SFNF Waives Fees on Veterans Day; SFNF Offices Closed Nov. 11 for Federal Holiday

All Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) offices will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Offices will resume regular business hours on Monday, Nov. 14.

In honor of the men and women who have served in the armed forces, all national public lands will waive fees at many recreation sites on Veterans Day. The Forest Service participates in fee-free days with other federal agencies to encourage Americans to visit their public lands. Veterans Day is the final fee-free day for 2022. The next fee-free day will be Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

If you plan to visit the SFNF over the three day weekend, know before you go and recreate responsibly. Since many recreation sites are closed for the winter, visitors to the SFNF are encouraged to contact the appropriate ranger district office to determine which sites are open and will have fees waived.

Check the weather forecast and be prepared for seasonal fluctuations. Use good judgment and basic safety precautions when hiking, fishing, camping or hunting on the SFNF. Whether you are just out for the day or planning to stay overnight, always let someone know your plans, including your itinerary and when you expect to return home. Do not rely on cell phones for safety because you may not always have cell coverage in remote sections of the forest. Follow Leave No Trace principles:

·       Plan ahead and prepare for your trip to enhance your experience and make sure you return home safely.

·       Travel and camp on durable surfaces to prevent resource damage. Use constructed trails.

·       Dispose of waste properly. Leave your campsite better than when you arrived and take your trash home with you.

·       Leave what you find. Don’t damage live trees and plants and leave natural objects and cultural artifacts where you found them.

·       Minimize campfire impacts, followcampfire safety tips and make sure your campfire is dead out before you leave the area.

·       Respect wildlife by keeping your distance, and do not feed, touch or pick up wild animals.

·       Be considerate of other visitors. Respect quiet time in developed campgrounds. Keep dogs on leashes and clean up after your dog.

Stay up to date on seasonal closures by checking the SFNF website and following the forest on Facebook and Twitter.