The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day-use fees for Veterans, active and reserve component Service Members and their families at the more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Day use areas at Lake Okeechobee and on the Okeechobee Waterway provide visitors with the opportunity to boat, fish, picnic, swim, hike or bike. “The weather in Florida is beginning to cool off a little bit, so it’s a great time to visit a park and enjoy the recreation opportunities, beautiful weather and great scenery,” said Heather Burke, natural resources program manager.

Facilities such as boat ramps, playgrounds and picnic shelters provide an excellent setting for a family get-together for a day of rest and relaxation. Free boat launching will be available for Veterans at St. Lucie South, Ortona North, W.P. Franklin North and W.P. Franklin South, and swim beach fees will be waived at W.P. Franklin South.

The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. This waiver covers boat launch ramp and swim beach fees. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities, such as picnic shelters.

The Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation and hosts more than 350 million visits each year at its lakes, beaches and other areas. Corps lands and waters provide approximately 4,500 miles of trails, 3,400 boat launch ramps and 33 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing.