The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are opening recreation sites on the Eastern Divide Ranger District in Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Smyth, Tazewell, and Wythe Counties, and in Virginia and Monroe County, West Virginia, this spring for the 2021 recreation season.
On April 15, the Eastern Divide Ranger District will fully open the following reservable group campgrounds for the 2021 recreation season: Boley Fields, Caldwell Fields, Craig Creek and Steel Bridge. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Then on May 13, the Eastern Divide Ranger District will open The Pines, The White Rocks and the White Cedar campgrounds on a first-come-first-served basis. The White Rocks and White Cedar campgrounds will be opened with reduced services as their water systems are currently not operational. There is the possibility that the water system at the White Cedar campground will be repaired by early summer. The White Rocks Campground’s water system will not be available for the 2021 recreation season, and porta-potties will be in place. Note that the Walnut Flats Campground will not be open during the 2021 season due to much-needed construction upgrades.
Day-use recreation areas across the Eastern Divide Ranger District will be open, though their restrooms will be temporarily closed due to COVID-19 concerns. If local pandemic conditions improve, there is the possibility that restrooms at these day-use areas could open at some point in the 2021 season.
Many recreation areas, including hiking and biking trails, are open year-round. For the most current conditions on the status of recreation sites, contact the Eastern Divide Ranger District at (540)552-4641, visit the district’s website www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj; or follow the district on twitter at https://twitter.com/GWJNF1.