Forest Entry Prohibitions and Information Obtaining Methods

Turkey's Nature Activities & Adventure Sports Page is Turkey's most up-to-date and comprehensive information source for anyone interested in nature sports. 🏕️⛰️

🌿 Our platform, which appeals to a wide audience from mountaineering clubs and campers to hikers and extreme sports enthusiasts, brings together outdoor events, guides, and announcements under one roof. Thanks to our strong network of nature lovers across Türkiye, we keep our finger on the pulse of the outdoor community.

🗺️📍 We don't just limit ourselves to events! We also publish detailed travel guides for nature lovers who want to explore every corner of Turkey.

🔥🚵‍♂️🌍 Our platform, where you can find the most up-to-date information on camping sites, hiking routes, nature-friendly areas, and hidden corners of paradise, is an indispensable guide for anyone who loves to explore! If you're one of those who embrace a life intertwined with nature, follow our page and embark on your adventure with us!

🌿 TurkeyOutdoor aims to raise environmental awareness through nature sports. While engaging in sports in nature, we embrace the principles of environmental protection, respect for biodiversity, and sustainability.

As the weather warms, measures against forest fires are increasing. New measures have been implemented in all provinces, particularly in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, to prevent the fires, a significant portion of which are caused by human activity. Entry to 24 forested areas has been banned until October 31st.

Governors' offices have officially announced a ban on entry to forests and national parks . News of the bans is coming one after another.

In 2022 , ALL ENTRANCE TO Forests and National Parks IS BANNED in Adana, Antalya, Aydın, Balıkesir, Batman, Bursa, Çanakkale, Denizli, Edirne, Gaziantep, Gümüşhane, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Karabük, Kırklareli, Kilis, Kocaeli, Mersin, Niğde, Sakarya, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, Tekirdağ, and Uşak. For details of the bans, follow the official websites of the Governorships. BAN DECISIONS ARE ALSO BEING MADE IN OTHER PROVINCES.

Governorships are implementing forest entry bans in 2022. Below, we present examples of forest entry bans implemented by several provincial governorships. The list of forest entry bans is constantly changing. New bans may be issued in provinces that have not implemented forest entry bans as of this writing.

We recommend that those researching the 2022 forest ban obtain the latest and most up-to-date information from their provincial governor's office's website. For example, regarding the 2022 Istanbul forest ban, the Istanbul Governor's Office has published a very detailed 4-5-page document on its website, outlining which restrictions apply where. The governor's office's detailed statement answers the question of whether the forest ban has been lifted in Istanbul .

In the provinces listed below and many others, the answer to the question " Are barbecues prohibited in picnic areas in 2022 ?" is YES, except in officially authorized/licensed picnic areas. There is no clear answer to the question " In which provinces are barbecues prohibited ?" or "Are forests prohibited?" Forest entry bans are in effect in all sea-adjacent provinces in the Mediterranean, Marmara, and Aegean regions. While some provinces restrict entry to the entire forest, others exclude certain areas of forested areas from the ban.

As Turkey's Outdoor Page, we advise our readers to contact the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in their province to learn about the latest and most current forest bans regarding the 2022 forest ban . You can find the addresses and contact information for the Regional Forestry Directorates at the end of the article.

The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that entry to forested areas is prohibited from July 5 to July 31. Picnics and sports are permitted in these areas, but fires and barbecues are prohibited.

According to the decision, it is free to have picnics without fires, engage in sports, walks, etc. in picnic and recreation areas, nature parks, groves, parks and ecotourism areas within the borders of Istanbul Province.

However, barbecuing, using gas cylinders, hookah and lighting any kind of fire are prohibited in these areas.

With the new decision taken by the governorship, entry to 24 regions including forests such as Gökova Akbük, Balandagi, Datça Reşadiye Peninsula, Güvercinlik, Göltürkbükü, İztuzu, Göcek, Faralya, and Butterfly Valley has been banned until October 31.

Recreational areas are excluded from the scope of this regulation. Inspections will continue uninterrupted in these areas. Penalties will be imposed on those who violate the ban.

