Contact Us
Office Listing
National Headquarters
Phone: 800-832-1355
Mailing Address: 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0003
Physical Address: 201 14th St. SW, Washington, DC 20250
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Choose a topic below to find an answer or an expert.
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
Tracking our activities through performance measures provides the Forest Service the opportunity to demonstrate our achievements. Many of your questions may be answered by visiting our Budget and Performance web page.
If you require additional information, please contact our National Press Office.
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
Information on how to file a tort claim (PDF, 125 KB)
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
You do not need a permit or other authorization from the Forest Service for small scale panning or prospecting with a pick and shovel. If you have something larger scale in mind or use any type of mechanized equipment you will need to work with the District Ranger for approval of the activity and plans for reclamation of the site.
Metal Detectors are allowed for prospecting, without permits unless it is for a commercial venture. However, metal detectors are prohibited for use in historical archeological sites.
Treasure Hunting (Treasure Troves) does require a special use permit from the Forest Service. If you want to search for buried or lost treasures you will need to contact the local District Ranger.
Native Plant Materials Policy and Authorities (Plants, trees, fungi, and more)
Rockhounding Guide (collecting, metal detecting, artifacts, treasure hunting) (PDF, 2.1 MB)
Sacred Tribal Sites - Best Practices Guide (PDF, 8.8 MB)
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
Ask questions or report conditions about roads, trails, facilities, and more.
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
Contracts, commercial permits, licensing, and more.
In general, for non-commercial use, you don't need a permit to film on Forest Service lands.
Commercial filming and photography may take place on Forest Service public lands (National Forests). Like other commercial uses of National Forest System lands or resources, commercial filming and photography requires a Special Use Permit, which is issued by the District Ranger or Forest Supervisor [Authorized Officer] of the relevant forest. The agency’s special-use program, which follows agency policy and federal law, allows uses of those lands that provide a benefit to the general public and protect public and natural resources values. The local forest will be able to inform you if a permit and fees are required based on your proposed activity description.
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
Find a Local Expert or Office for Feedback or Questions
Ask to talk with a forest Realty Specialist or Permit Administrator.
Your national forests and grasslands are 193 million acres of vast, scenic beauty waiting for you to discover. Over 3 million acres of land located in 22 National Recreation Areas managed by the Forest Service is preserved for recreational activities like hiking, boating, fishing and swimming, while highlighting natural, cultural and scenic resources. Visitors who choose to recreate on these public lands find 162,984 miles of trails, over 30,000 recreation sites, over 400,000 miles of streams and 3 million acres of lakes, 127 alpine ski areas, 338,000 heritage sites, and specially designated sites that include 36.7 million acres of designated wilderness areas, 130 wild and scenic rivers, 12 monuments, and one preserve. And remember, “It’s All Yours.”
Each National Forest unit is managed by a local team. As conditions, rules and regulations on each forest are likely to be different, contacting the forest directly is your best resource for local information:
For national programs, please review our list of national offices.
The Forest Service has been managing wildland fire on National Forests and Grasslands for more than 100 years. But the Forest Service doesn’t – and can’t – do it alone. Instead, the agency works closely with other federal, tribal, state, and local partners. While some of your questions might be answered below, the local forest is your best contact for comments and answers to your more localized questions:
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
In general, if state and federal laws permit the carrying of guns, you are allowed to do so on National Forest System lands. Both state and federal laws apply on National Forest System lands, so you need to check on the state laws and county ordinances which may apply to the area you will be visiting. You also need to follow any general federal laws and regulations about weapons (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (https://www.atf.gov/).
Before you visit, contact the local Forest Service district or forest office, as they are more aware of local ranges, local orders and restrictions, issues and special conditions that may affect you. More general information can be found below.
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
The Junior Forest and Junior Snow Ranger programs use Forest Service science and practices to encourage children ages 7 through 13 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Check out the booklets below for more information.
Become a Junior Forest Ranger - English Version (PDF, 23.8MB)
Conviértete en Guardabosques Juvenil - Español (PDF, 4.59MB)
Become a Junior Snow Ranger - English (PDF, 13.4MB)
For national programs please review our list of national offices.
Official solicitation for public comment is posted on regulations.gov in coordination with a federal register notice.
Smokey Bear's Zip Code
There are only two special ZIP codes in the country not associated with a business. Each U.S. president is assigned a ZIP code for his or her personal use while in the White House. But those ZIP codes are kept secret except for a few choice people. The other lucky ZIP code belongs to Smokey Bear, who received so many letters in the 1960s that the U.S. Postal Service gave him 20252. And we don't want to keep this one a secret.
Related blog: Letters to Smokey Bear reveal promise of hope for the future