Is it legal?

[dizralph]

Is it legal to live in a national forest?

[canid]

If I recall correctly, it is unlawful to occupy a location on federal land for more than 14 days in a calender year. This is a both an anti-vagrancy provision, and a protection against over-use of any particular area by one person or group.

[randyt]

your best bet is to save money and buy a place nestled up in a national forest. This way it's yours and you can't get run off. Getting runoff causes you to lose supplies and such kinda like a divorce. The other way may be to file or buy a mining claim. Mining claim laws may have changed so I don't know if this is still a good option. You have to actively mine it though.

[crashdive123]

Is it legal to live in a national forest?

If you mean squatting where you are living permanently on land that does not belong to you, then no - it is not legal. Keep in mind however that there are many communities and homesteads located inside National Forests that were there long before the NF designation. You can buy a place in a NF if your goal is to live in one.

[Sourdough]

I have 16 acres for sale inside the Chugach National Forest.........if your interested.

[hunter63]

I often wonder just when the idea got started that you can just move in and squat on land that doesn't have a house 20 ft away, and it's OK?

Used to be that same question was asked by people looking to "Homestead".....as in, "I have been hearing about these here homesteads, where do I get one"?

I do remember adds in the paper that promised 'free land"....Just sends us $25 bucks for the 'free map".

The neighbor out at "The Place" ran off a squatter that had a camp in my lower field, down by the river.....turned out the guy had just kind moved in, so when confronted gave the neighbor a bad time.....call to the LEO's solved that sitaution...guy had really made a mess...which I cleaned up....still got the poncho.

Like I said, just makes me wonder?

[finallyME]

I have lived in the NF lots of times. Still haven't died there yet. Does that qualify me as a hard core survivalist? Just wondering, cuz I bought the t-shirt and was wondering if I could wear it yet. The govment doesn't really want anyone to die there either.

[Celticwarrior]

The last legal homesteading allowed by the Federal Government was in Alaska in 1973. You are not allowed to live permanently or semi-permanently in any federal preserve, national park or national forest unless the land is legally leased from the government or has grandfathered provisions due to pre-existance prior to the surrounding property being made into a federal landholding. This includes lands which are held by other government agencies like the Dept. of the Interior or the Dept. of Energy, such as mines. You may camp in such areas, providing there are no other posted restrictions, for no more than 14 consecutive days in the same spot. If you were nomadic and didn't mind moving and resetting camp every 2 weeks, you could probably make a living in a national forest, but you would also probably run afoul of rangers and game wardens unless you have all the proper hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and there are a lot of overlapping game seasons.

[Sarge47]

Whenever you need to know go to the source and ask them. I did just that and here's what I got back:



"I contacted several people regarding your question about the legality of living on national forest lands. Not being attorneys, we’re not authorized to provide legal advice – that would have to come from an attorney. That being said, the Code of Federal Regulations might provide you with the answers you’re looking for-

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text....33.13&idno=36

Corresponding regulation is 36 CFR 251.50(a) which requires a special use authorization for any use or activity on National Forest System lands

I hope this helps – just remember, it’s not legal advice.

Thanks for your phone call,

Elayne Boyce
USDA Forest Service, Washington Office
Staff Assistant
Recreation and Wilderness Staffs
202-205-9530
Fax: 202-205-1145
eboyce@fs.fed.usDear Mr. Szewczyk,

[Rick]

FinallyMe is a fine example of what I want to be when I grow up. I strive not to die in a forest, too.

[finallyME]

FinallyMe is a fine example of what I want to be when I grow up. I strive not to die in a forest, too.

Well, considering you have socks older than me......

[Kosuki]

If you buy land anywhere esp. in a forest make sure you have full rights to the land including mineral rights, never know when you mind find the next gold mine on your land.

[kyratshooter]

There are many different use designations within the Federal land system. Remember that there is Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and Park service.

My FIL has a camper up a box canyon outside Pheonix on a BLM area where he pays $20 per year use fee. Park Service limits things severly and Forest Service makes long term lease agreements and even sells logging rights.

The recomendation is to check your particular situation and do not take anything for granted until you see it in writing from the Fed.

1/2 of the land west of the Mississippi is in government hands, and that is for a reason. Most of it is worthless and the government could not give it away, even to the hordes of immigrants of the 19th century. You are talking about land illigal immigrants CROSS to get to the good places. No one stays there.