Park County commissioners direct attorney to draft no‑camping ordinance for county property and easements

A majority of the Park County commission voted Dec. 9 to direct the county attorney to draft a no‑camping ordinance that would apply to county property and county easements.

Commissioner Vermillion brought the proposal to the commission, saying it followed public comment and local concern that camping could migrate into Park County after similar ordinances passed in nearby jurisdictions. “This is in response to some public comment we received about the possibility of public camping becoming an issue,” Vermillion said, and added that he had spoken with under‑sheriff Dykstra and Sheriff Bickler, who “support it.”

During public comment a participant and later the sheriff urged the commission to include road rights‑of‑way and easements, noting campers already using county flats: “We’ve always…based the assumption that we don’t allow camping on county property. However, that is not an ordinance,” the speaker said, urging the county to adopt enforceable language.

Commissioner Wallace moved to direct the attorney’s office to draft the ordinance to cover county property and easements; Commissioner Vermillion seconded. The motion carried after an aye vote. Commissioners said the attorney should model the draft on the Gallatin County version but work with the sheriff’s office to ensure its terms are enforceable in Park County.

The commission did not adopt language at the meeting; the action was a directive to staff to prepare draft ordinance language for later review. Questions remain about the precise scope — including how the ordinance would treat county easements and road rights‑of‑way — and commissioners asked that the draft consider enforceability and coordination with law enforcement.