Permits
The Malheur National Forest requires permits for forest products of varying kinds as well as things like recreation events or outfitting and guide services. To learn more about where and what permits are required please review the information below or contact us.
Forest Product Permits
Firewood Permits
Find information and requirements for free-use, commercial-use, or longer length firewood cutting permits. Firewood cutting season is generally open year-round except when restrictions are in place for fire precaution or resource protection.
Mushroom Permits
Mushroom permits obtained on the Malheur National Forest are good on the Malheur, Wallowa-Whitman and the Umatilla National Forests. Learn more about permit requirements for gathering mushrooms on these forests.
Post & Pole Permits
Poles, posts, and split rails are trees that can be used to make a fence or small structure. The trees can be fallen or standing. Post and poles may be cut and removed from a few designated areas on Malheur National Forest. Learn more about permit requirements and locations.
Christmas Tree Permits
A Christmas Tree Permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree on the Malheur National Forest. Lifelong memories are built during these special times and we are happy to help with any information gathering you'll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one.
Special Uses
Special Use Permits
Special Use Permits are required for activities such as recreation events that charge a fee, outfitter or guide services, some film and photography projects, large gatherings of over 75 people, and more.
Other
The Forest Service understand the emotion associated with losing a close friend or family member, and the desire to memorialize an individual or event. While the placement of a monument or memorial on public land may help some individuals through difficult times, these memorials are generally of significance to only those most closely tied to a specific person or event. Others may feel that memorials intrude on their experience of the Forest. For this and other reasons, the placement of monuments or memorials on National Forest System lands is prohibited.
Monuments or memorials will be removed and disposed of when discovered. In lieu of placing a monument or memorial on public land, the Forest Service asks that you consider honoring the person or event in ways that do not have a lasting impact on the landscape or other visitors’ experiences.
Memorials or other commemorative items left on public land may be a violation of 43 CFR 2990.1-2 Unauthorized Use, or 43 CFR 8365.1-2 Unattended Personal Property
There are nonprofits that are able to plant trees in memorial. The American Forests group plants memorial trees in national forests in honor of loved ones. Find out more about the Memorial Trees campaign. The Arbor Day Foundation plants Trees in Memory and Trees in Celebration.
To successfully placer mine, the state of Oregon requires documentation. There are also laws in place concerning the lands that can be mined. Many factors may affect recreational gold panning opportunities. The first step is to determine if the area you want to work is within acquired lands or not.
Acquired lands are National Forest System lands, but were acquired from an organization or individual and as such are not subject to the 1872 Mining Law and are not open to general prospecting or mining claims.
Recreational and small-scale placer mining authorization is required by the State of Oregon.
Forest Service mining regulations 36 CFR 228, Subpart A.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) information can be found here: https://www.blm.gov/services/land-records/mlrs
Contact your local Ranger District Office for additional mining and recreational gold panning information.