Flat Tops Wilderness
Area Management
The Flat Tops Wilderness is part of the 110 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. This System of lands provides clean air, water, and habitat critical for rare and endangered plants and animals. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. You play an important role in helping to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by the Congress of the United States through the Wilderness Act of 1964. Please follow the requirements outlined below and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting the Flat Tops Wilderness to ensure protection of this unique area.General Wilderness Prohibitions
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the Forest Service office or visit the websites listed on the 'Links' tab for more specific information.
These general prohibitions have been implemented for all national forest wildernesses in order to implement the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964. The Wilderness Act requires management of human-caused impacts and protection of the area's wilderness character to insure that it is "unimpaired for the future use and enjoyment as wilderness." Use of the equipment listed as prohibited in wilderness is inconsistent with the provision in the Wilderness Act which mandates opportunities for solitude or primitive recreation and that wilderness is a place that is in contrast with areas where people and their works are dominant.
Wilderness-Specific Regulations
Wilderness managers often need to take action to limit the impacts caused by visitor activities in order to protect the natural conditions of wilderness as required by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Managers typically implement 'indirect' types of actions such as information and education measures before selecting more restrictive measures. When regulations are necessary, they are implemented with the specific intent of balancing the need to preserve the character of the wilderness while providing for the use and enjoyment of wilderness.The following wilderness regulations are in effect for this area. Not all regulations are in effect for every wilderness. Contact the Forest Service office or visit the websites listed on the 'Links' tab for more specific information about the regulations listed.
ALL VISITORS
1. LENGTH OF STAY: Occupying any individual campsite for more than 14 days or within 3 miles of a previously occupied campsite during a continuous 60 day period is prohibited. Camping more than 28 days within the continuous 60 day period is prohibited.
2. CACHING OF EQUIPMENT: Storing equipment, personal property or supplies for longer than 10 days is prohibited.
3. CAMPFIRES: No campfires within 100 feet of any lake, stream or trail or within 1/4 mile of Trappers Lake, Hooper Lake, Keener Lake or Smith Lake.
4. CAMPSITE RESTRICTIONS: Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of any lake, stream, trail or any "NO CAMPING" or "WILDERNESS RESTORATION SITE" sign. Camping is also prohibited within 1/4 mile of Hooper Lake, Keener Lake, Smith Lake or Trappers Lake.
5. MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: Entering or being in the Flat Tops Wilderness with more than 15 people per group is prohibited. The maximum combination of people and pack or saddle animals in any one group is 25.
6. Shortcutting of switchbacks is prohibited.
7. Possessing or using a wagon, wheelbarrow, stroller, bicycle, game cart or other vehicle is prohibited (wheelchairs are allowed).
8. DOGS: All dogs must be under controls so they do not harass wildlife or people or damage property.
STOCK USERS
1. STOCK FEED: Hay, straw and mulch are prohibited. Certified weed free feed that has been processed through chemical or mechanical means such as hay/grain pellets or cubes or rolled grains are allowed.
2. STOCK USE: Pack and saddle animals are prohibited within 1/4 mile of Trappers Lake except for watering or through travel.
3. STOCK USE RESTRICTION: Hitching or tethering any pack or saddle animal within 100 feet of lakes, streams or trails is prohibited.
Learn more about why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.
