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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.

Pisgah National Forest reopens some campgrounds

Community, Press Release June 2, 2020 , by
USFS national forests Pisgah

Pisgah National Forest will open several campgrounds and recreation sites today, June 1. Some sites remain closed and facilities and services remain limited.

Popular recreation areas that will reopen include, but are not limited to:

All concession-operated campgrounds on the Pisgah Ranger District including Davidson River, North Mills River, and Lake Powhatan, Mount Mitchell Trail, and Buncombe Horse Trail, Hardtimes, South Toe River, and Buncombe Horse Trailheads.

Dispersed camping on the Pisgah Ranger District is now allowed but campsites must be further than 1,000 feet from the nearest road. Dispersed camping is also allowed on the Appalachian and Grandfather Ranger Districts. Permits are required to camp within the Linville Gorge Wilderness on weekends and holidays and are issued by the Grandfather Ranger District office.

For a complete list of trails, roads, and recreation areas that are reopening, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/…. The few roads that remain closed, are only closed to motorized vehicles, non-motorized use is allowed.

The Forest Service is reopening sites in phases using a site-by-site approach, including assessment of facility cleanliness, maintenance status, and health and safety. The agency is committed to maximizing public access while ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, partners, and volunteers. We are working closely with our state and local partners to determine the best path forward to safely reopening sites.

Responsible recreation will help expand access. Avoid crowded areas, be careful with campfires and wildlife, and bring extra food, water, and clothing in case of emergency. Trash services and restrooms are not available in many areas so be prepared to take your waste home with you.

Visitors are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local health and safety guidance. For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus, go to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.

For more information, contact us using the information at www.fs.usda.gov/main/nfsnc/about-forest/districts.

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