What This Bill Does
This bill would amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act so that entrance fees cannot be charged on certain days at federal recreational lands and waters. In practical terms, it would give visitors fee-free access on designated dates to places managed by federal land agencies, including parks, trails, lakes, and other recreation areas. The main effect would be to lower the cost of visiting public lands for families, tourists, and local residents who use these sites. It would also reduce fee revenue collected by the federal agencies that operate and maintain those areas.
- Bars entrance fees on certain designated days at federal recreational lands and waters.
- Applies to federal recreation sites covered by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.
- Would lower the cost of visiting public lands for families and other visitors.
- Could reduce fee revenue used by land managers for operations and maintenance.
Who This Bill Affects
For most Americans who visit national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, or other federal recreation areas, this bill would make some trips cheaper by eliminating entrance fees on certain designated days. If you use federal lands regularly, the savings would depend on how often you visit on those fee-free dates and what the current entrance charge is for the site you choose. The main practical benefit is lower out-of-pocket cost for recreation; the main offset is that federal land agencies could have less fee revenue to support upkeep and visitor services.
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- Families and casual visitors Fee-free days make it easier to visit public lands without paying an entrance charge, which can be a meaningful savings for households that want affordable outdoor recreation. Supporters also argue that public lands should be broadly accessible, not limited by ability to pay on every visit.
- Outdoor recreation users Hikers, campers, anglers, and sightseers benefit from more opportunities to use federal lands and waters at no cost. They may see fee-free days as a way to encourage more people to connect with public lands and build support for conservation.
- Local tourism businesses More visitors on free-entry days can increase spending at nearby restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and outfitters. Businesses near federal recreation sites often favor policies that bring in more foot traffic, especially during peak travel periods.
- Federal land managers Entrance fees help pay for maintenance, staffing, sanitation, and visitor services. Opponents may argue that exempting too many days from fees could make it harder to keep sites clean, safe, and well maintained.
- Conservation and park funding advocates If fee revenue falls, agencies may have to stretch already limited budgets or defer repairs and improvements. They may worry that the bill increases access without providing a replacement funding source.
- Frequent pass holders People who already pay for annual passes or support the system through fees may question whether the policy fairly shifts costs onto other users or reduces the value of paid access programs.
Key Implications
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““entrance fees shall not be charged for entry””
This is the core consumer-facing change: on the specified days, visitors would not pay the usual entrance charge at covered federal recreation sites. The practical effect is lower cost for day trips and vacations, especially for families and frequent visitors.
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““Federal recreational lands and water””
The bill reaches a broad set of federal outdoor sites, not just one park or one agency. That means the policy could affect many kinds of recreation experiences, from land-based visits to water access areas.
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““on certain days””
The fee waiver is limited to designated dates rather than a permanent elimination of entrance fees. That structure preserves the fee system most of the time while creating periodic free-access windows.
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““Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act””
The bill amends the existing law that authorizes recreation fees on federal lands. That means it changes how agencies can collect entrance revenue under current federal land-management rules.
Latest Status
June 11, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.