"Camping has always been illegal but when it was only a few everyone turned a blind eye," said Bruce Miller, who along with Derek Ridgely administers the Atherton Drive Users Group on Facebook.

People have posted comments and photos on the page about recreational vehicles blocking access to boat launch areas and picnic tables, hoses set up to run grey water on the ground and towards the river, rubbish bins overflowing and the sole toilet block being rendered unusable.

The number of vehicles camping fluctuates: the Courier-Sun counted 12 on Wednesday afternoon and 25 on Friday morning but one informant said she's seen as many as 54.

"When we first came [a few years ago], there would be a few vans parked in one corner," Bruce said. "It's gradually increased and over the last few months it's just exploded."

He thinks that word has got around on social media that it's a nice spot by the river where no one hassles you to move along.

"People are always looking for natural, free camp sites and I think the finger's been pointed here, because it's such a great area.

"There's ones that have been there for months. Quite a lot of them have been there for several weeks.

"I think the feeling was when there were a few vans there and people were respectful that we were happy to share our good fortune.

"But when it gets to this extent, you're just being used."

Urunga resident Don McKenzie said he's been walking around the foreshores area for the last 25 years and makes a point of talking to the campers.

"Most of them are good people," he said. "I've always advocated that we should have a designated site for these Grey Nomads, with a decent amenities block and an honesty box for donations."

The Atherton Drive Master Plan completed last year after significant community consultation noted that "unregulated overnight camping" was a growing problem in the precinct and said camping would continue to be prohibited.

"Regulatory signage and compliance action will be supported by bollards and associated landscaping to exclude recreational vehicles from recreational open space and environmentally sensitive areas," the plan promised, but as yet this hasn't eventuated.

Derek Ridgely from the Urunga Sail Training Club said he's resorted to putting up 'No Parking' signs from Bunnings to ensure his course attendees can access the river.

On Thursday, Bruce was told Crown Lands will be installing 'No Camping' signs early next week.

However, enforcing compliance will be the issue.

"Signs have been put up at various times and taken down by people," Bruce said. "They're expecting that this won't be an easy process. And it's not just the campers, there are people squatting in the old boathouses.

"We've asked Melinda Pavey and the mayor Dominic King if they can work out some arrangement between the enforcement agencies."

Bellingen Shire Council said it has advocated strongly to Crown Lands regarding the extent of free camping in this area as it does not have jurisdiction.

"We will continue to work with Crown Lands and conduct regular patrols under the jurisdiction of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act to monitor and respond to potential pollution issues of the Kalang River," council said.

The spokesperson added that over the next six months council will be discussing the management of camping across the shire, including the option of establishing more camping areas.