Emergency Closure Order Lifted for Most of the Athens Ranger District

Release Date: Jul 17, 2012

Contact(s): Gary C. Chancey


NELSONVILLE, OH– Wayne National Forest Supervisor Anne Carey announces she has lifted the Emergency Closure Order for more than 130,000 acres that include general forested areas of the Athens and Marietta Units on the Athens Ranger District.

However, until the Forest Service can ensure areas are safe for public use, the following recreation sites remain closed under the order signed on Saturday, June 30, 2012:

Athens Unit (Download Map)

  1. Stone Church Horse Trail
  2. Long Ridge OHV Trails
  3. Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail
  4. North Country Trail
  5. Lakeview Trail

Marietta Unit (Download Map)

  1. Kinderhook Horse Trail
  2. North Country Trail
  3. Archer’s Fork Trail
  4. Covered Bridge Trail
  5. Shay Ridge Trail (Covered Bridge NCT Connector Trail)
  6. Ohio View Trail
  7. Jackson Run Trail (Ohio View NCT Connector Trail)
  8. Lamping Homestead Trail

The entire Athens Ranger District was closed after Carey issued an emergency closure order on Saturday, June 30th in the interest of public health and safety after a storm hit the area causing widespread damage. The Ironton Ranger District was not affected by the order.

While most of the district is now open to the public, visitors are urged to use caution when entering general forested areas. Beware of dangerous broken limbs that are hanging or caught in other branches overhead and may fall. It is essential to look up, down and around and your safety should be a priority.

The public is urged to comply with the order until it is fully terminated by the Forest Supervisor.  Violations of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (16 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).

Further updates will be made available as conditions change, or you can contact the Athens Ranger District office at (740) 753-0101. You can also follow the Wayne National Forest on Twitter @waynenationalfs, or visit our web site at www.fs.usda.gov/wayne/.