Campton, NH – In celebration of National Public Lands Day, the USDA Forest Service will offer
free access to national forests and grasslands across the country on September 27. National
Public Lands Day offers everyone the chance to participate in the preservation and care of the
lands that connect us, inspire us and shape our sense of belonging.
Volunteer efforts help ensure these cherished areas remain vibrant, healthy and accessible for
generations to come. For more information about volunteering and volunteer opportunities on
the White Mountain National Forest, visit our website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/working-with-us/volunteers
National Public Lands Day is also designated as a Fee-Free Day. On these special fee-free days,
standard amenity fees are waived for day use sites — like picnic areas and developed trailheads.
Some exceptions apply.
About 95% of national forest land can be enjoyed fee-free, year-round. Where fees are assessed,
at least 80% of these funds are reinvested at the collection site, to provide needed maintenance
and services or pay for future improvements.
For more information about interagency passes, visit the Forest Service’s Passes and Permits
page. The remaining fee-free observances for 2025 is Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Before you visit the White Mountain National Forest, visit the website for information on
recreation opportunities and any public safety alerts:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought
people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class
science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to
nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that
promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres
of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest
wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either
a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of
which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.