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George Washington and Jefferson National Forests reopen many campgrounds and day use areas
Release Date: Jun 11, 2020
Contact(s): Nadine Siak (540) 676-7045
Release Date 6/11/2020
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are reopening more than 20 recreation sites June 11 and 12 across the forests.
Forest leadership is making every effort to expand access to recreation sites within the context of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and state and local government orders while prioritizing employee and public health and safety.
The Forests are revisiting closure decisions and are opening some sites while working closely with state and local partners and permitted recreation providers. The decision to reopen recreation areas is being made on a case-by-case basis.
Information about recreation sites status can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/gwj/recreation.
The Forest Service is reopening sites in phases using a site-by-site approach that includes an assessment of facility cleanliness, maintenance status, and health and safety. The agency is committed to maximizing public access while ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, partners and volunteers.
Responsible recreation will help expand access. Avoid crowded areas; be careful with campfires and wildlife; and bring extra food, water and clothing in case of an emergency. Trash services and restrooms are not available in many areas, so be prepared to take your waste home with you. Visitors are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local health and safety guidance. For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus, go to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.
For the most up to date information about recreation sites and their status, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/gwj/recreation.
-USDA-
The table below outlines the current status and schedule for reopening some Forest recreation sites:
|
Site Name |
Current Status |
County |
Ranger District |
Service limitations (if any) |
|
Bark Camp Day Use Area |
Open |
Scott |
Clinch |
Restrooms and camping are unavailable |
|
Bear Tree Campground |
Reopening on June 11* |
Washington |
Mount Rogers |
Day use and group camping area remains closed |
|
Blowing Springs Campground |
Reopening on June 12 |
Bath |
Warm Springs |
|
|
Blue Springs Gap Cabin |
Reopening on June 11* |
Grayson |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Bolar Flat Marina |
Reopening June 12 |
Bath |
Warm Springs |
|
|
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area |
Day Use Area is open; Campground is reopening on June 12 |
Bath |
Warm Springs |
|
|
Boley Fields and Caldwell Fields Group Campsites |
Reopening on June 11 |
Montgomery |
Eastern Divide |
|
|
Brandywine Day Use Area |
Reopening on June 12* |
Pendleton |
North River |
Restrooms are unavailable; Campground remains closed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cane Patch Campground |
Reopening on June 19* |
Wise |
Clinch |
|
|
Cascades Day Use Area |
Open |
Giles |
Eastern Divide |
Restrooms are unavailable |
|
Cave Mountain Lake Campground |
Reopening on June 19* |
Rockbridge |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
Reservations Only; Day Use Area remains closed |
|
Cave Springs Recreation Area |
Reopening on June 19* |
Lee |
Clinch |
|
|
Coles Point Recreation Area |
Reopening on June 12 |
Alleghany |
James River |
|
|
Collins Cove Horse Camp |
Open |
Wythe |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Comer’s Rock Campground |
Reopening on June 11 |
Grayson |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Crabtree Falls Day Use Area |
Open |
Nelson |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
Restrooms are unavailable |
|
Craig Creek Group Campground |
Reopening on June 11* |
Botetourt |
Eastern Divide |
Day Use Area remains closed |
|
Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead |
Open with reduced services |
Craig |
Eastern Divide |
Trail shelters and restrooms remain closed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Furnace Group Campground |
Open |
Shenandoah |
Lee |
Day Use Area and Family campground remains closed |
|
Fenwick Mines Picnic Area |
Open |
Craig |
Eastern Divide |
Restrooms are unavailable |
|
Fox Creek Horse Camp |
Open |
Grayson |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Grindstone Campground and Day Use Area |
Reopening on June 11* |
Smyth |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Hawk Recreation Area |
Open |
Hampshire |
Lee |
|
|
High Knob Observation Tower |
Open |
Wise |
Clinch |
Campground remains closed |
|
Hone Quarry Campground |
Reopening on June 12* |
Rockingham |
North River |
Will open Fri-Mon, closed Tues-Thurs |
|
Hopper Creek Group Campground |
Reopening June 10 |
Rockbridge |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
|
|
Hurricane Campground |
Reopening on June 11* |
Smyth |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Hussy Mountain Horse Camp |
Partially Open |
Wythe |
Mount Rogers |
A section of the campground is closed |
|
Little Fort Recreation Area |
Open |
Shenandoah |
Lee |
|
|
McClintic Point Campgrounds |
Reopening on June 12 |
Bath |
Warm Springs |
|
|
Morris Hill Family and Group Campground |
Reopening on June 12 |
Alleghany |
James River |
|
|
North Creek Campground |
Temporarily Shutdown |
Botetourt |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
|
|
North River Campground |
Reopening on June 12 |
Augusta |
North River |
Will open Fri-Mon, closed Tues-Thurs |
|
Old Virginia Group Horse Camp |
Open |
Grayson |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Pandapas Pond Day Use Area |
Open |
Montgomery |
Eastern Divide |
Restrooms are unavailable |
|
Raccoon Branch Campground |
Reopening on June 11* |
Smyth |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Ravens Cliff Campground |
Open |
Wythe |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Roaring Run Day Use Area |
Open |
Botetourt |
Eastern Divide |
Restrooms are unavailable |
|
Sherando Lake Campground |
Temporarily Shutdown |
Augusta |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
|
|
Sherando Lake Day Use Area |
Temporarily Shutdown |
Augusta |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
|
|
Spy Rock Trailhead |
Temporarily Shutdown |
Nelson |
Glenwood-Pedlar |
|
|
Steel Bridge Group Campground |
Reopening on June 11 |
Craig |
Eastern Divide |
|
|
Stony Fork Cabin |
Reopening on June 11* |
Wythe |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Stony Fork Campground |
Reopening on June 11* |
Wythe |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
Sunrise Cabin |
Reopening on June 11* |
Carroll |
Mount Rogers |
|
|
The Pines Campground |
Reopening on June 18 |
Craig |
Eastern Divide |
|
|
Todd Lake Campground and Swim Area |
Reopening on June 12* |
Augusta |
North River |
Campground will open Fri-Mon, closed Tues-Thurs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia Creeper Trail |
Open |
Grayson and Washington |
Mt. Rogers |
Restrooms are unavailable; visitor centers are closed. |
|
Walnut Flats Campground |
Closed for the season |
Giles |
Eastern Divide |
|
|
White Cedar Horse Camp |
Reopening on June 11 |
Giles |
Eastern Divide |
|
|
White Rocks Campground |
Reopening on June 18 |
Giles |
Eastern Divide |
|
|
Wolf Gap Recreation Area |
Open |
Hardy |
Lee |
|
|
*Contact the local district office or check the website prior to planning your trip as this reopening schedule is subject to change. |
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