Permits

Christmas Tree Permits

All Districts of the Dixie National Forest allow Christmas Tree cutting. Christmas Tree permits go on sale in November. The cost for a permit is $10.00 for trees under 10 feet in height and $20.00 for trees 10 to 20 feet in height. Five permits per household limit.

Christmas Tree permits can be purchased on Recreation.gov!  Please visit this forest's Christmas Tree page.

Christmas Tree Cutting Guide – Know your Trees

Before you head out to find your perfect Christmas tree, take a moment to get familiar with the species found across the Dixie National Forest. This guide will help you identify trees allowed for personal use cutting and ensure you can tell them apart from species that should not be cut.

Fir tree species: Needles are flat, flexible, and friendly to the touch, grow single and upward on the branch

Spruce tree species: Needles are rigid and have sharp tips and are not friendly to the touch. Needles are not flat

Pine tree species: Needles are sharp to the touch and round or cylindrical in cross section and occur in bundles of two to five needles per bundle

Pinyon - Juniper (Allowed for Cutting)

• Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis)
  • Needles: Short (1-2 inches), stiff, in bundles of 2.
  • Shape: Small, rounded, and bushy
  • Cone: Small, woody cones that produce edible pinyon nuts
• Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)
  • Needles: Scale-like, short, and overlapping, giving the tree a “fuzzy” texture.
  • Shape: Often irregular, sometimes leaning or multi-stemmed
  • Cones: Small, berry-like cones (bluish with whitish coating

Fir Trees (Allowed for Cutting)

• White fir (Abies concolor)
  • Needles: Flat, 2-3 inches long, bluish green to silvery; curve upward and outward form the twig.
  • Touch: Soft and flexible, not sharp.
  • Shape: Full, dense crown with a strong central leader.
• Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)
  • Needles: Flat, short (about 1 inch), dark green to bluish; grown and curve slightly upward
  • Touch: Very soft, flexible needles
  • Shape: Narrow, spire-like top with a tall, slender form

Pine Trees (Allowed for Cutting)

• Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
  • Needles: Long (5-10 inches), stiff, and in bundles of 3
  • Bark: Reddish-orange, smells like vanilla or butterscotch when warmed by the sun.
  • Shape: More open and irregular crown-less “full” than firs or spruces.
• Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis)
  • Needles: Bundles of 5, flexible, and about 2-3 inches long.
  • Branches: Very bendable
  • Shape: Rounded crown, often on ridges or higher elevations

Do not cut

• Bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata)
  • Needles: Short (about 1 inch), in bundles of 5, stiff, and often a bluish green color.
  • Needle Tips: Each needle has tiny white resin dots; in some species, bristle like hairs may be present.
  • Cones: Woody cones with small bristle like spines on the scales
  • Shape: Often gnarled, twisted, or irregular, especially in older trees. Younger trees may look fuller but still have 5-needle bundles.
  • Habitat: Found at higher elevations, often mixed with limber pine

Personal Use Firewood Permits

These sell at $5.00 per cord, with a minimum purchase of $20.00 and a maximum purchase of 12 cords. When you purchase a firewood permit a map is provided that shows you where the approved cutting areas are. Firewood must be cut from dead and down or dead and standing wood. Please honor trees marked with paint or signs designating special status, such as wildlife trees. These marked trees provide a special function in the forest even if they are dead. It is a Utah State law that all fuelwood carriers have some type of proof of ownership of the wood. Motor vehicle travel off designated system roads for the purpose of firewood gathering is limited to 150 feet unless otherwise designated in the fuelwood permit.

Firewood Permit Conditions and Information
 

Where to cut

• Firewood may be collected anywhere on the Dixie National Forest except in areas posted on the ground or identified on the below linked maps as closed including administrative sites, campgrounds, day use/picnic areas, marked timber sales, etc.

• This permit does not authorize collection of firewood on private lands. These areas may be marked by signs and fences. See the below linked maps to help identify private land areas.

• Motor vehicle travel off designated system roads for the purpose of firewood gathering is limited to 150 feet unless otherwise designated by map. An individual may collect beyond the 150 foot area but cannot drive a motorized vehicle to the collection site.

• It is recommended that the permit holder obtain either a district specific Dixie National Forest Travel Map or official Motor Vehicle Use Map. (Maps Webpage Placeholder)
 

Black and White Printable Fuelwood Permit Maps:

Pine Valley Ranger District | Cedar City Ranger District | Powell Ranger District | Escalante Ranger District
 

Avenza maps:

Pine Valley Ranger District | Cedar City Ranger District | Powell Ranger District | Escalante Ranger District 

Personal Use Post and Pole Permits

These sell for $1.00 per tree.  There is a minimum purchase of posts and poles of $20.00 per permit. Posts and poles must be cut from dead and down or dead and standing wood. Please honor trees marked with paint or signs designating special status, such as wildlife trees. These marked trees provide a special function in the forest even if they are dead.

