Ausable River camping rules.

[Allegheny Tom]

What am I missing here? This sounds crazy...

• • Do not tie/tack anything to standing trees, including (but not limited to) horses, pets, laundry lines, garbage bags.

In addition to what is stated in this rule, I assume this means no hammocks, no bear bag hanging or strap blue barrel to a tree, can't hang a gravity filter from a tree, no tarps tied to trees, tie-up canoe at camp, and I'm sure there's a few other potential violations I haven't thought about.
Geeze, even the BW allows tying/strapping stuff to trees. I understand and support "no nails, screws, etc" but strapping a gravity filter to a tree is worthy of a fine??

 

[Penns Woods]

Where are you talking about? Is this a established camp site or in a park in general?

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Established camps on Cooke Dam Pond.
Sites are reservable.
I was reading thru my reservation and I saw that rule. I still can't believe they enforce anything like that.

 

[Alan Gage]

Established camps on Cooke Dam Pond.
Sites are reservable.
I was reading thru my reservation and I saw that rule. I still can't believe they enforce anything like that.

It does seem odd but if it's a drive-in campsite I'm guessing that it's been abused in the past, hence the rule, and it would be a bit more understandable.

Alan

 

[Allegheny Tom]

It does seem odd but if it's a drive-in campsite I'm guessing that it's been abused in the past, hence the rule, and it would be a bit more understandable.

Alan

These are boat-in sites. There are also drive in sites but my reservation is for paddle in.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Item 12 under "Need to Know":

Ausable River Camping, Huron-Manistee National Forests - Recreation.gov

Explore Ausable River Camping in Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan with Recreation.gov. AuSable River Dispersed Camping is a unique series of 102 individually designated single-family campsites on a 55-mile stretch of the lovely AuSable River. All

www.recreation.gov

 

[dramey]

They keep coming up with more rules and eventually, it will be impossible to legally camp.

 

[Black_Fly]

There should be artificial trees in drive-in campgrounds - metal posts with cross beams and hooks - akin to established fire pits and grates.

I hate camping in full sun where all the trees are dead. I’ve been down the Ausable. It’s crowded. I’ve seen 5* campsites in BWCA ruined by overuse, rope hangers, and vandalism.

 

[tketcham]

Do not tie/tack anything to standing trees... I assume this means no hammocks...

I wonder if the "do not tie" restriction is based on having trees essentially girdled from ropes or straps being tightly tied around them. Using a beefy tree strap with a hammock is different than tying a rope or thin strap around a tree, although with young or tight-barked trees even an ineffective strap can cause damage to the cambium.

 

[Black_Fly]

I wonder if the "do not tie" restriction is based on having trees essentially girdled from ropes or straps being tightly tied around them. Using a beefy tree strap with a hammock is different than tying a rope or thin strap around a tree, although with young or tight-barked trees even an ineffective strap can cause damage to the cambium.

Back in my Wyoming outfitting days, I often used the cinch from pack horses as tree savers. They did a fine job of protecting trees. Seems like a product like that would be promoted more in regulations, and by outfitters.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

So I tried to call yesterday to ask some questions. That was a joke. 100% automated, nobody to speak with.
So I messaged them, no reply as of yet. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

There should be artificial trees in drive-in campgrounds - metal posts with cross beams and hooks - akin to established fire pits and grates.
.......I’ve been down the Ausable. It’s crowded. I’ve seen 5* campsites in BWCA ruined by overuse, rope hangers, and vandalism.

This is just a 2 night stop on our way to the UP. We wanted to see AuSable R but I am not expecting to be all by ourselves.