Permits
The Forest Service offers many activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, camping, birding, using cabins, driving for pleasure, harvesting edible materials, and gathering firewood. Many of the facilities and services associated with these opportunities are free. Individuals or groups receive direct benefits from sites that require these expanded fees.
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest manages resources to meet sustainable resource management objectives. Management protects natural resource values, public health and safety, and is consistent with the Forest land and resource management plans outlined in the Forest Plan. In order to meet these objectives, permits may be required for the occupancy and use of Forest Service land.
Forest Products Permits
Christmas tree permits are available now thru December 31. They can be purchased online through recreation.gov and from local Ranger District office. Permits are also available at approved vendors.
Visit recreation.gov to learn more about purchasing a permit online. An additional fee is applied for using this service.
Maps
Caribou Forest Map - Montpelier, Soda Springs, and Westside Ranger District
Targhee Forest Map - Ashton/Island Park, Dubois, Palisades, and Teton Basin District
While Traveling to cut your Christmas Tree please follow the Motorized Vehicle Use Maps (printed maps available at district offices). The Christmas Tree flyer has some general information.
Firewood permits are sold at local district offices June 2nd through Nov. 30th. Caribou-Targhee Terms and Conditions brochure for more information for rules regarding the gathering of firewood.
Many people visit the Caribou-Targhee National Forest every year to collect firewood. These wood products are frequently used by local community for home heating, cooking and other critical purposes. You must purchase a firewood permit if you plan to collect firewood on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and haul it off Forest. Firewood permits are for standing dead and down trees only. Remember, permits sales are final and not subject to refund. Lost tags will not be replaced.
Where can you buy permits?
Firewood permits are available at Ranger District Offices and at participating vendor locations. You can also receive them by mail or curb side pick up by calling your local district office in advance. If you choose to have your permit mailed, please allow time to receive them before collecting forest products.
How much does a permit cost?
There is a 4 cord minimum purchase for the personal use firewood permits. The minimum permit is $25.00 ($6.25 per cord). You can buy up to 8 cords per household per year at $6.25 per cord. With your firewood permit purchase, you will receive the permit, load tickets (minimum of 1/4 cord increments), and a Ranger District firewood map to help you locate firewood wood in an appropriate area. You must have a map and brochure of the Ranger Districts you will be cutting in and the Caribou-Targhee Terms and Conditions.
What is a cord of wood?
One cord of firewood measures 4ft. X 4ft. X 8ft. which equals 128 cubic feet and weighs approximately 2662 lbs. The average half-ton pickup can carry 1/2 cord of dry wood without overloading the vehicle. Remember to validate your firewood with load tickets before you leave the area where you cut.
Where can you go?
Not all lands on the National Forest are open to firewood cutting. Please consult the firewood map to be sure you are in an area where cutting is permitted. Remember that not all land within the Forest is publicly owned. It is your responsibility to be certain you are not trespassing on private land. Click on the links below for the 2025 firewood maps and other information for each Ranger District Office.
RANGER DISTRICT FIREWOOD MAPS:
Ashton/Island Park Ranger District:
Dubois Ranger District
- Firewood Handout
- Dubois East of Interstate 15 Map
- Dubois West of Interstate 15 to Irving Creek Map
- Dubois West of Birch Creek Map
- Dubois West of Irving Creek East of Birch Creek Map
Palisades Ranger District:
Montpelier/Soda Springs/ Westside Ranger Districts:
Teton Basin Ranger District:
Commercial Use
All commercial uses of forest products require a paid permit. It is a commercial use when the forest product will be sold by the permittee. The rules for gathering and the availability of different products vary considerably. All those interested in commercial uses of forest products should contact the local district office for detailed information on products available and pricing.
Please contact your local Ranger District Offices for post and pole availability.
Ashton/Island Park has designated personal use post and pole areas. Maps are below:
- Baker Draw Post and Pole Area
- Big Grassy Post and Pole Area
- Green Canyon Post and Pole Area
- Griffel Post and Pole Area
- North Hatchery Butte Post and Pole Area
- North Hatchery Butte #2 Post and Pole Area
- Old Highway Trude Siding Post and Pole Area
- Chick Creek Road Post and Pole Area
- Reclamation Road Firewood Post and Pole
- Stamp Meadows Post and Pole Area
- Warm River Post and Pole Area
Other Forest Service Product Permits
In addition to the permits listed above, permits are also required to collect forest products that include, but are not limited to: transplants of trees and shrubs, boughs, seeds, stumps, willow cuttings, grass, roots, moss, and lichens. Please check with the Ranger District Offices in the area where you wish to collect for specific information on items you may be interested in.
Commercial Use
All commercial uses of forest products require a paid permit. It is a commercial use when the forest product will be sold by the permittee. The rules for gathering and the availability of different products vary considerably. All those interested in commercial uses of forest products should contact the local district office for detailed information on products available and pricing.
Events/Commercial Permits
Permits are required for any activity that may alter the forest or its natural and cultural resources in any way. A special-use permit allows you to use the National Forest and Grassland in certain ways outlined in the permit. There are over 100 special-use types.
The most common are:
- Outfitting and guiding
- Commercial photography
- Filming
- Certain recreation activities
- Easements
- Road and utility rights-of-way
- Events
- Group use of +75 people (i.e. gatherings, weddings, parties.)
- Water transmission
- Agriculture
- Telecommunications
- Research
Commercial filming and photography on the Caribou-Tarhgee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland lands requires a permit. You must request a permit by submitting a completed Photography and Filming proposal form to the Recreation Permit Administrator.
If we approve the permit request, it can take weeks or months for you to receive approval, depending on the size and scope of the request. Please plan ahead when applying for a filming or photography permit.
Any gathering of 75 people or more requires a special use permit even if no fees are charged. To submit a proposal for a gathering, complete and send this noncommercial group use application form to the Recreation Permit Administrator in one email.
Research activities on lands managed by the Caribou-Tarhgee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland may require a special use permit. To submit a proposal, send the following items to the Recreation Permit Administrator in one email:
- Complete and send a SF-299
- Submit relevant details
- Type of equipment to be used
- Maps