STATE PARKS RULES & REGULATIONS

58-32. Campground Regulations

SERIES 32 PUBLIC USE OF CAMPGROUNDS IN WEST VIRGINIA STATE PARKS, STATE FORESTS, AND STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS UNDER THE DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

§58-32-1.
General.

1.1. Scope. -- This legislative rule governs the public use of campgrounds in West Virginia state parks, state forests, and recreation areas in state wildlife management areas under the jurisdiction and management of the Division of Natural Resources. This rule shall not be construed to include the state forests or state wildlife management areas, or any areas or facilities in the state forests or state wildlife management areas, under the jurisdiction and management of the Department of Agriculture or other sections of the Division of Natural Resources, respectively. This rule is necessary to provide for public health, safety and welfare; to protect state property; and to assure state recreational area guests of a safe, beneficial and enjoyable experience.

1.2. Authority. -- W. Va. Code §20-5-2.

1.3. Filing Date. -- May 16, 1996.

1.4. Effective Date. -- July 1, 1996.

1.5.
This rule repeals and replaces Division of Natural Resources' Rule Governing Public Use of West Virginia State Parks, State Forests, and State Wildlife Management Areas, 58 CSR 5.

§58-32-2.
Rules Governing Public Use of Campgrounds in State Parks, State Forests, and State Wildlife Management Areas under the Division of Natural Resources.

2.1.
Campsites which are not reserved shall be rented on a first come, first served basis. Campers shall register before occupying a campsite, unless otherwise instructed by posted signs or by other clear means. A campsite is reserved when the rental fee for the site has been paid, which shall be indicated by a camping permit affixed to the numbered campsite post.

2.2.
One responsible person who has passed his or her eighteenth (18th) birthday and who is answerable for the actions and safety of the campsite occupants and liable for any damages caused by them shall be at each rented campsite.

2.3.
No person may camp in any manner in state parks, state forests, and state wildlife management areas, except at numbered sites in areas designated for camping. Campground facilities are provided for the exclusive use of registered campers, except that the area superintendent, at his or her discretion, may permit cabin guests to use campground laundry facilities during periods of low use by campers, preferably at a designated time.

2.4.
The length of stay in any camping area shall not exceed fourteen (14) consecutive nights. After Labor Day until the first day of May of the following year campsites may be rented for longer periods, at the discretion of the area superintendent, when there are vacant campsites. At the end of a rental exceeding fourteen (14) consecutive nights the area superintendent, at his or her discretion, may request the camper to move to another campsite for conservation and maintenance of the first rental site. In no case may occupancy of a campsite be extended by the camper registering under a different name. Campers not granted a discretionary extension must vacate park campsites for a period of 48 hours.

2.5.
Not more than two (2) motor vehicles are permitted on a campsite at any time. A non-family camping group may have only one camping unit (tent, trailer, motor home, camper van, etc.) on its campsite. A family camping group, at the discretion of the area superintendent, may be permitted to have one (1) or two (2) small tents on its campsite in addition to the main camping unit, but in no case may the additional units be ecologically detrimental to the campsite. A family is defined as parents or guardians and their dependent children.

2.6.
Campsites shall be vacated by 12:00 noon on the day the campsite rental permit expires, unless the area superintendent extends the time at the request of the camper. No extension may extend beyond 4:00 p.m.

2.7.
The campsite rental fee does not include the use of any other facilities or services for which a fee or rental is charged.

2.8.
No person may wash any equipment, paraphernalia, clothing, pet or human body at water fountains and water pumps, and in lakes, ponds, pools and streams. No person may wash cooking utensils, tableware, flatware or any other cooking or eating paraphernalia at water fountains and water pumps, and in comfort stations, bathhouses and washrooms.

2.9.
Hay, straw, boughs, pine needles or other similar materials shall not be kept or used in tents or screened rooms or under shelters for bedding or any other purpose. The Chief of Parks and Recreation, Division of Natural Resources, may permit the use of hay and straw in conjunction with special events or programs.

2.10.
No object may be driven into any tree, shrub, rock, sign, building or other object or structure in a state campground. Trenching or digging in a campsite is prohibited.

2.11.
Quiet hours are in effect, and they shall be observed and enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Generators shall not be operated during quiet hours. Motorbike riding is prohibited in camping areas, except to go to and from the campsite.

2.12.
No bicycle may be ridden in a campground after dark, unless it is equipped with lights on both its front and rear and the lights are turned on while it is being ridden.

2.13.
In accordance with W. Va. Code §20-5-19, West Virginia residents who are totally and permanently disabled are entitled to a fifty percent discount on campground rental fees from the day after Labor Day until four days prior to Memorial Day only. To qualify for the discount, they shall submit an application and a certification of state residency and disability form to the Director of Natural Resources. The Director shall issue each qualified applicant a permanent campground discount card. The application and qualification forms are available in all Parks and Recreation state recreational areas and the Charleston office.

§58-32-3.
Enforcement of Rules Governing Public Use of Campgrounds in State Parks, State Forests, and Recreation Areas in State Wildlife Management Areas under the Division of Natural Resources and Penalties.

3.1. Responsibility for enforcing the rules.
It is the duty and responsibility of Conservation Officers, Special Conservation Officers, and the superintendents, assistant superintendents and managers of state parks, state forests, and state wildlife management areas to enforce all of the provisions of this rule.

3.2. Violation of rules and penalties.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this rule is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished in accordance with W. Va. Code §20-7-9.