US Forest Service Waives Day-Use Fees On Juneteenth In Texas

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• Day-Use Passes Are Free
• Get Outdoors
• There Are Other Free-Use Days

On Monday, June 19, 2023 the National Forest Service and Grasslands in Texas is waiving day-use fees to celebrate Juneteenth. There is a full list of fee-free days posted at the site when you drive in on the forest bulletin boards.

The electrical sites are usually full this time of year because it's too hot to go primitive camping. Camping fees aren't waived, but the $5 fee for Boykin Springs and Ratcliff Lake, among other sites, is.

Ratcliff Lake has picnicking, non-motorized boating, hiking, and swimming at the lake. All of those activities are free on Monday.

There is a beach for swimming, fishing piers to use, or you can enjoy a nice walk around the lake.

You can get out there and enjoy being in the forest for free, just thirty minutes from Lufkin.

Juneteenth Became A Federal Holiday In 2021

Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas for over a century. The regional holiday is now observed by the entire nation.

Juneteenth is the oldest national commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates African American freedom and spotlights their achievements.

Now we can celebrate in the great outdoors and visit one of our national forests or grasslands in Texas.

Day-Use Fees Waived At The Following Texas Locations 

Here is the full list of places you can enjoy the free-use day.

• Angelina National Forest – Boykin Springs, Caney Creek, and Townsend.
• Sabine National Forest – Haley’s Ferry, East Hamilton, Indian Mounds, Lakeview, Willow Oak, and Red Hill Lake.
• Davy Crockett National Forest – Ratcliff Lake.
• Sam Houston National Forest – Cagle Boat Ramp and Scotts Ridge Boat Ramp.
• Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands – Coffee Mill Lake, Black Creek Lake, and East Lake Crockett.

Other fee-free days are National Public Lands Day and Veteran’s Day. There are lots of great, free things to do in Texas this weekend.