BLM Sets Fee-Free Days For 2014

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in conjunction with other agencies within the Department of the Interior, will waive recreation-related day-use fees for visitors to the National System of Public Lands for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (January 20); Presidents’ Day weekend (February 15 – 17); National Public Lands Day (September 27); and Veterans Day (November 11) in 2014.

There are over 12 million acres of BLM Public Lands in Arizona to visit, enjoy and explore. Fee-free days provides a great opportunity to visit a new area, and explore the wonder of your public lands in Arizona.

“Arizonans have long recognized the value of open space, and beauty of the public lands. This provides a great opportunity to explore and enjoy your public lands,” said BLM Arizona State Director Raymond Suazo.

Site standard amenity and individual day-use fees at BLM recreation sites and areas will be waived for the specified dates. Other fees, such as overnight camping, cabin rentals, and group day-use, will remain in effect. In Arizona, day-use fees will be waived at the following areas:

Arizona, Strip Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area - (435) 688-3200

Kingman, Burro Creek, Wild Cow Springs and Windy Point Recreation Sites - (928) 718-3700

Lake Havasu, Crossroads and Empire Landing campgrounds, Bullfrog Day-use Area, and the 87 Lake Havasu boat-in campsites - (928) 505-1200

Phoenix, Painted Rock Campground and Painted Rocks Petroglyph Day Use Area - (623) 580-5500

Safford, Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area - (928) 348-4400

Tucson, St. David Cienega/Land Corral, Fairbank Historic Townsite, San Pedro House and Hereford Bridge Trailheads - (520) 258-7200

Yuma, Squaw Lake Campground and Boat Launch, Senator Wash Boat Ramp and Day Use Area, Senator Wash North and South Shore campgrounds,, Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area and Ehrenberg Sandbowl Off-Highway Vehicle Area (Betty’s Kitchen Watchable Wildlife Area remains closed due to the Laguna Fire in 2011) - (928) 317-3200

The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.

The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.