Permits

Christmas Tree Permits

Available annually from mid-October to December 31 at Recreation.gov

Christmas tree permits are $15. Each permit allows one tree to be cut, with a limit of five permits per family. The maximum height of a permitted tree is 20 feet.

You must have a valid permit in your possession at all times when cutting Christmas Trees on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Cutting or removal of forest products is prohibited in campgrounds, summer home sites, administrative sites (guard stations), ski areas, Cache Creek Canyon near Jackson, the Snake River Canyon, designated Wilderness or Wilderness Study Areas, and elk feed grounds. Exceptions to any closed areas must be written on the permit and signed by a Forest Officer. Stumps must be cut to 8 inches or less.

• Christmas Tree Guidelines
• Maps of Cutting Locations, By District

Forest Service videos with fun and informational ideas to maximize your tree hunting experience: 

Christmas Tree Guidelines Video

"Oh Christmas Tree"- Tips for a Successful Tree Hunting Video

"Our Christmas Tree Permit Tradition" Video

December 2010- the Bridger-Teton National Forest provided the nation with the annual Capitol Christmas Tree for the first time in Wyoming History. Themed: “Wyoming: Forever West” the search for the perfect Christmas tree ultimately leads to the selection of an 83 year old (67 foot tall) Engelmann Spruce from the Pacific Creek area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

 You can follow the 4,800 mile journey made from Wyoming to Washington D.C. and be reminded why it truly is one of the best times of the year.

PBS-"From Wyoming to the Nation: Journey of the Capitol Tree"

C-SPAN-"Capital Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony"

The firewood program requires that firewood be charged for at the rate of $7.00 per cord, with a minimum charge of $35.00 per permit. However, free wood may be available in some areas. Check with your local District Office for location of these areas.

In order to ensure that there will be enough firewood accessible to people for their personal use in the future, each family is limited to 10 cords per year, per household.

Permittees wishing to use tractors, horses, cable systems or other than a pickup truck, winch, chainsaw or ATV must check with their local District Office and obtain written permission and attach to the permit. Motorized travel on the Forest is restricted to designated routes. Free, downloadable and printable motorized vehicle use maps are available online of the Forest.

Available May 15-December 31 

• Firewood-Personal Use - $7.00 per cord with a $35 minimum

Available by Request

• Firewood-Free Use - Free
• Firewood-Special Areas - $7.00 per cord with a $35 minimum
• Firewood- Live Aspen - $7.00 per cord with a $35 minimum

No Firewood Permit is needed for visitors camping on the Bridger-Teton National Forest

• Firewood permits are required for wood that leaves the National Forest

For a Rock Gathering/Minerals Permit for personal use, contact the district office near the location you wish to collect and they will issue you confirmation from the Forest Geologist. If you wish for commercial collection there is a separate application and we will be happy to assist you!

Available Annually from May 15 - December 31

• Transplant- Personal Use - $5 under 6ft. - $10 for 6 to 10ft. - $25 10 to 20ft. with a $20 minimum)
• Transplant- Commercial Use - $5 under 6ft. - $10 for 6 to 10ft. - $25 10 to 20ft. with a $20 minimum)
• Live transplants (shrubs, forbs/ grasses, etc.) - $2.00/each, $20 minimum

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Products Available by Request- Check local offices for availability

• Boughs & Miscellaneous- Personal & Commercial - $.20 per pound with a $20 minimum
• Dry Cones, Foliage, Seeds & Wildflowers- Personal & Commercial - $2.00 per pound with a $20 minimum
• Other Miscellaneous Products- Personal & Commercial
  • Prices may not be established with a $20 minimum
    • Boughs, all species
    • Dry Cones
    • Green (seed) Cones
    • Willow branches
    • Fern Cuttings
    • Ornamental Grass
    • Ornamental Shrub Cutting
    • Mushrooms
    • Bark
    • Moss/Lichens
    • Roots including Corn lily, skunk cabbage
    • Bulbs
    • Herbs
    • Foliage/Decorative Greenery

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 National Forest System lands. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time and in an specific area.

When do I need a special use authorization?

• If you will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest System lands 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 those lands involve individuals or organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.

How do I apply for a special use authorization?

