Non-Wood Forest Products

Rocks & Meteorite Permits

Rock hunting (surface collection of rocks and agates, excluding meteorites and fossils), for personal, hobby, and noncommercial use only, is allowed without a permit. Limitations are one five-gallon bucket per day, per person, with a total limit of 250 pounds of rock per year.  For other uses of rock material, contact the local Forest Service Office.  Trading, bartering, or selling rocks and agates from National Forest System Lands is not allowed.

Meteorite is a stony or metallic object from interplanetary space that has fallen to the earth’s surface. The collection of meteorites for personal, hobby, educational, and noncommercial use is allowed without a permit. 

Fossil Collecting Permits

The collection and/or duplication of vertebrate fossils, including vertebrate trace fossils, from National Forest System Lands requires a permit (36 CFR 261.9 (i)).   Permits are issued to qualified paleontologists, who curate fossils and their duplicates into federally approved facilities.

No permits for the collection of any fossils (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, or any trace fossils) are issued for commercial purposes, except for petrified wood. Trading, bartering, or selling any fossil material (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, or any trace fossils) removed from National Forest System Lands is prohibited.