to transport the animal out of the park with the approval of a park ranger.

(e)(1) The viewing of, or attracting of, any wildlife by use of an artificial light is prohibited except, as is common practice by nighttime commercial beach fisherman in accordance with California fishing regulations.



Section 2.4 Weapons, Traps and Nets

(d)(4)(i) At the Freshwater Lagoon, unloaded and either broken down, cased or temporarily made inoperable firearm or weapon may be transported in vessels from the public launch ramp and the access road which parallels U.S. Highway 101 at Freshwater Lagoon immediately, directly and without delay to waters off the park's east boundary for the purposes of waterfowl hunting outside the park during the established California waterfowl hunting season. The term "unloaded" is as defined in 36 CFR 1.4, not as defined by California Fish and Game regulations or any other California codes.

(d)(4)(ii) Licensed California commercial fisherman with a valid driver’s license and a properly registered and insured motor vehicle may possess fishing nets when in route to or returning from commercial fishing endeavors along the park’s coastline. No NPS permit is required at this time.

Section 2.10 Camping and Food Storage

The following locations are designated camping areas in the park, with camping limited to facilities provided and to two tents per site. All camping is on a first come, first served basis. Saving a campsite for another party is prohibited:
(1) Nickle Creek (5 sites)

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year

(2) DeMartin (11 sites)

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year.

(3) Flint Ridge (9 sites)

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year.

(4) Elam Camp (Horse Camp) - (3 sites or a group camp) not to exceed 12 stock animals.

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year.

(5) Forty-four Camp (Horse Camp) - (4 sites or a group camp, not to exceed 12 stock animals.

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year.

(6) Little Bald Hills (Horse Camp) – (4 sites or a group camp, not to exceed 12 stock animals.

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year.

(7) Redwood Creek gravel bars (upstream from the summer footbridge (creek/trail crossing) on Redwood Creek to the eastern park boundary. Camping is prohibited within a ¼ mile radius of the Tall Trees Grove. A camping and fire permit is required for camping in the Redwood Creek drainage. Permits are available at the Redwood Information Center, Prairie Creek Visitor Center and the Crescent City Information Center.

(a) Overnight stay limited to 5 consecutive days; 15 days in a calendar year.

(8) Freshwater Spit Overnight Use Area; at least 30 feet west of the paved edge of Highway 101 from Gyon Bluff/Freshwater Rocks to the south end of the Redwood Creek Picnic Area. The southernmost portion of hardpack fill area, as designated, is reserved for day use only and overnight use is prohibited.

(a) Tent Camping is permitted at the Freshwater Spit Overnight Use Area on the beach located south of the southern-most vehicle access point

(b) A tent may not be pitched on beach vegetation.

(c) A tent may not be erected on the hardpack gravel or intermingled with automobiles or recreational vehicles due to safety reasons.

(d) Overnight stay at Freshwater Spit Overnight Use Area limited to 15 consecutive days with a 30 day maximum in a calendar year.

(i) Campers and all vehicles, tents and other camping equipment must vacate at least 72 hours between each 15 day stay.

(e) A vehicle must be parallel parked more than 30 feet from the edge of Highway 101 in an orderly manner so as to allow safe movement of motor vehicles throughout the area.

(f) A campsite must be kept free of litter and food must be stored in such a manner so it is not readily available to birds or other wildlife in the area.

(b) Food Storage:

(1) At all backcountry campsites, food and any scented materials such as toothpaste, sunscreen, soap, deodorant, etc. must be stored in food storage cabinets, food storage canisters (available only at Redwood Information Center,) or suspended a minimum of ten (10) feet above the ground and at least four (4) feet horizontally from a post or tree trunk.

(2) Cooking utensils, dishes and food containers must be cleaned or stored as indicated in (1) above.



Section 2.12 Audio Disturbances

(a)(1) A radio, CD player, or other music generating or noise amplifying audio device, motorized equipment or machinery (excluding motor vehicles) are prohibited in the backcountry and in, or within 1/4 mile of, old growth forests from February 1 through September 15, to avoid disturbing nesting threatened and endangered species. Backcountry is defined as primitive and undeveloped portions of the park that are not accessible by paved roads. Old-growth forest is defined as a mature forest with multi-species canopy dominated by large over-story trees.



Section 2.13 Fires

(a)(1)(i) Campfires are permitted in park provided grills or designated sites in all campgrounds, picnic areas and backcountry campsites. Holders of a valid backcountry camping permit for Redwood Creek may build a small fire only on the gravel bars, as per conditions of the permit.

(a)(1)(ii) Fires may be built on beach wave slopes below the last high water mark, but not on vegetation or within, or in close proximity to, driftwood piles.

