Permits
Permits may be required when extra measures are needed to protect natural or cultural resources. It is good to check ahead of time to find out what types of passes and/or permits are required for different activies before entering the forest.
Forest Product Permits
The following actions are prohibited: Cutting, removing or otherwise damaging any timber, tree, or other forest product, including special forest products and forest botanical products without a permit.
Forest Products are forest resources that are used for personal, commercial, and scientific purposes. Examples include (Christmas trees, firewood, small tree, and other live plants, collections of cones, bark, conks, boughs, mushrooms, post and poles, rocks, etc.) except as authorized by Federal law, regulation, permit, contract, special use authorization, free use authorization, or personal use authorization. Please contact the Ranger District office you are interested in obtaining forest products from.
Firewood cutting permits allows firewood cutters to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees under most conditions. Firewood cutters are urged to use caution when driving and cutting in the forest, as both are potentially dangerous activities.
The funds generated by firewood permit sales go directly into road maintenance and salvage sale fund.
The Logan and Ogden Ranger Districts
- Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620, 1500 E. Highway 89, Logan, UT 84321
Permits allow you to collect dead and down and dead standing wood, in designated areas.
Minimum purchase is 4 cords for $30 – additional cords are $7.50
Maximum purchase is 10 cords per household for $75.
Map of cutting areas - Ogden Ranger District, (385) 405-7100, 6620 East 100 South, Huntsville, UT 84317
Permits allow you to collect dead and down wood only, in designated areas.
Minimum purchase is 4 cords for $30 – additional cords are $7.50
Maximum purchase is 10 cords per household for $75.
Map of cutting areas
Evanston Ranger District at (307) 789-3194
Mt. View Ranger District at (307) 782-6555
Personal Use Firewood Flyer
Evanston Ranger District cutting area map
Mt. View Ranger District cutting area map
Heber/Kamas Ranger District at (435) 783-4338 or (435) 654-0470
Personal Use Firewood Cutting Flyer
Firewood Map
Post and Pole cutting flyer and map
Transplanting Flyer
Transplanting Map
Pleasant Grove Ranger District at (801) 785-3563
Map of firewood cutting area
Spanish Fork Ranger District at (801) 798-3571
Firewood cutting is ended for 2023
Map of firewood cutting area
Ashley National Forest firewood cutting information
General information:
· Permit is only valid for the Forest and District it was purchases for.
· Christmas tree permits are $20 each, one per household.
· Up to a 20-foot tree can be cut, tree topping is not allowed.
· Any species of evergreen may be cut on the Evanston-Mountain View District. Tree species may vary by location.
· No cutting in campgrounds, trailheads or administrative sites.
· Permits or trees may not be resold
· Permits sold by the Bureau of Land Management or the States of Utah or Wyoming are not valid on the United States Forest Service Managed Land
· Please see the Christmas Tree Regulations for more information and for the map of where a Christmas tree may be cut.
Where you buy a Christmas tree permit?
On-line at recreation.gov – Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Christmas Tree Permits ($2.50 fee will be added to on-line sales). Must either print the permit or have the permit on your phone. A payment confirmation is not sufficient.
Evanston/Mt. View Ranger Districts: (307) 789-3194 and (307) 782-6555
Season: Early November – December 25. For exact dates, please call either the Evanston or Mountain View District offices for more information.
Evanston Ranger District, 1565 Highway 150 S., Suite A, Evanston WY 307-789-3194 Hours: 8:00am - 12:00pm, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Mountain View Ranger District, 321 Highway 414, Mountain View, WY 307-782-6555 Hours: 8:00am - 12:00pm, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Evanston Ranger District Map Mt. View Ranger District Map
Heber-Kamas Ranger District: Heber (435) 654-0470, Kamas (435) 783-4338
Permits for the Heber-Kamas area will be available starting early November. For exact dates, please call either the Heber or Kamas office for more information. Permits will be available online >>Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. ($2.50 fee will be added to on-line sales). Permits are $20.00 and allows one tree per person. Forest Service offices are closed Monday, November 11, for the Veteran’s Day holiday. Permits will be available at the following locations:
- Kamas office, 50 East Center Street, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Heber office 2460 South Highway 40 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Mountainland One Stop (Heber), 1175 South Main (435) 654-5530
- Mirror Lake Service Chevron (Kamas), 2 North Main Street (435)783-4375
- Due to the Yellow Lake fire there are areas and roads that are closed for use for public safety.
