August 3, 2023 3:20 a.m.

The Bureau of Land Management is waiving recreation day-use fees for visitors on Friday.

A BLM release said this is in celebration of the third annual Great American Outdoors Day. The agency is inviting all communities to explore the unique and diverse natural landscapes and recreation facilities available on their public lands throughout Oregon and Washington.

Standard day-use fees will be waived at over ten facilities across both states. The waiver does not guarantee admission to some busy recreation areas where reservations for day-use, group sites, and overnight camping are recommended.

The Great American Outdoors Day was established to celebrate the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act into law on August 4th, 2020. The legislation invests in the protection and sustainment of public lands. With GAOA funding, the BLM is addressing deferred maintenance needs and improving public access to numerous popular outdoor recreation destinations.

The remaining fee-free days in 2023 are National Public Lands Day on September 23rd and Veteran’s Day on November 11th.

For more information about the BLM’s recreation fee program, go to: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees.

The list of locations where day-use fees will be waived is posted at www.541radio.com

• Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
• Cape Blanco Lighthouse
• Wildwood Recreation Site 
• Hyatt Lake Recreation Area
• Gerber Recreation Area
• Yakima River Canyon
• Loon Lake Recreation Site
• Alsea Falls Recreation Site
• Shotgun Creek Recreation Site
• Edson Creek Recreation Site
• Spring Recreation Site