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Recreation Passes & Permits
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests Seasonal Day Use Pass
For frequent visitors to day use recreation areas on the Forest, this pass allows for unlimited visits to the sites listed below. The pass is in the form of a hang-tag for your vehicle rear-view mirror, to be displayed while visiting the area. The pass covers the fee for day use, only.
- Bark Camp Day Use Area
- Bolar Mountain Day Use Area
- Brandywine Day Use Area
- Cascades Day Use Area
- Cave Mountain Lake Day Use Area
- Cave Springs Day Use Area
- Coles Point Day Use Area
- Crabtree Falls Day Use Area
- Fortney Branch Boat Launch
- High Knob Day Use Area
- North Fork of the Pound
- Phillips Creek Day Use Area
- Sherando Lake Day Use Area
- Todd Lake Day Use Area
The Seasonal Day Use Passes are available for $30 at George Washington & Jefferson National Forests District offices as well as the Sherando Lake, Cave Mountain Lake and Bolar Mountain entrance stations. The passes can also be purchased by mail from any of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests District offices. Please contact a District office to arrange purchase by mail.
America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series
The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass series is valid at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites and includes the interagency senior pass, access pass, 4th grade pass, military annual and lifetime passes and annual pass.
On the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, America the Beautiful Interagency Passes fully cover day use fees only at:
- Cascades Recreation Area
- Crabtree Falls Day Use Area
- High Knob Day Use Area
- Cave Springs Day Use Area
- Phillips Creek Day Use Area
When visiting these sites, please complete the information on the fee envelope with your pass number, and display your pass on the dashboard of your vehicle with the fee envelope receipt.
In addition to free access to certain day use areas, the interagency senior pass and the interagency access pass provide a 50% discount to standard site camping fees (not hook ups) and day use fees, including developed boat ramps and swimming areas. Sites managed by a concessionaire may or may not honor this pass.
Learn more about the different kinds of interagency passes and pricing on the Forest Service recreation pass website.
Purchase an America the Beautiful pass at most Forest Service District offices or online at the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Special Recreation Permits for Designated OHV and ATV Trails
Off-highway vehicles (OHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility vehicles (UTVs) and unlicensed motorbikes are restricted to use on designated trails only. Every operator of an ATV, UTV, 4-wheel drive vehicle, motorcycle or motorbike on trails and roads designated within the Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV complex in Shenandoah County and all trail users in the South Pedlar ATV Trail in Amherst County must possess and display a permit. Permits cost $5 for a daily permit, $12 for a 3-day permit (must be used on a visit of 3 consecutive days) or $30 for an annual permit. Permits are available from authorized vendors and from the Lee Ranger District Office and the Glenwood-Pedlar Office. For a list of locations where you can purchase special recreation permits for these two trail systems, go to:
To purchase a permit by mail, complete and return the Permit Order Form with your payment to the Lee Ranger District Office, 95 Railroad Avenue, Edinburg, VA. 22824 or to the Glenwood-Pedlar Office, 27 Ranger Lane, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579.