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Saint Mary's Wilderness Prohibitions
Several prohibitions are in place at the Saint Mary's Wilderness on the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District.
It is prohibited to enter the wilderness area in a group larger than 10 people. Do not store personal property or dispose of trash anywhere in the wilderness area. Camping is not allowed within 500 feet of Saint Mary Falls or within 200 feet of open water streams or springs. Campfires and stove fires are prohibited within 150 feet of Saint Mary’s parking lot located at the end of Saint Mary’s Road (FDR #41) and within 150 feet of Saint Mary Falls.
Wagons, carts, bicycles, and other mechanized equipment is prohibited in the wilderness area.
Shortcutting a switchback in a trail is prohibited in the wilderness area.
See the below forest order for more details.
Alert Start Date: August 30th, 2023
Alert End Date: August 30th, 2028
Order Number: 8-08-13-23-12
Associated Documents
Forest Order
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
Roanoke, Virginia
ORDER NO. 08-08-13-23-12
SAINT MARY’S WILDERNESS PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to Title 16 U.S.C. § 551 and Title 36 C.F.R. § 261.50, the following acts are prohibited in Saint Mary’s Wilderness on the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, as shown on the attached map. This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor until August 30, 2028, or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.
Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited:
- Entering with or being in the area in a group larger than 10 people. 36 CFR 261.57(a).
- Storing equipment, personal property or supplies. 36 CFR 261.57(f).
- Disposing of debris, garbage, or other waste. 36 CFR 261.57(g).
- Possessing or using a wagon, cart, or other vehicle. 36 CFR 261.57(h).
- Camping within 500 feet of Saint Mary Falls 36 CFR 261.58(e).
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire within 150 feet of Saint Mary’s parking lot located at the end of Saint Mary’s Road (FDR #41) 36 CFR 261.52(a).
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire within 150 feet of Saint Mary Falls (FDR #41) 36 CFR 261.52(a).
- Dispersed camping within 200 feet of creeks, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and open water streams unless written permission is granted, or signage permits 36 CFR 261.58(e).
- Shortcutting a switchback in a trail 36 CFR 261.55(e).
Exemptions: Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.
- Persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order, Form FS-7700-48, specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
Executed in Roanoke, Virginia this 30th day of August 2023.
Signed Joby P. Timm, Forest Supervisor, GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 USC § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559, 3571 and 3581.