(a) Backcountry camping. For purposes of clarification at Shenandoah National Park, “backcountry camping” is defined as any use of portable shelter or sleeping equipment in the backcountry. “Backcountry” is defined as those areas of the park which are more than 250 yards from a paved road, and more than one-half mile from any park facilities other than trails, unpaved roads and trail shelters. The Superintendent may designate areas where backcountry camping is prohibited if there would be potential damage to park resources or disruption to other park uses. Such areas will be marked on maps available in the Superintendent's office, visitor centers and ranger stations. A person or group of persons may camp overnight at any other backcountry location within the park, except:

(1) No person or group of persons traveling together may camp without a valid backcountry camping permit. The issuance of this permit may be denied when such action is necessary to protect park resources or park visitors, or to regulate levels of visitor use in legislatively-designated wilderness areas;

(2) No person may camp in or with a group of more than nine (9) other persons;

(3) No person or group may backcountry camp:

(i) Within 250 yards or in view from any paved park road or the park boundary;

(ii) Within one-half mile or in view from any automobile campground, lodge, restaurant, visitor center, picnic area, ranger station, administrative or maintenance area, or other park development or facility except a trail, an unpaved road or a trail shelter;

(iii) On or in view from any trail or unpaved road, or within sight of any sign which has been posted by park authorities to designate a no camping area;

(iv) Within view of another camping party, or inside or within view from a trail shelter: Provided, however, That backcountry campers may seek shelter and sleep within or adjacent to a trail shelter with other camping groups, during periods of severely unseasonable weather when the protection and amenities of such shelter are deemed essential;

(v) Within 25 feet of any stream; and

(4) No person shall backcountry camp more than two (2) consecutive nights at a single location. The term “location” shall mean that particular campsite and the surrounding area within a two hundred fifty (250) yard radius of that campsite.

(b) Powerless flight. The use of devices designed to carry persons through the air in powerless flight is allowed at times and locations designated by the superintendent, pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit.

(c) Sanitation.

(1) The possession of food or beverage in discardable glass containers is prohibited in the backcountry.

(2) Except in comfort facilities provided therefor, no person in the backcountry shall urinate or defecate within ten (10) yards of any stream, trail, unpaved road or park facility. Fecal material must be placed in a hole and be covered with not less than three (3) inches of soil.

[24 FR 11041, Dec. 30, 1959, as amended at 28 FR 1797, Feb. 27, 1963; 32 FR 17661, Dec. 12, 1967; 39 FR 9964, Mar. 15, 1974; 48 FR 30294, June 30, 1983; 49 FR 18450, Apr. 30, 1984; 52 FR 10686, Apr. 2, 1987; 52 FR 19345, May 22, 1987; 63 FR 13343, Mar. 19, 1998]