Forest Service honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Springfield, Ore., Jan. 12, 2023. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will waive fees at day-use recreation sites in Oregon and Washington on Monday, Jan. 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Willamette National Forest welcomes the public to enjoy a fee

Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a National Day of Service in 1994 in recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans. The Forest Service honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a fee-free day to encourage Americans to get outside and visit their public lands.

Additionally, the Forest Service offers several other fee‐free days annually to encourage visitors to get outside and enjoy their public lands.

The fee-free days for 2023 are:

•                     Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Jan. 16, 2023

•                     President’s Day: Feb. 20, 2023

•                     National Get Outdoors Day: June 10, 2023

•                     National Public Lands Day: Sept. 23, 2023

•                     Veterans Day: Nov. 11, 2023

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. Fees will continue to be charged at recreation sites operated by concessionaires unless the individual manager chooses to participate.

Recreate responsibly. While winter can be a wonderful time to visit your national forests, planning and caution are critical to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. If you are not familiar with the 10 Outdoor Essentials, the seven principles of Leave No Trace, or Smokey Bear’s fire prevention tips, now is a good time to review these responsible recreation basics and the Recreate Responsibly guidelines. You can help sustain our National Forest by doing your part in packing out everything you pack in.

Visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/willamette, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @willamettenf for the latest updates.

 

 

 

Leslie W. Garcia (She/Her/Ella)
Public Affairs Specialist

Forest Service

Willamette National Forest

Cell: (458)209-7288
[email protected]

3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D
Springfield, OR 97477
www.fs.fed.us

Caring for the land and serving people