Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 302 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION › Title 302 CMR 12.00 - Parks And Recreation Rules › Section 12.08 - Rules of Conduct on DCR Properties - Camping and Campsites

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) No person may camp on DCR property,
			 except in a designated campsite, camping structure, or camping area.
(2) DCR camping facilities shall be deemed to
			 be a temporary recreational use. No designated campsite or camping structure
			 shall be used as a residence or domicile.
(3) The Department may, in the interest of
			 public health, safety or the proper operation of a DCR property, designate the
			 maximum number of persons allowed to occupy or visit each campsite at a DCR
			 campground. Campsite occupancy shall be limited to a maximum of four adults
			 with no children or two adults and the children under their care.
(4) Group sites in established campgrounds
			 are intended for groups of ten or more. Groups of fewer than ten people may be
			 required to transfer to non-group DCR campsites.
(5) Groups using backcountry campsites or
			 shelters may not exceed ten people.
(6) No person may register for more than one
			 campsite or camping structure for the same period of time.
(7) No person may register for a campsite or
			 camping structure under a false name.
(8) No person may register for a campsite or
			 camping structure unless his or her camping equipment is present at the time of
			 registration.
(9) At the time of
			 registration, DCR requires the name and address of a campsite's primary
			 occupant, as well as the names of all other occupants. Proof of acceptable
			 government issued identification is required at the time of registration for
			 the primary occupant and may be required for all other campers 14 years of age
			 or older.
(10) The primary occupant
			 is responsible for the actions of all occupants on that site and all visitors
			 to that site. Any violation of Massachusetts General Laws or regulations,
			 including DCR's rules and regulations, by any occupant or visitor shall be
			 cause for immediate eviction of all concerned parties. Campers who are evicted
			 are not entitled to any reimbursement or refund of camping, reservation,
			 parking, or any other related fees paid in advance.
(11) All personal property and equipment must
			 be removed from a designated campsite or camping structure at the end of a
			 camper's occupancy period.
(12) No
			 rented camping site, camping structure or camping area shall be left unoccupied
			 by persons on the first night of registration, nor shall the campsite or
			 camping structure be left unoccupied by persons for a period in excess of 12
			 contiguous hours thereafter.
(13)
			 All unnecessary noise shall be avoided in any designated campsite or camping
			 structure of the DCR.
(14) No
			 person shall operate or use any audio device, including radio, television,
			 musical instrument or other noise producing device, such as a generator or
			 other equipment operated by a motor or engine, in such a manner or at such
			 times so as to disturb other persons.
(15) Quiet hours at DCR camping facilities
			 shall be between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.
(16) The use of generators is not permitted
			 during quiet hours, except for the purpose of operating a medical
			 device.
(17) Check-out time for
			 campers vacating campsites and camping structures shall be no later than 11:00
			 A.M. A camper who fails to vacate a campsite or camping structure on time may
			 be subject to additional camping fees.
(18) Except on designated group camping
			 sites, no person may pitch, erect or place on any DCR campsite more than two
			 tents or one recreational camping vehicle and one small tent. Tents shall be
			 limited to 300 square feet of combined floor space. With the exception of rain
			 tarps, tent flies or screen houses, no other structures shall be erected on a
			 DCR campsite.
(19) No structures,
			 including, but not limited to, personal swimming or wading pools, trampolines,
			 horseshoe pits, household furniture, unnecessary lighting or any other objects
			 that may create a public safety hazard may be placed on DCR
			 campsites.
(20) On sites containing
			 DCR camping structures, such as yurts or cabins, no person may pitch more than
			 one small tent unless approved by the Department.
(21) No person, except a law enforcement
			 official or other duly authorized official, shall bring a horse or horses into
			 a campground or camping area unless such area is designated as allowing horse
			 camping.
(22) Where pets are
			 allowed, no more than four pets may be kept at a designated campsite.
(23) No person may allow a DCR campsite or
			 camping structure to become or remain in an unclean, unsanitary or unsightly
			 condition during the period of occupancy.
(24) Day visitors or persons occupying DCR
			 campsites or camping structures shall be required to park their vehicles in
			 such places and in a manner as directed by DCR personnel.
(25) No more than five persons shall be
			 permitted to visit a DCR campsite or camping structure at any given
			 time.
(26) Visiting hours to DCR
			 campsites or camping structures are between 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M.
(27) All safari camping units must be self
			 contained, (i.e., on-board fresh water and sewage holding tank(s)) unless
			 approved by the Department.
(28)
			 Youth groups utilizing group campsites on DCR property shall consist of at
			 least two adult counselors and an adult counselor to youth ratio of not less
			 than one to ten, unless otherwise determined by the Department. The adult
			 counselors shall take responsibility for the group and shall remain with the
			 group during the entire period of occupancy.
(29) No person may leave a child younger than
			 15 years old unattended at any campsite, camping structure or camping
			 area.
(30) No person who is younger
			 than 18 years old may camp in, or stay at, a DCR campsite or camping structure
			 except:
(a) When accompanied by a parent or
			 legal guardian;
(b) When
			 accompanied by an adult who has written permission from the minor camper's
			 parent or legal guardian; or
(c)
			 When a child is part of an organized youth group occupying a DCR campsite or
			 camping structure under the direct supervision of two or more authorized adult
			 counselors, and such adult counselors have written permission from each child's
			 parent or legal guardian.