Free Camping at Big South Fork and Obed January 18 Honoring Martin Luther King Jr

Dr. Martin Luther King giving his "I Have a Dream" speech.

News Release Date: December 22, 2015

Contact: Letitia Neal, [phone]

Contact: Christopher Derman, [phone]

Since 1986, the third Monday in January has been designated as a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and civil rights leader dedicated to nonviolence. On this day, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River will be observing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday by authorizing one night of free camping at Alum Ford Campground (Big South Fork) and Rock Creek Campground (Obed) as well as for all backcountry permits.

National park visitors will get a total of 16 days of fee-free camping in 2016, in celebration of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. 

Other fee free days during 2016 include: 

• April 16-24 -- National Park Week 
• August 25-28 -- National Park Service Centennial 
• September 24 -- National Public Lands Day 
• November 11 -- Veterans Day 

Visit https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm to learn more about fee free days in 2016. 

For further information on the parks, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at [phone] or the Obed Wild and Scenic River Visitor Center at [phone].