Permits

South Fork Salmon River and Big Creek Float Permits

The Lower South Fork Salmon River (from the confluence of the East Fork South Fork Salmon River to Main Salmon River) requires a free but mandatory permit to float year round.

This information pertains to a free, but mandatory permit to float Big Creek and the South Fork Salmon River (SFSR).  Both of these rivers require a permit to float and both rivers are located on the Payette National Forest.

The updated 2003 Frank Church River of No Return Management Plan recognized the need to give boaters floating Big Creek and the SFSR a way to exit their floats.  A Special Order was enacted on March 31, 2006 requiring floaters of Big Creek and the SFSR to be in possession of a permit.  These permits allow boaters to exit from Big Creek onto the Middle Fork of the Salmon River (MFSR), and exit the South Fork Salmon River onto the Main Salmon River, the same day they enter.  This order will be in effect during any open boating period. 

Each group entering the South Fork Salmon River (SFSR) and Big Creek river corridors are required to carry a permit notating their group size and trip duration, as well as, a float tag indicating which river they will be exiting upon. For Big Creek this is a Middle Fork Salmon River (MFSR) tag, for the South Fork Salmon River (SFSR) this is a Main Salmon tag. Maximum group size is limited to 20 people at one time. Camping restrictions apply - see below. 

How Do I Get A Permit?

Please allow 7-10 days for your permit application request to be processed. 

To begin the application process for a Big Creek or South Fork Salmon River permit, choose one of the following methods: 

1. Electronically:  Complete the permit application (see links below), save it to your computer, and email the form to emily.simpson@usda.gov.
2. By mail:  Complete the permit application (see links below), print it, and mail the hard copy to:

McCall Ranger District, ATTN: River Permit Application, 102 W. Lake St., McCall, ID 83638

1. In person:  Stop by the McCall Ranger District office at 102 W. Lake St., McCall, Idaho.
2. Over the phone:  Call the McCall Ranger District office at 208-634-0400.

Once we receive your application, we will issue your official permit, as well as float tags that must be physically attached to your boats (we provide the zip ties).  The float tags allow you to exit Big Creek onto the Middle Fork and Main Salmon rivers to the takeout at Cache Bar, or to exit the South Fork Salmon onto the Main Salmon to the takeout at either Carey Creek or Vinegar Creek. 

After we issue the permit and float tags, we can either mail the permit packet to you, or we can leave it in a drop box outside the McCall Ranger District office for you to pick up at your convenience.

The permit packet also contains information about natural and cultural resource protection, boater etiquette, and boater responsibilities.  Please ensure that ALL members of your boating party have reviewed this information BEFORE getting on the water. 

If you have any questions, please call the McCall Ranger District office at 208-634-0400.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. 

Click here for the Big Creek permit application.

Click here for the South Fork Salmon River permit application.

Camping

The permit for the SFSR allows use of the Main Salmon River however you may NOT camp on the Main Salmon between the confluence of the South Fork and the Main to Vinegar Creek.  Camping is allowed beyond Vinegar Creek if you do not choose to exit at Vinegar Creek or Carey Creek. 

For Big Creek, the permit allows use of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River from the confluence of Big Creek to the take-out at Cache Bar on the Main Salmon but does NOT allow camping on this section of river. 

River Float Boat Closure Periods

Be aware there are closure periods on some sections of both of the above rivers for the periods listed below for the protection of threatened fish. Float boating restrictions are in effect from April 1 - May 31, and August 1 - September 30 of each year. Permits will not be issued for Big Creek during the closure periods. 

The following sections of river are closed during these periods:

Big Creek, from the Big Creek/Smith Trailhead at the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area boundary located within Township 21 North, Range 9 East, Section 13, downstream in an easterly direction approximately 32 miles to the confluence with the Middle Fork of the Salmon River located within Township 20 North, Range 14 East, Section 10, Boise Meridian, Valley County, Idaho, and within the administrative boundaries of the Frank Church of No Return Wilderness, Krassel Ranger District, Payette National Forest.

Lake Creek, from its headwaters within Township 24 North, Range 4 East, Section 36, downstream in a southeasterly direction approximately 10 miles to the confluence with the Secesh River, located within Township 22 North, Range 5 East, Section 7, Boise Meridian, Idaho County, Idaho, and within the administrative boundaries of the McCall Ranger District, Payette National Forest.

Secesh River (a tributary to the SFSR), from its confluence with Lake Creek within Township 22 North, Range 5 East, Section 7, downstream in southwesterly direction approximately 8 miles to Chinook Campground located with Township 22 North, Range 5 East, section 26, Boise Meridian, Idaho County, Idaho, and within the administrative boundaries of the McCall Ranger District, Payette National Forest.

