Special Use Permits
Special Use Permits are a type of Forest Service authorization that may allow short- or long-term uses of National Forest System (NFS) lands that are otherwise not permitted to the general public. The purpose of placing these uses under authorization is to include terms and conditions that allow the Forest Service to manage land uses, protect natural resources from overuse or damage, and protect public health and safety. The permit application process varies depending upon the type of special use.
What are special-use authorizations?
A special use authorization is a legal document such as a permit, term permit, lease, or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of NFS land. The authorization is granted for the specific use of the land for a specific period of time.
- If you will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest Service (NFS) land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term.
- If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
- If an activity on NFS land involves individuals or organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.
- Your request must be consistent with laws, regulations, orders, policies of NFS lands, other federal laws, and applicable state and local health and sanitation laws.
- Your request must be consistent or made consistent with the standards and guidelines in the applicable Land and Resource Management Plan.
- Your request must not pose serious or substantial risk to public health or safety.
- Your request must not require exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy.
- Your request does not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative uses, other scheduled or authorized existing uses, or use of adjacent non-NFS lands.
- The proponent must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior or existing special-use authorization.
- No gambling or providing of sexually oriented commercial services can be authorized on NFS land, even if permitted under state law.
- No military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals can be authorized on NFS land, unless it is federally funded.
- No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized on NFS land.
How much does an authorization cost?
| Type | Hours | Processing Fee CY 2025 |
| Minor 1 | Greater than 1 hour less than or equal to 8 hours | $151 |
| Minor 2 | Greater than 8 hours less than or equal to 24 hours | $545 |
| Minor 3 | Greater than 24 hours less than or equal to 36 hours | $1,007 |
| Minor 4 | Greater than 36 hours less than or equal to 50 hours | $1,443 |
* Pursuant to 36 CFR 251.58(g), no processing or monitoring fee shall be charged for:
- Applications and authorizations that require one hour or less for the agency to process or monitor.
- Applications and authorizations for recreation special uses that require 50 hours or less to process or monitor.
- Applications and authorizations for a noncommercial group use (36 CFR 251.51).
Master Agreement
| Type | Hours | Processing Fee CY 2025 |
| Major 5 | As specified in the agreement | As specified in the agreement |
| Major 6 | Estimated work hours greater than 50 | Full reasonable costs, except MLA full actual costs (MLA) |
PDF Version of Cost Recovery:
36 CFR 251.58(c)(7) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-II/part-251/subpart-B#251.54
This is an annual rental fee based on the fair market value for the uses authorized and is payable in advance. Fees are established by appraisal or other sound business management principles.
Additional information on special-use permit fees - https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/lands-realty-management/special-uses/fees-payments
You may be responsible for providing information and reports necessary to determine the feasibility and environmental impacts of your proposal; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and terms and conditions to be included in the authorization.
Special-Use Permit Applications
| Document | Download |
| Commercial Filming & Photography | |
| Non-commercial Group Use Events | |
| Recreation Events | Contact district office |
| Outfitter Guide Application/Operating Plan | Contact district office |
| Research | |
Transfer of Existing Special-use Authorization, Land Uses & All Other Uses
| |
| Forest Map |
Recreation Use Permits
- Group Use - an activity that involves a group of 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators.
- Non-commercial Use - an activity where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and the primary purpose is not the sale of goods or services. Some examples of non-commercial group uses are weddings, church services, educational camping trips, hikes, graduations and races.
- Short-term forest users, not exceeding one year (recreation districts, schools and nonprofit entities). Examples include a request for a one-week hike on National Forest System land or a group requesting three-short-day trips over the course of the summer. Permits will be issued for the short duration of the trip and will not exceed one year. Capacity should not be adversely affected by these groups. All recreation event requests should be handled through this process. Refer to the timeline approach below.
- Long-term forest users requesting a large number of service days or who use the National Forest on a regular basis throughout the season may need to apply through a competitive process. It also assumed that these requests would pass the streamlining process as required in 36 Code of Federal Regulation 251.
- Examples: Campgrounds and picnic areas, organization/private camps, shelters, outfitter and guide services, resorts, marinas, vendors and peddlers (mobile concessions) and ski areas
Timelines
Timelines recurrently in place is as follows for existing outfitters or new applicants (based on the USFS, Region 2 Directions March 31, 2005):
- February 15th – new groups must submit proposed use, locations, itinerary and other necessary information to the Forest Service
- March 15 – Groups that have operated in the past must submit proposed use, locations, itinerary and other necessary information to the Forest Service
- April 30 – Forest Service notifies party of one of the following decisions:
- Request is accepted
- Request needs modification (for instance, change to a different trail or to different day)
- Request denied
Timelines recurrently in place is as follows for existing outfitters or new applicants (based on the USFS, Region 2 Directions March 31, 2005):
- August 15 – New groups must submit proposed use, locations, itinerary and other necessary information to the Forest Service
- September 15 – Recurring groups must submit proposed use, locations, itinerary and other necessary information to the Forest Service
- October 30 – Forest Service notifies proponent whether proposal was
- Request is accepted
- Request needs modification (for instance, change to a different trail or to a different day)
- Request is denied
The Special-Use Authorization Process
- Submit proposals and applications at least 90 days prior to your intended start of operations to Denise Kusnir, Forest Lands Program Manager at mary.kusnir@usda.gov.
- Please note, Outfitter & Guide and Recreation Event applications will be only processed during the Open Season (See timeline above).
- Pre-application actions — Initial screening. Upon receipt of a request for any proposed use, the authorized officer shall screen the proposal to ensure that the use meets the minimum requirements applicable to all special uses.
- Second-level screening of proposed uses. A proposal, which passes the initial screening, proceeds to second-level screening and consideration. In order to complete this screening and consideration, you may receive a request for additional information as necessary to obtain a full description of the proposed use and its effects.
- Acceptance or Denial of applications. If a proposed use does not meet both the initial and second-level screening criteria, the authorized officer shall reject the proposal. If a proposed use meets both the initial and second-level screening criteria, the authorized officer shall notify the proponent of acceptance of the application.