Permits
The Forest Service is responsible for reducing resource impacts on National Forest System lands. Permits help regulate uses, ensuring that activities do not negatively impact the environment, wildlife, or other resources. Common activities that may require a permit include wood cutting, rock and seed collecting, cutting a Christmas tree, post and pole, commercial filming, races or events, and a number of other special uses.
Forest Product Permits
Before you plan an activity on the forest, please be sure to check whether or not you need a permit.
A permit is required when firewood is to be transported off the National Forest for personal or commercial use. A permit is not needed for wood gathered for a campfire on the forest.
- Fuelwood permits are $5.00 per cord with a minimum purchase requirement of four cords ($20.00).
- You can buy up to 10 cords per household per year.
- Permits are valid from the time of purchase until December 31st of that same year.
- Permits can be purchased at any of our Ranger District Offices located in Richfield, Loa, Beaver or Fillmore.
This is your National Forest, and we need your help to ensure that the Personal Use Firewood cutting program continues by following these conditions:
- All campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative sites, and areas within 150 feet of streams, ponds and lakes are closed to cutting.
- No cutting of standing dead ponderosa pine, with the exception of Boulder Mountain. *Down and dead ponderosa trees on the Fishlake may be cut with written approval from the district ranger prior to cutting.
- No cutting of standing green trees unless specifically authorized. Written approval needs to be documented on your permit prior to cutting.
- Maximum stump height is 12 inches.
- Obey travel restrictions listed on the Fishlake National Forest Travel Map. This map is available at the local district offices.
- Obey all road closures. The purpose of road closures is to reduce the impact on the land that is incurred from vehicle use and to protect wildlife habitat.
- Never cut painted trees or within areas marked by orange, black and yellow timber sale boundary signs or in log decks.
- It is recommended that the permittee have a standard shovel and a fire extinguisher (min. 8 oz) at the cutting site. An approved spark arrestor muffler must be mounted on power saws during the fire precautionary period of June 1 to September 30.
If you see any type of sign that says "Wildlife Tree" posted, please do not cut it!
A permit is required to transport posts and poles off National Forest land for personal or commercial use. Permits for personal or commercial use are available at the district offices.
The minimum price for a forest product permit is $20.00. Permits for posts and poles are sold at the following rates:
Item Price Each Post or Pole Minimum Purchase Posts $1.00 per tree $20.00 Poles up to 4.9 inches .50 per tree $20.00 Poles 5.0 to 6.9 inches $1.00 per tree $20.00 - A permit is valid generally for 60 days from the time it is purchased.
- The permittee needs to know the location that they would like to cut and remove the posts or poles.
Permits can be purchased year-around at any district office. Contact the district office nearest the area where you want to cut the posts or poles for more information.
- All campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative sites, and areas within 150 feet of streams, ponds and lakes are closed to cutting.
- Maximum stump height is 12 inches.
- Obey travel restrictions listed on the Fishlake National Forest Travel Map. This map is available at the local district office.
- Obey all road closures. The purpose of road closures is to reduce the impact on the land that is incurred from vehicle use and to protect wildlife habitat.
- Never cut painted trees or within areas marked by orange, black and yellow timber sale boundary signs and in log decks unless authorized to do so on the permit.
- It is recommended that the permittee have a standard shovel and a fire extinguisher (min. 8 oz) at the cutting site. An approved spark arrestor muffler must be mounted on power saws during the fire precautionary period of June 1 to September 30.
Cutting a Christmas tree is a special tradition to share with family and friends while helping to maintain a healthy forest. The Personal Use Christmas Tree Cutting Program was designed for family recreation and to contribute to good natural resource management. For many families, the holiday season frequently serves as an opportunity to gather together with loved ones to create cherished memories while searching for the "perfect" tree each holiday season!
Christmas Tree Permits can be purchased online by visiting Recreation.gov, or in person at any of our district offices. These permits go on sale in November each year.
- $10.00 each for trees under ten feet tall,
- $20.00 for trees over 10 feet tall.
- There is a limit of two tree tags per household
- Other conditions may apply at the time of purchase
- Tags are usually available from mid-November through December
District Restrictions
Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436
Blue Spruce and Ponderosa Pine may NOT be cut.
Do not cut trees in the Merchant Valley Summer Home area, or along the visible timbered edge of SR-153.
Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-5721
Oak Creek Canyon and its side drainages, from the Forest Boundary up are closed to tree cutting.