South Fork Salmon River, from its confluence with Goat Creek near the boundary between the Payette and Boise National Forests located within Township 16 North, Range 6 East, Section 1, downstream in a northerly direction approximately 22 miles to the confluence with the East Fork of South Fork Salmon River located with Township 19 North, Range 6 East, Section 3, Boise Meridian, Valley County, Idaho, within the administrative boundaries of the Krassel Ranger District, Payette National Forest.

Requirements and Guidelines

Idaho requires that all watercraft display an Idaho Invasive Species Fund Sticker.  The only exception to this requirement are inflatable, non-motorized watercraft less than 10 ft. in length.  Sticker vendors throughout the state can be located here.

The permit holder assumes primary responsibility for their group when they sign the permit.  They must accompany the group throughout the duration of the trip.  They should make each group member aware of relevant rules and river etiquette.

All groups should carry and use the following equipment:

· A portable toilet system with sufficient carrying capacity for all group members for the duration of the trip.

· A metal fire pan and receptacle for the associated ash. 

· A large water bucket or container for fire suppression. 

· A mesh strainer sufficient for removing food particulate from grey water. 

Do your part by leaving each river corridor cleaner than you found it.  Carry out all human and pet waste, food waste, and trash. 

Check for any current fire restrictions prior to your trip.  Please do not build new or expand existing fire rings.  Avoid burning any garbage that contains toxic materials.     

Camp only in pre-established camp sites with enough durable surfaces to accommodate the group size.  Do not expand existing sites. 

Never introduce any soap, even biodegradable soap, directly into any body of water. 

Black bears inhabit each river corridor.  All food, garbage, and any scented items should be stored in bear-resistant containers or suspended at least 12 ft. high and 10 ft. away from the nearest tree. Learn more here!

Cultural Site Etiquette

Artifacts that you see are protected by law; please leave them where you find them. The Antiquities Act and the Archaeological Resource Protection Act prohibit the collection of any historic and Native American artifacts or disturbance, vandalism, and looting of archaeological and historic sites.  Please leave all archeological artifacts and natural features intact. Do not touch the pictographs; natural body oils will break down the paints. With usage on the rise, adhering to minimum impact practices helps to ensure the quality and longevity of these amazing waterways and helps to ensure guaranteed permit availability for everyone for years to come.  Thank you for doing your part!     

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). Non-commercial group use is not applicable within Wilderness. Applications should be received by the 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; 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 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 whitewater floating and jet-boating, backpacking, mountaineering, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, van touring, and dog sledding. 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.

Open Season for Temporary Outfitters and Guides and Recreation Events

The Payette National Forest implemented an open season for special use recreation events and temporary outfitter and guide applications on National Forest System (NFS) lands. A special use authorization is required before conducting any type of commercial recreation use of NFS lands. This open season will streamline permitting and allow time for review and processing prior to an event or start of operations.

To promote consistency associated with the timely submittal and review of proposals, applications are accepted during designated open season only for recreation events, and temporary outfitters and guides. Applications received prior to Open Season dates would be held and reviewed after the Open Season closes. The following application periods will apply for all Ranger District Offices.

Open Season Dates for Applications

• For summer/fall events (occurring May 1 - October 31), applications are accepted between November 1 – February 15.  
  • Forest Service will alert applicants in early March as to whether the request was accepted, denied, or requires modifications.
• For winter/spring events (occurring November 1- April 30), applications are accepted between August 1 – September 15.
  • Forest Service will alert applicants in mid-October as to whether the request was accepted, denied, or requires modifications.

How do I apply?

Please contact the appropriate District Ranger Officer for more information on recreation special uses. Contact information for each Ranger District Office can be found here. We know that you don't want to plan an event, only to find out at the last minute a permit is needed. If you are in doubt about the need for a permit, or have questions about the permitting process, please give us a call!

A pre-application meeting with the permit administrator is required to ensure the proposal is an appropriate and authorized use on NFS lands. If the request is eligible for consideration, the application and supporting documentation must be received by the applicable open season deadline. Find all special use forms here. The permit administrator can verify if your application is complete. An incomplete application will delay review of your proposal.

Commercial Photography/Filming

Photography and filming applications must be submitted at least 14 days prior to shooting. Fill out SF-299 found here. Once the application is completed, please contact the McCall Ranger District office at 208-634-0400 to find out to whom you can email the form.

