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The Forest Service's special-uses program authorizes uses that provide a benefit to the general public and protect public and natural resources values. On the Tahoe National Forest, there are approximately 650 special-use authorizations. Each year, the Forest Service receives thousands of individual and business applications for authorization such activities as water transmission, agriculture, outfitting and guiding, recreation special events, telecommunication, research, photography and video productions, and granting road and utility rights-of-ways. The Forest Service carefully reviews each application. Normally, the National Forest is not made available if the overall needs of the individual or business can be met on nonfederal lands. To determine if a special use permit is needed and how to apply for one, please contact:
Open submittal period for Summer 2026 Activities: 
The Tahoe National Forest is now accepting temporary Outfitter & Guiding and Recreation Event permit applications for the Summer 2026 operating season. 
Applications for new requests for temporary events and outfitter guide activities will be accepted through March 27, 2026.
Applications for previously authorized temporary events or outfitter-guide operations will be accepted through April 15, 2026.
Temporary outfitting and guiding permits and event permits are for commercial activities defined below. A limited number of permits are available on the Tahoe National Forest for various activities which benefit the public and meet public land use guidelines. These permits are for non-complex, short term uses. These permits are non-renewable and are only valid for a 180-day operating period.
What is commercial use?
Commercial use is defined as: Any use or activity on national forest system lands (a) where an entry or participation fee is charged or (b) where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service and, in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit. (36 CFR 251.51).
Are non-profits, educational institutes and organizations exempt from obtaining permits?
Based on the definition of commercial use in the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 251.51) if you charge a participation fee or membership fee for participation in an activity on public lands, you are required to obtain a special use permit. See permit definitions below for more information.
If you are planning a non-commercial event with more than 75 people, a permit is required. We recommend you contact us for non-commercial events with fewer than 75 people as well to ensure your event meets the definition of non-commercial, and to make sure there are not other events planned at the same time in the same location.
How do I apply?
To apply for a special use permit for temporary outfitting and guiding or for a recreation event, complete and collect all required documentation outlined below and submit it to the appropriate district staff:
American River Ranger District – Contact the American River RD front desk at: (530) 367-2224
If you have carefully reviewed all the program requirements and would like your activity to be considered, you will need to submit the following application materials:
Complete and submit the appropriate application form.
Recreation Event applicants, use Recreation Event application form FS2700-3c.
Provide appropriate insurance
Your certificate of insurance should list as additionally insured the Tahoe National Forest as an additionally insured and include the address of the appropriate ranger district. If your permit includes multiple districts, it should include the managing district’s address.
American River Ranger District: United States Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tahoe National Forest, 22830 Foresthill Rd Foresthill, CA 95631
Sierraville Ranger District: United States Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tahoe National Forest, 317 So. Lincoln St. Sierraville, CA 96126
Truckee Ranger District: United States Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tahoe National Forest, 10811 Stockrest Springs Road, Truckee CA 96161
Yuba River Ranger District: United States Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tahoe National Forest, 631 Coyote St. Nevada City, CA 95959
You must have the appropriate level of insurance for your activity; see minimum required coverage below. If your activity is not listed but there is a similar activity, you can refer to that coverage. If you are unsure how much coverage you will need, please contact the appropriate district representative for more information.
Minimum Coverage Amounts for Liability Insurance (FSM 2721.53)
Activity
Minimum Coverage Amount (in thousands of dollars)
Aerial Activities - 1 person
25/500/1000
1000
Aerial Activities - 2 people
25/500/2000
2000
Backpacking
25/300/300
300
Bicycling
25/500/500
500
Bus, Van, Four-Wheel Drive Tours, ATV
25/500/500
500
Hunting
25/500/500
500
Nature Hikes
25/300/300
300
Nordic Skiing
25/300/300
300
Pack and Saddle Stock, Equestrian
25/500/500
500
Rafting and Boating, Class IV-V
25/500/1000
1000
Rafting and Boating, Class I-III
25/500/500
500
Rock Climbing
25/500/500
500
Running and Walking Events
25/300/300
300
Snowmobiling
25/500/500
500
Certificate of good standing for your business, organization, club or school. Non-profits should provide a copy of your IRS form 990.
A detailed description of the proposed activities, including routes, parking, equipment provided, etc.
Risk mitigation measures, including emergency response and evacuation plans for each proposed activity and location
Resource protection measures that will be incorporated based on location and activity
Detailed Map(s) of area(s) of proposed activities and potential alternative areas on a U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle map or equivalent in electronic format, easily reproducible. Two digital options are online through CalTopo http://caltopo.com or sending a KMZ or KML file compatible with Google Earth. Note: Many user-created trails appear in external mapping databases. Proposed commercial use of user-created trails may result in longer review times and may be denied due to resource impacts. You can confirm whether trails are official by consulting the interactive USFS Visitor Use Map. If you are proposing motorized use, those trails must be on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM is available on the Forest website here. It is also available in CalTopo. Motorized over snow usage must be proposed on trails and in areas where permitted; those areas are shown on the Over Snow Vehicle Use Map.
Advertising information if you will be advertising your event or outfitting and guiding services
Client charge information regarding how much you will be charging for your services or to participate in your event
Client Acknowledgement of Risk form if you will be requiring one
Guide credentials for guides operating under your Outfitting and Guiding permit, including any professional certifications. CPR and basic first aid certification is required for every guide.
Resume of operational experience, which may be provided as part of your operating plan
Fully completed applications must be submitted via email to the appropriate permit administrator. Permit administrators may confirm receipt of your proposal, and will notify you when your proposal is formally accepted as an application. Only summer activities will be considered during this review period. Complex uses which require coordination between federal and state regulatory agencies or which require significant environmental and social analysis may be declined from this process.
Deadlines:
New temporary outfitting and guiding and event permits must be submitted by February 27, 2026.
Recurring temporary outfitting and guiding and event permits must be submitted by March 20, 2026.
After Submission
If your application is accepted, you may be required to review your operating plan with the authorized Forest Service agent for approval or modifications.
Recreation Events will be charged 5% of gross revenue. There is no allowance in policy for an off-forest discount for recreation events.
Outfitter and Guides will be required to pay in advance for anticipated service days, this payment is non-refundable. Authorized Outfitter and Guide permits are limited to a maximum of 200 service days. Depending on the proposed activity and geographical compartment, some authorizations may have a service day allocation below the maximum. If you exceed the maximum gross revenue per bracket of service days, you will be required to submit tax documents and pay 3% of gross revenue.
Number of Service Days
Flat Fee
Maximum Gross Revenue for Each Bracket of Service Days
1 to 50
$150
$10,000
51 to 100
$300
$20,000
101 to 150
$450
$30,000
151 to 200
$600
$40,000
At the expiration of an outfitting and guiding permit, permittees are required to submit a Permit Use report form, documenting the activities, locations, and actual number of service days used. This form will be included with your permit to be turned in to your permit administrator at the expiration of your permit.
Contact
For questions regarding Recreation Special Use applications please contact:
