Outfitters and Guides

Outfitters and guides provide a critical service to the public by providing skills, equipment, and knowledge to people exploring their national forest. Because of their qualifications, outfitters and guides can facilitate activities for which the average person may not be equipped. Outfitters & guides may apply for temporary use permits (where available).

Outfitter-guides should:

• Provide for outfitting and guiding services that address concerns of public health and safety and that foster successful small businesses consistent with the applicable land management plan.
• Facilitate greater participation of youth and educational groups in their program.
• Be skilled and experienced individuals and conduct their activities in a manner that protects environmental resources and ensures that national forest visitors receive high-quality services.

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. Reviewing the following definitions, found in 36 CFR 251.51:

Commercial use or activity - any use or activity on National Forest System lands (a) where an entry or participation fee is charged, or (b) where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, and in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit. Noncommercial - means that neither of the above conditions apply.

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.

There are two types of outfitter and guide permits. Temporary use permits authorize short-term, non-renewable outfitting and guiding use that is authorized in increments of 50 service days, up to a maximum of 200 service days in a 180-day period. Priority use permits authorize outfitter and guide activity for up to 10 years, based on the holder’s past use and performance and applicable programmatic or project decisions to allocate use. Priority use authorizations are, with some exceptions, subject to renewal. The Bitterroot National Forest is only considering priority use permits for applicants who have held at least one temporary use permit for the service they are applying to provide.

A service day is a day or any part of a day for which an outfitter or guide provides service to a client on National Forest System (NFS) lands (1 service day for each client per 24 hours). For example, if an outfitter brings 5 clients on the forest for one day, that visit would utilize 5 service days.