WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Forest Service will waive standard amenity recreation fees at national forests and grasslands on June 6 as part of an added 2026 fee-free day tied to National Trails Day, a move aimed at encouraging public access and volunteer participation across the federal trail system.
The agency stated the fee waiver will apply to all standard amenity recreation sites on National Forest System lands.
National Trails Day, established by the American Hiking Society in 1993, is held annually on the first Saturday in June and focuses on trail stewardship, volunteer maintenance projects and outdoor recreation.
“We are so excited to invite Americans to visit our national forests free of charge on National Trails Day and view the beauty of our nation in person,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated. “We hope families and friends can come together and celebrate this special day and reconnect with our nation’s spirit in this positive setting and learn more about our amazing forest landscapes.”
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz pointed to last year’s volunteer participation levels as the agency seeks broader public involvement in trail maintenance and stewardship efforts.
“For National Trails Day in 2025, Forest Service trail managers, partners, and volunteers hosted 80 events, including 54 stewardship projects, engaging with more than 3,100 volunteers who maintained 173 miles of trail,” Schultz stated.
The Forest Service manages more than 165,000 miles of trails nationwide, making it the country’s largest public trail system. According to the agency, volunteers and partner organizations completed nearly 26,000 miles of trail maintenance work in 2025, accounting for more than 60% of total maintenance accomplishments.
For all 2026 fee-free days on National Forest System lands, visit www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits.
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