Event/Commercial Permits
General Information
A Special Use Authorization is a permit, term permit, temporary permit, lease, or easement or other written instrument that grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use subject to specified terms and conditions on National Forest land. The occupancy and use may be for a one-day event such as a wedding or bicycle race, or for up to 40 years such as a ski resort permit. Our policy is to manage special uses on National Forest lands in a manner that protects natural resource values, public health and safety, and is consistent with the Forest land and resource management plans.
Before a special use proposal is approved, the agency must determine that the proposed use complies with the Forest's land and resource management plan; that National Environmental Policy Act requirements are met; there is a demonstrated need for the activity on National Forest System lands; and the use is appropriate on National Forest System lands.None of the existing special use authorities provide for permanent use of National Forest System lands.
Specific Permit Information
Recreation Event Special Use Permits
Outfitter and Guide Special Use Permits
NOTE: Proponents submitting a new outfitter or guide proposal must submit a complete application form during two annual open season windows: October 1 to December 1 (for summer activities) and February 1 to April 1 (for winter activities) to the district special use permit administrator. New proposals will not be accepted outside the open season windows.
Attention | Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District 2025 Summer Open Season
Due to capacity concerns and the continued focus on previous requests, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District will not consider new requests from existing outfitters and guides or from new proponents during the upcoming 2025 summer open season. No new permit proposals and no requests for expansion of existing permits will be considered at this time. During this pause, staff will work through existing applications so that they can be ready to receive requests for the upcoming winter 2025 and summer 2026 open seasons.
Commercial Filming Special Use Permits
Commercial Non-Recreational (Lands) Special Use Permits
Recreation Residences Special Use Permits
Resources
Alerts & Warnings
- West Bend Area Trail Closures (Nov. 19, 2024)
- Bachelor Complex Fires Emergency Closure (November 15, 2024)
- Red Fire Area Emergency Closure (Effective October 22, 2024)
- Firestone & Flat Top Fires Emergency Closure (October 11, 2024)
- Blue-Green Algae Information (Summer 2024)
- Recreating in the Cedar Creek Fire Burned Area (June 2023)
- Willamette NF Fire Closures