Zach Urness

Statesman Journal

Once upon a time, Three Pools Recreation Site was a little-known swimming hole tucked away in mossy forest northeast of Mehama.

But during the past five years — and especially the past two summers — the emerald pools have been overrun by growing crowds and marred by trash, vandalism and drunken behavior.

“On those really hot days, it basically becomes a booze-infested party zone,” said Josh Weathers, developed recreation manager for Willamette National Forest. “Crowds have doubled there since 2014. It puts tremendous pressure on this fragile, natural environment.”

While Three Pools has become the poster child for overcrowding, several other sites, including Opal Creek Trail, Elk Lake and the Breitenbush River have faced similar problems, said Weathers.

Now Forest Service officials are proposing a series of new regulations aimed reducing damage to some of the most beloved places in the Opal Creek and Detroit areas.

The steps include an alcohol and campfire ban in certain areas, along with increased restrictions on where people can camp. Fines for breaking the rules would run from $50 to $250 per citation.

The Forest Service is inviting public comment on the proposals from April 3 to 14. Comments can be logged online at: management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=51339.

Officials hope to make a decision by Memorial Day — May 29 — so rules could be implemented this coming summer.

The goal, said officials, is to find a balance between encouraging the public to use national forests while also protecting it from long-term harm.

Here’s a breakdown of what the Forest Service is proposing:

Booze-free Three Pools

The Forest Service is proposing two new regulations at what’s probably the most troubled and crowded spot in Willamette National Forest.

The first proposal is a ban on alcohol at Three Pools.

“Alcohol seems to be a contributing factor to a lot of the problems at the site — litter, vandalism, fights and damage to the resource,” Weathers said. “Every year, we’ve had calls for emergency response when people have fallen, slipped and even drowned. Many have been alcohol-related.”

Fines for breaking an alcohol prohibition is $200, plus a $35 processing fee. Alcohol is also banned at nearby Salmon Falls and North Fork county parks.

The second proposal at Three Pools is limiting entry to those who can find a parking space. That means once the 94 spots at Three Pools are filled, no one else is allowed in.

“This would be a way to limit the huge volumes of people on the really popular days — and provide a better experience for everyone,” said Suzanne Cable, recreation staff officer for Willamette National Forest. “We’d have an active presence on the most crowded days.

“Ninety-four parking spots still allows a lot of people to enjoy the experience.”

Fines for parking illegally start at $50.

More reading:

Community mourns Salem teen who drowned at Three Pools

Three Pools victim released, family shaken but relieved

Booze, trespassing and crowds mar Little North swimming holes

No campfires, limited parking on Opal Creek Trail

One of the most iconic hikes in Oregon begins at the Opal Creek Gate Trailhead and runs three miles to Jawbone Flats.

But crowding on the trail and at the small parking lot has caused numerous problems, Weathers and Cable said.

The first proposal is to outlaw campfires from the Opal Creek Gate Trailhead to Jawbone Flats, Opal Pool and up the Kopetski Trail, for 200 feet on both sides of the trail. That means at numerous small campsites along the trail, campfires would no longer be allowed.

Fines for illegal campfires start at $250.

“This addresses the concern about campfires getting out of control in a narrow corridor with just one exit,” Cable said. “It would also help us to encourage a greater focus on day-use and responsible camping.”

The second proposal would limit the number of cars allowed to park near the Opal Creek Gate Trailhead.

Currently, busy weekends often see upward of 220 cars parked for a mile down Forest Service Road 2209. Under a new rule, cars could only park a quarter mile down the road from the trailhead, reducing the number of people allowed in on the busiest weekends.

Read more:

Opal Creek escaped logging, now faces threat from crowds

The fight that saved Opal Creek's ancient forest

Breitenbush River camping

There are numerous dispersed, or unofficial, campsites along the Breitenbush River off Road 46 northeast of Detroit.

Weathers and Cable said rangers often find trash, degradation and even human feces at these campsites. They also limit the ability for day-use visitors to explore swimming holes along the river.

A new proposal would outlaw dispersed camping for five miles up Road 46 (from Detroit), and for 500 feet from the roadway. That would make it illegal to camp at roughly 30 dispersed sites currently available. Cable said there are numerous campgrounds in the area, and that’s where they hope people decide to spend the night.

“These are sites on a skinny little strip of land between the road and river,” Cable said. “They do a lot of damage and discourage day-use at some of the best swimming holes.”

Camping where prohibited carries a fine of $100.

Elk Lake camping

The small mountain lake north of Detroit has become increasingly popular in recent years, Weathers and Cable said.

While Elk Lake is home to a small campground, multiple dispersed campsites have popped up around the lakeshore, doing resource damage, Weathers said. Cars of people using those campsites often block traffic on narrow and rough Forest Service Road 4697.

A proposed rule would make it illegal to camp anywhere except the official campground at Elk Lake.

French Creek camping

Proposed rules would also target dispersed camping along French Creek Road 2223 northwest of Detroit.

Dispersed camping would be prohibited for the first two miles up the road and for 500 feet on either side of the roadway. That would eliminate about six current dispersed sites, Weathers said, but leave many miles open to camping beyond.

Blowout Road camping

Blowout Creek Road 10, which swings around the south side of Detroit Lake, is currently closed to dispersed camping on either side of the roadway for five miles. New rules would extend the ban to eight miles up the road.

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Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for eight years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.