Tonto National Forest Announces Remaining 2017 Fee-Free Days

Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering four more fee-free days on public lands in 2017.

The fee-free program is in cooperation with other federal land management agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Fees will be waived at all day-use sites including picnic grounds, shorelines and boat launches operated by the Tonto National Forest. Concessionaire-operated facilities, camping and campground fees will not be waived.

The remaining four fee-free days observed by national forests in 2017 are these:

• Feb. 20 — President's Day

• June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day

• Sept. 23 — National Public Lands Day

• Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. Forest officials hope these fee-free days provide an incentive for people to visit the nearly 3 million acres of Tonto National Forest’s land held in trust for their enjoyment and use.

A Tonto Pass is usually required at the above sites, and are available at over 200 vendor locations or local Forest Service offices. Tonto Daily Pass vendor locations are available at the Tonto National Forest Web site, http://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, or call the Tonto National Forest at 602-225-5200 during business hours.

The mission of the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.