Special Use Permits

As set forth in law, the mission of the Forest Service is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple–use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. "Special Uses" provides services supporting our national policy and federal land laws by authorizing uses on National Forest System (NFS) land. Special uses may involve everything from outfitting & guide activities, ski resorts, lodging, and marinas to energy transmission and development, commercial filming, and much more.

Each year, the Forest Service receives thousands of individual and business applications for authorization for use of National Forest System (NFS) land and carefully reviews each application to determine how the request affects the public's use of NFS land.

Normally, NFS land is not made available if the overall needs of the individual or business can be met on nonfederal lands.

Noncommercial Group Use Permits

Under the regulation, 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, endurance rides, regattas, camping trips, group picnics and graduations. 

• To obtain a Noncommercial Group Use Permit please fill out a SF-2700-3b form and submit this form to the local permit administrator on the Ranger District where you would like to hold your event.

Recreation Residence Permits

Back in the early 1900's the Forest Service Recreation Residence program started to give private citizens the opportunity to own a single-family cabin in designated areas on the National Forests. They are commonly called "summer homes" or "recreation cabins". These privately owned cabins (improvements) are located within formally established "tracts" on individual "lots" designated for that purpose.  The last formally established tract in the Region was in 1959 and no new tracts or cabins are allowed to be built.  These recreation residence permits are authorized and administered under the terms and conditions of a special use authorization (SUA) called a permit.