2026 Forest Service Recreation Area Free Days

Wahclella Falls, Columbia River Scenic Area

Get free entrance to Forest Service recreation areas on nine holidays in 2026. Forest Service recreation area free days include recreation sites and trailheads in Oregon and Washington, such as the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest and 14 more.

These sites usually require a $30 annual Northwest Forest Pass, or a $5 day-use fee. Also, annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes cover these recreation areas.  

Go on a free adventure during Forest Service recreation area free days on these select dates:

2026 Forest Service Recreation Area Free Days

Fees are waived at Forest Service-managed day use sites on the following days:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19, 2026

Presidents Day: February 16, 2026

Memorial Day: May 25, 2026

National Get Outdoors Day: June 13, 2026

Independence Day: July 4. 2026

Constitution Day: September 17, 2026

National Public Lands Day: September 26, 2026

Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday: October 27, 2026

Veterans Day: November 11, 2026

Recreation Areas

Here are the areas where day use fees are charged. All of these national forest and scenic areas include multiple trailheads. 

• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
• Colville National Forest
• Deschutes National Forest
• Fremont-Winema National Forests
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Mount St. Helens)
• Malheur National Forest (no day use fees charged)
• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
• Mt. Hood National Forest
• Ochoco National Forest (no day use fees charged)
• Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests
• Olympic National Forest
• Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (no day use fees charged)
• Siuslaw National Forest
• Umatilla National Forest
• Umpqua National Forest
• Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
• Willamette National Forest

View all of the trails and choose your adventure on the Forest Service’s website.

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