Basically, we do not charge for non-recreation visits to our park. However, there must be some guidelines to determine what is a recreation use and what is an educational outing.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 provides that fees may not be charged, at any unit of the National Park System, for organized tours or outings conducted for educational purposes by schools or bona fide educational institutions". Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, section 71.13(d) provides additional criteria in the form of a three-part test that groups must meet to qualify for a recreation fee waiver:

1. Applicants are required to provide documentation of their official recognition as educational or scientific institutions by Federal, State or local government bodies. It is insufficient for applicants to state that they have this recognition or imply it in their letter or literature. Documentation must be provided from the governmental entity with the authority to make the official determination as to the groups educational or scientific status.

2. The use of any recreation area for which a fee waiver is requested must relate directly to educational or scientific purposes and the visit and may not be primarily for recreation purposes.

3. Applicants are required to provide a statement as to the purpose of the proposed visit. The visit must relate to the resources of the park. A general statement to the effect that the visit is for "educational purposes" is insufficient by itself. An explanation of what the educational purpose entails and how they relate to the park resources is required.