Shenandoah Regulations

Park Regulations

The following park regulations are intended to enhance your enjoyment of the park. They are designed to protect the park, its wildlife and you, the visitor. During all activities, please follow "Leave No Trace" practices (please see "Preserving Shenandoah" on pages 30—35 for more information).

•â€‚ All firearms, including air pistols and rifles, as well as bows and arrows, crossbows and slingshots, are prohibited. Fireworks and firecrackers are also not allowed.

•â€‚ Wood fires are permitted only in existing fireplaces at campgrounds and established picnic areas. Backcountry campers must use self-contained camp stoves.

•â€‚ Campers must not dig into, or level the ground, as archeological resources could be disturbed or erosion initiated. Do not wash clothes or dishes, or clean fish at campground hydrants or comfort stations. See page 40 for more campground information.

•â€‚ Catch-and-Release Fishing is allowed but special regulations exist for park streams. Anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 must have a Virginia fishing license. Visit www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing to learn how to obtain a fishing license.

•â€‚ Please pack your trash and any left by others out of the park with you. Leave the park at least as clean as you found it. Glass containers are prohibited in the backcountry.

•â€‚ All motor vehicles and bicycles must remain on paved areas. No off-road riding of any kind is permitted on trails or fire roads or in grassy, open areas. The maximum park speed limit is 35 mph.

•â€‚ Pets are permitted in Shenandoah but must be on a leash no more than six feet long at all times. Pets are allowed in all campgrounds and in a limited number of lodge rooms at Skyland, but not in the Big Meadows or Lewis Mountain lodging units, in public buildings, on conducted walks and hikes or on trails marked with a "No Pets" sign. Check the park visitor guide for a listing of trails closed to pets. There are no kennels in the park. In developed areas, visitors must dispose of pet droppings by wrapping them in paper or aluminum foil and discarding them in a trash container. Service animals are allowed in the park, at the concessioner facilities and on all trails.

•â€‚ Vandalism is against the law; violators will be prosecuted. Please take only pictures and memories home with you. Do not deface, destroy or remove any flowers, trees, shrubs, rocks or old objects. Remember, if everyone picked just one flower, whole meadows of flowers would disappear. Shenandoah makes exceptions to the above rule only for edible fruits, nuts and berries. Please pick only what you will eat.

•â€‚ Feeding, petting or harassing wildlife is prohibited. Animals may seem tame, but they are wild and can hurt you. When you feed animals, especially deer, they become dependent on people. This makes them easy prey for poachers and prone to being hit by cars.

•â€‚ Water is a valuable natural resource here. Because water levels fluctuate on the mountain, it is important to always conserve it. For additional information, please see page 31.

Permits

•â€‚ Free permits are required for backcountry camping. They are available during operating hours at visitor centers, entrance stations and at Park Headquarters (between Thornton Gap and Luray on U.S. 211).

•â€‚ Hang gliding permits are available by mail. To request one, write to Shenandoah National Park, Attn: Communications Center, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835. For more information, see page 46.

Safety Tips

Park rangers are on-duty at the visitor centers and at campground entrance stations. Call (800) 732-0911 for emergencies only. Rangers also patrol the Skyline Drive and maintain offices throughout the park. The following tips are meant to ensure that you have a safe vacation in Shenandoah:

•â€‚ Falling is the single most common accident in the park (especially among children). Be very careful around waterfalls and cliff ledges. Do not allow children to throw rocks, which can injure others below. Rocks in streams and waterfalls are often algae-covered and slippery.

•â€‚ Stay on trails. Hiking off-trail is unsafe, damages vegetation, causes erosion and creates unsightly paths. Some trails are closed to pets. Always plan ahead and pick a place to meet, should you become separated from your party.

•â€‚ To lessen your risk of being bitten by ticks, which can carry disease and are active spring through fall, stay on trails and avoid going into grassy, brushy areas. See Hiking on pages 52—56 for more information.

•â€‚ Be aware of standing dead trees. An unusually high number of trees have died in the park because of insects, disease and storm damage. Dead trees and limbs can fall at any time, especially on windy days. Please exercise care.

•â€‚ Avoid encounters with bears by making noise to warn them of your approach. A loud shout or clap will often scare them away. If you do come upon an unsuspecting bear, do not make abrupt moves that may startle it. Stay calm and slowly leave the area without turning your back.

•â€‚ Never approach a bear for a better look or a picture. Females with cubs, or bears defending their food, are potentially dangerous. Be alert. Never camp in an area that has obvious evidence of bear activity, such as digging, tracks or scat.

•â€‚ Keep your sleeping gear clean and free of food odor. Sleep at least 100 yards from your food, garbage and the place you prepared your meals. Campers must store food in their vehicles. Backcountry campers must "bearproof" their food. This means that all food must be sealed. Tooth-paste, makeup, fragrant items and clothes worn while cooking should be placed in two equally weighted plastic packages. Toss a long cord over a tree branch that is at least 20 feet above the ground, tie one bag to one end and the second bag to the other. Using a stick, balance both so that they are at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet horizontally from a post or a tree trunk. Choose a limb that cannot support a bear's weight.

•â€‚ Observe posted speed limits while driving, watch for turns. Be especially alert for animals crossing the road.

•â€‚ Protect your property. Lock your car and lock valuables in the trunk.

•â€‚ If you are having car trouble, try to report it to another driver who can then inform a ranger. If you are having trouble on the trail, ask another hiker to seek help.