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National Forests in North Carolina launch digital passes

Community, Press Release July 15, 2020 , by
digital passes
Asheville, NC – July 14, 2020 –Visitors to Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests will have a convenient new way to pay day use fees at several recreation sites starting this summer with mobile passes.
A new online platform allows visitors to pay day use fees using their personal computer or mobile device through Recreation.gov. There is no additional cost to pay fees online.
To purchase a pass, go directly to www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72611, search “National Forests in North Carolina Digital Passes” at the Recreation.gov homepage, or scan the QR code below. Some sites may have limited cell phone reception so users should purchase passes before heading to the destination. Passes can be printed and placed on the dashboard though this is not required since rangers can validate license plates of passholders. Where cell service is good, passes can be purchased at recreation sites using a smartphone.
Digital Passes are available through Recreation.gov for the following sites:
– Cheoah Point Beach: $5, open through 10/31
– Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, and Whitewater Falls*: $3, open year round
– Jackrabbit Mountain Beach: $5, open through 9/30
– Roan Mountain: $3, open through 9/30
*A pass purchased for Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, or Whitewater Falls are honored at all three locations.
Recreation fee revenue helps protect natural resources and enhance recreation opportunities. These fees are critical to the operation and maintenance of recreation sites, including but not limited to cleaning, maintaining, and updating bathroom facilities, replacing sand at beaches, removing trash, mowing and maintaining grounds and parking lots, and replacing picnic tables and other amenities.
For more information on digital passes please visit www.recreation.gov/pass.
Images courtesy of Nantahala Forest Facebook.

Record visitation seen at N.C. public lands during COVID-19 pandemic

New Business, Press Release, State & National April 7, 2020 , by

RALEIGH, N.C. –Visitation at many state forests in North Carolina (N.C) is two and three times greater than what is typical for this time of year, which is stretching the resources of the sites and making it harder for people to practice proper social distancing. Visitors are asked to strictly follow social distancing guidelines to help keep public lands safe, available and open to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Public lands, including state forests and parks, and national forests are experiencing record-high attendance, making social distancing difficult to achieve,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While public lands are a great natural resource, we are urging visitors to observe the CDC and public health’s recommendations of 6 feet of spacing between each other, frequent and thorough handwashing and staying home if you do not feel well.”

Many public lands have temporarily closed, restricting public access until further notice due to heavy visitation. N.C. Forest Service officials note that some visitors are following social distancing guidelines while others are not. Many state parks, state forests and national forests are experiencing large congregations of visitors in parking areas.

Information issued by the N.C. Forest Service.

For anyone planning to visit public lands during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are some helpful social distancing guidelines to help you recreate responsibly:

  • Stay close to home. Enjoy outdoor recreation in your neighborhood. Faraway places are wonderful but traveling long distances can increase your potential to spread illness.
  • Pay close attention to guidance in your community before heading outside. Acknowledge any guidelines, restrictions or closures mandated by your local or state government.
  • Expect closures. Use the restroom before leaving home.
  • Avoid times and places of high use. Visit early in the day or in the middle of the week.
  • Keep hiking groups to three people or less.
  • Wash your hands and follow CDC guidelines carefully.
  • Be a good steward for nature and the people around you.

To download Social Distancing Guidelines for N.C. State Forests and for updated information about public access to state forests during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit this link. For status of state parks, visit the state parks website. For a complete list of closures across the National Forests in N. C. please visit this link

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