U.S. Forest Service offers fee-free days in 2018

The U.S. Forest Service will waive fees at day-use recreation sites in Oregon and Washington on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“Our fee-free days touch on every season and serve as an enticement to new and repeat visitors to come out and enjoy their national forests,” said Jim Peña, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester. “These public lands offer rich experiences for everyone, from the avid sportsman to the casual hiker or nature observer.”

This fee waiver includes many picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads, and visitor centers. Concession operations will continue to charge fees unless the permit holder wishes to participate. Fees for camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions, or other permits still apply. The fee waiver does not apply to SnoParks although they might be located on national public lands. The SnoPark permit program is sponsored by the States of Oregon and Washington.

The Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region manages more than 2,400 developed recreation sites, over 24,000 miles of trails, 51 Wild and Scenic Rivers, and two national monuments. No fees are charged at any time on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of Forest Service developed recreation sites can be used for free. To find a recreation site near you, visit the Forest Service’s interactive recreation map.

Mark your calendars for the following Forest Service fee-free days in 2018:

Jan. 15, 2018: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb. 19, 2018: President’s Day
June 2, 2018: National Trails Day
June 9, 2018: National Get Outdoors Day
Sept. 22, 2018: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 11 – 12, 2018: Veterans Day Weekend

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