Rules and Regulations for Forest Visitors

Recreation Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines

Find a good overview of some issues we are frequently asked about by visitors, including a Guide to Firearms Use, a Guide to Geocaching and Letterboxing, as well as links to safety information and Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Overview>>>

Forest Supervisor's Orders

Forest-wide Orders

• General Forest Orders: Re-issued and updated July 25, 2013 these orders cover a wide variety of prohibited activities. Effective to July 25, 2025.
• Developed Recreation Areas: Re-issued and updated April 12, 2012, these orders pertain to activities in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. Effective until terminated.
• Motor Vehicle Regulations: Re-issued and updated July 25, 2013, these orders govern the use of motorized vehicles in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests. Effective to July 25, 2025.
• Possession of Controlled Substances: Issued June 1, 2010. Just what it says, the possession of controlled substances without a legal prescription from a registered/permitted practioner is prohibited. Effective to May 31, 2015.
• General Forest Order on Camping Limits: Issued March 14, 2022. Effective to March 13, 2025.

Site-specific Orders

Blue Ridge Ranger District

• Appalachian Trail Seasonal Regulation Requiring Use of Bear Resistant Canisters: Beginning March 1, 2012 anyone camping overnight along the five miles of Appalachian Trail from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Read the March 1, 2015 news release. Effective until terminated.

• Dockery Lake: Swimming Prohibited. Effective from July 25, 2014 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Appalachian Trail: Campfire and Firewood Gathering Prohibition on part of the Appalachian Trail. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Boggs Creek - Parking: Explains limits on parking. Boggs Creek Recreation Area is no longer a campground and is only open during daylight hours. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Bolted or Studded Tires or Tire Chains Prohibiton: Effective from June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2015.
   
• Camping Prohibited at the Byron Herbert Reese Memorial Trailhead Parking Lot. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Smoking Prohibited at Brasstown Bald. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Davenport Mountain ATV Trail and Beasley Knob OHV Area only open during daylight hours. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Camping Restrictions at DeSoto Fall Recreation Area. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Possession of Alcoholic Beverages Prohibited at Dicks Creek. No expiration date. 
   
• Campfire, Camping, and Horse Restrictions at FS Road 58  and Chester & Noontootla Creeks. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Camping Restrictions in the area of FS Roads 69 & 236 and Cooper Creek Scenic Area. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Camping Restrictions in the vicinity of Helton Creek Falls. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Pack, Saddle and Draft Animal Horse Prohibitions in the Aska Trails Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Lakewood Landing, Morganton Point, and Lake Blue Ridge Boat Ramps. No expiration date.
   
• Camping Restricted to designated areas in Montgomery, Nimblewill, and Jones Creek dispersed recreation areas. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Alcoholic Beverages Prohibited at Morganton Point swimming, picnic, and parking areas. Effective from May 20, 2013 to May 20, 2025.
   
• Morganton Point and  Lake Blue Ridge campgrounds Closed between sunset and sunrise. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Sandy Bottoms Canoe Take-Out Facility: Camping restrictions. No expiration date.
   
• Sandy Bottoms Canoe Ramp: Restrictions on camping, use of horses, and parking. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Waters Creek: Swimming restrictions. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Whissenhunt OHV Trail System Prohibitions. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.

Chattooga River Ranger District

• Anna Ruby Fishing Closure. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Chattooga River Corridor Restrictions: Limits on where camping and campfires are allowed. Prohibits public nudity. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Chenocetah Tower Night Time Closure: Limits use of the area to daylight hours. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Currahee Mountain Closure: Prohibits being in the area, specifically the electronic site and the rocks and cliff area, at night and the use of any fire and camping at any time of day. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Lake Russell Alcohol Prohibition: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Locust State OHV Restriction: Pertains to when parking is allowed, prohibits alcoholic beverages, and use of any vehicles when the area is closed. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
  NOTE: Locust Stake OHV area is closed indefinitely pending a future management assessment and decision.
   
• Rabun Beach: Rules for the swimming beach. No expiration date.
   
• Raven Cliff: Specifies limitations to rock climbing and camping in this area. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Tallulah River Road: Limitations to camping and use of fire in the Tallulah River Road Corridor. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Tallulah River Parking: Limitations to parking in the Tallulah River Road Corridor. No expiration date.
   
• Wildcat Creek Camping: Limitations on camping and gun use in the Wildcat Creek and Road corridor. No expiration date.
   

Conasauga Ranger District

• Restrictions in the Cohutta/Big Frog Wilderness Affecting Group Size, Camping, and Horse Use. Effective from April 12, 2012 through April 12, 2017.
   
• Camping Restrictions in the Cohutta Wilderness: Camping in the vicinity of Beech Bottoms and Jacks River Falls is restricted to designated campsites during the period from November 1 to March 31. From April 1 to October 30, camping in this area is prohibited completely. Elsewhere in the Cohutta Wilderness, back country camping is still allowed. Effective from April 12, 2012 through April 12, 2017.
   
• Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages at the Cottonwood Patch Campground, Iron Mountain Trailhead, and Forest System Road 16-A. Effective from July 25, 2013 to July 25, 2025.
   
• Keown Falls Recreation Area: Use is limited to daylight hours. No expiration date.
   
• Keown Falls Pond: Fishing is prohibited. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Lake Conasauga Recreation Area: Rules and regs. No expiration date.
   
• Murrays Lake: Rules and regs. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Pilcher Pond Fishing Limitations: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Songbird Management Area: Prohibits hunting and the discharge of firearms. Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• The Pocket Recreation Area: Rules and regs. No expiration date.
   

Oconee Ranger District

• Dyar Pasture Recreation Area Camping-Fire: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Hillsboro Lake - Mount Gilead Pond: No expiration date.
   
• Hitchiti Forest Prohibitions: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Hunting - Firearm Discharge - Work Center & Office: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Lake Sinclair Recreation Area: No expiration date.
   
• Miller Creek Lake Prohibitions: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Scull Shoals Historic Site: No expiration date.
   
• Town Creek Bike Trail OHV Loop A Restriction: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   
• Town Creek Bike Trail OHV Restriction: Effective from July 25, 2013 through July 25, 2025.
   

Regional Forester's Order

Cave and Mine Closure: Issued December 9, 2021. In effect until December 31, 2023.

Limitation of Stay in Appalachian Trail Shelters: Limits the time to stay in  shelters along the Appalachian Trail to a maximum of 3 days. This order has no expiration date.

 

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