Special Use Permits

Open submittal period for Summer 2025 Activities:  

March 24 - April 4, 2025 

The Tahoe National Forest will be accepting temporary Outfitter & Guiding and Recreation Event permit applications from March 24 – April 4 for the Summer 2025 operating season.  

Applicants should send their applications by to: 

Truckee Ranger District - Casey Burns at casey.burns2@usda.gov 

Sierraville Ranger District - Casey Burns at casey.burns2@usda.gov 

Yuba River Ranger District – Sierra Mader at sierra.mader@usda.gov  

American River Ranger District – Contact the American River Ranger District front desk at 530-492-5631 

These 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. (36CFR251.51)

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.

Program Requirements

Review the following map for program area and use compartments:

Carefully review the following documents to understand program requirements:

For Outfitter & Guide activities, ensure you meet the updated guide requirements before submitting your application:

Application Materials

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: 

• Outfitter & Guides use the following application O&G Temporary Special Use Application
• Recreation Event applicants, use Recreation Event application form FS2700-3c.
• Outfitter & Guide Application Packet

1. Insurance for proposed activities listing the US Government USFS Truckee or Yuba River Ranger District as additionally insured.
2. Certificate of good standing for your business, organization, club or school. Non-profits provide a copy of your IRS form 990.
   1. California: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/information-requests/
   2. Nevada: http://nvsos.gov/sos/businesses
3. Operating plan with description of proposed activities
   1. Include description of how you will accommodate individuals with disabilities. For more info, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recreation/programs/accessibility/Accessibility_Guidebook_Oct_2016.pdf
   2. Risk Mitigation & evacuation plan for each proposed activity and site.
   3. Emergency response plan for each location and proposed activity.
4. Detailed Map of area of proposed activities and potential alternative areas listed by compartment on a U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle map or equivalent in electronic format, easily reproducible. CalTopo offers one acceptable format. http://caltopo.com Or KML Version using google earth.
5. Advertising information
6. Client Charges
7. Client Acknowledgement of Risk form
8. Guide credentials
9. Resume of operational experience  

Submit

Fully completed applications must be submitted via email to the permit administrator. You will receive confirmation of your accepted application. Applicants should be notified of acceptance or denial of their applications by late April. 

Only non-complex summer activities will be considered during this review period. Uses which require coordination between Federal and State regulatory agencies or uses which require significant environmental and social analysis may be declined from this process. 

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. 

Program Fees

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. 

Permittees will be required to submit a Permit Use report form, documenting activities and locations and actual number of service days used, this form will be sent with your permit to be turned in to your permit administrator after your operating season has ended.  

Contact

For questions regarding Recreation Special Use applications please contact:

Casey Burns casey.burns2@usda.gov

Sierra Mader sierra.mader@usda.gov

For American River Ranger District inquiries, please contact the American River front desk at 530-492-5631