552 



Yearbook^ of Agriculture 1949 



cost of keeping the area clean and 

 usable. Some charge areas are operated 

 by concessionaires who act under a spe- 

 cial-use permit; others are operated by 

 the Forest Service. 



For those who desire free camping 

 or picnicking, there are many areas 

 which are equally attractive but at 

 which there may not be regular and 

 systematic clean-up. 



Neither cabins nor tents are fur- 

 nished or rented at camp and picnic 

 areas. Campers should go prepared for 

 the night with tents and sleeping bags 

 or blankets. Straw is not available, and 

 boughs may not be cut for beds. One 

 may not cut trees for tent poles. Fire- 

 wood is usually available in random 

 lengths but must be cut up into fire- 

 wood size. An ax is a necessity. Many 

 campers find portable gasoline stoves 

 very convenient for cooking espe- 

 cially after a shower when wood is wet. 

 Stores are seldom close by, and camp- 

 ers and picnickers should take their 

 food for the day or for several days. 



Some popular camp grounds are so 

 heavily used that it is necessary to limit 

 the length of time a camper may stay, 

 to give more people a chance. When 

 limits are imposed, 2 weeks is the usual 

 time permitted ; the places so restricted 

 are conspicuously posted. 



Only the largest camp and picnic 

 areas have full-time guards or attend- 

 ants, and visitors select their own sites. 

 Camping or picnicking is prohibited 

 between the prepared sites to avoid 

 overcrowding the area. The sites are 

 not reserved. It's first come, first 

 served; late arrivals must go on to an- 

 other area. Many of the camps cannot 

 be cleaned up daily, and users are ex- 

 pected to leave a clean camp or picnic 

 spot as they would like to find it. Gar- 

 bage pits or cans are always nearby. 

 Papers should be burned in the grate. 



Fires should be built only in fire- 

 places or stoves. Campfire permits are 

 required (even at the improved camp 

 grounds) in the national forests of 

 California and some other States, but 

 generally campfire permits are required 

 only for camping or picnicking at un- 



improved areas. Campfire permits may 

 be obtained without charge from any 

 forest ranger. One should check with 

 the local foresters about permits. Fires 

 should always be built in a safe place, 

 not against the trees or on deep duff. 

 Fires must be thoroughly put out, with 

 water and puddling. Heavy penalties 

 are provided by law for leaving a 

 campfire burning. 



Everyone is urged to use the regular 

 improved camp and picnic areas even 

 though camping and picnicking are 

 permitted elsewhere in the national 

 forests except in closed areas, because 

 of danger of forest fire and water pollu- 

 tion. The water in many streams and 

 springs is not fit to drink even though it 

 may look clear and good. It is better 

 to be safe and drink only the water 

 at improved camp and picnic areas. 

 Persons who camp or picnic at other 

 than improved areas must refrain from 

 polluting land or water. All refuse 

 must be buried deep. 



THE 236 WINTER-SPORTS AREAS in 

 the national forests cover 82,000 acres 

 and received more than 2J/2 million 

 visits in the 1947-48 season. It is said 

 that 3 million Americans are skiers. 



Ski areas are developed principally 

 for the average skier. Emphasis is on 

 the ski slope, practice slope, and inter- 

 mediate trails. Expert trails and jumps 

 are usually built by local ski clubs. 

 Most areas have lifts and tows, oper- 

 ated by concessionaires. Some have sep- 

 arate toboggan slides, but toboggans 

 may not be used on ski slopes or ski 

 trails. 



Most ski areas are located near high- 

 ways, which the State highway depart- 

 ments keep cleared of snow. Many 

 have shelters and lunchrooms. 



Public shelter and parking are free, 

 but charges are made for use of lifts 

 and tows. The charges for lifts are 

 around $2.50 a day; tows cost less. 



Most of the winter-sport areas are in 

 the Northern States, but some excellent 

 ones have been developed at high ele- 

 vations in New Mexico, Arizona, and 

 southern California. Most of them in 



