Camp, fish for free on two Saturdays in June

State parks throughout Oregon invite the public to camp and play for free the weekend of June 6-7 in celebration of State Parks Day and Free Fishing Weekend.

Camping is free the night of June 6 in traditional sites–full hookup (sewer, electricity and water), electrical hookup (electricity and water), and tent sites. Yurts, cabins and tepees are available at regular price. Parking will also be free June 6-7 at the 26 parks that charge a day-use parking fee.

Campsite reservations may be made by calling 800-452-5687 before 5 p.m. June 5. Or, reserve online at http://www.oregonstateparks.org/

Of the 52 state park campgrounds, 40 take reservations.

“State Parks Day is our chance to say ‘thank you’ to our visitors,” said Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Richard Walkoski. “Free camping and day use on the first Saturday in June has become a big tradition for visitors– and for our staff.”

Visitors will also be able to fish, crab and clam without a license June 6-7 for Oregon’s Free Fishing Weekend, hosted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). ODFW will provide the gear, bait and instructions at some state parks, including Champoeg, Detroit Lake, Jessie Honeyman and parks in the Columbia River Gorge. All events are listed at dfw.state.or.us/education/angling/free_fishing.

Campers and visitors are encouraged to submit Instagram photos of their park adventures throughout the weekend and this summer with #InventAdventure.

The Oregon State Legislature established Oregon State Parks Day in 1997 to focus public attention on Oregon’s state park system. The event is always the first Saturday in June.

Parks throughout the state will host activities including guided hikes, open houses, tours, special barbecues and guest appearances by J.R. Beaver, Oregon’s State Park mascot.

Silver Falls State Park east of Salem will host a free barbecue, guided waterfall tour and its annual Foot Race Challenge, with a 5K, 6-mile and kids race. Stub Stewart State Park west of Portland will offer a free lunch at the Hilltop Day-Use Area, along with a guided hike, bike ride and orienting workshop.

For a complete list of events, go to oregonstateparks.org and click on “Things to Do.”

Meanwhile, the public may visit many federal recreation day-use sites on two Saturdays in June without paying a fee. These fee waivers acknowledge National Trails Day June 6 and National Get Outdoors Day June 13.

These are two of six such fee-free days offered by the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service during 2015.

The first fee-free day encourages people to hike on their National Forest trails Saturday, June 6, and to volunteer to help keep them maintained and enjoyable for everyone – visit www.americanhiking.org/ntd-events for volunteer opportunities.

On Saturday, June 13, Americans are urged to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful legacy of their public lands. See www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org for events and opportunities.

This fee waiver applies to day-use fees at U.S. Forest Service recreation sites in 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.

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.

Visitors to national forests will not pay fees on the following dates in 2015:
— National Trails Day – June 6.
— National Get Outdoors Day – June 13.
— National Public Lands Day – Sept. 26.
–Veterans Day – Nov. 11.