Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, chair of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, today announced that the U. S. Forest Service will offer fee waivers for day use areas around Arizona on August 14 and 15. Fees will also be waived at some campgrounds August 14.

Concessionaire-operated day use sites and campgrounds may be included if individual permit holders wish to participate. Visitors should contact the ranger district they plan to visit to verify fee status.

“This is an excellent chance for the public to enjoy these lands and appreciate the importance of preserving them for future generations,” Grijalva said. “These areas are maintained so that families can experience them as pristine, unspoiled examples of the American landscape, and I encourage all Arizonans to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Participating districts include:

– Douglas Ranger District at (520) 364-3468 – Day use fees waived at South Fork Picnic Area; day use and camping fees waived at Cave Creek Campground, Sunny Flat Campground, Stewart Campground, Idlewilde Campground, Cypress Park Campground, Rustler Park Campground, Rucker Forest Camp Campground, and Camp Rucker Group Site.

– Nogales Ranger District at (520) 281-2296 – Day use fees waived at Proctor parking area/trailhead, Whitehouse Picnic Area, Madera Trailhead Picnic Area, Amphitheater parking area, and the Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area and trailheads.

– Sierra Vista Ranger District at (520) 378-0311 – Day use fees waived at Reef Townsite Campground, Ramsey Vista Campground and Lakeview Campground.

– Safford Ranger District at (928) 428-4150 – please call for information.

– Santa Catalina Ranger District at (520) 749-8700 – Day use fees waived at Chihuahua Pine Picnic Area, Middle Bear Picnic Area, Cypress Picnic Area, Inspiration Rock Picnic Area, Alder Picnic Area, Box Elder Picnic Area, Loma Linda Picnic Area, Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Sabino Canyon Picnic Area; day use and camping fees waived at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, General Hitchcock Campground and Peppersauce Campground.

The fee waivers will be offered in cooperation with other agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Participating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Forest Service will offer additional fee waiver weekends later in the year on National Public Lands Day (September 25) and Veterans’ Day (November 11).