The Fillmore Ranger District suggests the following locations for cutting Christmas trees:
- Dry Creek at Oak Creek
- Chalk Creek
- Meadow Creek
- Cove Fort
- Willow Creek
- Wild Goose Canyon
Fremont River Ranger District (435) 836-2811
The Fish Lake Basin recreation area, including Johnson Valley, is closed to tree cutting from the Forest Boundary on the West to Zedd's Meadow on the East.
Cutting Ponderosa Pine is prohibited, except on the Boulder Mountain portion of the Fremont River Ranger District.
Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233
Blue Spruce and Engelmann Spruce may NOT be cut on the Richfield Ranger District.
Permits for cutting Christmas trees on BLM lands may be purchased at the Richfield BLM Field Office, 150 East 900 North, Richfield, Utah and at the Hanksville BLM Field Office, 380 South 100 West, Hanksville, Utah. Maps are available at these BLM offices
Safety Tips
We want you to have a safe visit, so please come prepared for any adverse weather and road conditions.
- Please be sure to notify a friend or relative of your plans and where you plan to cut your tree
- Take along warm clothing and food
- It is a good idea to have tire chains and a shovel
During periods of bad weather, it is advisable to wait until weather clears to make your journey to the forest.
Are you in 4th grade? If yes, you are eligible to receive a free Christmas tree permit for the Fishlake National Forest!
Here's how:
Every Kid Outdoors initiative is offering one free Christmas Tree permit to 4th graders who have a valid 4th Grade Interagency Pass. These free Christmas Tree permits are only available at U.S. Forest Service offices or with on-line purchase at recreation.gov.
Instructions on how to obtain a pass or voucher and collect a free tree permit:
In order for students to receive a free tree permit, they must present a valid paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website: https://everykidoutdoors.gov.
- Visit the website and follow the instructions on the website to obtain the paper voucher.
- Print out the paper voucher.
- Bring the paper voucher with you to a Forest Service office on the Fishlake National Forest or redeem it at recreation.gov to claim the free permit. Please note that vendor partners are not able to accept these vouchers.
The 4th grader and family must present the voucher in person at an office location.
*Only one free tree permit is allowed per 4th grader.
Background on Every Kid Outdoors Initiative:
Today, more than 80 percent of American families live in urban areas, and many lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces. At the same time, kids are spending more hours than ever in front of screens instead of outside. The Every Kid Outdoors initiative encourages valuable opportunities to explore, learn, and play in the spectacular places that belong to us all and aims to inspire stewardship of these places for future generations.
As a steward of the National Forests, the Forest Service has a duty to minimize resource impacts on National Forest System lands. Large group gatherings in the National Forests may have significant adverse impacts on Forest resources, public health and safety, and the agency’s ability to allocate space in the face of increasing constraints on the use of National Forest System land. A permit system allows the agency to address these problems more expeditiously, more effectively, and more equitably.
Special Use Permits
Outfitter and Guide Permits
Does your outfitter-guide have a Forest Service Permit? For your protection, ASK.
Commercial outfitter-guides are required by law to have a Forest Service permit to operate on the National Forest. There are a limited number of permits available and businesses compete for them on the basis of their experience and qualifications, ability to service diverse publics, customer service history, financial capability, and other factors. Permittees are required to have insurance.
What are Outfitter and Guides?
There are many types of outfitted and guided services provided on National Forest lands. The traditional types primarily involve hunting and fishing in a backcountry setting, but today the industry is highly-diverse and includes backpacking, mountaineering, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, shuttles, llama rides, horseback riding, hiking, ATV/UTV tours, canyoneering, outdoor survival school and paragliding. Nonprofits and educational groups, such as schools and universities, are also frequently considered outfitters, as are those who use the National Forests for rehabilitation and therapeutic benefits.
I am an outfitter/guide. How do I get a permit?
Contact the Fishlake National Forest Supervisors Office for permit applications (435) 896-9233.
Hunting outfitter and guide permit applications are due April 15, and October 15 each year, and are reviewed shortly thereafter.
Commercial Photography and Filming
Photography and filming applications must be submitted at least 14 days prior to shooting.
Commercial Filming
A special use permit is required for all commercial filming activities on National Forest System lands. Commercial filming is the use of motion picture, videotaping, sound recording, other 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, or the use of actors, models, sets or props, but not activities associated with broadcasts for news programs.
For purposes of this definition, creation of a product for sale includes but is not limited to 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.
Commercial filming or still photography will not be permitted if the Forest Service determines that any of the following criteria apply:
- There is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated.
