George Washington and Jefferson

National Forests

General Information

As a visitor to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the forests, the natural environment, and to ensure the health, safety, and enjoyment of your fellow visitors.

For your information we have assembled a number of key rules for your consideration. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated. Please remember to be careful. You are primarily responsible for your own safety. Look out for natural hazards when you visit your national forests. 

General Rules of Conduct

Supervisor Orders

Regional Foresters and Forest Supervisors may issue orders that will close or restrict the use of certain areas if the need arises. These orders will be posted so visitors can become familiar with them. Copies of these orders are also available in the offices of Forest Supervisors and District Rangers. 

Permit Requirements 

Information on all permit requirements is available at Forest Service offices.

Safety

You are responsible for your own safety. Watch for natural hazards when you are in the forest. If you hike off trails, swim or dive in streams or lakes, you do so at YOUR OWN RISK.

Please, remember to be careful.

Federal Regulations

All visitors and users of national forests are subject to federal regulations. The points of conduct listed are generally included in and enforceable through federal regulations. All of the regulations are published in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations and are on file at all Forest Supervisor and District Ranger offices. Violation of orders and regulations is subject to punishment by fine or imprisonment. Authority: 16 USC 551, 7 USC 1011(f)

State Traffic and Game Laws

State traffic and game laws apply to national forests unless otherwise specified.

Operation of Vehicles

• Obey all traffic signs. State traffic laws apply to the national forest 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 for the use of trail bikes and other off highway vehicles (OHVs) and all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Fireworks and Firearms

• Fireworks are prohibited throughout the forest. Do not set off fireworks or other explosives within campgrounds and other recreation sites.
• Weapons are not allowed on national forest lands outside of hunting seasons. ( See State Game Regulations.) Firearm ranges are the exception.
• Firing a gun is not allowed: a) in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area; b) across or on a road or body of water; c) in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged; and d) outside of hunting season, unless a specific supervisor’s order exists stating otherwise.

Property

• 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.
• Indian sites, old cabins and other structures along with objects and artifacts associated with them, have historic or archeological value. Do not damage or remove any historic or archeological resource.

Campfires

• Obey restrictions on fires. Fires may be limited or prohibited at certain times.
• Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, build fires only in fire rings, stoves, grills or fireplaces provided for that purpose.
• Be sure your fire is completely extinguished (DEAD OUT) before leaving. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING FIRES UNDER CONTROL.

Camping

• Use picnic sites, swimming beaches and other day use areas only between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.. Most picnic areas are closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Check information boards or signs for more information.
• Campgrounds and other recreation sites can be used only for recreation purposes. Permanent use or use as a principal residence without authorization is not allowed.
• In campgrounds, camp only in those places specifically marked or provided.
• 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 a forest ranger.
• Do not leave camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission from a forest ranger. The federal government is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property.
• Remove all personal property and trash when leaving. 

Fee 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 before using the site, facility, equipment or service furnished.

Public Behavior

• No fighting or boisterous behavior.
• Quiet hours exist in and near most developed recreation areas. Quiet hours are often 10 pm to 6 am. Keep noise at a reasonable level. Please be considerate of fellow visitors.
• Many recreation areas prohibit the possession and use of alcohol. Check posted boards for information.  

Sanitation

• Throw all garbage and litter in containers provided for this purpose, or take it with you.
• Garbage containers, when provided, are reserved for use by 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. Use water faucets only for drawing water.
• 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.

Pets and Animals

• Pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation sites.
• 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.

Business Activities

• Permits are required for any commercial activity.

Audio Devices

• Operate any audio device, such as a radio or musical instrument, so that it does not disturb other visitors. Many campgrounds have "quiet time" hours posted.
• A permit is required for operating a public address system in or near a campsite, developed recreation site or over a body of water.

National Forest Wilderness

• Motor vehicles and motorized equipment are not allowed in wilderness.
• Preserve a wilderness..."LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS; TAKE ONLY PICTURES."

For Your Safety

Weather

• The climate is relatively mild on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, but varies considerably because of elevations that average between 1,000 and 3,000 feet, with some peaks above 4,000 feet. Average daily temperatures range from a minimum of 20-26 degrees F in January to a maximum of 80-86 degrees F in July. The average rainfall is 38 inches per year, including an annual average snowfall of 15 to 20 inches per year. 
• Thunderstorms occur frequently in the mountains during the summer months. If you are caught in one, stay away from high, exposed places or solitary trees.

