Photo: Thumb Butte Recreation Area
On Monday, June 19, 2023, the Prescott National Forest will waive fees at all day-use recreation sites in observance of Juneteenth. This waiver does not apply to reserved group-use areas or overnight camping at Forest Service developed campgrounds. In addition, all Prescott National Forest offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday. Offices will resume regular business hours Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Biden established Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day and Jubilee Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19. It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. More specifically, it recognizes June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger, along with a unit of Union soldiers, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were now free, 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
As part of this nationwide event fees will be waived at the following sites:
Lynx Lake Recreation Area: North Shore, South Shore and Lynx Creek Ruin
- Granite Basin Recreation Area: Cayuse, Wekuvde, Boat Launch, Playa, and Metate
- Thumb Butte Recreation Area
- Alto Pit OHV Recreation Area: Day Use Site
- Groom Creek Nature Trail
- Mingus Day Use
- Mingus Lake Day Use
The remaining fee waiver dates for 2023 are National Public Lands Day on September 23 and Veterans Day on November 11.
For information on recreational opportunities on the Prescott National Forest visit: Prescott National Forest – Recreation
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