Yes, if staying several nights you need to be within the time allowed by surface management agency, usually 14 days stay at one time.

Sweet! Thanks a bunch!!

Thanks Walter

Something I was wondering about also. By surface management I assume in most cases this is referring to Forest Service or BLM, although it would include more then that depending.

On the usually two week thing, this used to mean two weeks in a particular Forest Service campground and you could move to another campground. I am not sure exactly what it means anymore on this limit like in states such as Oregon for instance where its not even in a public campground but on Forest Service managed land.

Guess I just need to dig further into the States I want to go to.

Surface management is the agency or body that governs the surface disturbance which sometime is different from the mineral management agency or in some cases the owner of the mineral estate this is similar or liken to a split estate where one owner owns the property and another owns the minerals.

On GPAA claims, of course, you will (must) follow the 14 day rule. The rule is designed to monitor the public lands so they are not abused. This also applies to personal claims on public lands. This is to deter "squatters" and "eyesore" camps. Private lands and patented claims (effectively private) other rules apply. I have been working the Stanton area for around eight years now. My brother Tim and I have (had) claims in the area. I have known some rangers that will sometimes allow overstays if the camp is in pristine shape. This is not official practice nor should you expect such leniency. Bottom line.... one's reputation is only as good as the last time he/she screws it up.