Backcountry camping permits will be available for half off the usual price on January 15. This offer is part of six special days where fees are waived or discounted in national parks, with the next one scheduled for December 19.

Those planning to camp in the backcountry are required to have a permit. The fee structure is based on group size and can be obtained from a visitor center at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, or online. As per the permits and fees page for the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, standard fees are as follows: $5 per group of 1-6 people; $10 for groups of 7-12; $15 for groups of 13-18; and $20 for groups of 19-24 people. Special permits are required for larger groups.

The regulations pertaining to food storage and camping for those who purchase a backcountry camping permit include specific requirements. Items such as food, cooking utensils, grilling equipment or anything with food odors must be locked inside a vehicle or horse trailer, not a tent. For those camping in a tent, backpacks and food sacks must be hung 10 feet up and four feet away from the tent, while cooking should occur away from the sleeping area. Individuals are advised against sleeping in clothes they’ve cooked in to deter wildlife. Campfires are prohibited within 100 feet of historic structures, cabins, arches, rock shelters, or on cliff face ledges. Information about parking and permitted camping areas can be found on the Plan your Visit Backcountry Hiking and Camping website linked to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area website.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday in January and has been recognized as a federal holiday since 1986. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Congress has designated MLK Day as a day of service when Americans are encouraged to serve others in their community, whether that’s working to meet a tangible need or fostering a sense of community.