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  • Prohibitions at Cascades Recreation Area

    Climbing the rocks around or under the waterfall is prohibited. 

    Camping anywhere in the recreation area, parking lot, or trail is prohibited. 

    The trail is designated for hiking only. Horses, bikes, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the trail. 

    Alcohol is prohibited anywhere in the recreation area, parking lot, or trail. 

Alert Start Date: August 30th, 2023

Alert End Date: March 1st, 2028

Rec Sites Affected:

Order Number: 08-08-11-23-157

Associated Documents

Forest Order

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE

GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS

Roanoke, Virginia 

ORDER NO. 08-08-11-23-157

OCCUPANCY AND USE

Cascades Recreation Area

Pursuant to Title 16 U.S.C. § 551 and Title 36 C.F.R. § 261.50, the following acts are prohibited within the Cascades Recreation Area, located on the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest. This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor until March 1, 2028 or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited:

  1. Climbing the slopes and rock cliffs in, under, or around the waterfall on Little Stony Creek except on the designated Forest Service Trail (FST 70; Cascades Trail) provided for the purpose of going from the parking lot to the waterfall. 36 CFR 261.53(e)
  2. Camping within 300 feet of the Cascades Day Use Area, Cascades Day Use Area parking lot, Cascades Trail (FST 70), or the waterfall on Little Stony Creek. 36 CFR 261.58(e)
  3. Entering or using the Cascades Day Use Area, Cascades Day Use Area parking lot, or Cascades Trail (FST 70) after sunset or before sunrise. 36 CFR 261.58(1)
  4. Using a bicycle, wagon, cart, or motorized vehicle on the Cascades Trail (FST 70). 36 CFR 261.55(b)
  5. Riding, leading, or otherwise using horses on the Cascades Trail (FST 70). 36 CFR 261.55(c)
  6. Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State Law in the Cascades Day Use Area, Cascades Day Use Area parking lot, on the Cascades Trail (FST 70), or in, under, or around the waterfall on Little Stony Creek. 36 CFR 261.58(bb)

Exemptions: Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

  1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
  2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.

Executed in Roanoke, Virginia this     30th  day of August 2023.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 USC § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559, 3571 and 3581.

Contact Name:

Eastern Divide Ranger District

Contact Number:

540-552-4641

Last updated March 3rd, 2025