Permits for Events, Commercial Uses and Special Uses

Recreation events are commercial activities requiring temporary, authorized use of national forest land. These are events in which participants pay a fee to participate. A special use permit is required regardless of the number of participants in the event. Examples of recreation events can include, but are not limited to: competitive animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon races, fund raisers, fishing contests, festivals/rendezvous, club activities, and other similar events.

All proposals are subject to screening and environmental assessment. They are reviewed and authorized on a case-by-case basis. District Rangers have final discretion for authorization and decisions may be based on a variety of factors.

Before Submitting a Proposal for Organized Events

• Contact the appropriate Ranger District well in advance, if you or your organization are considering holding such an event on the National Forest. Some districts may have a specific open season for submitting proposals.
• Liability insurance is required.
• The forest collects fees based on the adjusted gross income from the event.
• Commercial recreation events are NOT allowed in designated Wilderness Areas or Wilderness Study Areas.
• Depending on the size and duration of the activity, costs associated with safety issues, sanitation, shuttling, traffic control, etc. may also be required.
• Ranger districts may differ on certain specific requirements or restrictions.
• Authorization of a recreation event one year does not guarantee that another permit will be issued for a similar event in future years.
• Proponents must demonstrate that they can satisfactorily mitigate potential social, biological, or environmental impacts of the proposed activity.

To submit a recreation event proposal

Complete the Recreation Event Proposal Form and contact the appropriate ranger district.

Special Use Permits are required for non-commercial events of groups with more than 75 people, including spectators. This means a fee or participation fee is not charged. Examples of these gatherings include weddings, club events, and other organized gatherings.

All proposals are subject to screening and environmental assessment. They are reviewed and authorized on a case-by-case basis. District Rangers have final discretion for authorization and decisions may be based on a variety of factors.

Before Submitting a Proposal for Non-Commercial Group Use

• Contact the appropriate district well in advance if you are considering planning a large group event on the forest.
• Consider reserving a developed group site such as a large group campsite or pavilion. You can find many of these on Recreation.gov.
• Areas cannot be blocked or cordoned off for an event. Access for the general public to sites, trails, and/or roads must be maintained.
• Expect to have contact with members of the recreating public during your gathering.
• Proponents must demonstrate that they can satisfactorily mitigate potential social, biological, or environmental impacts of the proposed activity.
• Depending on the size and duration of the activity, costs associated with safety issues, sanitation, shuttling, traffic control, etc. may also be required.
• Ranger districts may differ on certain specific requirements or restrictions.

To submit a non-commercial group event proposal

Complete the Non-Commercial Group Use Proposal Form and contact the appropriate ranger district.

The Forest Service permits commercial filming and still photography on public lands. Like other commercial uses of National Forest lands and resources, commercial filming requires a special use permit issued by the District Ranger.

Commercial filming is defined as use of motion picture, videotaping, sound-recording, or any other type of 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, and/or the use of actors, models, sets, or props, but not including activities associated with broadcasting breaking news. For purposes of this definition, creation of a product for sale includes 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 (FSH 2709.11 2008-2 (CH 40)).

Commercial photography is defined as the use of photographic equipment to capture still images on film, digital format, and other similar technologies found on National Forest System lands that: takes place at a location where members of the public are generally not allowed or where additional administrative costs are likely; or uses models, sets, or props that are not part of the site’s natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities (FSH 2709.11 2008-2 (CH 40)).

Before Submitting a Proposal for Commercial Filming and Photography Permits

• A proposal is required at least 2 weeks in advance of requested filming dates. In cases of more complex proposals, or proposals not fully formulated, more advance notice may be required.
• Depending upon permit requests and workloads, film permitting can take up to 1-2 months.
• Project submissions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Liability insurance is required.
• The Forest collects both daily fees and a cost recovery administrative fee for commercial film and photography permits.
• Commercial filming and commercial still photography are not authorized in designated Wilderness Areas unless 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
• Drone filming may be authorized on a case-by-case basis and only upon submission of all appropriate licensing. Drone filming is NOT allowed in Wilderness Areas or Wilderness Study Areas.

To Submit a Commercial Film or Photography Proposal

Complete the CGNF Commercial Film and Still Photography Form in as much detail as possible and contact the appropriate ranger district.

Outfitters and guides perform a vital public service on the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The role of commercial outfitters and guides is to provide specialized knowledge, skills, experience and equipment that general recreationists might not otherwise possess. This contributes to high quality opportunities for people to recreate on public lands regardless of their skill level or prior experience.

Who needs an outfitter-guide permit? Individuals or entities offering outfitting and guiding services on National Forest Lands must have a permit. Review the following definitions, found in 36 CFR 251.51:

• Commercial use or activity - any use or activity on National Forest System lands (a) where an entry or participation fee is charged, or (b) where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, and in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit. Noncommercial - means that neither of the above conditions apply.
• Guiding - Providing services or assistance (such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, transporting people, or interpretation) for pecuniary remuneration or other gain to individuals or groups on National Forest System lands. The term "guide" includes the holder's employees and agents.
• Outfitting - Renting on or delivering to National Forest System lands for pecuniary remuneration or other gain any saddle or pack animal, vehicle, boat, camping gear, or similar supplies or equipment. The term "outfitter" includes the holder's employees and agents.

Operating as an outfitter on the National Forest

Priority Special Use Permits for Outfitting and Guiding are authorized by local ranger districts and are subject to standard environmental review processes. These processes and a number of other factors, including personnel and land use capacity, can affect whether a district is able to accept new proposals. Interested parties may contact the appropriate ranger district and the special use permit administrator for more details.

Temporary Special Use Permits are authorizations for a commercial use or activity that allows specified, short-term, non-recurring, non-renewable recreational use of National Forest System lands. A temporary outfitter and guide permit is not intended to be used as a means to establish priority or long-term use and can only be authorized for low-risk activities. There are multiple limitations on a temporary outfitter guide permit. District Rangers have final discretion regarding authorization and decisions may be based on a variety of factors. Contact the appropriate ranger district for inquiries.