Memorials, Plaques, Honoraria, or Commemorative Monuments

The placement of a monument, memorial, or commemorative plaque or bench along trails, overlooks, roadways, or other public place has become an increasingly common practice to memorialize loved ones and important events. This practice can have great significance for friends, family, or people close to the event. For others, memorials can impact their experience, particularly when they are found in natural settings. For this reason, and due to the increase in requests for such memorials across National Forest lands, we are unable to permit them.  

In lieu of placing a monument or memorial on public land, we invite you to consider honoring the person or event in ways that contribute to the natural environment of the national forest, such as planting trees: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/donations 

At times, a memorial may be appropriate to mark a nationally or regionally significant event, to identify points of interest, or provide information about local history. In these instances, it may be acceptable to permit a memorial on National Forest System lands; contact our office to learn more. 

Memorials or other commemorative items left on public land may be a violation of 36 CFR 261.10.