MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest offers several fee-free days throughout the year at Forest Service managed campgrounds and the Red Bluff Recreation Area boat launch.

The fee waiver does not apply to campsites at Lake Pillsbury that are operated under concessionaire through PG&E, Sycamore Grove Campground at Red Bluff Recreation Area and Pine Mountain Lookout on the Upper Lake District.

The 2020 fee-free dates are:

– Feb. 17: President’s Day;
– June 13: National Get Outdoors Day;
– Sept. 26: National Public Lands Day;
– Nov. 11: Veterans Day.

“The Mendocino National Forest offers nearly one million acres to camp, hike, bird-watch and ride off-highway vehicles, just a three-hour drive north of Sacramento and San Francisco. We welcome families and friends to come and explore the Mendocino National Forest on these fee-free days,” Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson said.

In addition, all Mendocino National Forest offices (except for the Stonyford Work Center) will close Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of President’s Day and will resume regular business hours at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The Stonyford Work Center will close Tuesday, Feb. 18, for the holiday and open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.

To prepare for a trip to the Mendocino, tell a friend or relative where you are going and when you are returning.

Carry emergency equipment and appropriate maps in your vehicle and remember that food, gas, and lodging are not available on the forest road network or within forest boundaries.

Roads are not plowed and cell phone coverage is not reliable in many areas of the forest.

For more information about the forest, please call 530-934-3316 or visit the website.