Forest Service rules for hot springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Forest Service manages 20 of the hot springs we list; its general rules below apply wherever a spring has no rule of its own posted.
Dogs
At Forest Service developed recreation sites, an animal other than a service animal must be crated, caged, on a leash of 6 feet or less, or otherwise under physical restrictive control, and may not be brought into a swimming area. The section is written for developed recreation sites (its title).
Section 261.16, Developed recreation sites: The following are prohibited:
"Bringing in or possessing an animal, other than a service animal, unless it is crated, caged, or upon a leash not longer than six feet, or otherwise under physical restrictive control."
36 CFR 261.16(j). eCFR, checked Oct 13, 2026
Section 261.16, Developed recreation sites: The following are prohibited:
"Bringing in or possessing in a swimming area an animal, other than a service animal."
36 CFR 261.16(k). eCFR, checked Oct 13, 2026
Clothing
Being publicly nude is prohibited on a national forest only when an order says so; the regulation lists it among the things a forest order can prohibit. Without such an order posted for the area, this regulation does not itself prohibit it, and state and local law may still apply (not read for this file). A rule posted for one spring always wins.
Section 261.58, Occupancy and use: When provided by an order, the following are prohibited:
"Being publicly nude."
36 CFR 261.58(j). eCFR, checked Oct 13, 2026
Fees
Not paying a recreation fee is prohibited, and the fine for a first offense of nonpayment may not exceed $100. The regulation does not say which sites charge a fee; the site's own posting and the forest's page do. It does not say a site is free.
"Failure to pay any recreation fee is prohibited. Notwithstanding 18 U.S.C. 3571(e), the fine imposed for the first offense of nonpayment shall not exceed $100."
36 CFR 261.17. eCFR, checked Oct 13, 2026
Regulations read
- 36 CFR part 261, subpart A (prohibitions, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/part-261)
20 hot springs where a Forest Service general rule shows
A rule posted for one spring always wins over these general rules. USDA Forest Service