Outfitters & Guides

Providing services or assistance such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, interpretation or other assistance to individuals or groups in their pursuit of a natural resource-based outdoor activity for pecuniary remuneration or other gain.

Providing through rental or livery a saddle or pack animal, vehicle or boat, tents or camp gear, or similar supplies or equipment, for pecuniary remuneration or other gain.

Authorizes short-term, non-renewable outfitting and guiding use that is authorized in increments of 50 service days, up to a maximum of 200 service days in a 180-day period. 

Authorizes outfitter and guide activity for up to 10 years, based on the holder’s past use and performance and applicable programmatic or project decisions to allocate use. Priority use authorizations are subject to renewal.

Day or any part of a day for which an outfitter or guide provides service to a client on National Forest System lands (1 service day for each client per 24 hours). 

For example, if an outfitter brings 5 clients on the forest for one day, that visit would utilize 5 service days.

Nov. 1 through Dec. 15 is the open season for Outfitters and Guides to submit permit proposals to the Olympic National Forest for the upcoming calendar year. Instructions for the application process are below.

Permit applications must be submitted during the open season.

• Open Season begins Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 31.
• The Forest may limit the number of applications for consideration for each season.
• Proposals from past permit holders will be considered first.
• New proposals will be considered in order they are received.
• Only complete Proposal Packages will be considered.

Review Initial Screening and Second-Level Screening Criteria

The legal authority for screening authority is contained in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter II, 251.54.

The below screening criteria will be used to evaluate proposals. Proposals must comply with all nine initial screening criteria for the proposed use.

1.  Is consistent with the laws, regulations, orders, and policies establishing or governing National Forest System lands (including policy in FSM 2703.1 and 2703.2); other applicable Federal laws; and applicable State and local laws.
2. Is consistent or can be made consistent with standards and guidelines in the applicable Forest land and resource management plan prepared under the National Forest Management Act and 36 CFR part 219. If a proposal is inconsistent with the Forest land and resource management plan, discuss with the proponent ways the proposal could be altered to make it consistent with the plan, such as conducting the activity at a different time or in a different location.
3. Will not create a serious and substantial risk to public health or safety. State and local officials can provide input with respect to public health and safety concerns affecting the proponent's operations and other forest resources and activities. Examples of uses that might create a serious risk to public health and safety include: Winter sport activities adjacent to an avalanche area. Facilities in a flood plain. Activities or public uses in proximity to a target range. Mixing of motorized and pedestrian activities; for example, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing on the same trails.
4. Will not create an exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy; that is, the proposed use would not in effect grant title to Federal land to an authorization holder or would not create the appearance of granting such a right. Examples of such uses that could in effect grant title, or give the appearance of granting such a right include: a. Cemeteries, monuments, or other memorials; and b. In some cases, major capital improvements by municipal entities.
5. Will not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative uses of the Forest Service or with other scheduled or authorized existing uses on or adjacent to National Forest System lands.
6. Does not involve a proponent with an outstanding debt owed to the Forest Service under terms and conditions of a prior or existing authorization, unless such debt results from a decision on an administrative appeal or from a fee review and the proponent is current with the payment schedule.
7. Does not involve gambling or sexually oriented commercial services, even if permitted under State law.
8. Does not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals, unless such training or exercises are federally funded.
9. Does not involve disposal of solid waste or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances.

Second-level Screening

Proposals passing initial screening will be reviewed under the second-level screening criteria, unless the proposal is for a commercial activity for which there may be a competitive interest.

1. Inconsistent or incompatible with purposes for which lands managed or with other uses.
2. Use not in the public interest.
3. Proponent not qualified.
4. Proponent lacks technical or cannot demonstrate technical or economic feasibility, or financial or technical capability to comply with terms and conditions.
5. No person or entity to sign or be willing to accept responsibility.

We encourage applicants to discuss proposal ideas with Forest staff prior to Open Season and before beginning the application process. Early consultation will ensure your proposal is prepared correctly and meets applicable laws and regulations.

Please contact the Forest Specialty Uses and Realty Specialist Annabelle Pfeffer at 360-956-2294 or annabelle.pfeffer@usda.gov, for any questions about your proposal and application process.

An application package must contain the following items to be considered complete:

1. A complete and signed:

2. A complete and signed Outfitter Operating Plan.

3. A current insurance certificate listing the U.S. Government as an additionally insured. Specific requirements are contained in: 

4. Prepare a Recreation Permit Map with locations of all routes, staging areas, and overnight camping. A how to guide is included below. 

5. Verify your package is complete and sign all forms, certificates and plan documents.

A liability insurance certificate must be obtained before submitting your package for processing.

The following insurance guidelines are provided to show why insurance requirements are necessary and how the Certificate of Insurance needs to be prepared to meet the agency direction.

The Special Use Permit requires the Permittee to indemnify the United States against any liability for damage to life or property arising from the occupancy or use of National Forest System Lands.

The Permit requires the Permittee to have the insurance company name the United States Government (Forest Service) as an additionally insured party. Also, the Certificate of Insurance and the insurance policy shall contain a specific provision to the effect that the policy shall not be cancelled or the provisions changed or deleted before thirty (30) days written notification by the insurance company to the U.S. Government, c/o USDA Forest Service.

A Certificate of Insurance must be presented to the Forest Service before a Special Use Permit will be issued. For long-term or high-risk projects the Authorized Officer may require that a copy of the actual insurance policy be furnished before the permit is issued.

Required Clauses

The following acceptable additional insured clause shall be shown in verbatim on the face of the Certificate of Insurance or Binder and, as a clause or an endorsement in the insurance policy:

"It is understood and agreed that the United States Government is additional insured solely as respects liability arising from operations of the named insured."

In addition, the following 30-day clause is also mandatory and shall be shown in verbatim on the Certificate of Insurance as well as in the insurance policy:

"It is understood and agreed that the coverage under this policy will not be changed or its provisions changed or deleted before thirty (30) days written notice to: the United States Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98502."

Certificate Holder Box

United States Government, c/o USDA Forest Service, Olympic National Forest shall be listed in the certificate holder box.

A Special Use Permit will not be issued If these clauses are not on the Certificate of Insurance in verbatim and are not in the insurance policy or on an endorsement as stated above.

Minimum Coverage Amounts for liability insurance

The amount of insurance required will depend on the degree of risk involved. The Forest Representative administering the special use permit will inform the prospective permittee of the required liability coverage necessary. Please check with the permit administrator on minimum amount of coverage required.

Submit your package during the Open Season beginning Nov. 1 and ending Dec. 31.

Submit your complete electronically to annabelle.pfeffer@usda.gov

or by mail to:

Olympic National Forest Supervisors Office
Attn: Annabelle Pfeffer
1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW
Olympia WA, 98512