The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

USFS offers fee-free day

On Martin Luther King Day

January 15, 2013

The U.S. Forest Service joins other federal agencies in offering fee-free days on public lands in 2013, beginning Jan. 21 in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

That day marks the first of four fee-free days the Forest Service is offering the public in 2013.

"Your national forests and grasslands are a bargain any day of the year, but even more so on fee-free days," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "Whether you stay for a few hours or a few days, your public lands are some of the best travel bargains in the nation."

Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. This includes opportunities such as camping and picnicking.

"Fee-free days are an ideal time to recapture your youth by taking your family to the outdoors," said Robin Morgan, deputy director of the agency's Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources. "More importantly, it's an ideal time to introduce the young people in your life to an exceptional experience they'll remember forever."

Forest Service lands, which include 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, offer something for everyone, from the casual hiker to the thrill-seeking recreationist. There also are opportunities and programs for children, from Discover the Forest to becoming a Junior Snow Ranger and more.

The 2013 fee-free days the Forest Service will participate in are:

Jan. 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

June 8, National Get Outdoors Day

Sept. 28, National Public Lands Day

Nov. 9-11, Veterans Day Weekend