Event and Commercial Permits

Recreation, commercial, and event permits allow us to serve the people in a variety of ways. From outfitting to ski clinics, from fishing contests to bike races, special use permits are required to ensure safe enjoyment of your public lands. Outfitters and guides, commercial recreational events, events with groups over 75 people, and activities such as commercial filming or photography require a permit from the district on which the activity occurs.

Unsure if you need a permit? To view a list of commercial activities on National Forest System Lands, see the Commercial Recreation Activities page on our national website. For a list of Noncommercial Group Uses, visit the Noncommercial Group Uses page on our national website.

If you are interested in obtaining a special use permit for an event or commercial purpose, please contact appropriate ranger district.

Laramie and Brush Creek Hayden Districts Hahns Peak/Bears Ears District

Currently, there are multiple outfitters, guides and other commercial recreation permittees on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. View a list of current permittees, explore outfitting and guiding resources in Colorado and Wyoming, and learn what to expect from your outfitter on our Outfitter & Guide Services page.

Deadlines for submitting proposals for short-term or temporary outfitter, guide and recreation event requests are as follows:

• Summer Requests
  • February 15 – New groups should submit proposed use, locations, itinerary, and the necessary information to the Forest Service
  • March 15 – Groups that have operated in the past should 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
    • Request denied
• Winter Requests
  • August 15 – New groups should submit proposed use, locations, itinerary, and the necessary information to the Forest Service
  • September 15 – Groups that have operated in the past should submit proposed use, locations, itinerary and other necessary information to the Forest Service
  • October 30 – Forest Service notifies party of one of the following decisions
    • Request is accepted
    • Request needs modification
    • Request denied

For business contracts, call our contracting office at (307) 745-2300.

For road use or other local permits contact your local district office.

Forest Service Special Uses Program

The Forest Service manages over 192 million acres of national forests and grasslands that comprise the National Forest System (NFS). The Agency's special-uses program authorizes uses on NFS land that provide a benefit to the general public and protect public and natural resources values. Currently there are over 74,000 authorizations on the NFS lands for over 180 types of uses. Authorizations are issued as a lease, easement, right-of-way, or permit, depending on the use. Uses vary from utilities transmission, animal grazing, and research, to recreation-based uses, such as outfitting/guiding and ski areas.