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  • Forest Order 09-19-17-18 Public Nudity

    You cannot be publicly nude on National Forest System lands.

Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017

Alert End Date: N/A

Order Number: 09-19-17-18

Forest Order

Under the authority of the Act of Congress dated June 4, 1897, as amended (16 USC 551) and the Secretary of Agriculture's regulation 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following act is prohibited on the Allegheny National Forest, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 

  • Being publicly nude (as defined in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 261.2) [36 CFR 261.58 (j)) 

THIS RESTRICITION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. THEY ARE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL PROHIBITIONS SET FORTH IN 36 CFR PART 261. THE PROHIBITIONS WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER UNTIL SPECIFICALLY WITHDRAWN BY TERMINATION ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR. 

Pursuant/a 36 CFR 26 l.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order: 

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

Violation of any of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both, under authority a/Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3559 and 3571. 

Justification for Order

Often times the Forest Service has had issues with individuals being nude on the forest.  This is inappropriate given the family atmosphere emphasized on the Allegheny. This order prohibits any public nudity. 

This order is an updated and revised edition stemming from a previously existing and in effect order from 2008. 

This update is to ensure that consistent and accurate information is being portrayed to the public and also to reflect the recent change in Forest leadership staffing.

Enforcement Plan 

This order will be enforced by law enforcement officers as well as forest protection officers.  The primary method of enforcement will be through regular patrols.  These patrols may or may not include other law enforcement agencies. 

Contact Name:

Supervisors Office

Contact Email:

sm.fs.anf@usda.gov

Last updated May 22nd, 2025