Staying Safe in the Forest

Know, follow, and stay up to date on Forest rules to be safe in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Forest rules are codified in the Codes of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and Forest Orders. 

Forest Rules
Code of Federal Regulations
Forest Orders

Bring these ten essentials with you on your outdoor adventure to recreate responsibly:

At minimum, include these items in your first aid kit:

• Adhesive bandages
• Gauze
• Elastic wrap for sprains
• Antiseptic
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Digital thermometer
• Antibacterial and antifungal ointments/creams
• 1% hydrocortisone cream
• Moleskin for blisters
• Aloe gel for sunburns
• Lubricating eye drops
• First aid quick reference card

The best way to avoid injury and getting lost is to prepare ahead of time. 

Avoid injury on the trail by following these tips: 

• Carry a map and don’t depend on your phone or GPS. Purchase a map from a local outfitter or print one off before venturing into the forest. 
• Share your plans. Tell someone where and when you are going, when you expect to return and how many individuals are in your party.
• Stay on developed trails with good footing. Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs; trees and bushes can’t be trusted to hold you. 
• Know your limits. Be in appropriate physical condition for your planned activity. Set a comfortable pace as you hike. In a group, the trip should be designed for the least capable member of the group.
• Dress appropriately. Clothing should match trail conditions and the season. 
• Be “weather wise”. Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions.
• Learn basic first aid. Know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with you. 
• Camp before dark. Traveling after dark can lead to accidental falls. Set up camp away from the edge of cliffs and learn the terrain during daylight. 
• Watch your step. Be alert for slippery areas and take your time to avoid tripping. Leaves can hide slippery areas. Logs crossing can be especially dangerous; find alternate routes across streams. Ice can be a hazard in fall, winter, and spring.

Bringing your dog? Follow these guidelines to keep man’s best friend safe. Be aware that you and your dog share trails and campgrounds with other visitors—try to minimize barking as much as possible.

Safety Checklist 

• Keep your pet on a leash when in a recreation area or campground. The law requires dog owners to keep their dog on a leash with a length no greater than 6 feet and under physical control when within a recreational area, such as a campground or day use area (36 CFR 2616(j)). 
• Give your dog plenty of food, water and rest. 
• Move your dog away if you spot wildlife in the area. 
• Notify authorities if your pet is lost. Carry an ID tag and recent photo of your dog in case this occurs. 

Falling trees and branches are an ever-present hazard when traveling or camping in a forest. A “hazard tree” is one that has a structural defect that makes it likely to fall. 

Safety Checklist 

• Watch for falling trees. They can fall without warning. Avoid trees with broken limbs or tops. Stand and camp away from leaning trees. 
• Look for down or leaning trees, which may indicate structural defects. Avoid dense patches of dead trees. Limbs and damaged trees may fall at any time. 
• Beware of hazardous trees due to ice storm or insect damage. Ice storms can uproot or break off large branches. Cracks can develop in large branches which may fall after the ice has melted. 
• Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds that could down trees. If you are already in the forest when winds kick up, head to a clearing out of reach of any potential falling trees. 
• Camp in open spaces. Place tents and campsites in areas where they will not be hit if a tree falls.
• Report hazardous trees! Contact authorities if you find a tree that presents a likely hazard, such as near a campsite. 

If you get lost…Don’t panic! 

The best thing to do if you become lost is to stay calm and stay put so rescuers can come find you. 

Safety Checklist 

• Use your surroundings and landmarks to find your location on a map. Try to remember how you got to your present location. 
• Trust your map and compass; do not walk aimlessly. If you are on a trail, do not leave it. 
• Follow marked trails. Most trails are marked with signs (where intersections meet) and diamond blazes or markers. However, signs are sometimes vandalized or stolen. 
• Stay where you are, especially at night, if you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion.
• Make yourself easy to find. Use shiny surfaces, lights, whistles, and wear bright colors to help rescuers locate you.
• Keep yourself hydrated and nourished while waiting for assistance. Adapt to weather conditions by keeping yourself warm or cool. 
• Before your trip, file a trip plan and share it with emergency contacts. Make sure to carry a fully charged cell phone. Cell phone coverage in remote areas may be limited, however. 
• Call for help.

Biting insects, like mosquitos and ticks, are part of the natural environment in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. When visiting the Forests, you are at risk of getting bit and contracting the diseases they carry. These include West Nile disease and Lyme disease. Reduce your risk by following these safety guidelines:

Safety Checklist 

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents or treat clothing with 0.5% permethrin to repel ticks and mosquitos. Effective repellents contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Avoid contact with ticks and mosquitos. For ticks, avoid wooded or brushy areas with tall grass or leaf litter and walk in the middle of the trail. For mosquitos, avoid areas with standing water.  
• Check yourself and your pets for ticks after time outdoors. Look for small black bumps under your arms, around your ears, behind your knees, in your hair, between your legs, around your waist -- and even inside your belly button!

For additional resources on preventing tick bites, visit the CDC’s website. To remove a tick, follow the CDC’s instructions. 

For additional resources on preventing mosquitos bites, visit the CDC’s website. 

National forests are a refuge for wild animals of all kinds, which makes recreational activities like hunting possible. Hunting is a seasonal activity. State regulations for seasons, dates, and licensing apply on National Forest Land. 

For more information on Virginia and West Virginia hunting laws and licenses, visit the websites below. 

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Safety Checklist 

• Follow state hunting regulations (found above). Carry a copy of relevant regulations and your permits with you.
• Check weather reports before visiting the forest.
• Share your plans with emergency contacts, including where and when you will be hunting. 
• Be familiar with the area in which you want to hunt.
• Dress properly and prepare for the worst possible conditions. Carry rain gear and a spare set of dry clothing. 
• Wear hunter orange viewable from all directions when required by law.
• Have hunting dogs off-leash only when outside recreation areas and campgrounds. They should also wear hunter orange or another visible color on a vest, leash, coat or bandana. 
• Check and maintain hunting equipment. Familiarize yourself with its operation before using it. 
• Clearly identify your target before shooting to prevent accidents or fatalities. 
• Be alert when hunting near developed areas and trails. Other recreationists are in the forest as well. 

All cyclists should be aware of and follow state laws regarding bicycle use and safety.

Tips for Bike Safety

Be Predictable - Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Signal your moves to others.

Go With the Traffic Flow - Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles.

Virginia state law allows cyclists to ride two abreast at all times.

Bicyclists operating a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under conditions then existing shall ride as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of roadway.

Look Before Turning - When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal before making the turn. Watch for left- or right-turning traffic.

Obey All Traffic Laws - A bicycle is a vehicle and you’re a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.

Stay Alert at All Times - Use your eyes and ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, or anything that could make you lose control of your bike. You need your ears to hear traffic and avoid dangerous situations; don’t wear a headset when you ride.

Motorists must change lanes while passing cyclists when the lane is not wide enough to pass the cyclist with at least 3 feet of space in between.

See and Be Seen - Whether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night, you need to be seen by others. Wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding day or night. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.

Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet