# 2026-12326: Forest Service Sets Fresh Rules for Wilderness Climbers 2026-12326, Forest Service Manual 2300-Recreation, Wilderness, and Related Resource Management, Chapter 2350-Trail, River, and Similar Recreation Opportunities, Section 2355-Climbing Opportunities, is a Federal Register notice from Agriculture Department, Forest Service published 2026-06-18, effective Comments must be received in writing by July 20, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-25). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12326 - As of: 2026-06-25 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-12326 - Title: Forest Service Manual 2300-Recreation, Wilderness, and Related Resource Management, Chapter 2350-Trail, River, and Similar Recreation Opportunities, Section 2355-Climbing Opportunities - Type: Notice - Agencies: Agriculture Department; Forest Service - Citation: 91 FR 36796 - Published: 2026-06-18 - Effective: Comments must be received in writing by July 20, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-07-20 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-25 ## In one line Forest Service Sets Fresh Rules for Wilderness Climbers ## Summary The Forest Service is rolling out new rules to manage climbing on National Forest lands, including special wilderness areas. These changes aim to keep climbing fun and safe while protecting nature, and they’re asking for your thoughts by July 20, 2026. If you climb or care about outdoor fun, these updates could shape your next adventure without costing extra. ## Abstract The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, proposes to establish directive guidance on climbing opportunities on National Forest System lands and include requirements set forth in section 122 of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act for climbing in congressionally designated wilderness. The guidance also provides for climbing management on non- wilderness National Forest System lands pursuant to the Secretary of Agriculture's general land management authorities. ## Effects PRIA read - Climbing Recognized as Appropriate Use: benefit, low. You who climb on National Forest System (NFS) lands: the Forest Service proposes new directive FSM 2355 that explicitly recognizes recreational climbing — including the use, placement, and maintenance of fixed anchors — as an appropriate use of NFS lands, including in wilderness, when done consiste… - Existing Routes Preserved as of Jan 4, 2025: benefit, low. If a climbing route or fixed anchor existed on NFS lands on January 4, 2025, the proposed directive includes direction for the continued use and maintenance of those existing recreational climbing routes (including fixed anchors) consistent with section 122 of the EXPLORE Act. - Climbing Management Plans for High-Need Areas: mixed, low. The Forest Service would 'consider' creating climbing management plans where officials find they are needed to address resource damage, high visitor use, use conflicts, wilderness character, or public safety; priority would go to areas with the highest need as funding allows. - Easier Administration for Certain Fixed Anchors: benefit, low. The Forest Service interprets that certain limited-scope fixed anchors, if placed and maintained consistent with the directive and any required climbing management plan, generally will not require a case-specific 'minimum requirements' analysis under section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act. - Enforcement Rule Changes Coming: cost, low. The Forest Service says it will propose separate changes to 36 CFR part 261, subpart A (General Prohibitions) so climbing management plan restrictions and prohibitions can be enforced; this indicates future regulatory enforcement of plan rules. - Tribal Consultation and Cultural Resource Protections: benefit, low. The Forest Service has begun outreach to federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations and says Tribal input on protecting cultural resources, evaluating cumulative effects, and route development will be incorporated into the directive. ## Related documents - [2026-16965](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16965): Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation, 2026-08-20 - [2026-22296](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22296): Administrative Site Leases, 2026-11-02 - [2026-21849](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21849): Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2026-27 and 2027-28 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations, 2026-10-27 - [2026-21654](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21654): Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Washington; Amendments to the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest Land Management Plans, 2026-10-23 - [2026-21249](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21249): Proposed Recreation Fee Site, 2026-10-19 - [2026-21241](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21241): Proposed Recreation Fee Sites, 2026-10-19 ## Sources - [2026-12326 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/18/2026-12326/forest-service-manual-2300-recreation-wilderness-and-related-resource-management-chapter-2350-trail) - [2026-12326 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-18/pdf/2026-12326.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-12325, Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holdin…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12325) - [Next: 2026-12327, National Airspace System Advisory Committee (Previously Known as the NextGen Ad…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12327) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12326 (as of 2026-06-25).