Silver City, NM; November 6, 2012-- For the Veterans Day holiday, the Gila National Forest is waiving fees for overnight camping on November 10 and 11, 2012, at the Upper End and Mesa Campgrounds at Lake Roberts.

“This is our way of saying thanks to the brave men and women – past and present – who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe at home,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We encourage veterans, their families and all visitors to take time out over the holiday weekend to enjoy the benefits that nature provides at forests and grasslands throughout the country.”

The fee waiver days support the goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama's “Let's Move Outside.”

At Quemado Lake, the Piñon, Juniper, and Juniper RV Campgrounds are currently closed for the duration of the cold season; while the Dipping Vat Campground at Snow Lake is open for overnight camping but not charging fees due to the water being shut off for the winter months.

The fee waivers – the fourth this year -- are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

In observance of Veterans Day, Gila National Forest offices will be closed November 12th.   Normal office hours resume on Tuesday, November 13th.