• Contact the ranger district on which your proposed use would occur.If the proposed use would occur on multiple districts, please contact the Forest Supervisor’s Office.
• Proposals for use on National Forest System lands will not be accepted when the proposed use can reasonably be accommodated on non-National Forest System lands.
• In order to accept a proposal for further consideration, the authorized officer will screen the proposal to ensure that the use meets the following minimum requirements applicable to all special uses:
  • The proposed use is consistent with the laws, regulations, orders, and policies establishing or governing National Forest System lands, with other applicable Federal law, and with applicable State and local health and sanitation laws.
  • The proposed use is consistent or can be made consistent with standards and guidelines in the applicable forest land and resource management plan prepared under the National Forest Management Act and 36 CFR part 219.
  • The proposed use will not pose a serious or substantial risk to public health or safety.
  • The proposed use will not create an exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy.
  • The proposed use will not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative use by the Forest Service, other scheduled or authorized existing uses of the National Forest System, or use of adjacent non-National Forest System lands.
  • The proponent does not have any delinquent debt owed to the Forest Service under terms and conditions of a prior or existing authorization, unless such debt results from a decision on an administrative appeal or from a fee review and the proponent is current with the payment schedule.
  • The proposed use does not involve gambling or providing of sexually oriented commercial services, even if permitted under State law.
  • The proposed use does not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals, unless such training or exercises are federally funded.
  • The proposed use does not involve disposal of solid waste or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances.
• Any proposed use other than a noncommercial group use that does not meet all of the minimum requirements above shall not receive further evaluation and processing.
• A proposal which passes the initial screening and for which the proponent has submitted the required information proceeds to second-level screening and consideration. An authorized officer shall reject any proposal, including a proposal for commercial group uses if upon further consideration, the officer determines that:
  • The proposed use would be inconsistent or incompatible with the purposes for which the lands are managed, or with other uses; or
  • The proposed use would not be in the public interest; or
  • The proponent is not qualified; or
  • The proponent does not or cannot demonstrate technical or economic feasibility of the proposed use or the financial or technical capability to undertake the use and to fully comply with the terms and conditions of the authorization; or
  • There is no person or entity authorized to sign a special use authorization and/or there is no person or entity willing to accept responsibility for adherence to the terms and conditions of the authorization.

Special use permits are required for recreation events, noncommercial group use,  commercial activities, commercial filming and still photography, as well as many other types of uses that take place on National Forest System lands.

• Recreation Events include events or races like a triathlon, boating events, a bicycle race, etc. To apply for a recreation event permit, contact the appropriate ranger district as early as possible and at least 6-12 months in advance of your proposed use. Some ranger districts have application windows indicating the times of year that proposals will only be accepted.
• Commercial permits include activities such as a business operating on the Forest; examples including outfitting and guiding services, filming and photography, or shuttle transportation.
• Noncommercial group special use permits are required for group gatherings that involve 75 or more people such as a wedding.

Noncommercial Group Special Use Permits: Generally Groups of 75 or more people are required to obtain a special use permit when gathering on National Forest System lands.  If you are interested in bringing a group of this size to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, please contact the appropriate Ranger District to submit a proposal for a permit.

Recreation Event Permits: In order to complete the necessary environmental analysis, 6 months or more could be required to approve new requests. Contact the appropriate Ranger District where you wish the event to take place to learn more about event permits. 

Group Use Permits: Generally groups of 75 or more people are required to obtain a special use permit when gathering on National Forest System lands.  If you are interested in bringing a group of this size to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, please contact the appropriate Ranger District to submit a proposal for a permit.

• In addition, there are specific types of group use permits that are required on the Bridger-Teton National Forest including those specifically for floating the Snake River and for Wilderness Areas. See these sections of our website for further information regarding these particular types of group use permits.

Filming/Photography Permits: Frequently, filming and photography activities require a permit on Forest System lands. You might also want to review the requirements to learn more about this activity and when the permit is pertinent.

Commercial Permits: Many businesses currently operate on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.  Typically, previous planning efforts determine the need for serving the public on Forest System lands.  Contact the appropriate Ranger District where you wish to operate a business in order to learn more about commercial permits on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

The Wedding Tree

The Wedding Tree is located on the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the Jackson Ranger District within the Gros Ventre River drainage. The tree is located a short 5-minute walk towards the Tetons from the small parking lot and provides a spectacular view of the Teton Range.

The parking lot is located off of Gros Ventre Road, past the Gros Ventre River Ranch and before reaching Lower Slide Lake, on the right-hand side. Follow the trail from the parking lot, heading back the way you came, for about 5 minutes to reach the Wedding Tree.

Dispersed camping is not allowed in this area and depending on fire restrictions, campfires may be allowed.

While there is no address for this location, the Wedding Tree is located about five miles east of Kelly, WY on the Gros Ventre Rd. It is easy to miss, but as you head upstream along the Gros Ventre Road, there is a pull off on the right hand side that can accommodate 5-7 cars.

