---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8561"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8561"
heading: "Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8561"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter III — Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation"
  - "Part B — Making Recreation a Priority"
---

# §8561. Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities

- (a) **Definition of seasonal closure—** In this section, the term “seasonal closure” means any period during which—
  - (1) a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4), or portion of a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4), of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) is closed to the public for a continuous period of 30 days or more, excluding temporary closures relating to wildlife conservation or public safety; and
  - (2) permitted or allowable recreational activities, which provide an economic benefit, including off-season or winter-season tourism, do not [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) place at the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4), or portion of a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4), of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2).
- (b) **Coordination—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall consult and coordinate with outdoor recreation-related businesses operating on, or adjacent to, a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2), [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9) offices of outdoor recreation, local destination marketing organizations, applicable trade organizations, nonprofit organizations, [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), local governments, and institutions of higher education—
    - (A) to better understand—
      - (i) trends with respect to visitors to the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2);
      - (ii) the effect of seasonal closures on [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of, or infrastructure on, [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) on outdoor recreation opportunities, adjacent businesses, and local tax revenue; and
      - (iii) opportunities to extend the period of time during which [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of, or infrastructure on, [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) are open to the public to increase outdoor recreation opportunities and associated revenues for businesses and local governments; and
    - (B) to solicit input from, and provide information for, outdoor recreation marketing campaigns.
  - (2) **Local coordination—** As part of the consultation and coordination required under subparagraph[^1] (1), the [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall encourage relevant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) managers of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) managed by the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service to consult and coordinate with local governments, [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), outdoor recreation-related businesses, and other local stakeholders operating on or adjacent to the relevant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2).
- (d) **2 Extensions beyond seasonal closures—**
  - (1) **Extension of recreational season—** In the case of a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) managed by the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service in which recreational use is highly seasonal, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), acting through the relevant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) manager, may—
    - (A) as appropriate, extend the recreation season or increase recreation use in a sustainable manner during the offseason; and
    - (B) make information about extended season schedules and related recreational opportunities available to the public and local communities.
  - (2) **Determination—** In determining whether to extend the recreation season under this subsection, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), acting through the relevant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) manager, shall consider the benefits of extending the recreation season—
    - (A) for the duration of income to [gateway communities](/usc/16/8401.md?p=3); and
    - (B) to provide more opportunities to visit resources on [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) to reduce crowding during peak visitation.
  - (3) **Clarification—** Nothing in this subsection precludes the [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8), acting through the relevant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) manager, from providing for additional recreational opportunities and uses at times other than those described in this subsection.
  - (4) **Inclusions—** An extension of a recreation season or an increase in recreation use during the offseason under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) may include—
    - (A) the [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) of facilities that would increase recreation use during the offseason; and
    - (B) improvement of access to the relevant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) to extend the recreation season.
  - (5) **Requirement—** An extension of a recreation season or increase in recreation use during the offseason under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) shall be done in compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies, including [land use plans](/usc/16/8401.md?p=5).
  - (6) **Agreements—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) may enter into agreements with businesses, local governments, or other entities to share the cost of additional expenses necessary to extend the period of time during which an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of, or infrastructure on, a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of [Federal recreational lands and waters](/usc/16/8401.md?p=2) is made open to the public.
    - (B) **In-kind contributions—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/16/8401.md?p=8) may accept in-kind contributions of goods and services provided by businesses, local governments, or other entities for purposes of [paragraph (1)](#d-1).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “paragraph”.
[^2]: So in original. There is no subsec. (c).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 331, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2911.)