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.

“In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, we invite the public to visit their National Forests,” said Sally Butts, Director of Recreation, Lands, and Minerals, for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. “This day can inspire each of us to make meaningful contributions in caring for our natural resources and appreciate how ‘all life is interrelated’ as Dr. King so wisely stated.”

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.

For more information on fee-free days and recreation passes, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits.