Special Use Permits
Special use authorizations (permits) are required to provide outfitter and guide services and for conducting organized events of a temporary nature when a fee is involved, commercial filming and photography, large gatherings of 75 or more people, bus tours, and outfitting and guiding.
For more information about special use permits on the Bighorn National Forest, please email sm.fs.bighorninfo@usda.gov or call the Supervisor's Office at 307-674-2600.
Deadlines for submitting proposals for temporary outfitter and guide and recreation event requests:
- March 15 for proposed activities from May 1 through October 31
- September 15 for proposed activities from November 1 through April 30
Special use authorizations (permits) are required for conducting organized events of a temporary nature when a fee is involved. This includes events such as competitive races, contests, fund raisers, eco-challenges, dog trials, horseback rides/races, adventure games, and more.
Commercial use in the Bighorn National Forest such as outfitting and guiding requires a special use permit. Examples of activities are guided hunts, guided mountain biking, guided hikes, or guided climbing. Groups such as educational institutions (colleges, universities, or other schools) that wish to offer trips or classes in the Bighorn National Forest should contact us about permit requirements.
Special use authorizations (permits) are required for activities on National Forest System land that involves individuals or organizations with 75 or more participants and spectators where there is no fee involved. This includes weddings, family reunions, church retreats, group campouts, organization rallies, and more.
Use of the Bighorn National Forest for commercial filming and still photography requires a special use authorization, or permit.
Shell Falls Interpretive site is closed for the 2025 season for construction preparation. There is no parking or restroom facilities. Bus tour groups should contact us about permit requirements to other facilities in the Forest.
In 2007, the Bighorn National Forest completed a forest-wide study of the need and public demand for outfitter-guide activities, and analyzed the forest’s capacity to absorb additional visitors and manage additional administrative work. The forest needs assessment and capacity analysis documents are available online.
It is important to keep in mind that market generated (solicited business) by a potential outfitter-guide does not by itself constitute a public need for the service.
- Bighorn National Forest Resource Use Analysis, Outfitter Guide Need Determination, and Allocation of Recreation Use (signed in 2007, amended in 2008, updated in 2017) (Appendix C Mailing List was removed)
- Area Capacity Allocation (Table III-4)
- Rock & Ice Climbing Allocation (Table III-7)
- Trail Based Allocation (Tables III-5a, b, c)
- Road Based Allocation (Table III-6a, b, c)
- Compartment Map (Map I-1)
- Rock & Ice Climbing Map (Map I-2)