June 6 marks the 17th annual National Trails Day. People can join the celebration by enjoying a hike at a favorite trail or by participating in a planned volunteer activity such as a trail work project or dedication.
The United States has about 200,000 miles of community, state, and federal trails, according to the American Hiking Society's website. People use these trails to exercise, experience scenic views, escape the stresses of daily routine, access a favorite spot, and enjoy the company of fellow hikers, bikers or horse riders.
Click here for more information or to find a National Trails Day event near you
The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service will help celebrate National Trails Day by waiving fees at all National Forest recreation day-use fee sites operated by the Forest Service on June 6. These sites normally require a $5 fee per vehicle or recreation pass.
Revenue from recreation fees are used to maintain the facilities and services associated with trails and other outdoor recreation sites. In 2008, recreation fee sites, including campgrounds and cabin rentals, generated approximately $8 million in the Pacific Northwest for the Forest Service in Washington and Oregon. Many of these dollars funded trail maintenance and other recreation projects completed by youth crews or were combined with money from grants or partnerships to fund larger projects.
To see how these funds were used, please click here to visit the Forest Service website