- Heber-Kamas Christmas Tree Cutting Flyer
Heber-Kamas Ranger District general map of cutting areas
Map of cutting areas off Highway 35 Map of cutting areas Highway 150 Map of cutting areas Strawberry
Logan Ranger District: (435) 755-3620
Starting Monday November 4, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Christmas tree permits will be available to purchase online only through >>Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Christmas Tree Permits.
Logan Ranger District Christmas tree flyer and map
Salt Lake Ranger District: 801-733-2660
Starting November 4, 2024 at 8:00 am. Christmas tree permits will be available to purchase online only through >>Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. Christmas tree harvesting is only allowed in the Stansbury Mountains located in Tooele County. Juniper is the only species you are allowed to cut.
Salt Lake Ranger District, Stansbury Mountains map of cutting areas
Ashley National Forest Christmas tree cutting news release
and they can be purchased online at recreation.gov
Dixie National Forest Christmas tree cutting information
Fishlake National Forest Christmas tree cutting information and permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov
Manti-LaSal National Forest Christmas tree cutting information news release and permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov
Bureau of Land Management Christmas tree cutting information in Utah
Bridger-Teton National Forest Christmas tree cutting information and permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov
Humbolt-Toyiabe National Forest Christmas tree cutting information and permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov
Caribou-Targhee National Forest Christmas tree cutting information and permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov
Sawtooth National Forest Christmas tree cutting information and they can be purschased online at recreation.gov
Guidelines for Plant Collection:
- Following appropriate environmental analysis, commercial collection of native species (plants, plant parts, or seed-quantity, location and appropriateness) may be allowed.
- Except for Forest Service approved scientific or restoration projects, or cultural use, no collection of seeds or plants are permitted in Research Natural Areas, Special Interest Areas, Wilderness or recommended Wilderness, developed recreation sites, the Central Wasatch Management Areas, and within the Cache Box-Elder Management Area from mouth of Logan Canyon to Temple Fork and Tony Grove-White Pine areas.
The Salt Lake Ranger District has discontinued the rock permit program. Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake District Office is issuing permits for their district. For additional information contact 801-977-4300.
Special Use Permits
Outfitter and Guide Permits
Does your outfitter-guide have a Forest Service Permit? For your protection, ASK.
Commercial outfitter-guides are required by law to have a Forest Service permit to operate on the National Forest. There are a limited number of permits available and businesses compete for them on the basis of their experience and qualifications, ability to service diverse publics, customer service history, financial capability, and other factors. Permittees are required to have insurance.
What are Outfitter and Guides?
There are many types of outfitted and guided services provided on National Forest lands. The traditional types primarily involve hunting and fishing in a backcountry setting, but today the industry is highly diverse and includes whitewater floating and jet-boating, backpacking, mountaineering, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, van touring, and dog sledding. Nonprofits and educational groups, such as schools and universities, are also frequently considered outfitters, as are those who use the National Forests for rehabilitation and therapeutic benefits.
I am an outfitter/guide. How do I get a permit?
Outfitter and Guide Information and Application
(100% of user fees are returned to the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest)
General information on event/commercial permits. Permits may be required for certain special activities, such as large groups, educational activities, or filmmaking. In general, permits are necessary for any activity that requires the forest to be altered in any way.
What are Recreation Events?
Recreation events are commercial activities requiring temporary special use authorizations for use of NFS lands. Examples of recreation events include, but are not limited to, animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon type races; jeep rallies; dog trials; fishing contests; rendezvous; rodeos; adventure games; youth treks; wagon trains; concerts; and other similar events. A permit is required for these types of events regardless of the number of people involved in the activity.
- Recreation Events/Race Information and Application
(100% of user fees are returned to the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest)
National forests are a popular location for the commercial filming and still photography industries. Anyone wishing to film on National Forest System lands must obtain a special use permit from the Forest Service.
Photography and filming applications must be submitted at least 14 days prior to shooting.
>> Commercial Filming and Still Photography Information and Application
- If you are shooting still photographs or “home movies” for personal use (e.g. that does not involve advertisement of a product or service or the creation of a product for sale) then a special use permit is not required.
