Safety and Outdoor Ethics
Have Fun! Be Safe. It's important to be a safe and ethical recreationist - it's good for you and good for the forest!
Closure Orders
The Forest Supervisor may issue Special Orders and Closures that will close or restrict the use of certain areas as needed to protect public safety and natural resources. It is recommended that visitors consult the closure order list and/or check with the District Ranger station to be informed of up-to-date closures. Emergency closure orders will be posted as an “alert” so visitors to the Forest can reasonably be expected to be familiar with them.
Vermont—Green Mountain National Forest Special Orders and Closures
New York—Finger Lakes National Forest Special Orders and Closures
Rules for National Forest Visitors
These rules are designed to protect the National Forests and the natural environment, to ensure the health and safety of visitors, and to promote pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experiences for all visitors.
Please remember to be careful! You are primarily responsible for your own safety. Thoroughly research a recreation area before visiting and look out for natural hazards and dangers when you are in the forest. If you hike off trails or swim or dive in streams or lakes, you do so at YOUR OWN RISK.
Note: Forest Protection Officers are empowered to enforce the Federal Regulations these rules are taken from.
- Proper food storage and disposal of refuse containing food materials or containers is required. Please adhere to Federal Closure Order and Closure Order Map to ensure the safety of our visitors and wildlife.
- Use picnic sites, swimming beaches, and other day use areas only between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Campgrounds and other recreation sites can be used only for recreation purposes. Residential use of the National Forest is prohibited.
- In campgrounds, camp in designated, numbered sites only.
- At least one person must occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set up, unless permission has otherwise been granted by the Forest Service.
- Do not leave camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission from the Forest Service. The Federal Government is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property.
- Remove all personal property and trash when leaving.
Obey any restrictions on fires.
- New York State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Levels
- Vermont State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Monitoring
Build fires only in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose whenever possible.
Use dead or downed wood to build your fire. Do not cut live trees or transport firewood over long distances.
- Why it’s important to “buy it where you burn it.”
- Finger Lakes Special Order: Order 2011-01 Transportation of Firewood
- Green Mountain Special Order: Order 2009-01 Firewood Closure
Keep your fire small, not tall.
- Get tips about preparing a campfire safely from Smokey Bear.
Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving.
- Drown, Stir, Repeat: Drown your fire with water, stir the ashes, and feel the temperature in the fire pit. If it is still warm, repeat until cold.
- Do not carve, chop, cut, or damage any live trees.
- Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave natural areas the way you find them.
- Enter buildings, structures or enclosed areas in National Forests only when they are expressly opened to the public.
- Native American, old cabins, and other structures along with objects and artifacts associated with them, have historic or archeological value. By law, do not damage or remove any such historic or archeological resources.
- When provided, throw all garbage and litter in containers, or take it with you.
- Garbage containers, when provided, are reserved for the use of visitors to the National Forest, not visitors to or owners of private lands or lands under permit.
- Wash food and personal items away from drinking water supplies.
- Prevent pollution - keep garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other water.
- Use toilets properly. Do not throw garbage, litter, fish cleanings, or other foreign substances in toilets and plumbing fixtures.
- Obey all traffic signs. State traffic laws apply to the National Forests unless otherwise specified.
- When operating vehicles of any kind, do not damage the land or vegetation or disturb wildlife. Avoid driving on unpaved roads or trails when they are wet or muddy.
- Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, use cars, motorbikes, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles only for entering or leaving, unless areas or trails are specifically marked for them. Park only in marked parking areas.
- Do not block, restrict, or interfere with the use of roads or trails.
- Obey area and trail restrictions on the use of trail bikes and other off-the-road vehicles.
Check out “Driving on Forest Roads” for more information.
- Pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation sites and on trails.
- Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
- Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions.
- Fireworks and explosives are prohibited in the National Forests.
- Firing a gun is not allowed:
- in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area.
- across or on a road, or body of water.
- in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged.
- Motor vehicles and motorized equipment are not allowed in wilderness areas.
- Preserve the Wilderness-"Leave only footprints, take only pictures."
Learn more about designated Wilderness Areas.
- You must pay a fee to use certain developed sites and facilities. Such areas are clearly signed or posted as requiring a fee.
- Where fees are required, you must pay them before using the site, facility, equipment, or service furnished.
- No fighting or aggressive behavior.
- Keep noise at a reasonable level. Please be considerate of fellow visitors.
- Operate any audio device, such as a radio or musical instrument, so that it does not disturb other visitors.
- A permit is required for operating a public address (PA) system, including loudspeakers, amplifiers and microphones, in or near a campsite, developed recreation site, or over a body of water.
- Permits are required for any commercial activity.
- Information on all permit requirements is available online or at National Forest offices.
For more information see “Permits”
Road Status
Outside of seasonal closures, some National Forest roads/parking lots may be closed due to construction, extreme weather, or other events making a road impassable or unsafe.
Heavily Damaged or Closed Trails
Some trails may be heavily damaged. Please note this list may not be exhaustive, conditions can change quickly and what is considered difficult for some may not be difficult for others.
National Weather Service
Before heading to your National Forest, check the forecast! Check the weather at your current and destination locations. Conditions at the trailhead may differ from your destination. It’s best to be prepared for most weather conditions despite what is forecasted.
Be Bear Aware
New York and Vermont are home to black bears. While it is possible to encounter a black bear on the trail, most recreationists never do. Importance of storing food from bears.
Plan Ahead: Hunting
Becoming familiar with National Forest, and State regulations is an important part of planning your hunting trip.
Recreating During Hunting Season
Visitors may continue to use their National Forests during hunting seasons but are encouraged to “plan ahead and prepare” accordingly.
Leave No Trace
One of the best things you can do to help care for the outdoors is practice the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. By applying these principles, we can maintain our favorite places for current and future generations.
Mud Season
Warmer temperatures, spring rain and deep, frozen ground make it difficult for the landscape to absorb water. So, it pools on the surface of your favorite trails and roads making hiking or vehicular travel difficult.
Driving on Forest Roads
Forest Roads vary; some may have portions with gravel and others may be constructed from the native soils in the area. These roads may be infrequently maintained with possible rocks, ruts, washouts, downed trees and encroaching brush.
Maps
GPS or a cell phone may not be reliable once you’re in the forest. It is important to carry and know how to use a map and compass when visiting.