-
Prohibitions in designated recreation sites
Several prohibitions related to swimming, camping, and parking apply in Recreation Areas, Day Use sites, and swim beaches on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest lands.
See the below forest order for full details.
Alert Start Date: August 30th, 2023
Alert End Date: August 30th, 2028
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 08-08-00-23-9
Associated Documents
Forest Order
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
Roanoke, Virginia
ORDER NO. 08-08-00-23-9
RECREATIONAL OCCUPANCY AND USE
Pursuant to Title 16 U.S.C. § 551 and Title 36 C.F.R. § 261.50, the following acts are prohibited in Recreation Areas, Day use areas, and other Developed Sites on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor until August 30, 2028, or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.
Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited:
- Camping or maintaining a campsite for a period of time exceeding 14 days in any 30-day period. [Ref. § 261.58(a)]
Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof when posted closed. [Ref.
§ 261.58(b)]
- Camping in or within 300 feet of any developed parking area or boat ramp. [Ref. § 261.58(e)]
- Operating a gasoline engine powered electrical generator between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except in designated areas. [Ref. § 261.10(i)]
- Occupying an individual campsite with more than eight (8) persons and two (2) tents. [Ref. § 261.58(f)]
- Parking or leaving a vehicle or trailer in violation of posted instructions. [Ref. § 261.58(g)]
- Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one’s own camp unit. [Ref. § 261.58(h)]
- Possessing, parking or leaving more than two (2) vehicles, except motorcycles or bicycles, per camp unit. [Ref. § 261.58(i)]
- Swimming or being in the water within 100 feet of a designated boat ramp, unless loading or unloading a boat. [Ref. § 261.58(k)]
- Swimming or being in a designated swimming area at any time except during day light hours. [Ref. § 261.58(k)]
- Possessing glass containers in a designated swimming area. [Ref. § 261.58(k)]
- Swimming outside of a designated swimming area, located in a developed recreation area. [Ref. § 261.58(k)]
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, BB gun, gas gun or archery equipment from, into or across any parking area, trail, boat ramp, camping site or National Forest System road. [Ref. § 261.58(m)]
- Possessing or operating a boat within a designated swimming area. [Ref. § 261.58(n)]
- Operating a gas power motorboat on the following lakes:
- Sherando Lake;
- High Knob Lake;
- Cave Mountain Lake
- Being in a developed recreation area between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except a person who is camping or who is visiting a person camping in that area. [Ref. § 261.58(u)]
- Fishing in designated swimming area. [Ref. § 261.58(v)]
- Riding, hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions. [Ref. § 261.58(aa)]
- Possessing any alcoholic beverages in the beach, picnic, swimming areas and/or parking lot or in violation of state law. [Ref. § 261.58(bb)]
- Possessing a dog, except for those on a leash not longer than six feet, or otherwise under physical restrictive control 36 CFR 261.16(j).
Exemptions: Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.
- Persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order, Form FS-7700-48, specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
Executed in Roanoke, Virginia this 30th day of August 2023.
Signed, Joby P. Timm, Forest Supervisor, GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
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.