Recreation Fees Waived For Vets on Veterans Day

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.

Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Beginning this year, U.S. veterans, members of the U.S. armed forces and their families will have the opportunity to visit recreation sites for free across public lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture on Veterans Day.

The new policy honoring those who served their country was announced recently by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. Veterans Day is Saturday, Nov. 11th.

The administrative fee waiver of recreation-use fees will apply annually on Veterans Day at public recreation lands managed by the USDA Forest Service, as well as by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

"Encouraging our veterans to visit their public lands not only honors those who have served their country,” said USDA Forest Service Fee Coordinator Jocelyn Biro, “it helps connect them with the national treasures that are so much a part of America.”

Federal agencies are authorized to charge standard recreation use fees, commonly known as day-use fees, at recreation sites in the Northwest.

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.