Although the ideal way to get outdoors is with as little cost as possible, someone has to pay the bill for even modest upkeep on state and federal facilities. On National Forests, this often takes the form of a small day use or camping fee per car.

Mark Twain National Forest will have two days of free day use and one free night of camping at nine campgrounds each of the first two weekends in June: Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, 2010 and June 12-13, 2010.

The first free weekend is being offered in conjunction with National Trails Day Weekend.
The second free weekend is being offered in conjunction with National Get Outdoors Day and Missouri’s Free Fishing Days.

Free day use and free camping nights are for Saturday, June 5, 2010 and Saturday, June 12, 2010 in unreserved campsites in these 9 Mark Twain National Forest campgrounds: Big Bay, on Table Rock Lake in Stone County; Cobb Ridge, in Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Area in Christian County; Greer Crossing, on Eleven Point River in Oregon County; Lane Spring, Phelps County; Loggers Lake, Shannon County; Markham Springs, Wayne County; North Fork, along the North Fork of White River in Ozark County; Sutton Bluff, Reynolds County, and Watercress, on Current River in Carter County.

This is the 18th annual National Trails Day, established to celebrate America’s magnificent trail system.
National Get Outdoors Day is a more recently designated annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun.
Free Fishing Days were established as a way to encourage people to try fishing so they can find out or rediscover the enjoyment associated with fishing.

“Offering free camping and day use is a way to show our appreciation and encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to connect to the land, which improves the health and quality of both personal and community life,” said Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor Dave Whittekiend. “Fishing allows you to relax, brings about peace of mind and helps you to reconnect with the natural world. If parents bring their kids along, they start the work of building a generation of conservationists who will protect our resources in future decades.”

In addition to the above sites, there are several campgrounds on the forest that are free year-round.
Motorized trail permits are still required for use of Chadwick and Sutton Bluff trail systems, and normal fees still apply.
The forest will be offering free use again September 25, 2010 and November 11, 2010.
For more information about Mark Twain National Forest, go to www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain or contact your local Mark Twain National Forest office.