Commercial Use Wood Permits

Commercial Use Wood Permits are available for firewood, posts and poles at any Dixie National Forest office. Timber is available for sale commercially on a competitive bid process. If you would like information about timber sales, or be added to the mailing list for timber sales, please contact any Dixie National Forest office.

Other Forest Product Permits

Other permits for forests products are available for purchase in any Dixie National Forest office on a case by case basis. Payment is by cash or check only, no debit or credit cards are accepted.

Live trees to be used for transplanting may be taken from designated areas and require a permit. There is a height limitation on transplant trees of six feet. Transplant trees are usually Aspen, Spruce, Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine.

Outfitting and Guiding

Outfitting: Providing bought or rented equipment while on National Forest System lands or delivering bought or rented equipment to National Forest System lands. Equipment could include horses or other livestock, off-road vehicles, trailers, camping equipment, supply caches, etc.

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Guiding: Providing commercial service or assistance to individuals or groups on National Forest System lands. This includes guiding a variety of recreational activities.

There are two types of outfitter and guide special use permits. Temporary (short-term, single trip) or Priority (long-term, multi-year). 

The Dixie National Forest is currently not accepting new outfitter and guide permit requests for the following areas found HERE.

Two types of permits:

Temporary Use:  Allows outfitting and guiding for a particular trip that will occur once or only over one season. 

The following limitations apply:

• Temporary use permits can be issued for a minimum of 50 service days and a maximum of 200 service days
  • Service days equal the number of clients x the days (or partial days) on the Dixie National Forest.  For example, guiding and/or outfitting five people for one day on the National Forest amounts to five service days (5 x 1).
• Temporary use permits are issued for a period of up to 6 months.
• Temporary use permits are billed a set fee of $150 per 50 service days unless certain gross revenue levels are exceeded.
• Temporary use permits are issued at the discretion of the Dixie National Forest and subject to environmental/administrative capacity limitations.

For a Temporary Use Permit submit the following at least 30 days before proposed operations:

• Outfitting and Guiding Application Form Part I (main application form)
• Outfitting and Guiding Operating Plan  (operating plan to be attached to application form)
• Give a display of the specific area and/or route (example: map) for the operating area desired
• Business license
• State of UT license for outfitting (applies to hunting only)

Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov .

DO NOT upload google docs as part of the application, this file format cannot be opened.

Liability insurance must cover the U.S. Government as additionally insured for a minimum liability of $1,000,000.00.  Liability insurance is not required until a determination is made to process the application. Proof of liability insurance must be provided prior to issuance.

Priority Use:  Allows outfitting and guiding as a main or side business on a consistent basis over the course of more than one season. 

The following applies:

• Priority use permits are billed 3% of gross revenue from the authorized activity.  Discounts for time not on National Forest System Lands are not calculated directly.  Revenue for the entire trip (on or off National Forest System lands) must be reported.  An estimated fee must be paid before the season and reconciled with Actual Use after each season.
• New priority use permits are probationary for two years.  Upon satisfactory performance the Forest Service can choose to extend the permit for up to eight additional years.
• Priority use permits are issued at the discretion of the Dixie National Forest and subject to environmental/administrative capacity limitations.

 Authorization is not guaranteed. The forest may have questions and may seek additional information. All proposals are analyzed by natural resource specialists and decisionmakers. 

For a Priority Use Permit submit the following at least 60 days before proposed operations: 

• Outfitting and Guiding Application Form Part I (main application form)
• Outfitting and Guiding Operating Plan  (operating plan to be attached to application form)
• Give a display of the specific area and/or route (example: map) for the operating area desired
• Business and financial plan
• Business license
• State of UT license for outfitting (applies to hunting only)

Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov.

DO NOT upload google docs as part of the application, this file format cannot be opened.

Liability insurance must cover the U.S. Government as additionally insured for a minimum liability of $1,000,000.00.  Liability insurance is not required until a determination is made to process the application. Proof of liability insurance must be provided prior to issuance.

Recreation Events

Recreation Events: A recreational activity conducted on National Forest System lands for which an entry or participation fee is charged.

The following applies:

• Recreation event permits are billed 3% or 5% of gross revenue (depending on the number of events under permit). Revenue for the entire event (on or off National Forest System lands) must be reported. An estimated fee must be paid prior to the permitted event and reconciled to produce a Final Fee after each event.
• Recreation event permits are issued at the discretion of the Dixie National Forest and subject to environmental/administrative capacity limitations.

