Two free days on national forest sites

The U.S. Forest Service is celebrating the outdoors in June by waiving fees at all National Forest-operated recreation day-use fee sites.

The two days are: June 1 – National Trails Day

June 8 – National Get Outdoors Day

These sites normally require a $5 fee per vehicle or recreation pass, such as the Northwest Forest Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Golden Age, or Golden Access Passport.

On the annual National Trails Day, people can join the celebration by enjoying a hike at a favorite trail without paying a day-use fee or by participating in a planned volunteer activity such as a trail work project or dedication.

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.

There are more than a thousand National Trails Day events planned across the country. For more information or to find an event near you, visit http://www.americanhiking.org/

National Get Outdoors Day activities can be found at www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/locations/

Revenue from recreation fees are used to maintain the facilities and services associated with trails and other outdoor recreation sites. To see how these funds were used, please visit the Forest Service website at: www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/accomplishments

Upcoming Free Days include:

September 28 – National Public Lands Day

November 9-11 – Veterans Day