Campers who want to camp at the Open Pond Recreation Area in the Conecuh National Forest will need be aware of a new policy which came into effect on Monday, April 3.


This regulation restricts the time visitors can camp on the campsite.


The law applies to camping, which is the use for a short period of time of National Forest System lands for sleeping over night, without a permanent fixed structure, which a written special authorization for use allows.


In a recent Forest Service Order issued by Forest Supervisor Cherie Hamilton, the general public is forbidden from taking the following activities:

  • Camping in the Open Pond Recreation Area in the Conecuh Ranger District for more than 14 days during any 30 day period. In order to calculate the 14-day limitation the day on which an individual camper is in the Open Pond Recreation Area is the first day of the 30 days, no matter time of arrival. Once the camper has been in of the Open Pond Recreation Area for the total of 14 days during a 30 days then the camper must depart in the Open Pond Recreation Area before returning and setting up camp again.
  • The parking or the leaving of a car in contravention of posted signs.
  • Park or leave a car in a parking area at the camp of one’s own unit.
  • Possessing, parking or parking at least two cars, with the exception of bikes or motorcycles, per camping unit.
  • The Open Pond Recreation Area between 10:00 p.m. until 6 a.m. (except when a person is who is camping or visiting someone camping.


The following individuals are exempted from the rule:


  • People who have a permit specifically authorizing an act or the omission.
  • Any Federal, State or local official or member of an organized firefighting or rescue team in the execution of an official obligation.
  • The prohibitions listed go beyond the general prohibitions.


The Forest Order (rule) is in effect for two years unless it is terminated earlier with the approval of an approved Forest Service official.

For further questions on the order or prohibited acts, you should get in touch with Forest Service Law Enforcement Patrol Captain Eric Wiley at leon.wiley@usda.gov or 334-241-8157.

The story USDA sets a camping limit in Conecuh Forest’s Open Pond appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.