USFS: Most day-use fees waived on Presidents’ Day

Day-use fees at most U.S. Forest Service recreation sites will be waived on Monday, February 16, to celebrate Presidents’ Day.

The fee-free day honors our presidents who served this country throughout time – through the depression, wars, economic hardship, designation of forest reserves, and more.

The administrative fee waiver of recreation-use fees applies annually on Presidents Day at public recreation lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

“Honoring our presidents by waiving day-use fees is one way to recognize the contributions of those Americans who have served their country,” said U.S. Forest Service Fee Coordinator Jocelyn Biro. “We hope that individuals will take this opportunity to visit public lands and reflect on those presidents that helped protect and preserve them.”

Federal agencies are authorized to charge standard amenity fees, commonly known as day-use fees, at recreation sites in the Northwest. Most of those fees help maintain the sites on which the fees are collected.

This fee waiver applies to day-use fees at Forest Service recreation sites across Oregon and Washington. This 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 will not be waived.

For more information on specific fee sites, call your local national forest or visit their website through http://www.fs.fed.us/