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Interagency Military Pass waives fees at Corps recreation sites nationwide

Published May 7, 2013
The East Totten Trail Campground is among the several public recreation areas on Lake Sakakawea near Riverdale, N.D.

The East Totten Trail Campground is among the several public recreation areas on Lake Sakakawea near Riverdale, N.D.

An aerial view of Big Bend Dam and Lake Sharpe near Fort Thompson, S.D.

An aerial view of Big Bend Dam and Lake Sharpe near Fort Thompson, S.D.

The Gavins Point Dam Visitors Center as seen from the Training Dike area at the Gavins Point Dam and Recreation Area. The Lewis and Clark Center is located atop Calumet Bluff just downstream from the Gavins Point Powerplant. The visitor center provides a spectacular view of Lewis and Clark Lake, Gavins Point Dam and the Missouri River.
Exhibits in the center include information and displays about the development of the entire Missouri River Basin as well as the geology, exploration, early navigation, settlement and natural history of the Missouri River region. The Calumet Bluff Theater programs highlight construction of Gavins Point Dam, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and wildflowers. 
A bookstore offers books about Lewis and Clark, Native Americans, pioneers, river travel and natural history. The Dorian Prairie Garden located outside the visitor center depicts common prairie plants and explains their uses by Native Americans. Stop by the Lewis and Clark wayside exhibits adjacent to the parking area to learn about the travels of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through this area.

The Gavins Point Dam Visitors Center as seen from the Training Dike area at the Gavins Point Dam and Recreation Area. The Lewis and Clark Center is located atop Calumet Bluff just downstream from the Gavins Point Powerplant. The visitor center provides a spectacular view of Lewis and Clark Lake, Gavins Point Dam and the Missouri River. Exhibits in the center include information and displays about the development of the entire Missouri River Basin as well as the geology, exploration, early navigation, settlement and natural history of the Missouri River region. The Calumet Bluff Theater programs highlight construction of Gavins Point Dam, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and wildflowers. A bookstore offers books about Lewis and Clark, Native Americans, pioneers, river travel and natural history. The Dorian Prairie Garden located outside the visitor center depicts common prairie plants and explains their uses by Native Americans. Stop by the Lewis and Clark wayside exhibits adjacent to the parking area to learn about the travels of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through this area.

Fisherman catches a white bass near the spillway at Gavins Point Project.

Fisherman catches a white bass near the spillway at Gavins Point Project.

OMAHA, Neb. - The America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Pass Program’s Interagency Annual Pass for Military will continue to be accepted at more than 2,500 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed recreation areas nationwide.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District does not charge day use fees at any of its recreation areas. Special event, day group facility/picnic shelters and the use of the Oahe Visitor Center do not qualify for the Military Fee Waiver.

In a separate effort, the Corps also continues to waive camping fees for active duty military members and their dependents on mid- or post-deployment leave from duty in a hostile fire zone to include Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other deployments to support Overseas Contingency Operations. To qualify for a camping fee waiver at a USACE-managed campground, a member or dependent must present the Interagency Military Pass or CAC and a copy of their mid- or post-deployment leave orders.

Camping fees are waived on a walk-up and space available basis, as well as for reservations made through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center at 1-877-444-6777. However, fees will not be waived for on-line reservations made through the on-line Recreation.gov Web site.

Acceptance of USACE fee waivers is encouraged, but not required, at the more than 1,800 nationwide recreation areas managed by other entities on USACE lands.

Recreation fees within the Omaha District are as follows:

Location

Classification

Fee

Season

Gavins Point Dam / Lewis and Clark Lake

 

 

 

Cottonwood Campground

A

$16-$18 with electric

April to October

Nebraska Tailwaters

A

$12 no electric,
$17 with electric

May to October

*Day Group Facility/Picnic Shelter Rental

 

$25 up to 100 people,
$50 101 to 250 people

 

Big Bend Dam / Lake Sharpe

 

 

 

Left Tailrace

A

$10 no electric,
$18 with electric

May to October

Coldbrook Lake (Located in western S.D.)

C

$8 no electric

May to September

Cottonwood Lake (Located in western S.D.)

C

$8 no electric

May to September

North Shore Campground

D

Free

Year Round

Oahe Dam / Lake Oahe

 

 

 

Beaver Creek (West)

A

$8-$10 no electric,
$10-$14 with electric

April to October

*Day Group Facility/Picnic Shelter Rental

 

$25 full day

 

Beaver Creek (East)

C

$8 no electric

April to October

Hazelton

C

$8-$10 no electric,
$10-$14 with electric

April to October

*Visitor Center

 

$50 Grounds around Visitor Center – Full Day,
$150 Grounds around Visitor Center and Building Use – Full Day

 

Garrison Dam / Lake Sakakawea

 

 

 

Downstream

A

$12 no electric,
$18 with electric

May to September

East Totten Trail

B

$10 no electric,
$14 with electric

May to September

Wolf Creek

C

$10 no electric

May to September

Douglas Creek

D

Free

Year Round

*Day Group Facility

 

$25 Full or Half Day

 

Fort Peck Dam / Fort Peck Lake

 

 

 

Downstream

A

$12 no electric,
$16-18 with electric

May to September

West End

A

$12 no electric,
$16 with electric

May to September

Pines

C

Free

 

*Day Group Facility Rental

 

$20 Full Day

 

 

 

 

 

*Omaha District Special Event Permit

 

$50 minimum

 

*not eligible for the Military Fee Waiver

 

 

 

Initiated last year, service men and women - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and activated National Guard and Reserves, and their dependents who present the Interagency Military Pass will receive a fee waiver to USACE-managed day-use areas (boat launches and swimming areas). The Military Pass, which is free, may be obtained in person at U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service facilities. Additional information on the Federal Recreation Pass Program is available at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/annual.html.

Military members and their dependents may also present a Department of the Defense Identification Card or Common Access Card to receive the day-use fee waiver at USACE-managed day-use areas.

"Our military service members and their families sacrifice so much for our country. The waiver of day-use fees at USACE lakes and recreation areas will make it easier and more affordable for them to get to the great outdoors with their families and relax," said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations.

USACE is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing more than 420 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 370 million visits per year. With 90 percent of these recreation areas within 50 miles of metropolitan areas they provide a diverse range of outdoor activities close to home and to people of all ages. For more information on USACE recreation sites and activities, visit www.CorpsLakes.us.


Contact
Mike Key
402-995-2509
harold.m.key@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20130507-001