Permits

National forests are a popular location for the commercial filming and still photography industries. Many motion pictures and commercials have been filmed at the Angeles National Forest.

Anyone wishing to film on National Forest System lands must obtain a special use permit from the USDA Forest Service. The Filming and Photography webpage addresses many common questions concerning the permitting process. To request a filming and still photography permit for the Angeles National Forest, please fill out a 

and email it to sm.fs.ANF_Filming@usda.gov

Prior to the issuance of a permit, the USDA Forest Service will determine if there are any environmental concerns in each proposed filming or photo shoot location. Permits may be denied for practices prohibited on National Forest System lands. 

Do not proceed with any proposed filming or photography until you have a signed special use permit from the USDA Forest Service!

It is important to note that not all applications will receive approval for a permit, therefore any action taken before receiving a special use authorization (permit) signed by an authorized USDA Forest Service official is against the law.

Filming and photography proposals must be submitted to sm.fs.ANF_Filming@usda.gov at least 20 full business days before filming is scheduled to begin. 

Complex proposals may require 30 full business days or longer to be processed. Please call or email Angela Stever for more information at 661-269-2808, ext.249, or angela.stever@usda.gov   

Certain documents are required to initiate the process of possibly obtaining a USDA Forest Service commercial filming and/or still photography permit at the Angeles National Forest:

1. Current Angeles National Forest Proposal Form
2. Map(s)
3. Insurance documentation with required language (See insurance section)
   1. Certificate of Liability
   2. Endorsement page

Please be aware that ALL of the above-mentioned documents must be correctly completed and submitted together. Also, other supporting documents may be required due to proposed activities and /or proposed locations.

Filming and photography activity that requires a USDA Forest Service permit is generally prohibited on Federal holidays and weekends. However, some limited exceptions may be permitted depending on the location. The Angeles National Forest does not allow weather days, rain checks, or alternative dates. If a permitted activity is affected by the weather, then it must be rescheduled. Please call a permit administrator for more information.

Locations need to be determined prior to submitting a proposal. Location scouting prior to submitting a proposal is strongly encouraged. Prepare in advance for your visit to potential locations in the forest. 

Consider the accessibility of the location and potential environmental impacts. Approval for locations may be contingent on several factors, such as sensitive habitats, cultural (historic) resources, safety, and the natural environment. Additionally, it is important to plan for potential weather conditions and emergencies.

Please visit the following sites to determine the status and closures for adjacent roadways that cut through the forest. Most major roadways are not managed by the USDA Forest Service, but instead by:

• Los Angeles County Roads
• Caltrans
  • Check here to identify post mile marker along the roadways managed by Caltrans
  • Check here to find the Caltrans QuickMap which provides the latest travel alerts and road conditions for the State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and State Route 39.
• San Bernardino County Roads 

Some potential locations are behind locked gates. Plan accordingly when scouting and make note of known gates when filling out your proposal. Requests to access locked locations must be submitted at least four business days in advance. Access behind locked gates require authorized officer's approval and are not guaranteed.

Applicant: Any individual or entity that applies for a special use authorization.

Application: A proposal to use National Forest System lands that has passed the initial and second-level screening and has been formally accepted by the USDA Forest Service.

Holder: An individual or entity that holds a valid special use authorization.

Proponent: A person or entity that submits a proposal to use or occupy National Forest System lands.

Proposal: A request to use National Forest System lands that has not passed the initial or second-level screening and that has not been accepted by the USDA Forest Service as a formal application.

Still Photography: Use of photographic equipment to capture still images on film, digital format, and other similar technologies on National Forest System lands using models, sets, or props that aren’t part of natural or cultural resources in the forest OR takes place in a location generally not open to the public. This designation includes commercial activities for capturing still images on film or in a digital format. This designation does not include the taking of photographic images by the general public for personal use or commercial filming activities.

Commercial Filming: Use of motion picture, videotaping, sound-recording, or any other type of moving image or audio recording equipment on National Forest System lands that involves the advertisement of a product or service, the creation of a product for sale, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props, but not including activities associated with broadcasting breaking news. This designation includes locations used by the motion picture and television media involving large film crews, actors, and sets. The designation also includes anticipated news-related uses, such as coverage of sports events, entertainment specials, or documentaries.

The USDA Forest Service may require liability insurance and/or performance bonds to protect the public interest. Typically, one (1) million dollars in general liability may be required. Up to five (5) million dollars may be required for activities that involve the use of a helicopter.

A copy of a certificate of liability insurance and an endorsement page (ACORD 25) will be required prior to the issuance of the permit. No hand-written certificates or endorsements will be accepted. The holder’s name must appear on the certificate of insurance as the “insured.”

