The Gifford Pinchot National Forest invites the public to participate in a trail cleanup or trail work party as we celebrate National Trails Day in events designed to leave trails better than we find them as well as celebrate with a Fee-Free Day!

National Trails Day was established by the American Hiking Society in 1993 and occurs annually on the first Saturday in June. It brings together federal land managers, partners, and volunteers to celebrate trails and accomplish trail stewardship projects to ensure they are safe, well-maintained, easy-to-follow and accessible.

Additionally, the Forest Service is designating June 6, 2026, as an additional recreation Fee-Free Day to the 2026 calendar to celebrate National Trails Day, meaning all standard amenity recreation sites on Forest Service lands will be at no cost to the public. For all 2026 Fee-Free Days on National Forest System lands and information, please visit our website.
(Fee Free Days applies only to standard amenity recreation fees and does not waive expanded amenity fees, concessionaire charges, reservation fees, special recreation permit fees, or third-party costs unless separately authorized.)

National Trails Day Events on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest:

• Coldwater Lake Trail Work Party:
  Where: Coldwater Lake Boat Launch
  When: June 6th from 9am-3pm
  Join the Northwest Trail Alliance on the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument for a day of trail work. For additional information see: Coldwater Lake Trail Work Party event page.

• Blue Lake Trail Improvement:
  Where: Blue Lake Trail, (Meet at the Mount St. Helens National Monument Headquarters Parking lot).
  When: June 6th from 8:30am – 4pm.
  Help the U.S. Forest Service with some routine trail maintenance. Directions/maps will be provided prior. For more information see: National Trails Day Events.

• National Trails Day at Wind River Arboretum -Work Party:
  Where: Wind River, Stabler, WA 98610.
  When: June 6th from 9am – 1 pm.
  Join the Washington Trails Association and other Trail Maintenance organizations to give back on National Trails Day. The work party will primarily focus on using digging tools to create a smooth (and wider) walking surface. For more information see: National Trails Day @ Wind River Arboretum.

• Trans-Cascadia /NMA 2026 Work Party 1:
  Where: NF-23, Randle, WA 98377.
  When: June 11- June 14.
  Trans-Cascadia and the Northwest Motorcycle Association (NMA) are cohosting the first two work parties of 2026 consisting of multi-day campouts focused on improving multiple use singletrack trails through comprehensive maintenance for the enjoyment of all. For more information see: National Trails Day Events.

For other National Trails Day events in your area see the American Hiking Society: https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/find-an-event/

The Forest Service-managed trail system, at more than 165,000 miles, is the largest public trails system in the United States. In 2025, volunteers and partners accounted for more than 60% of all trail maintenance accomplishments (nearly 26,000 miles).

(Photo Source: Washington Trails Association)