Stock Use and Grazing Restrictions

Wilderness Permit Conditions

Definition of Terms

  • Stock Use: Traveling, camping, and grazing with stock (horses, mules, burros, or llamas).
  • Closed to Grazing: Open to travel and camping with stock provided that animals are confined on a hardened surface and given substitute feed. Day use only: Open to stock travel, but animals may not graze or stay overnight.
  • Closed to Stock: Closed to all stock access.
 
Horses and mules carrying gear into the mountains.

NPS / Hayley Renee Cornell Morton

General Restrictions

Traveling With Stock

  • Except in designated off-trail areas, stock travel is restricted to within ½ mile of maintained trails in areas open to camping with stock, and within 100 yards of trails in areas open to day use only.
  • All wheeled vehicles, and all motorized equipment are prohibited in wilderness per the Wilderness Act of 1964.

Party Size

  • Maximum overnight party size is 15 people, 20 head of stock, with no more than 28 combined unless otherwise stated. Maximum party size for day use is 20 people, 20 stock, with a combined maximum of 40 unless otherwise stated.

Grazing

  • Grazing subject to opening dates and mid-season closures. Confine and feed animals properly if not grazing. Keep animals out of wet areas. Minimize gear and number of stock to minimize impacts to the wilderness.

Stock Camping

  • Keep your camp compact and unobtrusive. Do not build or improve fire rings or campsite “furniture”.
  • No camping within 25 ft. of water. From 25 to 100 ft. from water, camping is only allowed in previously well-established campsites. Water stock downstream from campsites. Do not let stock urinate or defecate directly into water sources.
  • You are required to remove and scatter all manure piles from within 100 feet of the campsite to reduce odors and insect problems, and to maintain the appearance of the site. Carry a rake to fill in pawed-up areas.
  • Tie to trees only when packing or unpacking stock. Never tie to trees smaller than 6” in diameter.
  • If your stock dies in the wilderness, assure that a ranger is notified as soon as possible for help in properly disposing of the animal. Dead stock must be moved at least 300 feet from trails, campsites, and water within 72 hours of death.
 

Temporary Stock Use and Grazing Restrictions for 2024

 

Restrictions for Specific Areas

 

Sequoia National Park

 

Kings Canyon National Park

Last updated: September 14, 2024

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47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Phone:

559 565-3341

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