Water

Unless you are in a developed campsite where the water is regularly tested, it is recommended that all water be purified before drinking. An intestinal parasite, Giardia, is in most of the water in the Forests, but can be removed with purification techniques. If you must drink the water from streams or lakes, use an appropriate filter or bring water to a sustained boil to eliminate harmful bacteria. 

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease has been noted in Virginia and West Virginia. Lyme disease is tick borne bacterium transmitted by the tiny deer tick. When hiking or exploring the forest, dress appropriately to prevent tick bites. Wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants may make it more difficult for ticks to attach themselves to a host. Light color clothing can help you spot the reddish brown ticks easier. Treating clothing and shoes with a repellant may also help prevent tick bites. A periodic "tick check" is a good safety measure as ticks must spend some time on the body before transmitting the bacterium. It is very important to seek medical treatment after being bitten by a tick. Have your doctor check for Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick fever. 

Snakes Alive!

• A wide variety of snakes live in the forest. Most snakes are harmless and all snakes fill an important role in the forest animal food chain. If you should see a snake, please give it the right of way and treat it as you would any other forest animal--a subject to observe, but not to disturb. 
• There are two poisonous snakes you will want to watch for: Copperheads and Rattlesnakes. 
• Be careful and watch your step to avoid a surprise encounter with a snake. 

Poison Ivy

Remembering the saying "shiny leaves of three" will help you avoid an exposure to poison ivy. Washing with soap and water after an exposure may help reduce the rash that can develop. 

Unattended Vehicles

The incidence of theft from vehicles on the forests is low. However, if you leave your vehicle unattended, all valuables should be locked out of sight; better yet, left at home. 

Canine Courtesy

• The most common nuisance in campgrounds is a loose dog. A usually obedient and innocent dog is often noisy when its owner is away. An unrestrained dog can harm campers, other pets and wild animals.
• Always keep your pet on a leash in the campground, and never leave your dog unattended. On trails, dogs can interfere with people, horses or bicycles. Keep your dog close to you and under control at all times. 

Metal Detecting on the National Forest

Metal detection is generally permitted on national forest. Collection of any archeological or historical object is illegal.  Digging, disturbing, or otherwise altering the ground is prohibited.

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests has an active archeological volunteer program called Passport in Time.  To learn more about this fascinating program click here. 

Regulations in 36 CFR 261 prohibit "damaging any natural feature or other property of the United States" as well as "removing any natural feature or other property of the United States" and "Digging in, excavating, disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way damaging any prehistoric , historic, or archeological resource, structure, site, artifact, or property" or "Removing any prehistoric historic, or archeological resource, structure, site, artifact, or property."  Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine or imprisonment. 

Section 296.4 of the 36 CFR lists the acts that are prohibited under the Archeological Resource Protection Act. 

Contact the US Forest Service office closest to you for clarification or more information if needed.

Laws Regarding Firearms on National Forest Lands

First, the primary laws governing possession of firearms and other weapons on National Forest are State Laws. These laws were developed by the states following establishment of our Cooperative Wildlife Management Agreements. Most notable of the state laws concerns controlling firearms on the National Forest are “cased gun laws”.

Cased Gun Laws: As the name implies, this law requires that all firearms on National Forest be unloaded and kept in a case. Virginia and West Virginia have similar “cased gun laws”. In order to allow hunting, these laws make an exception.

• It is legal to have loaded firearms on National Forest during the authorized general firearms and muzzle loading gun seasons for bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, or waterfowl. This exception is very specific and applies only during the period when it is legal to take these listed species and doesn’t include carrying the loaded weapons in a vehicle.
• Because hunting on Sunday is prohibited, carrying a loaded gun on National Forest is not legal on Sunday even if it is the Sunday in the middle of the general firearms deer season.
• The second exception to this law allows people with a concealed weapon permit to carry a loaded, concealed, handgun either on their person or in their vehicle while on National Forest. This does not apply if the person is engaged in a primitive weapons season or chase only season.
• People muzzle loading or bow hunting may carry a concealed weapon as long as they possess a concealed weapon permit.

Discharging a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow in or across a road or within the right-of-way of any road is prohibited by both State and Federal Law.

Any person convicted of a felony may not legally possess firearms on National Forest.

Reckless use or handling firearms: It is a violation of both Federal and State law to handle any firearm in a careless and reckless manner or hunt while under the influence of intoxicants or narcotic drugs.

TARGET SHOOTING - Target shooting is prohibited on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests by an Order signed in February of 1996. Target shooting on National Forest should be accomplished only at approved ranges.