USFS and BLM waiving day use fees for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, both the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management will be waiving day use fees at various recreation areas across Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest. As written in the U.S. Forest Service Release:
“The Forest Service will waive most fees for day-use sites on national forests in Washington and Oregon on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
This initiative is part of the recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a National Day of Service and is aimed at encouraging Americans to engage in volunteer service and enjoy the natural beauty of their public lands.
The fee waiver includes many Forest Service picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads, and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals, or other permits still apply, and fees will continue to be charged at day-use fee sites operated by concessionaires, unless individual managers choose to participate.
Across the Pacific Northwest, volunteers serve a critical role in helping the Forest Service manage public lands. Volunteering on public lands is a great way to support your community and answer Dr. King’s call to service. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/jobs/volunteer.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the first fee-free day for the USDA Forest Service in 2024. The Forest Service offers several fee-free days throughout the year to encourage Americans to explore the outdoors and visit their public lands. The remaining 2024 fee-free days include National Get Outdoors Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.”
The Bureau of Land Management will specifically be waiving fees at nine recreation sites across Oregon. Within Eastern Oregon, this includes the Spring Recreation Site just north of Huntington. As further written in BLM’s own release:
“The standard amenity fee waiver does not apply to any expanded amenity fees for overnight camping, group day-use, cabin rentals, or individual Special Recreation Permit fees along permitted rivers. Please contact your local BLM office with questions about a recreation site you are interested in visiting.
Winter weather recreation requires more preparation to stay safe. Check with your local BLM office to learn about current conditions and road closures. Remember to always pack the 10 essentials: navigation tools (map, GPS, personal locator beacon), headlamp, sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen for snow glare), first aid kit, knife/gear repair kit, fire essentials (fire starter, matches, lighter), shelter (i.e., an emergency survival blanket), extra food, extra water (beyond the minimum expectation), and extra clothes (layers).
This is the first of five fee-free days to encourage recreation opportunities on public lands. Other 2024 fee-free days are June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day), July 16 (the BLM’s birthday), September 28 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). For more information about the BLM’s recreation opportunities, visit https://www.blm.gov/visit. Remember to always Recreate Responsibly and
