Permits
Before you plan an activity on the forest, please verify whether a permit is required.
Permits are not required for hiking on the Forest. Common activities that that may require a permit include firewood collection, mushroom picking, rock collecting and cutting a Christmas tree.
Firewood Permits
Learn more about gathering firewood on the GMUG National Forests.
Christmas Tree Permits
Collect your own Christmas tree from the GMUG!
Special Use Permits
Special use permits may be required for your commercial or non-commercial activity such as weddings, filming, photography, outfitters & guides and commercial events.
Other Permits
- Permits are $5.00 each with a 4 permit ($20.) minimum and maximum of 8 permits.
- Keep in mind there are 2 seasons that are considered best for transplanting, spring & fall.
- Permits can be purchased at any Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forests office. Payment is non-refundable.
Permit Information:
- The purchase of trees or shrubs under this transplant permit is for Personal Use only. Reselling or any commercial use is prohibited. Persons wishing to dig trees commercially must contact the Forest Service for proper permits. Each tag authorizes the purchaser to remove one transplant under the conditions stated.
- Transplant tags are $5.00 per seedling, with a minimum purchase of $20.00 (4 transplants). Sale of transplant tags are final and not subject to refund, extension, nor is the tag transferable. Permits expire on December 31 of each year.
- A maximum of 10 trees per household may be purchase in any calendar year.
Contact your local Ranger District office for more information.
Permits for mushroom collecting are available at the GMUG National Forests District offices. Please contact the nearest district office for permit information. If you are collecting mushrooms for commercial purposes (more than 10 pounds), you must purchase a permit for the desired amount ($2.00 per pound). There is a minimum of 10 lbs. per commercial permit and a maximum of 150 lbs.
Rock collecting and gold panning are generally permitted on public lands, except for certain designated areas, such as Wilderness areas, Wilderness Study Areas, developed special management areas or recreation sites.
Rock Collecting
- Personal use rock permits are required to remove rocks from the GMUG National Forests.
- Personal use rock permits are available through GMUG Ranger District Offices. Please contact the appropriate office to check the availability of personal use permits.
- Grand Valley Ranger District (Grand Junction) - 970-242-8211
- Ouray Ranger District (Montrose) - 970-240-5300
- Norwood Ranger District (Norwood) - 970-327-4261
- Gunnison Ranger District (Gunnison) - 970-641-0471
- Paonia Ranger District (Paonia) - 970-527-4131
- Permits are $12.00 a ton.
- Permits expire on December 31 of each year.
Casual Mineral Collection on Forest Service Lands
Minerals can be collected in reasonable quantities without a permit, as long as the activity is for personal use and not commercial purposes. More information.
Non-mechanized sluicing is unregulated on most public lands, dredging and mechanized sluicing are regulated and may require a permit.
There are no designated gold panning locations on the GMUG National Forests. If you wish to engage in gold panning, you must ensure you are not panning on an active unpatented mining claim. Many areas of the national forest have unpatented mining claims. Due to complex ownership and mining claim boundaries, we suggest going to commercial gold panning businesses for families planning vacation trips. Information on these businesses are available from local Visitor Information Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.
To ensure the enjoyment of all visitors on public lands, please follow all necessary laws, regulations and guidelines:
- Collection and removal is generally limited to battery-operated equipment, equipment that uses recycling processes and dry washers.
- Collection and removal may not be assisted by motorized or mechanized equipment.
- Blasting material of any kind is not permitted.
- Do not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies.
- Limit excavation depth to four feet and fill all holes that may be dangerous to livestock or wildlife.
- Do not disturb, damage or destroy the environment; wildlife; cultural, historical or paleontological resources; or government or private property.
Additional Information
For information on snowplowing, water transmission, road and utility right-of-ways, research, and other permits, please contact the appropriate District office.
Most national forests and grasslands are open, free of charge, for your use and enjoyment. Fees may be charged and permits required for some activities and locations. Commercial Road Use Rules and Road Use Permit Requirements are in effect on the GMUG National Forests.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When you are gathering edible material (morels, etc.) for your own consumption
- When you are camping in a dispersed area
- When you are at a site that doesn't require a reservation or fee
- When you are building a campfire on National Forest System lands, you can collect a reasonable quantity of wood for the campfire without a permit
Learn more about special-use permits and how to apply.
- Collecting fuelwood
- Cutting a Christmas Tree
- Special Use Permits are required for commercial and non-commercial use of NFS lands, including:
- Easements for electrical and utility lines
- Roads to access private property bound by National Forest lands
- Oil and gas pipelines, wells or holding tanks, etc.
- Minerals