Event/Commercial Permits

Commercial activities must obtain a permit when they charge a participation fee or where the primary purpose is the sale of goods or services, regardless of whether the activity is intended to produce a profit. Permits control recreational land use, protecting natural resources from overuse or damage. Special use permits must be obtained through the Superior National Forests.

Proponents submitting a new outfitter or guide proposal must submit a complete proposal form to the District Special Use Permit Administrator by the following dates: January 31st or June 30th. Proposals may take 6 months or more to process.

Proposals will begin being evaluated after each proposal deadline date. The preferred format for a proposal is a well thought out Business Plan.  

Proponents submitting a new outfitter or guide proposal must submit a complete proposal form by the following dates: January 31st for the summer season and year-round permits or June 30th for the winter season to the District Special Use Permit Administrator. Proposals will begin being evaluated after each proposal deadline date. The preferred format for a proposal is a well thought out Business Plan.

A business plan should include sufficient detail of your proposal that the Forest Service can make an informed decision whether to accept an application. At a minimum, the Business Plan should address these points:

• Business and contact name
• Address and phone number/email
• Background – technical ability to guide
• Proposed services – type of guiding service; number of service days*
• Proposed locations and season of use – be specific; entry points, trail heads, routes, anticipated number of trips.
• Equipment provided
• Transportation of clients
• Proposed fees
• Evaluation of public need for this service – targeted audience or clientele and plans for engaging youth or underserved groups
• Comparison with any similar existing services already under a Special Use permit

*Service day = 1 client x 1 day on National Forest System Land

Once a proposal is received and the seasonal submission deadline has past, the proposal will be evaluated in accordance with national policy. If a proposal is found to be acceptable an application will need to be completed. Application will include:

• A signed Special Use Application and Permit for Outfitting and Guiding (Form SF 299)(pdf). This is the official application for all special use activities. Please answer questions as they apply to your outfitting and guiding proposal
• A signed and completed Outfitter Operating Plan. (pdf)
• Current insurance certificate included in the application package that shows the United States as secondary insured with a combine single limit coverage of $1,000,000.00. The agency will determine that the complete application complies with the Forest’s land and resource management plan; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements are met; there is a demonstrated need for the activity and the use is appropriate on National Forest System Lands; and the applicant has the Technical and Financial capability to provide outfitting & guiding services.
• Additional resource - FS Handbook 2709.14 (pdf)