Day use fees waived for Veterans

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will waive day use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families at the more than 2,400 USACE-operated recreational areas nationwide on Veterans Day, 11 November. This includes all recreational areas in the Vicksburg District.

USACE does not charge an entrance fee to access its parks. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and beaches but does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. State agencies that manage recreational areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver.

The Veterans Day fee waiver began in 2006 as a way to honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces.

"This Veterans Day, we invite our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families to spend some time together enjoying America’s great outdoors free of charge,” stated Colonel John Cross, Vicksburg District Commander.

Although the primary mission of Vicksburg District’s lakes and waterways are for flood damage risk reduction and logistics of commodities, millions individuals visit the recreational areas annually to enjoy the camping, playgrounds, swimming areas, several types of trails, fishing, boat ramps, marinas, and marina slips. They also contribute hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars into the local economies. The Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. For more information on the recreation site