Event/Commercial Permits

Recreation events on national forest lands require a temporary special use permit for almost any kind of outdoor activity where participants exchange money or pay a fee to participate. Examples of recreation events include: Running races, bike races, private club outings, archery competitions, commercial sports equipment try-outs, etc.

Where no money exchanges hands and more than 75 individuals are involved, the event is classified a non-commercial group use. A simple permit is available free-of-charge for such events. Examples of non-commercial group uses include weddings, family gatherings or political rallies.

Proposal Process and Forms: A proposal is submitted to the appropriate office on the National Forest where the activity would occur, which may include a local District Office or Supervisor’s Office. Submitted applications will be evaluated for compliance with recreation event standards. Proposals that are in compliance with standards are likely to be authorized, however that decision could be affected by funding and staffing levels.

A proposal is submitted to the appropriate office on the National Forest where the activity would occur, which may include a local District Office or Supervisor’s Office. All special use proposals must first be screened using criteria required in 36 CFR 251.54. Recreation event proposals that pass those criteria are then evaluated using additional forest level screening criteria. The applicant will be notified if the proposal does not meet screening criteria.

Application Form & Requirements

Screening Criteria
Recreation Event Application
Basic Requirements
Insurance Requirements

Who needs a special use permit for outfitting and guiding on the National Forest?

A special use permit for outfitting and guiding on National Forest System land is required when an individual, company, organization, institution or non-profit group charges a participatory fee for guiding services and/or provides recreation equipment.

This policy is based on the following official definitions:

Guiding - Providing services or assistance such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, interpretation or other assistance to individuals or groups in their pursuit of a natural resource-based outdoor activity for pecuniary remuneration or other gain.

Outfitting - Providing through rental or livery a saddle or pack animal, vehicle or boat, tents or camp gear, or similar supplies or equipment, for pecuniary remuneration or other gain.

Why is the Forest Service directed under law to issue outfitter and guide permits?

Outfitter and guide permits help the Forest Service ensure that recreation services and assistance provided to the public on National Forest System lands is of the highest quality.  Permits help protect public health and safety as well as natural resources.  Permits also protect the financial interests of the public by requiring permit holders to provide proof of insurance and by returning a fee to the federal treasury.

How does the Forest Service determine a need for outfitter and guide services?

The decision to issue an outfitter/guide permit is based on a number of criteria including public need for the particular service and the capacity of the land to support the use.  A public need for outfitting and guiding services exists when such services are essential or required for the well-being of the public, needed to meet the intent of the Forest’s mission to manage and protect resources, provide for public safety and provide high quality public recreation experiences or benefits.  Market generated demand (solicited business) by a potential guide does not by itself constitute a public need.

What specific criteria does the Forest Service use to evaluate a proposal for a Special Use Permit?

We first evaluate an outfitter and guide proposal against first and second level screening criteria contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 251.54).

Only after a proposal has passed the above criteria, is it evaluated on its capability to address the following ten categories and become an application:

The following five categories define the nature of the proposed outfitter/guide activity;

• Skill
• Equipment
• Knowledge
• Safety
• Current Interest and Projected Demand
• The following five categories are based on the outfitter/guide proponent’s business plan;
• Unique Marketing & Community Economic Vitality
• Ability to address Under-Served Populations
• Dispersal of Use in Time & Space
• Conservation Education
• Sustainable Recreation

When this review has been completed, the proposal may be accepted as a formal application if all criteria has been met.  At this point, resource specialists determine and evaluate any concerns or possible impacts from the application activities on the natural or social resources of the forest. After the specialists complete and deliver their reports to the Authorized Officer, a decision is made about issuing a permit. 

When can I submit my proposal and what form do I need to submit it?

A proposal is submitted to the appropriate office on the National Forest where the activity would occur, which may include a local District Office or Supervisor’s Office. Please be advised that a National Forest may use “open seasons,” or a specified period of time limiting when prospective outfitter and guides may apply for a Temporary Use or Priority Use Permit.

Non-commercial group use permits are for an activity that:

1. Involves 75 or more people including spectators,
2. Where an entry or participate fee is not charged, and
3. Where the primary purpose is not the sale of a good or service (36CFR251.51).

Examples might include weddings, family reunions, or other group get-togethers.

Keep this is mind, whether your gathering requires a permit or not:

• Access for the general public to sites, trails, and/or roads must be maintained (no area may be closed or cordoned off).
• Wedding ceremonies may not be officiated by individuals who are paid for their services; this is a commercial service widely available off of National Forest System land.
• No vendors or food trucks or carts are allowed.
• No excessive noise or public address systems near a campsite, developed recreation site or over an adjacent body of water.
• Throwing objects, including rice, birdseed, confetti, or lanterns or the release of helium balloons is prohibited.
• Decorations such as crepe paper and balloons are prohibited.
• All litter must be disposed of properly.
• Expect to have contact with members of the recreating public during your gathering, especially at popular sites.
• Plan your event early or late in the day at developed sites to avoid peak visitation and congestion times.

