Leave No Trace principles
Fires:
- Build campfires in fire receptacles where provided or on a sand beach near the water's edge, below the vegetation line. Beach fires are not permitted on beaches on Raspberry Island, Julian Bay, and Presque Isle Bay on Stockton Island, or on beaches within 150 feet of campsites where fire receptables are provided. Fires should be no larger than three feet in height or diameter.
- Use dead wood on the ground for firewood. Chainsaws cannot be operated in the National Lakeshore.
- To prevent transporting invasive species like emerald ash borer or gypsy moths, do not bring firewood to the National Lakeshore or move it between islands. Emerald ash borer poses a significant threat to the black ash commonly found in the wetlands around the National Lakeshore. Black ash was traditionally used by Native Americans for fish spears, snowshoe frames, sleds, cradleboards, arrows, and canoes. Today, ash is used commonly in flooring, cabinets, and baseball bats. Splints of black ash are still preferred for basket making. Gypsy moths most commonly infest oak trees, which both economically critical and an ecologically dominant species. Moving firewood is the primary means of transportation for these two unwanted pests! More information about these invasive species can be found at the USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center site.
- Please, do not leave fires unattended. Extinguish fires before leaving the area with water and/or smothering with sand.
- Fires are not permitted in portable grills or stoves on docks, or topside areas of boats tied to public docks to prevent explosions and other dangerous, damaging situations.
- If the fire danger is high, open fires will be prohibited entirely.