Permits
Forest products include materials derived from a forest for commercial and personal use such as lumber, paper, and firewood as well as “special forest products” such as medicinal herbs, fungi, edible fruits and nuts, and other natural products.
2026 WOODCUTTING PERMIT INFORMATION - Permits Available Beginning May 1, 2026
Kern River Ranger District - (760) 376-3781
In-person permits are available Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm -
Kern River Ranger District 2026 Cutting Area Map1 -
Kern River Ranger District 2026 Cutting Area Map 2
Hume Lake Ranger District - (559) 338-2251
In-person permits are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Permits cannot be issued on Wednesdays.
Western Divide Ranger District - (559) 539-2607
In-person permits are available Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am - 12:00 PM, 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Woodcutting requirements may vary substantially through the summer. Please check with your local ranger district office to see specific local restrictions or requirements.
2026 Christmas Trees
2026 Christmas Tree Permit information will be available this fall.
Contracts and Permits
The Forest Service sells timber and special forest products on a variety of contract and permit forms based on the complexity and/or value of the sale. Read more about contracts and permits…
Forest Products Measurement
Timber cruising, scaling, volume estimation, and geospatial information supporting the Forest Service’s Forest Product Sales program. Read more about forest products measurement…
Special Forest Products
Products or natural resources from the National Forests that are not the traditional timber and fiber products. Read more about special forest products…
Tree Marking Paint
The National Headquarters’ Forest Management Staff provides information, specifications, and meeting notes about tree marking paint. Read more about tree marking paint…
Related
- Timber Sale Contracts Forms Update
- Forest Products Cut and Sold from the National Forests and Grasslands
- Periodic Timber Sale Accomplishment Reports (PTSAR)
- Forest Vegetation Simulator
Timber Sale Preparation Process Video
The U.S. Forest Service Timber Sale Preparation Process (The Gate System) A Short Overview is a short, narrated video presentation that introduces employees and partners to the Timber Sale gate process as outlined in Forest Service manual 2430 and Forest Service handbook 2409.18.
Special Use Authorizations
Provides the use of, and access to, National Forest System lands for a wide variety of activities to both commercial and noncommercial operations. Permits are also issued for private, non-exclusive use. Depending on the complexity of the proposal, obtaining a Special Use Authorization can sometimes be a lengthy process. The Sequoia National Forest is asking for all proposals to be submitted 180 days in advance, in order to facilitate this process. Please coordinate early with the district where you would like to operate.
It is important to note all proponents will not receive a permit, therefore any action taken before receiving a Special Use authorization, such as occupying National Forest System Lands and advertising or expending funds, is premature and at the proponent's risk--and is against the law.
Recreation Event
This type of special use includes organized events of a temporary nature, such as animal, vehicle, or boat races; fishing contests; rodeos; adventure games; and fairs. If you are interested in learning more about submitting a proposal for a recreation event, please contact your local special uses permit administrator on the ranger district where you would like to hold your event.
Filming
National forests are a popular location for the commercial filming and still photography industries. Many motion pictures and commercials have been filmed on the Sequoia National Forest.
Anyone wishing to film on National Forest System lands must obtain a special use permit from the Forest Service. A Filming on Public Lands webpage addresses many common questions concerning the permitting process. To request a filming permit on the Sequoia National Forest please fill out a Request for Filming Form and submit to the local permit administrator on the Ranger District you wish to film.
Research
There are many diverse research projects on the Sequoia NF. Research includes experimental forest demonstration areas, observatories, laboratories, stream gauges, weather stations, educational research study, and similar uses not intended to result in further development. If you would like to submit a new proposal to conduct research or to renew or modify an existing research permit on the Sequoia National Forest, please contact us to fill out a Scientific Research Request Form.
Our goal is to provide a high level of customer service for research activities on the Sequoia National Forest. Please understand however, that depending on the complexity of the proposal, and any environmental compliance that may be required, it may take up to 180 days to process a research permit. It is your responsibility to provide the Agency with all the information needed to review, evaluate, and make a decision on a submitted proposal and an application. All proposals are subject to initial screening. If a proposal passes initial screening it is formally accepted as an application and will enter a second screening for environmental analysis (cost recovery fees are applicable). Lastly, the environmental analysis process will determine if the proposed use will be authorized with a Special Use Permit. Thank you for your assistance in making the permit process proceed smoothly.
Outfitting and Guiding
This area of Special Uses includes all commercial outfitting operations involving services for accommodating guests, transporting persons, and providing equipment, supplies, and materials. It also includes commercial guiding activities wherein the guide furnishes personal services or serves as a leader or teacher. Please contact your forest service special uses permit administrator for an application for this permit on the Ranger District where you would like to be located.
Recreation Residences
Back in the early 1900's the Forest Service Recreation Residence program started to give private citizens the opportunity to own a single-family cabin in designated areas on the National Forests. They are commonly called "summer homes" or "recreation cabins". These privately owned cabins (improvements) are located within formally established "tracts" on individual "lots" designated for that purpose. The last formally established tract in the Region was in 1959 and no new tracts or cabins are allowed to be built. These recreation residence permits are authorized and administered under the terms and conditions of a special use authorization (SUA) called a permit.
Revocation of Existing Authorization
Request for A Special Use Permit
Noncommercial Group Use
Under the regulation, a "group use" is an activity that involves a group of 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators. "Noncommercial" is any use or activity where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and the primary purpose is not the sale of a goods or service. Some examples of noncommercial group uses are weddings, church services, endurance rides, regattas, camping trips, hikes, music festivals, rallies and graduations. To obtain a Noncommercial Group Use Permit please contact your forest service special uses permit administrator for an application for this permit on the Ranger District where you would like to hold your event. See additional Q&A's here.
