Would this be considered illegal?

Question

Okay, my bio class is constructing a river aquarium and we need some pretty large-sized rocks to go in the aquarium. I just happen to live like five minutes from the Ocoee Whitewater Center, which is the only place that I can think of where rocks of the size that I need are available. Since the Center is on Cherokee National Forest land, would it be illegal to take these said rocks?

Answer 1

Find out who is in charge (locally?) and ask permission.  Offer to return them and be sure they know that you are interested in conservation.  Asking never hurts.

Answer 2

Only a problem from National Parks and state parks. Should be OK.

Answer 3

Technically yes, you are supposed to leave the area as you found it and not take any materials from the park (this is so the next person sees the park in as pretty a condition as you get to see it).  As public property, we all "own" the park, and as such it can't be used by one individual to the exclusion of others.  If you encountered a park ranger they would likely have some questions for you.  As suggested by "Kes" it would be best to ask first.  You might also look somewhere else for rocks to use, there is quite a bit of the Ocoee and Hiwassee outside of Cherokee National Forest.  On the other hand, no one will likely care much if you carry off a couple of rocks to use at school.  As an alternative, I have seen lots of these round river rocks being sold at places around East Tennessee that sell stones, granite, etc.  They aren't very expensive, and if all you want is a couple of them, they might just give them to you.