• If you are shooting still photographs or “home movies” for personal use (e.g. that does not involve advertisement of a product or service or the creation of a product for sale) then a special use permit is not required.
• Breaking news is an event or incident that arises suddenly, evolves quickly, and rapidly ceases to be newsworthy. A special use permit is not required for activities involving breaking news. Examples of breaking news are wildland fires or search and rescue operations.

Commercial Still Photography

Still photography uses photographic equipment to capture still images on film, digital format, and other similar technologies. National Forest visitors and professional or amateur photographers need a special use permit to take still photographs if the still photography:

1. Uses models, sets, or props that are not part of the site’s natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
2. Takes place at a location where members of the public are generally not allowed or where additional administrative costs are likely.

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.

Commercial Filming Drone Use

If you would like to use a drone during commercial filming, there are several criteria that must be met in order for drone use to be considered by the Forest Service. Meeting the following criteria will not necessarily guarantee commercial drone use permissions, however, having these items submitted at the time of the film permit application submittal can greatly increase the chances of be approved by the Forest Service.

1. Small UAS Certificate of Registration (Federal Aviation Administration) of drone to be used during filming.
2. Remote Pilot license (Dept. of Transportation/FAA).

Situations where a Drone is absolutely NOT Authorized.

1. Use in Designated Wilderness.
2. Use in association with any hunting activities.
3. Use within an active wildland fire area.

A Special Use Permit grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use subject to specified terms and conditions on National Forest Land. Lands Special Use Permits cover a variety of uses but the most common on the Payette National Forest are Linear Right-Of-Way, Communication Sites, Research, and Commercial Photography/Filming.

Research

Research special use permits include site surveys and testing, resource surveys, research studies, weather stations, and similar monitoring facilities. Some surveys are a “nominal effect” and may not need a permit. You can contact the McCall Ranger District at 208-634-0400 and ask to speak to someone in Lands Special Uses to find out more information.

Proposals should be submitted using this form during the open season (October 1- January 31).

Submit this form for archeological investigation proposals at least 30 days prior to anticipated use.

Linear Right-of-Way

Linear Right-of-Ways include, but not limited to, Powerlines, Telephone Lines, Fiber Optic Lines, Water Transmission Lines, Irrigation Ditches, and Roads.

Proposals should be submitted using the SF-299 found here (at least 60 days prior to anticipated use).

Communications Sites

Proposals should be submitted using the SF-299 found here.

More information regarding Communication Sites can be found on the Washington Office Website.

Other Land Use Permits

Other land use permits include, but not limited to, service buildings, stockpile sites, warehouse and storage yards, signs, dams, hydroelectric, and parking lots.

How long does it take to get a proposal processed?

This can vary from a couple of days to well over a year. Your proposal will be screened within 60 days (filming and research may be shorter). The processing time after screening varies with the complexity of the proposal and type of use.

What form do I use to submit my proposal?

This varies depending on the type of use proposed. Visit this page to view the different application forms.

What is the Initial and Second Level Screening Criteria?

A list of these criteria can be found at this link. This is the basic criteria used by the agency to review proposals and applies to all lands special uses proposals.

I/We have an existing permit. I/We wish to make a change/addition to our use. Is the process the same?

Yes. Submit a new SF-299 form found here, describing changes to the existing permitted use.

What are the fees to apply for a permit?

There is no fee to have your proposal go through the first level of screening by the Forest Service. If your proposal is accepted, then processing and monitoring fees follow these procedures:

• Processing: All lands special use proposals have a processing fee once accepted which covers the environmental review and permit preparation. This will vary based on the complexity of the proposal.
• Monitoring: If a proposal is approved and the project requires government oversight beyond routine permit inspections, such as construction of a new facility, the proponent will be required to pay a monitoring fee. This will vary depending on the complexity of the proposal.

Do I even need a Lands Special Use Permit?

You need a permit if:

• There is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use of the land, or,
• You will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest System land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term.

I have bought property that has a special use permit tied to it with the Payette National Forest (i.e. private road access, water system, etc.). How would I get the permit for this use to continue under my name?

Contact the McCall Ranger District office at 208-634-0400 and ask to speak to someone in Lands Special Uses. The process starts by completing a form called “Holder Initiated Revocation of Existing Authorization, Request for a Special Use Permit” which is form number FS-2700-3a, found here. You would also need to provide a bill of sale document.

Who can I contact regarding a Lands Special Use Permit?

Contact the McCall Ranger District at 208-634-0400 and ask to speak to someone in Lands Special Uses.