U.S. Forest Service adds June 6 fee‑free day

The U.S. Forest Service has added Saturday, June 6, 2026, as an extra fee-free recreation day across national forests and grasslands to coincide with National Trails Day, the agency said in a May 13 release. The waiver applies to standard amenity recreation sites, which generally covers day-use areas and trail access on Forest Service land. (fs.usda.gov) The move adds one more free-access date to the agency’s 2026 calendar. The agency said the day is meant to pair free entry with volunteer trail work, cleanups and public events tied to National Trails Day. ### Which Forest Service fees are actually being waived on June 6? June 6 is a fee-free day only for standard amenity recreation fees on National Forest System lands, according to the Forest Service. (fs.usda.gov) That means visitors can use covered day-use recreation sites at no charge on that date. The Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands said the waiver does not cover expanded amenity fees, concessionaire charges, reservation fees, special recreation permit fees or other third-party costs unless those are separately authorized. In practice, that means campgrounds, cabins, timed reservations, outfitter-related charges or permit-based activities may still carry costs even on the fee-free day. (fs.usda.gov) ### Why did the agency add a new free day instead of using the usual calendar? National Trails Day falls on June 6, 2026, the first Saturday in June, and the Forest Service said it added the date specifically to celebrate that event. The agency said National Trails Day was established by the American Hiking Society in 1993 and is held annually to bring together land managers, volunteers and partners for trail stewardship. (fs.usda.gov) Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said the department wanted Americans to visit national forests “free of charge” on National Trails Day and reconnect with public lands. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said the agency hoped people would use the day either to volunteer at trailheads, pick up trash, join nature walks or take advantage of the waived fees. (fs.usda.gov) ### How big is the Forest Service trail system this applies to? The Forest Service said it manages more than 165,000 miles of trails, which it described as the largest public trail system in the United States. The agency said those trailheads are located in nearly every state and support uses including hiking, biking, ATV riding, horseback riding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. (fs.usda.gov) In 2025, volunteers and partners accounted for more than 60% of all trail maintenance accomplishments, or nearly 26,000 miles, the agency said. Schultz said National Trails Day events in 2025 included 80 events, among them 54 stewardship projects involving more than 3,100 volunteers who maintained 173 miles of trail. (fs.usda.gov) ### What kinds of events are being planned for June 6? June 6 events already posted by Forest Service units include volunteer workdays, trash cleanups and other stewardship activities. The Pike-San Isabel system in Colorado said its schedule includes cleanup work on Old Stage and Gold Camp roads, a volunteer workday at Devils Playground Trailhead and another at Captain Jacks Trailhead. (fs.usda.gov) The Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan lists June 6 as an all-day National Trails Day event and directs visitors to find a local event and take the National Trails Day pledge. The Forest Service has also encouraged visitors to leave trails better than they found them. (fs.usda.gov) ### Where should visitors check before heading out? The Forest Service said visitors should check its passes-and-permits information for the full 2026 fee-free-day calendar and site-specific details. Local forest pages are also posting June 6 event schedules, meeting points and participation requirements, including age minimums and equipment needs for some volunteer projects. (fs.usda.gov) Saturday, June 6, is the next key date. The Forest Service and participating local units are expected to keep updating event pages ahead of National Trails Day with final logistics, contacts and any reservation or permit exceptions. (fs.usda.gov 1) (fs.usda.gov 2)