Fees Dropped to Encourage MLK Day Visits to National Forests

Visitors to the San Bernardino and Cleveland national forests will be able to access any part of the preserves for free Monday in celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Fee waivers will be in effect all day, in all areas of the 676,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest and the 460,000-acre Cleveland National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Large swaths of each are in Riverside County.

“By waiving fees, the Forest Service hopes everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests and grasslands,” said USFS spokeswoman Jody Noiron.

Officials noted that access to 98 percent of federally protected land is free most -- if not all -- of the time. However, a few activities require a Daily Adventure Pass, which won’t be needed on Monday.

– City News Service.