For a Recreation event permit submit the following at least 60 days before proposed operations:

• Recreation Event Application
• Give a display of the specific area and/or route (example: map) for the operating area desired
• Business license if applicable

Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov.

DO NOT upload google docs as part of the application, this file format cannot be opened.

Liability insurance must cover the U.S. Government as additionally insured for the event date(s).  Liability insurance is not required until a determination is made to process the application. Proof of liability insurance must be provided prior to issuance. 

Non-commercial Group Use - Any non-commercial use or activity with 75 or more participants/spectators including weddings, reunions, gatherings, etc... 

The following applies:

• Non-commercial Group Use permits have no fee.
• Non-commercial Group Use permits are issued at the discretion of the Dixie National Forest and subject to environmental/administrative capacity limitations.

To apply for a Non-commercial Group Use permit submit the following at least 30 days before the proposed use:

• Non-commercial use application

• Give a display of the specific area and/or route (example: map) for the operating area desired 

  Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov.

  DO NOT upload google docs as part of the application, this file format cannot be opened.

  Liability insurance must cover the U.S. Government as additionally insured for the event date(s).  Liability insurance is not required until a determination is made to process the application.  Proof of liability insurance must be provided prior to issuance. 

Filming

Use of motion picture, digital capture, sound recording or other moving image/audio recording equipment on National Forest System lands involving advertisement of a product or service, the creation of a product for sale, or the use of models, actors, sets or props.  Does not include activities associated with breaking news.

The following applies:

• Filming permits are subject to processing/monitoring fees (Cost Recovery) and a land use fee.  The land use fee is based on number of production personnel and days of use.
• Filming permits are issued at the discretion of the Dixie National Forest and subject to environmental/administrative capacity limitations.

Assess whether you need a film permit. If you answer yes to or are unsure of any of the following questions below, please submit a permit request:

• Will there be 9 or more people present at the filming?
• Will the filming impede on the experience of other visitors on the Forest?
• Will the filming require the use of areas that are generally closed to the public?
• Will the filming require exclusive use of an area?
• Will the filming occur in a localized area with very high volume of visitation?
• Will the filming require the use of a set or staging equipment (not including tripods, monopods, and handheld lighting equipment)?

To apply for a filming permit submit the following at least 30 days prior to proposed filming dates:

• Filming request form
• Give a display of the specific area and/or route (example: map) for the operating area desired

• An operating plan may be required depending on proposal complexity

  Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov.

  DO NOT upload google docs as part of the application, this file format cannot be opened.

  Liability insurance must cover the U.S. Government as additionally insured for the filming date(s).  Liability insurance is not required until a determination is made to process the application. Proof of liability insurance must be provided prior to issuance. 

Photography

Using still photography equipment on National Forest System lands with models, sets or props apart from natural/cultural resources or administrative facilities.  Using still photography equipment on National Forest lands at a location where members of the public generally are not allowed or additional administrative costs are likely. 

The following applies:

• Photography permits are subject to processing/monitoring fees (Cost Recovery) and a land use fee.  The land use fee is based on number of production personnel and days of use.
• Photography permits are issued at the discretion of the Dixie National Forest and subject to environmental/administrative capacity limitations.

Assess whether you need a photoshoot permit. If you answer yes to or are unsure of any of the following questions below, please submit a permit request:

• Will there be 9 or more people present at the photoshoot?
• Will the photoshoot impede on the experience of other visitors on the Forest?
• Will the photoshoot require the use of areas that are generally closed to the public?
• Will the photoshoot require exclusive use of an area?
• Will the photoshoot occur in a localized area with very high volume of visitation?
• Will the photoshoot require the use of a set or staging equipment (not including tripods, monopods, and handheld lighting equipment)?

To apply for a photography permit submit the following at least 30 days prior to your proposed dates:

• Photography request
• Give a display of the specific area and/or route (example: map) for the operating area desired
• An operating plan may be required depending on proposal complexity

Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov .

DO NOT upload google docs as part of the application, this file format cannot be opened.

Liability insurance must cover the U.S. Government as additionally insured for the proposed date(s).  Liability insurance is not required until a determination is made to process the application.  Proof of liability insurance must be provided prior to issuance. 

Other Uses

Other special uses such as linear rights of way (utility lines, water lines), communication such as radio, cellphone, microwave antennas, towers/buildings, facilities, research projects, etc. are handled separately.

Email your application materials to the Special Uses department email SM.FS.DNF_SUpermit@usda.gov .

Quick Links:
Every Kid in a Park Pass
National Recreation Fees and Passes Website
National Special Uses Website
USGS Store