- Breaking news is an event or incident that arises suddenly, evolves quickly, and rapidly ceases to be newsworthy. A special use permit is not required for activities involving breaking news. Examples of breaking news are wildland fires or search and rescue operations.
Commercial Still Photography
Still photography uses photographic equipment to capture still images on film, digital format, and other similar technologies. National Forest visitors and professional or amateur photographers need a special use permit to take still photographs if the still photography:
- Uses models, sets, or props that are not part of the site’s natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
- Takes place at a location where members of the public are generally not allowed or where additional administrative costs are likely.
Commercial Filming
A special use permit is required for all commercial filming activities on National Forest System lands. Commercial filming is the use of motion picture, videotaping, sound recording, other moving image or audio recording equipment on National Forest System lands that involves the advertisement of a product or service, the creation of a product for sale, or the use of actors, models, sets or props, but not activities associated with broadcasts for news programs.
For purposes of this definition, creation of a product for sale includes but is not limited to a film, videotape, television broadcast or documentary of historic events, wildlife, natural events, features, subjects or participants in a sporting or recreation event and so forth, when created for the purpose of generating income.
Commercial filming or still photography will not be permitted if the Forest Service determines that any of the following criteria apply:
- There is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated.
- There would be an unreasonable disruption of the public’s use and enjoyment of the site (beyond short term interruption).
- The activity poses health or safety risks to the public that cannot be mitigated.
Commercial Filming Drone Use
If you would like to use a drone during commercial filming, there are several criteria that must be met in order for drone use to be considered by the Forest Service. Meeting the following criteria will not necessarily guarantee commercial drone use permissions, however, having these items submitted at the time of the film permit application submittal can greatly increase the chances of be approved by the Forest Service.
- Small UAS Certificate of Registration (Federal Aviation Administration) of drone to be used during filming.
- Remote Pilot license (Dept. of Transportation/FAA).
Situations where a Drone is prohibited.
- Use in Designated Wilderness.
- Use in association with any hunting activities.
- Use within an active wildland fire area.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache is actively involved in the management of recreation residences as they are an important aspect of our special uses program and we view you as partners.
Recreation Residence Application Form (FS-2700 3a)
Appendix B_FS-2700-6B - Self-Inspection Report
Historic Character Guide Recreation Residences
UWC Recreation Residence Operating and Maintenance Guide Final
What are Non-Commercial Group Use Events?
Permits are required for groups of 75 people or more, such as weddings, family reunions, large social gatherings, etc., excluding group sites in designated campgrounds. Non-commercial group use is not applicable within Wilderness. Applications should be received by the District Office a minimum of 45 days in advance.
Other Uses
Commercial Dog Walking
Operating commercial dog walking or pet care services on National Forest System (NFS) land without a special use permit is a violation of 36 CFR 261.10(c), which prohibits the selling or offering for sale any merchandise or conducting any kind of work activity or service without authorization. Anyone found to be providing commercial dog walking services on National Forest System lands in violation of this federal regulation is subject to citation or mandatory court appearance. Fines for unauthorized commercial dog walking start at $500.
Guidance for Scattering Ashes and Erecting Memorials on Forest Service Land
It is Forest Service policy to not permit commercial scattering of cremains on NFS lands by flying services, mortuaries, or funeral homes. While there are substantial differences between a traditional cemetery and the scattering of cremains, our existing permitting authorities do not provide for the permanent use of the NFS land.
Neither burial nor scattering of ashes are an appropriate use of the forests and are not authorized on the lands of the National Forest System. The placing of remains creates a permanent occupancy of the land and the placing of headstones or monuments documenting the location are similarly permanent. Placing of statues, flowers and other items of remembrance would be considered a monument.
The use of the National Forests for these purposes would need a Special Use Authorization (36 CFR 250). In determining if an authorization can be issued, the proposed use or application to use the forest must pass the screening criteria found at 36 CFR 251.54.
However, burial of remains or scattering of ashes would not pass the initial screen found at 36 CFR 251.54(e) 1.iv; “The proposed use will not create an exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy” or the second level screen found at 36 CFR 251.54(e) 5.i; “The proposed use would be inconsistent or incompatible with the purposes for which the lands are managed.”