Passes & Permits

  • Recreation Passes and Permits

    This is an image of of the 2022 Interagency Annual Passes and shows a recreational vehicle under a night sky

    The Interagency Passes are honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees.

    Recreation Passes

  • Wilderness Permits

    A young boy hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail

    Wilderness permits are required year-round on the Sierra National Forest for all overnight trips into the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey and Kaiser Wildernesses. Day-use wilderness permits are not required. Permit Reservations now on, Recreation.gov

    Wilderness Permits

  • Forest Product Permits

    A pine cone and pine needles.

    Collecting and removing forest products requires a permit. Forest products include items such as, edible material, decorative material, minerals, plants, and other woody material.

    Mushroom and Bracken Fern Permit information.

  • Special Use Permits

    Film crew filming in a forested area.

    Certain types of uses of public lands require "Special Use Authorizations." These include commercial activities, such as filming, guiding, and events.

    Special Use Permits

  • Campfire Permits

    An image of a campfire in a steel ring.

    Campfire Permits are required for the use of campfires, charcoal fires or portable gas stoves outside of designated recreation sites. These are free and are available at all Forest Service, BLM, or CAL FIRE offices, or online (printer required). Remember to check for fire restrictions before you go!

    Get your campfire permit online

  • Woodcutting Permits

    A stack of cut firewood.

    Before you collect any firewood you are required to obtain a firewood cutting permit. Permits are available at Forest Service offices and at some seasonal offices during the summer.

    Woodcutting Permits

Fee-Free Days

The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. The 2023 dates are:

Alerts & Warnings

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