Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Recreation

RECREATION SPECIAL USE PERMITS

|Recreation Special-Use Permits - Who Needs Them| |Types of Permitted Recreation Activities|
|How to Apply| |National Forest Service Website|

Recreation Special Use Permits - Who needs them?

Recreation special use permits (SUP) are authorizations issued by the Forest Service to conduct commercial recreation activities on National Forest system lands. 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)

Most visitors enjoy “non-commercial” activities on their National Forests such as berry picking, camping, picnicking, fishing, participating in assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, and parades. In general special use permits are not required for these types of non-commercial recreational uses. However in some circumstances even non-commercial uses require a recreation special use permit. These circumstances may include; still photography or non-commercial group uses. Please visit with your local Ranger District special use administrator to see if your non-commercial activity requires a special use permit.

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Types of Permitted Recreation Activities

Recreation Events

The Forest receives dozens of requests to conduct recreation events each year. These are usually short term seasonal events. Some types of activities that require a recreation event special use permit include:

•  Competitive snowmobile races and “poker runs”

•  Dog sled and Nordic ski events

•  Bicycle road tours and car rallies

•  Club activities

•  Adventure games

•  Endurance races

Outfitter and Guide

Outfitter and Guide Conducting outfitting and guiding services on the Forest also requires a recreation special use permit. Permitted outfitters and guides are required to carry liability insurance and provide a safe, high quality service to the public. To maintain a quality experience, some areas like the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Eagle cap Wilderness and the Wild & Scenic Snake River have limited permits. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest authorizes many excellent outfitter and guide services (List of services offered). These outfitter and guides services allow visitor to see and experience the wilderness areas, remote backcountry, and wild and scenic rivers for a variety of activities like:

•  Horseback riding and mule packing

•  Hunting and fishing guides

•  Jet boat and float tours

•  Air services and scenic trips

•  Back country ski tours

A special use permit may also required for short term outfitting and guiding activities with institutional outfitters. These include groups like schools, universities, religious organizations, clubs, camps, rehab centers or special interest groups. Please visit with your local Ranger District special use administrator to see if your institutional trip is a commercial activity and will require a special use permit.

Commercial Filming and Photography

Use of National Forest System land for commercial filming and some types of still photography requires a special use authorization.

Non-Commercial Group Use

Some non-commercial group activities will need to obtain a recreation special use permit. The 2 main criteria are; determination of a commercial use or activity (as define above), and total number of participants and spectators. In order to be considered a non-commercial group use, there must be:  

No entry or participant fee

•  Fees for direct costs (food, transportation, etc) may be collected based on a bona fide sharing of expenses.

•  Donations are not considered fees if they do not exceed direct costs.

•  Funds collected in excess of direct costs are returned to participants based on a bona fide sharing of cost.

•  Under most circumstances “guides and leaders are not paid or compensated.”

No sale of goods or services on National Forest lands

•  No money is charged for a “good or service” beyond a bona fide sharing of direct costs.

If your activity is determined to be non-commercial it still may need a special use permit IF the total number of participants and spectators combined is 75 or more.     

 Examples of groups not needing a special use permit:  

•  Wedding party of 30 people with no fee.  

•  Family summer camp-out of 50 folks; costs are collected to cover the food.  

•  Weekend Equestrian Club trip with 10 riders; costs are pooled to cover the actual food and gas costs.
 

Examples of groups needing a Group Use special use permit:  

•  Grandpa's 85 th Birthday party of 85 people at a developed campground with no fee or costs.  

•  Church summer camp-out of 60 folks; costs are collected to cover the food, transportation and the camp cook is paid for the weekend .  

•  XYZ University mountain bike wants to sponsor a 100 mile ride with 50 riders, 10 support staff and an estimated 30 spectators. All costs are pooled to cover the food and gas, and T-shirts are to be sold during the race on National Forest Lands to benefit the club's next event .  

 

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How to Apply for a Recreation Special Use Permit  

Recreation special use permits are generally issued at the local Ranger District office. Basic requirements for holding a permit include technical and financial capability, payment of a fee, and insurance listing the US Government as additionally insured. Prior to issuance of a permit, the Forest may have to complete an environmental analysis which may be cost shared with the permit applicant depending the category and extent of the analysis, and permit processing fees (ie. Recovery costs).

Please visit with your local Ranger District special use administrator to discuss your proposal for a permit.    

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National Forest Service Website

Learn more about Special-Use permits at the National website:
Obtaining a Special-Use Authorization with the Forest Service

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