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From March 1 - November 30, visitors to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a Park entrance pass. This pilot project is intended to improve the visitor experience and address public safety concerns, while also better protecting the rare ecological communities found on Old Rag. Park management will evaluate the results of the pilot project and adapt to a permanent system in the future. Frequently Asked QuestionsA recent visitor-use and expectations study indicated significant crowding and congestion at Old Rag during certain times of the year. The study also revealed that most visitors agree that limiting users would improve their experience and safety, and better protect the rare ecological communities found on Old Rag. Visitors to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a Park entrance pass. The orange-highlighted trails on the map below show which trails require a ticket. The red-shaded area shows the entire area where a day-use ticket is required to camp, travel, fish, etc. The trails, roads, and areas that aren't highlighted do not require an Old Rag day-use ticket, including Weakley Hollow Fire Road.  During the one-year pilot project, each Old Rag day-use ticket will cost $1.00. Purchase Old Rag day-use tickets online in advance or by calling 877-444-6777. You must have an account with Recreation.gov in order to purchase tickets. Tickets will not be sold in person at the Old Rag entrance station, because there is currently no internet service at the station. Also be aware that cell service is not reliable at the Old Rag entrance station, so plan to purchase your ticket before arriving in the Park. Yes. Each Old Rag day-using hiking ticket only covers one person, so a group of four hikers will need to have four separate tickets before they will all be allowed to hike in the Old Rag area. Every person is required to have a ticket, no matter what age. Your Old Rag day-use hiking ticket is good any time, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., on the date that you selected when purchasing your ticket. Tickets are required to hike in the Old Rag area (Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails) at any time of day, even before sunrise or after sunset. A total of 800 tickets will be available for each day. Exactly 400 will be released 30 days in advance of the reservation date, and the remaining 400 will be released 5 days in advance of each date. Tickets are released daily at 10:00 a.m. No. Entrance passes and Old Rag day-use tickets are separate transactions. You are still required to purchase an entrance pass, in addition to the Old Rag day-use ticket, to hike in the Old Rag area (Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails). Parking at the NPS-operated parking lot located at the Old Rag boundary area is free. However, an Old Rag day-use ticket does not guarantee a parking spot. Because parking is limited, we strongly recommend carpooling with other hikers. While not guaranteed, if there are any remaining tickets after the 30-day and 5-day period releases, they will be available to purchase the day of. However, cell service or an internet connection is needed to make the transaction on Recreation.gov. Note that cell service is not reliable at the Old Rag Entrance Station and there is no available internet service at the station. You may purchase up to four tickets in your name per day. If you have a group of more than 4 people, a different person from your group must purchase the additional tickets. You may purchase tickets for up to 3 additional people, not including yourself, per day. The person who purchased the ticket(s) online must present the Ranger at the Old Rag Entrance Station with a photo ID (any form of ID with your name and picture) to use any tickets that they have purchased. If you do not have a valid ID, you will not be allowed to hike Old Rag. IDs are not required for any other tickets that they have purchased. You will need: an entrance pass (or money to purchase an entrance pass), a photo ID (any form of ID with your name and picture) and a printout (preferred) or screenshot of your Old Rag day-use ticket(s). This ticket will be sent to your e-mail after purchasing on Recreation.gov. No. Fee waivers of any kind will not be offered during the pilot project. You have until noon the day before your ticket is valid to cancel or change your reservation, however, we are not able to issue a refund for any reason. To change the date of your Old Rag day-use ticket, you can choose from the next available day. Yes. Even if you are entering the Park with a free Access Pass or a Military Veterans and Gold Star Family Access Pass, you will still need to purchase an Old Rag day-use ticket in order to hike in the Old Rag area.
Yes, every person will need a separate ticket for each day that they plan to spend within the designated ticket area of Old Rag Mountain. This is in effect during the entire pilot project, but we will reevaluate the feasibility of this regulation before implementation of a permanent ticket system. Tickets are released at 10:00 a.m. 30 days and again 5 days prior to the day of your hike.
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Last updated: February 2, 2023