Special Use Permits
Groups and individuals regularly approach the Daniel Boone National Forest with requests to use National Forest lands for commercial, personal and group use activities. As a stewards of the National Forest, we must always weigh whether the proposed use is compatible with the values that make the national forest an irreplaceable resource – including plants, animals, beauty, clean air and water, recreation opportunities and forest products.
We protect our Forest resources by requiring individuals to obtain a “Special Use Authorization” to carry out commercial, personal, or group use activities on National Forest lands. This authorization, provided through a Special Use Permit, may provide the permitholder use of and/or access to National Forest lands for a wide variety of commercial and non-commercial activities.
Outfitter/Guide Open Season
We’ve implemented an open season for Outfitting and Guiding special use applications to ensure efficient customer service given current budget constraints and an increasing number of requests.
Applications should be submitted within application periods as follows:
- August 1 through August 31 for the spring and summer season (those occurring between January 1 - June 30)
- February 1 through February 28/29 for the fall and winter season (those occurring between July 1 - December 31)
A Permit Administrator will contact applicants to discuss their application status no later than 30 days after the end of open season. Accepted applications will be then processed in accordance with all federal requirements. Most applications are expected to require 2-3 months of processing but could take up to 6 months. Once application review is complete, applicants will be notified of final approval, denial or required modifications.
Applications may be submitted at any time but may not be reviewed until the next open season. Applicants are not required to wait for an open season period to contact a Permit Administrator with questions about the special uses process, open season requirements, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
A special use authorization is a legal document such as a permit, term permit, lease or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights or privileges of National Forest System lands. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.
We issue most Special Use Authorizations through Special Use Permits.
A Special Use Permit will be required if:
- You will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest lands for personal or commercial purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term;
- You will be charging a fee or deriving income from the use of National Forest lands; or
- You are planning an activity on National Forest land that will involve 75 or more individuals.
Examples include a family gathering of 75 people or more, operating a business such as an outfitting or guiding service, using the Forest for financial gain, occupying a recreation residence and commercial filming. Permits may be issued for a one-day event, such as a wedding or bicycle race, or for up to 40 years, such as a tourism resort permit.
A commercial recreational use or activity 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." (36CFR 251.51)
Examples of commercial and activities include, but are not limited to, animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon races; jeep rallies; dog trials; fishing contests; rendezvous; adventure games; youth treks; wagon trains; concerts; and other similar events. A permit is required for these type of events, regardless of the number of people involved in the activity.
A non-commercial recreational use or activity is any use or activity on National Forest lands where no entry or participation fee is charged and where the primary purpose is not the sale of a good or service. Examples of non-commercial activities include club or family recreation outings, reunions, and weddings. A permit is only required for non-commercial activities that involve 75 or more individuals.
To begin your Special Use Permit application, contact the Daniel Boone National Forest District Office that oversees the area you wish to have your activity. District staff will provide you with guidance and specific application instructions as related to your intended use of National Forest lands.
Applicants for special-use permits should note that the permitting process is time-consuming, may require multi-step National Forest Management Act analysis and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, and ultimately may not be approved. At a minimum, these proposals should: be consistent with Forest Plan management area objectives, standards, and desired future conditions; be consistent with other applicable Federal, State, and local statutes and regulations; and not be undertaken on National Forest land if they can be reasonably accommodated on private land.
Most permit applications require at least 90 days to be processed. Please note that any action taken before receiving a Special Use Permit, such as occupying National Forest lands and advertising or expending funds, is premature and at your own risk.
Applications will be granted if they meet the following eight evaluation criteria (for details on the eight criteria, particularly on criteria 5 and 6, review the Code of Federal Regulations at 36 C.F.R. 251.54 (h)(1)):
- Authorization of the activity is not prohibited by rules or orders that apply to the national forests or by federal, state, or local law related to the content of activity.
- Authorization of the activity is consistent or can be made consistent with standards and guidelines in the forest plan that apply to the area where the activity will take place.
- The activity does not materially impact the characteristics or functions of environmentally sensitive resources or lands.
- The activity will not delay, halt, or prevent administrative use of an area by the Forest Service or other scheduled or existing activities on NFS lands.
- The activity does not violate state and local public health laws and regulations applicable to the site proposed for the activity.
- The activity will not pose a substantial danger to public safety.
- The activity does not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals, unless such training or exercises are federally funded.
- A person (or persons) 21 years of age or older has been designated to sign and do sign a permit on behalf of the applicant.
If your application is denied and an alternative time, place, or manner will allow you to meet all the evaluation criteria, the Forest Service will offer that alternative.