The circular, signed by Governor Ersin Yazıcı and published on the official website of the Antalya Governorate, was published under the title, "Considering the extreme heat of the weather during the summer months and the increase in the density of people and vehicles in forested areas and agricultural lands, forest fires may occur. Therefore, measures must be taken to protect our forests, our national treasure, against fire."

“In accordance with the provision in Article 76 of the Forest Law No. 6831, which states that ‘lighting fires in forests is prohibited except in places permitted and designated as hearths’, lighting barbecues/samovars/fires is prohibited in forest areas (excluding picnic and recreation areas).

Barbecues/samovars/fires are prohibited in picnic and recreation areas (except camping establishments) after 8:00 PM until October 31st. Camping and pitching tents in forested areas are prohibited, except in camping establishments.

In the statement made by the İzmir Governorship, it was announced that based on Article 31 of the decision numbered 2022/1 dated 28.04.2022 of the İzmir Province Forest Fire Fighting Commission, entrance to 26 forest areas will be prohibited between June 1, 2022 and October 31, 2022.

According to the announced decision, entry to Çiçekli, Atatürk, Karacadağ, Kavaklıdere, Dikmendağı, Çatalkaya, Başpınar, Foça, Uzunkuyu, Parsa, Fındıklıdere – Çağlan, Kırkgeçit – Çatalçam, Karadere, Yamanlar – Karagöl, Meryemana, Mehmetler, Korucuk, Nif Dağı, Kartal, Doğanbey, Armutlu-Bayramlı, Kurudere, Pınarcık, Sarnıç and Oğlanası forests is prohibited.

The Çanakkale Governor's Office announced a ban on entering forested areas. The ban will last until September 15th.

According to a statement from the Governor's Office, additional measures were taken under the coordination of the Regional Directorate of Forestry due to the high risk of forest fires across the country in recent days and the expected meteorological conditions such as high temperatures, extreme winds, and low humidity.

The Balıkesir Governor's Office has issued a decision banning entry to all forests in the province, except for designated recreational areas designed to prevent fires. The bans, effective from the date of the decision, will remain in effect until further notice.

With the warming of the weather, entry and exit to 45 forests in 15 districts of Balıkesir has been banned to prevent potential fire hazards. Permission for picnics with fires has been granted to 14 controlled establishments across the province, which are used as recreational areas and where fires are permitted in designated areas. Eight recreational areas have also been designated as fire-free picnic areas.

Kocaeli Governorship announced that accommodation and barbecues in forested areas are prohibited from June 1 to November 1 in order to prevent forest fires.

In Kocaeli, by decree of the Governor's Office, entry into forests has been banned from June 1 to November 1. Within this framework, picnics with fires such as barbecues and samovars, as well as the bringing and use of sky lanterns, torches, fireworks, and similar fire-causing materials, are prohibited in all forested areas except officially registered picnic and recreation areas.

Within the framework of the decisions taken within the scope of combating forest fires in Bursa, barbecues, samovars and lighting fires were banned in forest areas outside of registered picnic areas between May 16 and October 1.

It was decided to impose a number of bans in forested areas outside of officially registered picnic/recreation areas in Bursa and all of its districts between May 16 and October 1. Within the framework of the decision, having picnics with fire such as barbecues or samovars, using ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles in the forest, engaging in sporting activities with motorized vehicles, camping with tents, using sky lanterns, torches, fireworks, as well as burning stubble, vineyard-garden residue, and garbage were prohibited from 20:30 in the evening until 09:00 the following morning in forested areas outside of officially registered picnic/recreation areas in Bursa and its districts between May 16 and October 1.

Edirne Governorship has banned entry to forests in Edirne for three months as part of its fight against forest fires.

Kıklareli Governorship announced that entry to forests within the provincial borders is prohibited until September 30.

The Governor's Office issued a decision stating, "Due to the recent occurrence of forest fires across our country and the high risk of forest fires expected, additional measures have been taken to combat forest fires under the coordination of the Kırklareli Forest Management Directorate, the Demirköy Forest Management Directorate, and the Vize Forest Management Directorate. Within the scope of combating forest fires, entry into forests within the Kırklareli provincial borders has been banned for three months, until September 30, 2022, to prevent forest fires and to consider the risk of stubble burning."