All other Special Uses
Additional Information
Permits may be required for certain special activities, such as large groups, educational activities, or filmmaking. In general, permits are necessary for any activity that requires the forest to be altered in any way. Please contact one of our Forest Service offices for more information.
Cost Recovery
The Forest Service has modified the fee structure for processing special use permits. The modification is based on Congressional direction to develop a program to improve administration of the agency's special use program. Under the new rule, the Forest Service will collect fees from some permit applicants to recover the costs of processing and administering special use authorizations consistent with recommendations made by the General Accountability Office.
Free Campfire Permits
Campfire Permits are required for the use of campfires, charcoal fires or portable gas stoves outside of designated recreation sites. These are free and are available at all Forest Service, BLM, or CAL FIRE offices, or online (printer required). Remember to check for fire restrictions before you go!
How to obtain a River Use Permit for the Upper and Lower Kern Run.
A Kern River Use Permit is required year-round and is valid from May 1 through April 30 each year. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are free of charge. A permit is required for EACH craft. Group size cannot exceed 18 people on the river at one time.
To obtain a permit, fill out an application IN PERSON at Forest Service offices in Kernville, Lake Isabella or Springville. Private boater permits are also available at Sierra South, 11300 Kernville Road, Kernville, CA 93238 from 8 am to 5 pm, 7-days a week. Applications will not be mailed out or left in office drop boxes. Upon completion of your application, a waterproof permit may be issued.
A permit is required from Riverkern Beach south to Riverside Park in Kernville. A permit is not required from the KR3 Powerhouse.
How to obtain a River Use Permit for Forks Run
Also referred to as “Forks of the Kern River Permits”, the Forest offers these permits through the recreation.gov website. The permits will be made available in a block release annually on the 15th of March at 0700 PT. Limit three permits to a person for the season. The Forks Run is limited to 15 people per day. Permits are required from May 15 through September 15 each year.
Reservation To obtain a reservation, visit https://www.recreation.gov/permits/621751 There is a $10.00 fee plus $6 non-refundable reservation fee.
Permits will be available for booking on March 18th at 7:00 am PDT. All dates will be made available for reserving on this date. The last day to book will be September 15th (the last day of the season).
The permit holder will have the ability to print their permit through their Recreation.gov account starting 7 days prior to the permit entry date. Once printed, the permit is considered issued, and modifications or cancellations will no longer be allowed.
Outside of the permitted season of 5/15 to 9/15, no permit or registration is required. Be aware, water levels in the off season will impact rafting conditions and these roads are subject to seasonal closures in the winter and spring. Visit recreation.gov for full listing of permit and season information.
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace provide an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors.
Wilderness Resources
- The National Wilderness Preservation System
- Inyo National Forest Wilderness Page
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Page
Wilderness Permit Application Page
Wilderness permits are required only for overnight stay in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Permits help the Forest Service to manage wilderness by tracking visitor use patterns. In some areas visitor quotas and trailhead quotas are in effect to protect the wildernesses from visitor impact and overuse. Wilderness permits are issued to anyone who will follow certain rules intended to protect both the visitor and the wilderness resource. Permits are typically available June 15th through November 30th, weather permitting.
Do I need a Wilderness permit?
The Golden Trout Wilderness is the only wilderness in the Sequoia National Forest that requires a permit for overnight stays. Permits are not required for day use in any wilderness within Sequoia National Forest.
How much do Wilderness permits cost?
Wilderness permits are free when departing from trailheads in Sequoia National Forest.
Golden Trout Wilderness Permit Application
Wilderness permits are issued virtually through email, through hard copy mail and in person at Forest Service offices nearby. Please follow the steps below to obtain your permit at least 30 days prior to travel, June 15th through November 30th weather permitting.
- Print and completely fill out the Application for a Wilderness Visitor's Permit
- Plan your trip accordingly - "Know Before You Go" by checking on road conditions, fire restrictions, and area closures here on our website. During winter months some locations may be inaccessible due to snow. Forest Closure Orders take place when safety concerns become present. Please call or email prior to departure to be certain no new orders have been issued that may affect your trip and to check for current fire restrictions.
- Scan and email your completed application to the Sequoia National Forest to SM.FS.SequoiaNF@usda.gov (monitored Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.)
Within a week, you will receive a response to your email, confirming receipt of your application and a permit for your planned travel.
Keep a copy with you and share the information with someone at home to anticipate your safe return. The Forest Service will keep an electronic copy of your application on file in case of emergency and for our records. It is your responsibility to monitor conditions and fire restrictions and provide for your own safety. Current road conditions and fire restrictions will be posted on this website throughout the summer.
The Inyo National Forest is issuing wilderness permits through www.recreation.gov the same reservation system used by most federal agencies for visitors to obtain campground reservations.
In Sequoia National Park, reservations for wilderness permits can be made for trip dates beginning up to 6 months in advance and will continue to be reservable up to 1 week prior to the start of the trip. A limited number of first-come, first-served permits will be available daily at select permit issuing stations in Cedar Grove, Grant Grove, Lodgepole, the Foothills, and Mineral King. For additional information, please visit
Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits are available on recreation.gov. On their home page search "Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits" to find a list of trails, or search "Mt Whitney" to find Mt Whitney Trail Day-use and overnight-use permits.
Campfires
In areas where campfires are allowed, you will need a valid Campfire Permit during the fire season when fire and stove use may be restricted. It is your responsibility to check on the current regulations at any Forest Service office or National Park office.
Please go to www.preventwildfireca.org to get your California Campfire Permit.