- There would be an unreasonable disruption of the public’s use and enjoyment of the site (beyond short term interruption).
- The activity poses health or safety risks to the public that cannot be mitigated.
Permit Guidelines
- 0-5 Participants in the filming/photography activities: No permit is required unless the activities fail to meet the other film/photography screening considerations.
- 6-8 Participants in the filming/photography activities: A de minimis use authorization may be issued unless the activities fail to meet the other film/photography screening considerations.
- 9+ Participants in the filming/photography activities: A special use permit is required.
- Use of drones would need to be screened through application process.
Click here for Photography & Filming Application
Please contact Jayne Lebeda jayne.lebeda@usda.gov 435-896-1093 for further questions.
Event Permits
Permits for events such as weddings, family reunions (outside of developed recreation sites), sporting events, festivals and such are required. In addition, commercial activities such as outfitter and guide services, are required to obtain a special use permit.
What are Non-Commercial Group Use Events?
Permits are required for groups of 75 people or more, such as weddings, family reunions, large social gatherings, etc., excluding group sites in designated campgrounds. Click here for the application (FS-2700-3b). Applications should be received by the respective district office a minimum of 45 days in advance.
What are Recreation Events?
Recreation events are commercial activities requiring temporary special use authorizations for use of NFS lands. Examples of recreation events include, but are not limited to, animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon type races; jeep rallies; fishing contests; rendezvous; rodeos; adventure games; youth treks; wagon trains; concerts; and other similar events. A permit is required for these types of events regardless of the number of people involved in the activity.
Archaeological and Cultural Resource Permits
Private Contractor Cultural Resource Surveys on Fishlake National Forest
CRM contractors must apply for a special use (ARPA) permit before working on the National Forest. Contact the forest for permit application (435) 896-9233
What are special-use authorizations?
A special-use authorization is a legal document such as permit, lease or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of National Forest System (NFS) lands.
When do I need a special use authorization?
- If you will need to occupy, use or build in NFS land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term.
- If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
- If an activity on NFS land involves individuals or organizations with 75 or more participants or spectators.
What is a non-commercial group use and when do you need a permit?
A group use is an activity that involves a group of 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators. Noncommercial is any use or activity where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and the primary purpose is not the sale of a goods or service. Some examples of noncommercial group uses are weddings, church services, camping trips, hikes, graduations, family reunions, and company picnics.
What is a prop or structure?
Examples of props include food, flowers, rice, birdseed, balloons, doves, musicians.
Examples of structures include chairs, tables, alters, arches, gazebos, portable toilets.
What are commercial recreation events and who needs a permit?
Recreation events are commercial activities requiring temporary, authorized use of NFS land. Examples of recreation events include, but are not limited to, animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon races; jeep rallies; dog trials; fishing contests; rendezvous; rodeos; adventure games; youth treks; wagon trains; concerts; and other similar events. A permit is required for these types of events, regardless of the number of people involved in the activity.
What is a commercial use or activity?
A commercial use or activity on NFS land occurs when
- An applicant intends to charge an entry or participation fee, or
- The primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, regardless of the intent to produce a profit. Money collected may cover expense categories, such as food, transportation, prizes, advertising, purchase replacement of equipment, or compensation for the leader of the activity.
Use is considered noncommercial if the fees charged are used only for the purpose of paying for actual expenses directly related to operating or staging the activity, with any excess funds returned to participants. The fees charged should not include costs for employees or personnel who stage or run the event.
Is my proposal appropriate?
- Your request must be consistent with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and special orders that apply to the national forests.
- Your request must be consistent with the Forest Plan that established standards and guidelines for management of the land where the activity will take place. A copy of the forest plan is available at Fishlake National Forest offices.
- Your request must not endanger public health or safety.
- Your request must not require exclusive or perpetual use or occupancy.
- Your request cannot conflict or interfere with administrative use by the Forest Service, other authorized existing uses, or uses of adjacent nonfederal lands.
- The application must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior special-use authorization.
- No gambling or providing of sexually-oriented commercial services can be authorized on NFS land, even if permitted under state law.
- No military or paramilitary training or exercises can be authorized on NFS land, unless it is federally funded.
- No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized on NFS land.
Fishlake Special Use Permit Event Photos
The photos below are just a few examples of events held on the Fishlake National Forest in which a Special Use Permit has been issued, including the Tushar Mountain Runs, Crusher in the Tushars bike race, and various film documentaries.