To prevent forest fires in Hatay, entering forested areas, lighting fires, and picnicking are prohibited as of June 1. The ban will last until October 31.

Even if you venture into nature just to breathe, you could be subject to administrative fines based on any of the above regulations. Finally, in at least 48 provinces, even entering forested areas, let alone camping or setting up tents, is prohibited. (As of 2021) While this ban is not widely observed in practice, there is always the possibility of receiving an administrative fine under the legislation.

Regarding this issue, the following advice is given to campers on the (UNOFFICIAL - https://jandarmaforum.com/ ) website:

“Our advice to those who want to camp is that it would be to your advantage to ask the police, gendarmerie, municipal police or forestry organizations of the area where you want to camp, either verbally or, if you want to be assured, in writing (by petition).”

https://jandarmaforum.com/ )

According to Article 76 of the Forest Law No. 6831, it is PROHIBITED to stay overnight, camp, or pitch a tent, or in short, "stay the night", "except in places clearly designated for camping".

Forest Law Article 76

• a) In state forests, spending the night in places other than the accommodations determined by the Forest Administration,
• b) Lighting fires in forests other than the permitted places and designated as hearths or in permitted places.
• Leaving the place without extinguishing the fire ,
• c) Throwing unextinguished cigarettes or any other substances that may indirectly cause fire into forests,
• d) Villages within four kilometers of forests or within the scope of Articles 31 and 32 of this Law.
• It is prohibited to burn stubble or similar vegetation within the boundaries.
• As of 2021, an administrative fine of 163 TL may be imposed by the Forest Management Directorate based on the report prepared in accordance with Article 76/a of the Forest Law No. 6831.

The penalty for the forest ban is one to three years in prison and a judicial fine. Istanbul Regional Director of Forestry, Yusuf Şahin, stated in a statement regarding the matter: "Since these bans began, those entering or exiting forests without permission will be punished with a fine of 427 TL under Article 32 of the Law on Violations . Similarly, during this period of restrictions in these areas , lighting a fire in unauthorized areas will be punished with a prison sentence of one to three years and a judicial fine . "

Click to see sample camp penalties.

The laws, circulars, and law enforcement practices mentioned above clearly demonstrate one fact: Public authorities can ban all outdoor activities and impose administrative fines at any time, for various reasons. This legislation grants public institutions unlimited and unconditional authority. As seen in the incident in Muğla, even setting up a tent on the beach can result in administrative fines for "disobeying orders."

Our advice to our readers, campers, hikers, and all outdoor sports participants is to at least call law enforcement (Police: 155 and Gendarmerie: 156) before starting any activity and inform them about the nature activity they plan to engage in. Calling these numbers will not only inform you of any restrictions but also allow you to easily have any administrative fines overturned by the courts, as the sessions are recorded.

Law enforcement officers are responsible for serving the public, and you shouldn't bother them by calling or contacting them. It's the security forces' duty to answer calls and keep citizens informed. Therefore, DO NOT HESITATE to call security units, ask for permission, or seek information, even on the smallest matters.

Call the police and gendarmerie, be informed, give information, be safe.

You can also check out our article titled Knife Carrying Regulations regarding carrying a knife in nature.

You should contact public institutions regarding current forest restrictions, which forest areas are permitted, and whether camping in the forest is prohibited. Below are the addresses and contact information for the regional forest directorates affiliated with the General Directorate of Forestry. You can obtain information from these units regarding forest restrictions and many other matters. Don't hesitate to contact public institutions.

Address: Reşatbey Neighborhood Fuzuli Street No:19 01120 – Seyhan / Adana

Phone: 0322 4570636

Address: Kirazlıdere Neighborhood Mehmet Varinli Street No: 112

Phone: 0 358 218 40 10

Address: Mühye (Yeşilkent) Neighborhood 555th Street – No:1/A 06705 Çankaya / ANKARA

