The Wayne National Forest in Ohio has announced that its next recreation season will begin on April 7. The Forest will be welcoming riders of horses, mountain bikes, and off-highway vehicles back to its designated trail systems. The campgrounds will open the following week on April 14.
Lee Stewart, forest supervisor of Wayne National Forest, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season and encouraged visitors to get outdoors and safely explore the national forest. With over 400 miles of trails, ten campgrounds, picnic areas and more to explore, visitors can look forward to a fun-filled season of outdoor activities.
Off-highway vehicle riders can purchase seasonal trail passes online through pay.gov, as well as from participating vendors and district office buildings.
Seasonal passes cost $35, while a three-day pass costs $20. Trail passes are not required for riding horses or mountain bikes, and hiking is allowed year-round on all Wayne National Forest trails for free.
The 244,000-acre Wayne National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the country’s 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Its public lands contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year and provide 20 percent of the country’s clean water supply.
For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/wayne. The Forest Service invites everyone to come visit the national forest this year, get outside, connect with nature and have fun.
The opening of the Wayne National Forest recreation season on April 7 and the subsequent opening of campgrounds on April 14 can possibly attract a significant number of visitors during the recreation season.
Therefore, nearby private campgrounds and recreation facilities can also benefit from increased foot traffic and tourism.
The opening of the forest’s trail systems and campgrounds provides an opportunity for visitors to engage in various outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and off-highway vehicle riding, which can attract even more visitors to the area.
This can result in increased business for nearby private campgrounds and recreation facilities, leading to a boost in their revenue.
Furthermore, the presence of nearby private campgrounds and recreation facilities can provide visitors with additional options for accommodations and activities outside of the forest.
Visitors can use these facilities as a base camp to explore the forest and its offerings, which can further increase tourism in the area.
Are you getting ready for the Wayne National Forest recreation season starting on April 7? Don’t forget to check out the official Forest Service websites for any updates or specific rules for your planned activities. And hey, if you’re exploring the forest, remember to think about sustainable practices like Leave No Trace principles. Let’s help keep this place beautiful for generations to come!