A special use permit requires that the permit holder indemnify the United States against any liability arising from the use or occupancy of National Forest System lands. The permit requires the holder to have their insurance company name the United States Government as an additionally insured party. The minimum required liability coverage is $1,000,000.00.

The following clauses must be shown verbatim on the 

and Endorsement Page/the Letter of Endorsement:

In the Certificate Holder Box:

• “United States of America, USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006.”

In the Description of Operations Box:

• “It is understood and agreed that the United States of America, Angeles National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is additionally insured solely as respects liability arising from the operations of the named insured.”

On the Endorsement Page:

• “United States of America, USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, California.”
• “It is understood and agreed that the United States of America, USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest is additionally insured solely as respects liability arising from the operations of the named insured.”

Provide a detailed map (Google Map/Earth screenshot, or equivalent) or plat (survey or equivalent) showing the requested use in relation to National Forest System land, identification of applicant's property (if applicable), scale, map legend, legal description, and a north arrow. Include labels to illustrate the locations of film activities, base camp(s), staging area(s), parking area(s), mile markers, roadways, pathways, etc.

If you are shooting at a location within another agency’s shared jurisdiction, you must obtain a dual filming permit with that agency. Agencies that share jurisdiction on the Angeles National Forest include:

• California Department of Water Resources
• Caltrans - California Department of Transportation
• County of Los Angeles Public Works
• County of San Bernardino Public Works

Some popular filming locations are managed by private parties via special use authorizations. If applicable, film permit applicants will be required to obtain a Letter of Authorization from the private party prior to a film permit being issued. Note, these private parties may charge an additional fee separate from that collected by the USDA Forest Service. Make sure to ask the special use permit administrator you are working with to see if the location(s) you are interested in exist within the boundaries of a permitted area.

The following items must be submitted along with your proposal and required documents.

1. ANF-SU-Aircraft-Notification-Form-Rev2025.pdf
2. Copy of pilot’s license
3. Copy of current drone registration
4. Plan of Activity for the drone(s)
5. Certificate of liability and endorsement page which must contain required language found in the Insurance section above

Student films are considered commercial and require a permit. However, students may request that land use fees be waived. Students should request this directly in their initial proposal. The following must also be supplied:

1. School Identification – Student Identification Card
2. A letter from the student’s academic institution stating that they are in good current academic standing.
3. Student fee waivers are not guaranteed. The cost-recovery fee (see below) cannot be waived.
4. Provide a copy of your academic institution’s certificate of liability insurance and endorsement page.

Wilderness areas are Congressionally-designated areas on Federal lands that are subject to specific management restrictions. Human activities are restricted to non-motorized recreation (such as backpacking, hunting, fishing, horseback-riding, etc.), scientific research, and other non-invasive activities. 

Wilderness areas occur on USDA Forest Service (Department of Agriculture) lands, as well as on lands managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior). 

A special use permit may only be issued for commercial photography or filming on a USDA Forest Service wilderness area if the activity has a primary objective of disseminating information about the use and enjoyment of wilderness, is wilderness-dependent and an appropriate non-wilderness substitute does not exist, and the activity would not involve the use of any motorized equipment or mechanical transport.

Wilderness areas within the Angeles National Forest include:

• Cucamonga Wilderness
• Magic Mountain Wilderness
• Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness
• San Gabriel Wilderness
• Sheep Mountain Wilderness

Land Use Fee

The land use fee is based upon:

• the numbers of days occupying National Forest System lands for filming or photography activities
• the number of individuals in the film/photography cast and crew

Fees for commercial filming (motion picture and television location) in 2025 are as follows:

• 1-10 people: $325.79
• 11-30 people: $434.36
• 31-60 people: $1,085.94
• 61+ people: $1,307.28 

Fees for still photography in 2025 (if a permit is required):

• 1-10 people: $108.62
• 11-30 people: $325.79
• 31+ people: $542.97 

Unique Site Fees

A one-time fee of $311.60 is charged for use of the following locations for motion picture and still photography authorizations:

1. Pyramid Lake
2. Lake Hughes Road
3. Crystal Lake
4. Frenchman’s Flat
5. Mt Wilson Observatory

Cost-Recovery Fees

The cost-recovery fee covers the administrative and personnel costs associated with issuing the permit. Cost-recovery fee payment does not guarantee permit issuance and are non-refundable. 

The table below illustrates the cost-recovery fees for 2025.

Cost Recovery Fees for Processing and/or Monitoring

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