Passes & Permits

The Forest Service offers many activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, camping, birding, using cabins, driving for pleasure, harvesting mushrooms, and gathering firewood. Many of the facilities and services associated with these opportunities are free. Some do require fees or permits to help maintain, manage and improve the amenities that you enjoy.

Most national forest system lands are open, free of charge for your use and enjoyment, but entrance and user fees may be charged at some areas.

Recreation Fee Program

The majority of the recreation fees collected stay on the forest and go right back into operating, maintaining and improving the recreational opportunities visitors use and value the most - campgrounds, developed day use sites, boat ramps, trails, rental cabins and lookouts, and much more. Funds are also used to provide enhanced services such as interpretive programs, visitor information , and transportation systems. Take a look at the forest accomplishment reports for specific details on how your fees were used.

Recreation Permit Information

Recreation permits may be required when extra measures are needed to protect natural or cultural resources.

Recreation permits can include:

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area/Trail
River
Wilderness
Rifle Range
Groomed Cross-Country Ski Trail
Group Activities*
Recreation Events*

* These activities have historically required a "Special Use Permit", which sometimes includes a fee and sometimes are free. The Recreation Enhancement Act allows funds from these fees to now remain where collected.

A Special Use Permit grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use to the holder. Examples include reserving a public site for a wedding party, or holding a bicycle race on public lands. These permits contain specific terms and conditions that the holder must follow.

Before Special Use Permits are issued, the Forest Service must determine that the proposed use complies with all management plans and laws, that there is a demonstrated need for the activity, and that the use is appropriate on national forest system lands. Special Use Permits are a temporary authority.

Information about Special Use Permits required to conduct business on National Forests.

Highlights

Interagency Recreation Pass

A new interagency recreation pass that will benefit visitors to national public lands, combines the benefits of existing recreation passes from five federal agencies into one comprehensive pass. The new pass is available at federal recreation sites that charge entrance and standard amenity fees, through government internet sites, and through select third-party vendors.
Military Passes
Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Valid for 12 months from the month of issue. Expires the last day of the month punched. Pass will be issued through December 2013. The Interagency Annual Military Pass has two signature lines and can be signed by another active military member or dependent at any time. Both are considered pass holders. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee areas, admits pass holder and up to 3 persons. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.