US Forest Service Announces 2011 Fee Waiver Dates

The U.S. Forest Service announced they will be waiving day-use fees associated with many recreation sites or amenities in national forests nationwide on several days this year.

“The Forest Service waives fees every year to encourage more Americans to get outdoors and experience the wide array of recreation opportunities provided on our forests and grasslands,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.

This year’s fee waiver dates are as follows:

1.National Get Outdoors Day – June 11
2.National Public Lands Day – September 25
3.Veterans’ Day Weekend – November 11-13

Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the Forest Service for these listed dates. Concessionaire-operated, day-use sites may be included in the waiver if the permit holder wishes to participate.

Fees are not charged for 98 percent of national forest and grasslands. More than two-thirds of developed recreation sites can be used for free. The Forest Service operates approximately 18,000 recreation sites nationwide, many including day-use areas, picnic and shelter sites, beach and lake areas, boat launches, trails and trailheads, and campsites and cabins.

To assist with travel planning, the agency has posted a special interactive map on its website that locates national forest sites within a certain radius of a chosen location. Users can type in their location and adjust the radius to suit their travel plans.

Campsites and locations that are reserved online will not be included in the fee waiver. Contact your nearest national forest or grassland for local details.

For more information on the Forest Service’s recreation fee program and how these funds are used, click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com