With campgrounds flipping their signs to "FULL" by mid-week, those looking to recreate in the area are forced to move out into the National Forest. It is common to see campers pulled into pull-offs on Forest Roads and into other flat areas. U.S. Forest Service staff ask the public to pack it in, pack it out, practice proper sanitation in the woods and always put a campfire out by drowning with water and stirring until it is cold to the touch.
Whether it is in the campgrounds or out in the Forest, recreationists are asked to pack it in, pack it out, follow the food storage order and make sure campfires are cold to the touch before leaving.
Despite the pandemic, the Seeley Lake and Swan Lake Ranger Districts are seeing very high visitor use on roads, trails, dispersed camping sites and in the developed campgrounds. Both Districts are actively working to increase their presence to manage public safety, protect resources, work to benefit visitor experiences and accommodate the increased use they have been seeing this year.
"I think it is really cool that the public is rediscovering their public lands. That is a very positive thing in my mind," said Seeley Lake District Ranger Quinn Carver. "That comes with some down sides."
Carver said locals have told him they haven't seen this much activity on the Forest in the past 30 years. The Seeley District has seen record number of users at day use areas like Morrell Falls.
Matt Walter, recreation specialist on the Seeley Lake Ranger District, added since Memorial Day, the use that they typically see for Fourth of July weekend has been reached non-stop since Memorial Day.
"We thought it might calm down after the Fourth of July, but it has only increased," said Walter.
While in past years campgrounds on the Seeley Lake Ranger District are typically full by Friday, now the developed campgrounds are full by Tuesday or Wednesday. Carver said usually they pump the Sweet-Smelling Toilets (SST) twice during the summer. This year they have already pumped them three times.
With the campgrounds full, people looking for a campsite have been spread out into existing dispersed sites and into the Forest at large.
"Any flat spot is open right now and in general is being occupied," said Carver. "There is a lot of stress, angst and anxiety in the population at large. For those that aren't working they have time that they wouldn't have had before."
Walter said they explain to campers in dispersed sites that there are no sanitation services and they highlight the pack it in, pack it out.
"For inexperienced campers, a lot of them are more comfortable in a developed site," said Walter.
Similar trends are being seen on the Swan Lake Ranger District on the Flathead National Forest. Swan Lake District Ranger Chris Dowling said they are seeing very high visitor use across the District and the Flathead at their rental cabins and developed and dispersed campgrounds. When those options are full, they point people to the Swan Lake District Motor Vehicle Use Map for opportunities for dispersed camping along open Forest System roads (https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd495956.pdf).
"I recommend that visitors plan ahead and research the sites they are planning to visit and to also identify some alternative sites if the campground they are going to is full or the boat launch is too shallow for their size of boat," wrote Dowling in an email. "Take a few minutes to research several camping areas near your destination, bring a map with you or load one onto your phone, and expect that you may have to adjust your plans somewhat."
Dowling said that recreation and visits to northwestern Montana have been on a significant upward trajectory for over 10 years.
"People love exploring this community's public lands," said Dowling.
Carver feels the increased use on the Seeley Lake District has been the result of several factors coming together. He has talked to campers that have been watching the statewide COVID case numbers and are targeting the states with lower case numbers. He said two-thirds of the plates in the campgrounds are from out of state.
Walter added that he has heard of people dropping south after Glacier National Park was really crowded or was closed. Also many visitors aren't that comfortable flying or staying in hotel/motels.
"The one thing that people feel they can do relatively safely is to camp," said Walter.
The increased use has presented challenges for District staff, wildlife and added more pressure on the land.
"Eighty-ninety percent of the public are awesome. They are here to have a good time, they are respectful, courteous and really good with the food storage order," said Carver. "Then the remainder haven't been positive. We are sending people to places that there is no SST, no garbage service, we are seeing an increase in the amount of garbage across the forest and the management of human waste has been a problem all along."
Dowling said in some areas on the Swan District, people have been clearing vegetation to make new campsites. The district has also experienced an extremely high number of vandalized sites and signs and garbage dumping.
Dowling asks the public to report any of these illegal activities to the District Office at 406-837-7500. If a vehicle is seen entering the National Forest with a full load of garbage, note the license plate and vehicle description along with the road number or area and share the information with the District Office.
"With higher use comes an increased need for more stewardship. Pack it in, Pack it out is essential," wrote Dowling. "Consider bringing a plastic bag for your toilet paper."
Coupled with the high recreation use, there has also been a lot of bear activity. Walter said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bear Biologist Jamie Jonkel and new Game Warden Jake Barzen have been good at coordinating with the campground hosts with any bear issues. They have also helped inform the district and visitors about where the bears are and been really responsive to issues.
"It is all of us working together to make it work," said Carver saying education has been the biggest tool to solve problems. "It is really hard to explain to someone from Texas or Illinois that has never seen a bear why they need to put away their food and garbage."
Carver added the Seeley Lake and Ovando communities have been really been helpful by letting the District know about issues and problem areas so they can be addressed. He's had people volunteer to clean up garbage left behind.
"The community side of it has just been wonderful," said Carver.
With high use comes a high number of vehicles on the narrow, often dusty Forest Roads. Dowling said they have seen an increase in motor vehicle accidents.
"Please drive slowly with the anticipation of an oncoming vehicle around every corner," wrote Dowling. "If you park along a road, please avoid parking on or near corners."
With the on-set of wildfire season, both Dowling and Carver ask that people not park in tall grass or other flammable materials. There have been increased patrols of high-use areas, the fire danger is High for both Districts and the public is asked to be careful with fire.
• Never leave your campfire unattended.
• Before leaving a campsite, make sure your fire is dead out by pouring water on it and stirring it to dissipate all the heat - too hot to touch is too hot to leave.
• Contain a campfire in a fire ring or in a hole you dig.
• Carry a fire extinguisher in their vehicle and know how to use it if needed.
• Avoid parking in tall grass or other flammable materials or dragging trailer chains while driving.
• No fireworks. They are illegal on all National Forest Lands.
• If you smoke, please do not discard your cigarette butts outdoors.
• Do not discharge your firearm into any flammable materials.
• No shooting across or on any Forest System road or trail or within 150 yards of a campsite, residence, building, developed recreation site or occupied area.
• Spark arrestors are always required for ATV's, UTV's, motorcycles, generators and chainsaws.
"If you see smoke in the forest it is either a campfire or a wildfire. We do not implement prescribed burning this time of year," wrote Dowling. "If you see or smell smoke and believe it is a wildfire please dial 911. Don't expect others to report the fire. Any and all reported fires will be followed by a response by firefighters."
"It is classic Smokey stuff - Put your campfire out. Watch where you park. And pay attention to what the fire danger and restrictions are," said Carver.
Carver said he knows how important the recreation economy is for Seeley Lake. While the District Office is closed to the public, he said they are doing the best they can to accommodate everyone.
"People are under a lot of stress right now for a whole lot of reasons," said Carver. "Just remember to be courteous and respectful to each other and be patient."
The public is encouraged to call the Seeley Lake District Office, 406-677-2233, or the Swan Lake District Office, 406-837-7500, for more information or to report any illegal activity or unusual bear or mountain lion activity.
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