DLNR prohibits camping in Sand Island State Recreation Area

The DLNR Division of State Parks will prohibit camping at Sand Island State Recreation Area beginning August 23.

The agency attributes the decision to the continued disregard of numerous camping rules in state parks, reckless behavior at night and the fact that campers often leave their sites littered with trash and used camping equipment.

“This behavior overwhelms the park rangers and maintenance staff who clean the campgrounds and the park,” said DSP Administrator Curt Cottrell. “It endangers public safety and degrades the quality of the park.”

Violations of the rules include, among others, unauthorized camping, ignoring the person limit on the campsite, illegally lighting fires, consuming alcohol and throwing away rubbish.

A new system for resource law violations will be established so that DLNR officers can issue tickets and fines immediately, but until the enforcement strategy is implemented, camping will be prohibited indefinitely.