Commercial Filming & Photography
Photography and filming requests must be submitted to allow a full 14 calendar days for processing. The 14-day processing period starts on the first business day all relevant application materials are received. Fee structure and insurance requirements are found on the official Film & Photography Request Form. Email the completed request form to SM.FS.mthpermits@usda.gov. Any filming permit questions can be directed to joseph.mcclain-davis@usda.gov, permit administrator.
The Oregon Film Board's website has a database of images to help you with your scouting. While not required, out-of-town production companies benefit from hiring an Oregon-based location scout. The Oregon Film Board can also provide information regarding incentives that the State of Oregon offers.
Does your filming project require a permit?
On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the U.S. Forest Service will manage filming and photography on national forests.
Key elements of the new law:
- In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:
- Occurs in areas open to the public;
- Uses hand-carried equipment only;
- Does not require exclusive use of a site;
- Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
- Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the U.S. Forest Service.
- Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
- All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
- When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the Mt. Hood National Forest will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
- Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.
- Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.
If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity on Mt. Hood National Forest may require a permit, or if you have further questions, please contact our permit administrator for more information.
If you are shooting still photographs or "home movies" for personal use (e.g., that does not involve advertisement of a product or service, 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:
- A wildland fire
- A search and rescue
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:
- Involves 9 or more individuals.
- 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.
A selection of public domain photos of Mt. Hood National Forest are available on our Flickr album for free use.
In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals on National Forest System lands.
In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:
- Occurs in areas open to the public;
- Uses hand-carried equipment only;
- Does not require exclusive use of a site;
- Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
- Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs.
Popular Filming Locations
There are several popular filming locations across Mt. Hood National Forest, and each have their own individual restrictions. Learn about filming guidelines at Mt. Hood's most popular sites.
Filming in Wilderness
Commercial filming is prohibited in federal wilderness.
- Wilderness Act - Section 4(c) Prohibition of Certain Uses
- "Except as specifically provided for in this Act, and subject to existing private rights, there shall be no commercial enterprise … within any wilderness area designated by this Act."
- FSH 2709.11
- "A special use permit may only be issued for commercial photography or filming if the activity has a primary objective of disseminating information about the use and enjoyment of wilderness, is wilderness-dependent and an appropriate non-wilderness substitute does not exist, and the activity would not involve the use of any motorized equipment or mechanical transport."
Use of drones is prohibited in federal wilderness. Learn more about drone/unmanned aircraft system (UAS) use on Forest Service lands.
Need a filming permit in less than 14 days?
Our permit administrators need time to process filming permits. The amount of time needed may be dependent on the project's complexity. Although there may be some flexibility, you shouldn't expect the process to take less than 2 weeks.
However, our Ski Areas can issue permits for filming & still photography within their boundaries and may be able to process permits more quickly. For details, read on.
Our Ski Areas can issue permits for filming & still photography within their boundaries:
Ski Area | Contact Name & Information |
---|---|
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area | Anna Holgate: (503) 337-2222 ext. 8113 |
Mt. Hood Skibowl Ski Area | Shannon Berger-Hammond: (503) 272-3206, ext. 1112 |
Timberline Lodge & Ski Area | Stevie Della: (503) 272-3401 |