Regional Telephone Switchboard: +903122964500-01

Regional Telephone Secretariat: +903122964503-04

Address: Sedir Mah. Vatan Bul. 07010 Muratpaşa/Antalya

Phone: 0242 3451447-49 51 Guest House: 0242 333 00 99

Address: Çarşı Neighborhood, İnönü Street, No: 71, 08000 Center / ARTVİN

Phone: +904662121275 – +904662121786

Address: Eski Kuyumcular Mah.Vasıfçınar Cad.No:39 Karesi/BALIKESİR

Phone: +9026624366 92-93-94

Address: Sağlık Mahallesi Karadere Caddesi No: 9 14300 Merkez / Bolu

Phone: +903742153740 (3 Lines) (Switchboard), Private Secretary: +903742151019, +903742150079

Address: Altınova Neighborhood. Istanbul Street 4th Km. 16250 Osmangazi / BURSA

Phone: 0224 211 40 90 PBX

Address: Cevat Paşa Mahallesi İnönü Cad. No:12 Merkez/Çanakkale

Switchboard: (0286) 217 ​​22 46

Address: Kınıklı Neighborhood Hüseyin Yılmaz Street No:108 20160 Pamukkale / Denizli

Phone: +902582125455

Address: University Neighborhood, Zubeyde Hanim Street, No:123, Elazig

Phone: +90 424 241 11 13

Address: Ömer Nasuhi Bilmen Neighborhood, Kombina Street, Pk.25050 Yakutiye / ERZURUM

Phone: +904422350694-95 /

Address: Akarbaşı Neighborhood Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Street No: 53 26010 Odunpazarı / ESKISEHIR

Phone: +902222303780 (PBX)

Address: Çıtlakkale Neighborhood, Atatürk Boulevard, No: 135, GIRESUN

Phone: +904542153171

Address: General Şükrü Kanatlı, Kunduracı Abbuş St. No:5, 31030 Antakya/Hatay

Phone: (0326) 213 77 43

Address: Bahçelievler District 102nd Street No:75 32200 Center / ISPARTA

Phone: +902462285300

Address: Fatih Forest Campus Maslak – Sarıyer / ISTANBUL PK.34485

Phone: +90 212 2627710

Address: Çamlık Neighborhood 1743 Street No: 29 Aksoy – Karşıyaka / İZMİR

Phone: +902323695055 (PBX)

Address: Hacı Bayram Veli District, Sait Zarifoğlu Boulevard, No: 225, Onikişubat / Kahramanmaraş

Phone: 0344 2344401

Address: Saraçlar District Halime Çavuş Street No: 7 KASTAMONU

Phone: 0366 214 60 26 -27-28

Address: Yeni Mahalle Mustafa Kemal Paşa Boulevard No: 163 38090 Kocasinan / KAYSERI

Phone: +903522221104

Address: Pirebi District Gazhane Street No:31 42200 MERAM / KONYA

Phone: +903323536902-07

Address: 100. Yıl Neighborhood Samyeli Street No:2 KÜTAHYA

Phone: 0274 231 33 40

Address: 3 Ocak Neighborhood, 117th Street, Mediterranean / MERSIN

Phone: +903242383399

Address: Emirbeyazıt Neighborhood Cumhuriyet Street No:8/1 MUGLA

Phone: +90 252 214 12 02

Address: Şirinevler Neighborhood, AdnanMenderes Street, No:197 -54100 Adapazarı / SAKARYA

Phone: +902642753090

Gelincik Neighborhood, Fatih Street, No: 47, Center / SİNOP

Phone: 0 368 2600400 – 2600401 – 2612595

Address: Doğukent District Fatih Sultan Boulevard 1010. Street No:1 Karaköprü / ŞANLIURFA

Phone: 0414 347 93 29-30

Address: Toklu Neighborhood, State Coastal Road Street, Street No. 711, 61040 Trabzon

Switchboard Phone: +904622302178

Address: Yayla District Kapuz Street Building No 25 67080 Tepebaşı / ZONGULDAK

Switchboard: +903722532161 PBX

Remember: Personal safety and environmental protection are your responsibility in all outdoor activities. Always be kind to nature, don't leave trash behind, and comply with current laws.

For detailed safety information, visit our Safety and Responsibility Guide page. For more information on camping and caravanning, you can also check out our Camping Guide page. We wish you enjoyable and safe outdoor adventures!

Our social media accounts: 📌 Instagram: @turkey_outdoor_org 📌 Facebook: TurkeyOutdoor