Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 58-32-2 - Rules Governing Public Use of Campgrounds in State Parks and State Forests under the Division of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Section2.1. A campsite may not be occupied until the rental fee for the site has been paid. A campsite is considered reserved when the rental fee for the site has been paid. Rental fees may be paid online, by phone, or in person at the campground check-in station or park office. Registered occupants of a reserved campsite are considered registered campers.2.2. A person who is 18 years of age or older must be at each rented campsite and is responsible for the actions and safety of all campsite occupants and shall be held liable for any damages caused by campsite occupants.2.3. No person may camp in any manner in any state park or state forest, except at numbered sites in areas designated for camping. Campground facilities are for the use of registered campers only, except that the area superintendent, at his or her discretion, may designate times during which cabin guests are permitted use of campground laundry facilities during periods of low use by campers.2.4. The rental period for any campsite may not exceed 14 consecutive nights. Occupancy of a campsite may not be extended beyond 14 consecutive nights by a rental fee being paid by any additional campsite occupant; except that, after Labor Day until May 1st of the following year, the area superintendent, at his or her discretion, may rent campsites for longer periods when vacant campsites are available. Following a rental period exceeding 14 consecutive nights, the area superintendent, at his or her discretion, may request the camper or campers move to another campsite for purposes of conservation and maintenance of the first rental site.2.5. No more than two motor vehicles are permitted on a campsite at any time. No more than one camping unit (tent, trailer, motor home, camper van, etc.) is permitted on a campsite: Provided, That a family camping group, at the discretion of the area superintendent, may be permitted to have one or two small tents on its campsite in addition to the main camping unit: Provided,however, That the additional units may not be ecologically detrimental to the campsite. For purposes of this section, a family is defined as parents or guardians and their dependent children. 2.5.1. Group campsites are exempt from the motor vehicle and camping unit restrictions in section 2.5. of this rule. Area superintendents, at their discretion, may establish motor vehicle and camping unit use restrictions for group campsites under their authority.2.6. Campsites shall be vacated by 12:00 noon on the day the campsite rental 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, at water pumps, in comfort stations, in bathhouses, or in 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 from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Generators may not be operated during quiet hours.2.12. Use of motorbikes is prohibited within camping areas, except for travel to and from a campsite. Use of bicycles in camping areas after dark is prohibited, except bicycles equipped with lights on both the front and rear may be ridden in camping areas after dark, provided the front and rear lights are on while 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 50 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 state parks and state forests and the South Charleston Parks and Recreation office.2.14. Any person may be evicted from a state park or state forest for any violation of this rule. All rental fees are forfeited upon eviction.