Residents of Bend Homeless Camp Say Forest Service Failed to Help Them Reclaim Lost Property

After the U.S. Forest Service evicted hundreds from the 'China Hat' encampment, many struggled to retrieve belongings left behind.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a shopping cart repeated in a grid pattern, representing the personal belongings and symbols of homelessness that were left behind when the U.S. Forest Service evicted residents from the China Hat encampment.A pop art-inspired visual metaphor for the personal belongings and symbols of homelessness that were left behind when the U.S. Forest Service evicted residents from the China Hat encampment.Bend Today

When the U.S. Forest Service evicted hundreds of homeless people from the 'China Hat' encampment in the Deschutes National Forest near Bend, Oregon, many residents were unable to retrieve their personal belongings, including vehicles, trailers, and irreplaceable items. Residents say the Forest Service failed to provide adequate notice and a reasonable opportunity to claim their property before it was discarded or destroyed.

Why it matters

The China Hat closure highlights the challenges public land managers face in addressing homelessness, as well as the potential constitutional violations when authorities seize and dispose of unhoused individuals' property without proper procedures. This case underscores the need for clearer policies and more resources to help unhoused people transition when encampments are cleared.

The details

The Forest Service evicted hundreds of homeless people living in the China Hat encampment in the Deschutes National Forest, citing concerns over public safety and forest restoration efforts. Residents were given 90 days to retrieve any personal belongings left behind, but many struggled to do so due to unanswered phone calls, missed appointments, and limited time to access the site. Over 100 vehicles and an unknown number of other items were left behind and potentially discarded by the Forest Service.

  • The Forest Service evicted residents from the China Hat encampment on May 1, 2025.
  • Residents were given a 90-day grace period to retrieve their belongings after the closure.

The players

Chris Walston

A 54-year-old former resident of the China Hat encampment who lost his RV, trailers, and other belongings when he was unable to retrieve them in time due to a medical emergency.

Mandy Bryant

A former China Hat resident who unsuccessfully sued to delay the encampment's closure and is advocating for the Forest Service to be held accountable for how they handled the property left behind.

Deschutes National Forest

The U.S. Forest Service unit responsible for managing the land where the China Hat encampment was located and carrying out the eviction and property retrieval process.

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What they’re saying

“It wasn't nearly enough time. Before we could finish, the officers told us it was time to go, we were wasting their time. … I lost it all.”

— Chris Walston, Former China Hat Resident

“[The Forest Service] said things were going to be done with compassion, but they weren't working with people to help them get their stuff back. I think it's safe to say that the Forest Service never had any intention of keeping their word to protect these things, or to treat us like people.”

— Mandy Bryant, Former China Hat Resident

What’s next

The China Hat closure is being scrutinized by legal experts, who say the Forest Service may have violated the constitutional rights of former residents by failing to provide a reasonable opportunity to retrieve their belongings. Advocates are pushing for the agency to be held accountable and for clearer policies to govern how public land managers handle personal property during encampment sweeps.

The takeaway

The China Hat closure highlights the complex challenges facing public land managers as homelessness spills over into wilderness areas, as well as the potential for constitutional violations when authorities seize and dispose of unhoused individuals' property without proper procedures. This case underscores the need for clearer policies, more resources, and a more compassionate approach to addressing homelessness on public lands.