(a)(4} The possession and/or use of any firewood originating from any location outside the Blue Ridge Parkway that is not certified and marked as “Heat Treated” is prohibited. Dead wood on the ground may be collected for use as fuel for campfires. Collection of wood for campfires in campgrounds shall be limited within National Park Service property to an area not more than 100 yards beyond campgrounds, picnic areas, and picnic tables with fire grates. Wood collected for fuel may not be removed from the campground or picnic area in which it is gathered.
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The required use of “Certified Heat Treated” firewood bearing a federal or state agency seal prohibits the movement of firewood with potential damaging insects into the park. Firewood in violation of the above will be seized and quarantined by NPS staff upon discovery.
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The Parkway considers firewood to be any wood cut, sold or intended for use as firewood, including chips, limbs, branches, etc. with or without bark. Kiln-dried, finished and cut lumber or lumber scraps from which the bark has been removed during the milling process and like that purchased from a hardware store or discarded at construction sites, is not considered firewood.
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Exception: Firewood which is in the original packaging and is accompanied by a certificate or limited permit issued and attached in accordance with 7 C.F.R. § 301.53-5 and 7 C.F.R. § 301.53-8 is allowed.
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- This closure is intended to prevent or slow the introduction of exotic insects or diseases into the Blue Ridge Parkway. The emerald ash borer (EAB) has already killed tens of millions of trees in those states that have been infested. As a result, the movement of firewood within and from infested areas is regulated by the states and the federal government. The USDA has documented that a number of other harmful species can be transported in firewood. Therefore, it has been determined that this action is necessary to protect the natural resources of the park.
- Consistent with the recommendations of the National Firewood Task Force, the National Park Service strongly discourages the movement of any firewood and encourages campers to burn wood where they buy it. Information about firewood quarantines is distributed in affected areas by states and the federal government via a wide variety of media. Information on the park’s enforcement of existing quarantines is available on the park website, in bulletin boards and via campground maps.
(b) Leaving the Tanawha Trail between Milepost 302.0 and Milepost 304.5, to shortcut between portions of the trail or to gain access to an adjacent trail or trailside feature is prohibited. Leaving the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, Milepost 364.2, to shortcut between portions of the trail or going beyond the overlooks at the terminal ends of the trail is prohibited. Shortcutting through wooded areas between the Moses Cone Carriage Roads is prohibited.
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- Hiking and pedestrian use must be confined to the established and designated Tanawha Trail in order to protect a critical and highly vulnerable plant community and rare animal species and to reduce unauthorized access to the privately owned lands of Grandfather Mountain; and on the Craggy Pinnacle Trail in order to protect a fragile plant community on high elevation rock outcrops, including several federal and/or state listed rare or endangered plant species; and along the Moses Cone Carriage Roads to protect road edges and control damaging erosion
(c)(1), Fruits, berries, and nuts. Climbing trees to gather fruits and nuts is prohibited. One gallon per person, per day, of the following edible fruits, berries, and nuts may be gathered for personal use or consumption:
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Mushrooms and related edible fungi
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Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
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Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana)
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Blackberries/raspberries/wine berries (Rubus spp.)
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Grapes (Vitis spp.)
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Elderberries (Sambucus pubens)
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Gooseberries/currants (Ribes spp.)
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Huckleberries (Gay/ussacia spp.)
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Cherries/plums (Prunus spp.)
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Serviceberries (Amelanchier /aevis)
One bushel per person, per day, of the following edible fruits and nuts may be gathered for personal use or consumption:
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Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana)
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Black walnuts (Juglans nigra)
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Hickory nuts (Carya spp.)
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American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
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Apples (Malus spp.)
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Pears (Pyrus spp.)
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Peaches (Amygdalus persica)
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- Collecting the edible berries, nuts, and fruits specified herein causes no adverse impact on Parkway resources.
