Forest Service, BLM to waive recreation fees on Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The U.S. Forest Service will waive most fees for day-use sites on national forests in Washington and Oregon on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Bureau of Land Management will have a fee-free day as well.

This initiative is part of the recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a National Day of Service and is aimed at encouraging Americans to engage in volunteer service and enjoy the natural beauty of their public lands.

The fee waiver includes many Forest Service picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads, and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals, or other permits still apply, and fees will continue to be charged at day-use fee sites operated by concessionaires, unless individual managers choose to participate.

“In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, we invite the public to visit their National Forests,” said Sally Butts, Director of Recreation, Lands, and Minerals, for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. “This day can inspire each of us to make meaningful contributions in caring for our natural resources and appreciate how ‘all life is interrelated’ as Dr. King so wisely stated.”

Across the Pacific Northwest, volunteers serve a critical role in helping the Forest Service manage public lands. Volunteering on public lands is a great way to support your community and answer Dr. King’s call to service. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/jobs/volunteer.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the first fee-free day for the USDA Forest Service in 2024. The Forest Service offers several fee-free days throughout the year to encourage Americans to explore the outdoors and visit their public lands. The remaining 2024 fee-free days include National Get Outdoors Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.

For more information on fee-free days and recreation passes, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits.

The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service manages millions of acres of land across Washington and Oregon including over 2,400 developed recreation sites, more than 24,000 miles of trails, 51 Wild and Scenic Rivers, and two national monuments. Visitors are encouraged to check their local forest or public land websites for specific information on recreation opportunities, trails, safety guidelines, and any additional regulations.

In alignment with the Forest Service's commitment to environmental stewardship, visitors are urged to adhere to Leave No Trace principles during their outdoor adventures. By respecting the environment and minimizing our impact, we can collectively preserve the natural beauty of these remarkable landscapes for future generations.

Bureau of Land Management fee-free day recognizes the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Bureau of Land Management Ore. & Wash. - 01/09/24 12:48 PM

Portland, Ore. — The new year is upon us! Welcome 2024 with a fee-free visit to your public lands. The Bureau of Land Management is waiving recreation standard amenity and day-use fees on Jan. 15, in honor of the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day takes place on the third Monday in January and recognizes Dr. King’s service and leadership in the civil rights movement. 

“For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and every day, we are committed to make public lands access more equitable for all,” said Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon-Washington State Director.

Within Oregon and Washington, most access to recreate on BLM OR/WA public lands is free. The BLM’s standard amenity day-use fees will be waived at the following locations: 

• Alsea Falls Recreation Site
• Hyatt Lake Recreation Area
• Gerber Recreation Area
• Sandy Ridge Trail System
• Shotgun Creek Recreation Site
• Spring Recreation Site
• Wildwood Recreation Site
• Yakima River Canyon
• Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

The standard amenity fee waiver does not apply to any expanded amenity fees for overnight camping, group day-use, cabin rentals, or individual Special Recreation Permit fees along permitted rivers. Please contact your local BLM office with questions about a recreation site you are interested in visiting.

Winter weather recreation requires more preparation to stay safe. Check with your local BLM office to learn about current conditions and road closures.  Remember to always pack the 10 essentials: navigation tools (map, GPS, personal locator beacon), headlamp, sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen for snow glare), first aid kit, knife/gear repair kit, fire essentials (fire starter, matches, lighter), shelter (i.e., an emergency survival blanket), extra food, extra water (beyond the minimum expectation), and extra clothes (layers).

This is the first of five fee-free days to encourage recreation opportunities on public lands. Other 2024 fee-free days are June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day), July 16 (the BLM's birthday), September 28 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).

For more information about the BLM’s recreation opportunities, visit https://www.blm.gov/visit. Remember to always Recreate Responsibly and leave your public lands cleaner than you found them by practicing Leave No Trace.

-BLM- 

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.