(a)(1)(iii) Movement of a grill or fire ring from its original location is prohibited.

(c)(1) An open fire is prohibited during those times of high fire danger when posted in accordance with the park's Fire Management Plan.



Section 2.14 Sanitation and Refuse

(a)(2) Backcountry campers shall remove all trash and refuse from backcountry sites. Nothing may be buried or otherwise left in the park. Park provided toilets may not be used as trash receptacles. Trash and refuse may not be left on the ground overnight at a campsite.



Section 2.15 Pets

(a)(1)(i) Dogs and other pets, on a leash not exceeding six feet, are permitted in the park at the following locations:

(a) All road accessible beaches

(b) Redwood Information Center parking lot

(c) All road accessible picnic areas

(d) Freshwater Spit Overnight Use Area

(e) Within 100 feet of public roads and parking lots

(a)(1)(ii) Park residents, including Redwood Hostel staff, may keep pets in accordance with park regulations, the park's housing management plan and concession contracts.

(a)(1)(iii) Search and Rescue dogs may be taken into the park for approved SAR training or emergency purposes.

(a)(1)(iv) Pets are prohibited on all other park lands and areas and from all public use buildings, (including the Crescent City administration building) except those listed in Section 2.15 (a)(1)(i) and (ii). However, seeing eye and hearing aid dogs assisting a disabled person and under physical restraint are permitted in all public areas.

(a)(3)(i) A pet may not be left unattended in motor vehicles, except for short periods of time when the owner is visiting an information center or utilizing a restroom. Motorhomes are excluded from this section. A pet may not be left unattended in a tent, crate, cage or other similar device nor may it be tied unattended to a fixed object anywhere in the park

(a)(5)(i) A pet owner shall pick up and properly dispose of pet waste/excrement in a trash receptacle.

Section 2.16 Horses and Pack Animals

(a) A pack animal is further defined as solid-hoofed animals and does not include dogs or any cloven-hoofed animal, except llamas.

(b) The use of a horse or pack animal is permitted only on the following designated horse trails:

(1) The west branch of Mill Creek and the Little Bald Hills trail in Del Norte County.

(2) The established and marked horse trails on the west side of Redwood Creek and within the streambed of Redwood Creek up to the first footbridge/trail crossing of Redwood Creek.

(3) All road accessible beaches within Redwood National Park.

(g)(i) Camping along any designated horse trail is limited to the established and designated camping areas.

(ii) While utilizing park trails and campsites, a horse or pack animal may be fed only pelletized or weed-free certified feed. Certification of weed-free feed must be in the rider's possession while in the park.

(iii) A horse or pack animal may not graze or otherwise eat park vegetation.

(iv) A horse or pack animal must be hobbled or properly tied to a hitching post or within a corral when unattended overnight.



Section 2.20 Skating, skate boards and similar devices.

The use of roller skates, in-line skates, skate board, roller skis, coasting vehicle or similar device is prohibited.



Section 2.21 Smoking.

Smoking is prohibited in all government buildings and vehicles. Smoking is also prohibited where posted, and along trails during periods of high, very high and extreme fire danger as posted in accordance with the park's Fire Management Plan.



Section 2.22 Property

(a)(2)(i) A person using a designated backcountry campground may park his or her motor vehicle overnight at the owner's risk at the following:

(1) Redwood Information Center parking lot. (NOTE: This parking lot is locked at night. Vehicles may not be removed until the gate is opened the next day.)

(2) Redwood Creek trailhead parking located along lower Redwood Creek just off the Bald Hills Road.

(3) Dolason Trailhead parking lot

(4) Tall Trees Trailhead parking lot at the bottom of the Tall Trees Grove Access Road (C-Line) as well as at the Tall Trees Grove Access Road gate along the Bald Hills Road

(5) Elk Meadow Day Use Area (B-Mill Deck) parking

(6) Hidden Beach (Humboldt County)

(7) Skunk Cabbage Trailhead parking lot

(8) Flint Ridge parking lot along the Coastal Drive and at Douglas Bridge Parking Lot at intersection of Klamath Rover Road and Alder Camp Road

(9) DeMartin Campground parking lot so as not to block gates

(10) Nickle Creek/Enderts Beach parking lot

(11) Little Bald Hills trailhead parking lot, located on state parklands

(12) Orick horse trail parking lot, located at the Orick Rodeo Grounds

(13) Redwood Youth Hostel, with AYH Manager's approval

(14) Freshwater Spit in accordance with provisions of 1.5(a)(1)(vii) of this compendium.

