Alcohol Now OK in Maryland State Forests

Dept. of Natural Resources amends alcohol policy

And just in time for the Memorial Day weekend…

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has reversed its total ban on alcoholic beverages.  Alcohol is now permitted at state forest campsites.
 
DNR Secretary John Griffin said the change of heart was in response to criticism from citizens, beverage retailers and other tourism-related businesses in the state who weighed in on the ban, which went into effect in November.
 
“They persuaded us that many of the disruptive and unacceptable behaviors which formed the basis of the alcohol policy in the family-style campgrounds found in State Parks do not apply to the same degree in the more isolated individual campsites found in the remote settings in our state forests,” Griffin said.
 
However, before you get too excited, alcohol is still a “no no” in Maryland state parks -- including family campgrounds.
 
The department warned it will continue to keep an eye on the number of alcohol-related incidents.   If people “act a fool” and the incidents increase, the restrictions may return. 
 

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