There are no services or stores on the Forest up the Gros Ventre Road, so if you do go out to this area of the Forest, be prepared with a full tank of gas, water, food and provisions. Cellular phone service is not guaranteed. The road is passable, but rough in places.

Scheduling and management of the Wedding Tree permits is handled by Friends of the Bridger-Teton, who will provide additional resources to protect and preserve this site. Anyone wishing to use the site is required to sign a detailed operating plan, agree to abide by all rules and regulations, and pay a processing fee of $300. The funds collected through the implementation of a processing fee will be put toward activities and future improvement projects directly benefitting users of the Wedding Tree. Regular site clean-up and maintenance, construction of a permanent platform structure, and/or installation of a vault toilet are examples of activities and projects being considered.

To schedule your event at the Wedding Tree, please visit the Friends of the Bridger-Teton’s website.

LAND USE AUTHORIZATIONS

Special Use Authorization grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use subject to specified terms and conditions on National Forest System lands.

Lands Special Use Authorizations cover a variety of uses but the most common are Road Rights-Of-Way, Communication Uses, Research, and Water Systems.

Please see below to determine which Lands Special Use Permit best fits your needs.  Most lands uses will require some level of environmental analysis and often will require a minimum of 6 months to process.

Research

Research special use permits include site surveys and testing, resource surveys, research studies, weather stations, and similar monitoring facilities along with many other research-type uses. Some research activities are considered to have “nominal effects” and may not require a permit. Contact the ranger district on which your proposed research would take place to speak to someone in Lands Special Uses to find out more information.  Proposals should be provided to the Special Uses Permit Administrator at least 6 weeks in advance to provide ample time to process your request.

Linear Rights-of-Way

Linear Rights-of-Way include, but not limited to, Powerlines, Telephone Lines, Fiber Optic Lines, Water Transmission Lines, Irrigation Ditches, and Roads.

Communication Uses

Proposals for communication uses should be submitted to the Lands Special Uses Permit Administrator located on the ranger district on which your proposed use would take place.

More information regarding Communication Uses can be found on the Washington Office Website.

Other Lands Special Use Authorizations

Other lands special use authorizations include, but not limited to stockpile sites, warehouse and storage yards, signs, dams, hydroelectric, and parking lots.  See Exhibit 02 in Forest Service Handbook FSH 2709.11, chapter 10 for a full list of Forest Service Special Use codes.  Please contact the ranger district on which your proposed use would take place to speak to someone in Lands Special Uses.

Bridger-Teton National Forest Lands Special Use Application Process

Geocaching

Is an activity where participants seek out locations or hidden containers, called "caches", using a variety of methods and clues that may include GPS (global positioning systems) other navigational aids.   A typical cache may include a memento or prize, or be a waterproof container containing a logbook where the “Geocacher” or locator enters the date they found it. 

• Geocaching is often described as a "game of high-tech hide and seek," sharing many aspects of orienteering or treasure hunting.
• Geocaching is not permitted in congressionally designated Wilderness Areas per FSM 2320, or in any other nationally designated areas such as national scenic areas, historic or scenic trails.
• Geocaching is permissible in all other general Forest areas provided there is no natural resource damage or vandalism to government facilities.
• Geocaching is not permitted within areas designated as national historic landmarks, sites, or pre-historic sites.
• When Geocaching, natural resources are not to be disturbed, nor are they allowed to be removed from NFS lands. That includes soil disturbance/digging, removal of vegetation, disturbance of natural features, etc.  Avoid sensitive areas like wetlands or streams.
• When Geocaching, historical artifacts or features are not to be disturbed or removed.  
• Geocaching shall not interfere with other permitted activities such as outfitter and guide designated campsites.
• When Geocaching, motorized vehicle use and parking shall be in compliance with BTNF travel regulations and Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
• Geocachers are not required to have a permit provided that they are in-compliance with all other FS regulations and policy concerning group size and fees.
• Label Geocaches as such to avoid any confusion or safety concerns. For more information visit the external link, "Tread Lightly Tips for Responsible Geocaching" to help you be in accordance with Forest regulations. 

Recreation Residence (Summer Homes) Program

Recreation Residence Information:

Summer homes, also referred to as recreation residences, have a long tradition on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Some of these homes date back to the early 1900's.

Recreation residences, or summer homes, are private structures located on National Forest System land. The structures are authorized under a special use permit issued by the local Ranger District office. Recreation residences sell through real estate offices. If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact a realtor in the area where you are interested. Prior to purchase of a recreation residence, you are required to meet with the local District Ranger to discuss requirements of holding a special use authorization.

National Forest Homeowners Association