(a)(2)(ii) Except for authorized residents of park housing, the dismantling, non-emergency repair, or routine servicing of a motor vehicle or other personal property on lands of Redwood National Park is prohibited. Temporary, emergency repairs must be completed within twenty-four (24) hours. A park ranger must be notified, and permission granted, before a vehicle may remain longer than 24 hours.



Section 2.38 Explosives

(b) The use of fireworks is prohibited, except those associated with the Community of Orick celebrations conducted at Freshwater Spit on July 4th. Only California approved fireworks may be used. All fireworks-related trash and debris must be properly disposed of immediately after the event.



Section 2.51 Public assemblies, meetings

(a) A public assembly or meeting may be conducted in the park incidental to the terms and conditions of a permit. No assembly may interfere with access to a park facility, including a trail. Any activity that generates noise in an old-growth forest must comply with Section 2.2 of this Compendium. A demonstration is prohibited on any park roadway or parking lot due to public safety issues. See attached map, Attachment 1, for detailed information regarding locations within developed areas that are designated as not available.





Section 2.52 Sale or Distribution of Printed Materials

(a) The sale or distribution of printed material may be conducted in the park incidental to the terms and conditions of a permit. This activity may not interfere with access to any park facility or trail. Any activity that generates noise in an old-growth forest must comply with Section 2.2 of this Compendium. The sale or distribution of printed material is prohibited on any park roadway or parking lot due to public safety issues. See attached map, Attachment 1, for detailed information regarding locations within developed areas that are designated as not available.



Section 2.62 Memorialization

(b) The scattering of human ashes from cremation is permitted in most locations in the park in accordance with the terms and conditions of a letter of authorization and in accordance with applicable state laws. A commercial operator who wishes to spread ashes of human remains from cremation within the park must obtain a permit.



Section 4.10 Travel on park roads and designated routes

(a)(1) Licensed commercial fisherman who commercially fished within Redwood National and State Parks under a permit (issued by either California Department of Parks and Recreation for commercial fishing purposes at Gold Bluff Beach in Prairie Creek State Park, or with a permit from Del Norte County for commercial fishing at South Beach/Crescent Beach), between 1996 and 1999, are authorized to operate a licensed, street-legal motor vehicle on Freshwater, Hidden and Crescent Beaches upon obtaining an annually renewable, non-transferable permit. Permits will continue to be issued by California State Park’s Gold Bluff Beach Ranger Station for Freshwater and Hidden Beaches and by the Del Norte County Board of Supervisor’s Clerk for Crescent Beach. No new permits will be issued. Any permit, not renewed in any given year would be terminated.

(a)(2) Persons with permanent mobility impairment may be issued a free permit (and key where necessary) to access the seashore in a licensed, street-legal motor vehicle on Hidden, Freshwater and Crescent Beaches for the sole purpose of sport fishing. A permit will be issued upon presenting adequate documentation from a board certified, practicing medical doctor who certifies the person’s permanent mobility impairment. Permits may be obtained from the VSRP Supervisory Ranger at South Operations Center near Orick or via the Del Norte County Board of Supervisor’s Clerk.



Section 4.11 Load, weight and size limits

(a) Recreational vehicles and vehicle s pulling trailers are prohibited on the Coastal Drive just south of the mouth of the Klamath River to the intersection of Alder Camp Road. This prohibition also applies to the High Bluff Overlook Road. Vehicle/trailers with a combined length over 24 feet are prohibited on Davison/Gold Bluff Beach Road west of the road access into Elk Meadow Day Use Area (B-Mill Deck).



Section 4.30 Bicycles

(a)(1) Routes designated for bicycle use are all roadways open to public vehicular traffic and:

(i) The Davison Bicycle Trail traversing Redwood National

Park from the south Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Boundary, through the Elk Meadow Day Use Area (B-Mill Deck) to Highway 101. (Route will be complete with bridges over Prairie Creek in January 2001).

(ii) The Holter Ridge Bicycle Trail across Redwood National Park lands from the parking area at the Lost Man Creek picnic area to the Bald Hills Road.

(iii) Rellim Ridge Trail across Redwood National Park lands to Howland Hill Road via the Howland Hill Outdoor School access road. NOTE: there is no public access to this trail’s southern terminus at Hamilton Road as the final section of trail is on Stimson Timber Company property.

(iv) Coastal Trail across Redwood National Park lands from Nickle Creek Trailhead to Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park boundary.

(v) Little Bald Hills from Howland Hill Road to boundary of U.S. Forest Service lands.



Approved:



__/S/ Robert R. Martin_______________________________Date: December 27, 2000

For Andrew T. Ringgold

Superintendent