Special Use Permits
Special-use authorizations are legal documents that allow specific uses or privileges on National Forest System land for a set time and are required for activities like large gatherings, commercial operations, filming and photography, recreation residences, or other actions that may impact forest resources.
- If you will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest System 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 National Forest System land involves individuals or organizations with 75 or more participants or spectators
- If your filming and photography project meets requirements that require a special-use permit or de minimis use authorization.
- 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?
Table of Cost Recovery Fees - Minimal Impact
| Type | Hours | Processing Fee CY 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Minor 1 | Greater than 1 hour less than or equal to 8 hours | $159 |
| Minor 2 | Greater than 8 hours less than or equal to 24 hours | $563 |
| Minor 3 | Greater than 24 hours less than or equal to 36 hours | $1,059 |
| Minor 4 | Greater than 36 hours less than or equal to 50 hours | $1,518 |
Master Agreements
| Type | Hours | Processing Fee CY 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
Diagram of Cost Recovery Process
If Accepted as a Formal Application: Proceed with NEPA
| Step | Category: Minor (1-4) Single Project (CE) | Category: Master Agreement Major (5) Number of Projects | Category: Major (6) Single Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate admin time/cost | Category 1: $159 Category 2: $563 Category 3: $1,059 Category 4: $1,518 | Per agreement | Per agreement |
| Estimate monitoring time/cost | Category 1: $159 Category 2: $563 Category 3: $1,059 Category 4: $1,518 | Per agreement | Per agreement |
| Customer service standards | Review 36 CFR 251.58(c)(7) | Review 36 CFR 251.58(c)(7) | Review 36 CFR 251.58(c)(7) |
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.
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
| Special Use Type | Documents (PDFs) |
|---|---|
| Filming & Photography | Photography and Filming Request Form |
| Noncommercial Group Use Events | Noncommercial Group Use Application Form |
| Recreation Events | Recreation Event Application Form Operating Plan Estimated Fee Worksheet |
| Outfitter Guide | Hunting Application-Operating Plan Non-Hunting Application-Operating Plan |
| Research | Research Permit Application |
| Weddings | Site Information & Requirements |
| Transfer of Existing Special-use Authorization, Land Uses & All Other Uses | Please contact  SM.FS.Coronado_SU@usda.gov in addition to filling out form SF-299 |
The Special-use Authorization Process
You've submitted the forms. Now what happens? Depending on the complexity of the proposal, obtaining a special-use authorization can sometimes be a lengthy process. It is important to note not all proponents will receive approval for a permit, therefore any action taken before receiving a special-use authorization, such as occupying National Forest System Lands and advertising or expending funds, is premature and at the proponent's risk--and is against the law.
- Submit ALL proposals and applications at least 90 days of your intended start of operations.
- All proposals and applications will be date-stamped when received and processed in order of receipt. Please make note Outfitter and Guide applications will be only processed during the Open Season.
- Submit all proposals/applications or questions to the Coronado National Forest Supervisors Office.
- Coronado National Forest- Special Uses Inbox: SM.FS.Coronado_SU@usda.gov
Coronado National Forest, Supervisors Office
Coronado National Forest
Attn: Special Uses
300 W. Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 388-8300 (main phone line)
Open Seasons
An “Open Season” is a focused period to receive applications that will concentrate the review and approval of outfitter and guide and recreation event applications to a specific timeframe.
The purpose of using an Open Season (focused period for applications) is to provide the most effective and efficient permit administrative process that will improve the Coronado National Forest’s customer service to existing permit holders and new permit applications. This will increase the probability of forest service staff to review permit applications in a predictable and efficient manner to ensure that forest resources are protected, and environmental compliance is consistently applied to each application.
For calendar year 2026, please review the Open Season Letters for application deadlines for Outfitter and Guides and Recreation Events.
Open Season will be implemented for all future years.