Permits
Common activities that may require a permit include:
Wood cutting for firewood, posts, poles, or rails
Rock collecting
Christmas tree cutting
Non-commercial / Large group gatherings
Recreation events
Filming or Photography
Outfitter and Guides
As of March 26, 2025, the Escalante USFS, BLM, and NPS Interagency visitor center will be pausing mineral, wood, and post/pole permits until further notice.
Wood and Christmas Tree 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.
Personal Use Firewood Permits
These sell at $5.00 per cord, with a minimum purchase of $20.00 and a maximum purchase of 10 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)
GPS enabled maps for wood cutting areas:
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 Products Permits
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.
Event and Commercial Permits
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.
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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@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 and Dixie National Forest Permit Administrator, McKenna.Hayes@usda.gov.
Quick Links:
Every Kid in a Park Pass
National Recreation Fees and Passes Website
National Special Uses Website
USGS Store