Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 12 - AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Sub-Agency 020 - DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION › Chapter 009 - VISITOR CONDUCT AND FEES AND CHARGES FOR STATE PARK SERVICES AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES ON DEPARTMENT LANDS › Section 12 020 009 - VISITOR CONDUCT AND FEES AND CHARGES FOR STATE PARK SERVICES AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES ON DEPARTMENT LANDS

Current through June, 2024
DEFINITION: Operating Season: When visitor fees are being
				  collected.
I. GENERAL VISITOR CONDUCT
(Applies to all Department lands, except where noted)
1. Posting bills without the permission of
				authorized personnel, cutting, peeling, defacing, writing upon or destroying or
				damaging any building, sign, plant, rock or other natural or manmade structure
				or object is prohibited.
2. No
				plant may be uprooted or cut without a special written permit from the
				Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation or their designee except wild
				berries, fruits, seeds, nuts, or mushrooms may be collected only for personal
				use at the risk of the collector. Commercial harvesting of such items for
				profit is allowed only with a special written permit from the Commissioner of
				Forests, Parks and Recreation or their designee.
3. Removal of any earth material, including
				but not limited to rock, sand, gravel, topsoil and minerals, is allowed only
				with a special written permit from the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and
				Recreation or their designee. Exempt from this requirement is the personal
				collection of small stones for educational or hobby collecting purposes unless
				the stones contain fossils or are otherwise historically significant.
4. Animals, other than species taken legally
				according to Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife laws and regulations, may
				not be collected without a special written permit from the Commissioners of
				Forests, Parks and Recreation and Fish and Wildlife or their designees and/or
				the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Animals" include mammals, birds, reptiles,
				amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
5. The feeding of wildlife in State Parks by
				visitors is prohibited.
6. The use
				of metal detectors is permitted only in areas designated by the Commissioner of
				Forests, Parks and Recreation and when their use does not conflict with other
				visitors to Department lands, or disturb lawn areas, rare or fragile plant or
				animal habitats or archeologically sensitive areas. Users must report to
				authorized personnel before using a metal detector. Probing in permitted areas
				may be done only with a small hand tool to a maximum depth of three (3) inches.
				Any artifacts which may have historical or archeological significance are the
				property of the State of Vermont and shall be surrendered immediately to
				authorized personnel. All disturbed areas must be restored to their original
				state. Use of metal detectors is prohibited in areas of obvious historic
				significance, e.g., cellar holes, stonewalls, etc.
7. The use of mechanical techniques for gold
				panning is prohibited. Gold panning is permitted only by traditional hand
				panning technique.
8. Glass
				containers or other materials which may pose a hazard to swimmers are not
				allowed in pools, beaches or other swimming areas.
9. All refuse and separated recyclables shall
				be placed in containers provided for that purpose. In remote camping and day
				use areas, waste and rubbish must be carried out and disposed of at proper
				locations.
10. Alcoholic beverages
				in bulk containers (larger than 1 gallon or 4 liters) are prohibited in State
				Parks except day use areas when served to an organized group by an individual
				possessing the appropriate license.
11. In situations when alcoholic beverages
				are being consumed or when otherwise appropriate, the park manager or park
				staff may require legal identification and proof of age.
12. Children under the age of 14 must be
				supervised by an adult, while visiting the State Parks.
13. Swimming is encouraged only in designated
				areas. Persons who swim in areas without lifeguard protection, or when a
				lifeguard is not on duty, do so at their own risk.
14. There is no fishing in marked, designated
				State Park swimming areas during the operating season.
15. Using soap is not allowed in any surface
				waters in, or adjacent to, State Parks.
16. Chainsaws may not be used in State Parks
				by visitors.
17. Aircraft are not
				allowed in State Parks and Forests facilities without the written approval of
				the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation except in an
				emergency.
18. Disorderly conduct
				is prohibited (per 13.V.S.A. § 1026) .
19. Urinating, defecating or disposing of
				human waste shall be in facilities designated for that purpose.
20. Smoking of tobacco is prohibited in
				designated Smoke Free areas of state parks and forests. Smoke Free areas shall
				be established by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation on a site
				by site basis to protect the health and well being of nonsmoking park and
				forest visitors. Smoke Free areas shall include, but not be limited to
				playgrounds and intensively used day use areas such as busy beaches and picnic
				areas.
I.a. Vehicle Use.
1. The maximum speed limit on State Parks and
				Forests roads is 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.
2. Recreational use of mountain bicycles and
				motorized all terrain vehicles shall be permitted only on roads and trails
				designated for such use.
3. Parking
				is allowed only in designated areas or as directed by park or forestry staff.
				Violators may be towed at owner's expense.
I.b. Fires and Firearms.
1. In developed State Parks areas, fires are
				allowed only in fire rings, fireplaces or charcoal grills at designated picnic
				and camping areas. All fires must be attended and under control at all
				times.
2. No firecrackers or other
				explosive devices, firearms, air rifles or pistols, gas weapons, slingshots,
				crossbows, bow and arrows except by special permit shall be discharged in any
				developed recreation area during the park operating season. No firearm shall be
				discharged within 500 feet of any occupied building or structure in any park or
				recreation area.
I.c.
				Pets.
1. Visitors may bring domesticated or
				trained animals to designated campgrounds and day use areas provided they are
				safely confined or securely restrained on a leash not longer than 10 feet at
				all times. No animals will be allowed in certain day-use areas including
				parking lots, beaches, pools, picnic areas and playgrounds. EXCEPTION:
				Dogs/animals to assist people with disabilities and Police Canine Corps dogs
				are allowed in any public area of the park, if under leash or harness control
				of an owner or handler.
2. Pet
				owners are required to repair damage caused by their animals including digging
				and defecation in developed areas.