Percy Priest Lake in the Smyrna, LaVergne and Antioch areas is one of many Tennessee waterways that will waive fees at recreation areas on Veteran’s Day this year.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This includes areas the Nashville District operates within the Cumberland River Basin.

“The Nashville District appreciates the hard work and sacrifices all veterans have made and we hope they will make visiting our recreation areas part of the upcoming holiday,” said Brian Mangrum, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Operations Section chief.  “Our many parks and recreation areas are located in close proximity to residents of Middle Tennessee and Kentucky, and we encourage everyone to visit not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year.”

The public is encouraged to visit the Nashville District’s 10 lakes. They are Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Laurel River Lake and Martins Fork Lake in Kentucky, and Cheatham Lake, Old Hickory Lake, J. Percy Priest Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Center Hill Lake, Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee.

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The waiver applies at recreation areas where fees are collected for day use activities. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.

Visitors are encouraged to contact USACE lake and river projects before visiting to ensure recreation areas are open. The status of USACE-managed campgrounds, boat ramps and swimming beaches and other sites is available at https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/status.cfm.

While visiting USACE recreation areas, visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing and other COVID-19 safety precautions required and recommended by local, state and federal authorities, to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC guidance on visiting parks and recreation facilities can be found online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html. USACE began the Veterans Day fee waiver in 2006 to honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces.

USACE is one of the leading federal providers of outdoor and water-based recreation, hosting millions of visits annually to its more than 400 lake and river projects. It’s estimated that 90 percent of the USACE-operated recreation areas are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, offering diverse outdoor activities for all ages close to home.

To discover a USACE recreation site nearest you, please visit www.corpslakes.us, or www.recreation.gov.