Enter content

National forests are a popular location for the commercial filming and still photography industries.  Many motion pictures, television series and commercials have been filmed on the national forests of Arizona and New Mexico.

Anyone wishing to film on National Forest System lands must obtain a special use permit from the Forest Service. The following information addresses many common questions concerning the permitting process.

• When Do I Need a Film Permit?
• The Permitting Process
• Photography and Film Request (fillable PDF)

Still Photography

National Forest visitors and professional or amateur photographers do not need a permit to take still photographs unless the still photography will:

• Use models, sets or props that are not part of the site’s natural or cultural resource or administrative facilities.
• Take place where members of the public are not generally allowed. (An example would be an area closed to the public to protect winter range for wildlife.)
• Take place at a location where additional administrative costs are likely. (An example would be sites that are so popular with photographers the Forest Service is required to regulate use.)

A special use permit is not required for still photography when that activity involves breaking news.  Examples of breaking news are:

• A plane crash in the forest
• A wildland fire
• A search and rescue

Commercial Filming

A special use permit is required for all commercial filming activities on National Forest System lands. A special use permit is not required for broadcasting breaking news.

Commercial filming is defined as 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 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.

To submit a photography and fliming request, you must contact the forest office that is responsible for the area where you are interested in filming.

You will be referred to the ranger district office where the decision will be made to issue a permit to film on National Forest System lands.

Required documents

You must:

• Provide a detailed description of your planned filming activity.
• Use the Photography and Filming Request to describe your proposed use of National Forest System lands.
• Provide a map showing specific filming locations.
• Submit liability insurance naming the U.S. Government as “additional insured.” 

We will determine the appropriate amount of insurance coverage. Depending on the location and type of production, we may impose additional requirements such as bonding.

Timeframe

At a minimum, plan to submit your proposal at least 60 days before you want to start filming. Complex filming proposals may require more time. This depends on the level of analysis we determine needs to be completed before a permit can be issued.

There are approximately 700 privately owned recreation cabins on National Forest System lands across the Southwestern Region. The cabin program has been in existence since 1915 and provides a unique recreational experience. The land is not sold by the U.S. Forest Service, but rather a recreation lot administered with a Special Use Term Permit and an annual land use fee paid by the cabin owner.  Recreation residences are maintained by the occupant for personal, family, and guest enjoyment. They are not authorized for commercial use (vacation rental) nor as a permanent residence, and do not provide exclusive use of the recreation lot for the permit holder.  Recreation cabins may be rented (incidental rental as defined by the IRS) for no more than 14 days per calendar year and each rental requires authorization in writing from the District Ranger.

Starting in 2021, all recreation residence special use permits are billed by the Forest Service's National Billing Team (NBT). Questions about recreation residence bills can be sent to sm.fs.wonbt@usda.gov.

Resources for Prospective and Current Owners and Renters

Buying and Owning a Recreation Residence
Recration Residence Special Use Permits and Living Trusts
Generic Permit Example
Cabin Fee Act
Transfer Fee Chart

Special Use Application Process

Your proposal will be screened within 60 days. The processing time after screening varies with the complexity of the proposal and type of use. 

This varies depending on the type of use proposed.

This varies depending on the type of use proposed. Some forests have open seasons requiring submittal at certain times. Contact your local National Forest office for additional information 

View a list of the Initial and Second Level Screening Criteria (36 CFR 251.54(e)(1)). This is the basic criteria used to review proposals and applies to all proposals except non-commercial group use proposals which have different criteria.

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 follows the following procedures:

• Processing.  All non-recreation proposals have a processing fee once accepted which covers the environmental review and permit preparation.  This cost will vary depending on the complexity of the proposal.  Recreation uses only have processing fees if the work for the government to process the proposal is 50 hours or more of staff work.

• Monitoring.  If a proposal is approved and the project requires government oversight beyond routine permit inspection, 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.   Like with processing, recreation uses only have monitoring fees if the work for the government to monitor the project is 50 hours or more of staff work.

There are a few exceptions to these cost recovery fees like non-commercial group use.

You need a permit if:

• The activity on NFS land involves 75 or more people including spectators, or

• 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 NFS land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term. 

Ask the current permit holder who their Forest Service permit administrator is and contact that person.  The process starts by you and the current permit holder completing and submitting a form called “Holder Initiated Revocation of Existing Authorization” which is form number FS-2700-3a found on our (link to Special Use Permit Forms page).  You will need to show financial and technical ability to operate the business.  You would also need to provide a bill of sale document.

When private improvements change ownership, it is Forest Service policy to issue a new special use authorization. Upon application and presentation of proof of ownership, a new authorization may be issued to the new owner, provided continuation of the use is desirable. The new authorization may contain new conditions and stipulations.

Contact your local National Forest office.

These can be found on the national website. 

The recreation residence program is more streamlined. Cabin owners should use the information that is posted specifically for them found on the Recreation Residence page.