Passes & Permits
RECREATION
FEES AND PASSES
The Forest Service offers many
activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, camping, birding, using cabins,
driving for pleasure, harvesting mushrooms, and gathering firewood. Many
of the facilities and services associated with these opportunities are
free. Some do require fees or permits to help maintain, manage and improve
the amenities that you enjoy. To learn more about recreation fees and
the various pass options available, visit the Pacific
Northwest recreation fees and passes website.
View
locations requiring a pass
Local
Northwest Forest Passes Vendors & Sales Outlets
Quick
Comparison Chart of Recreation Passes and Passports
PERMITS
Special
Forest Products Permits
A variety of products ranging
from home improvement materials to edible delights are part of the category
called Special Forest Products. Decorative floral greens, mosses, cones,
berries, mushrooms, Christmas trees and boughs, posts, poles and burls
are just some of the products which come from the forest. Although they
are not as well known as the traditional lumber and paper products, Special
Forest Products are growing in importance and play a significant role
in local economies. In the Pacific Northwest alone, it is estimated that
the Special Forest Products industry employs over 15,000 people and generates
over 150 million dollars per year.
The availability of Special
Forest Products varies by location. Like other forest resources, they
must be carefully managed to protect them and ensure a lasting supply
for the future. Permits are required for many products and a minimal fee
may be charged. For more specific information, please contact the nearest
District Office.
How to obtain a Special
Forest Product Permit: Special forest product permits are available
by appointment only. Firewood permits for personal use are subject
to the availability of firewood and are also issued on an appointment
only basis. Contact the closest District office where you would
like to obtain the special forest product.
MUSHROOM PICKING
Commercial use:
A permit is required for commercial picking of mushrooms on National Forest
Land. Contact the closest District office where you plan to harvest
mushrooms for appointment to obtain a permit. Prices are: $50.00
for 14 days, $80.00 for 30 days, or $120.00 for a calendar year permit.
Also, there is also a state hauling limit per vehicles of more than five
gallons of single species of mushrooms.
Personal use:
No permit is required for personal use picking of mushrooms. Daily limit
per person is one gallon of a single species of mushrooms. Amounts over
the daily limit require a commercial permit.
More
Information
CHRISTMAS TREE PERMITS
Forest Service Christmas tree permits go on sale in mid-November. Permits
are $5.00 each and are good for one U-cut tree on the Olympic National
Forest. Permits may be purchased at any Olympic National Forest office
including the Headquarters in Olympia. Permits can also be purchased through
the mail. For more information about Christmas Tree permits and office
hours during the Holiday Season watch for Special Notices in the current
Recreation Report.
2008 You-cut Christmas Tree Permit News Release
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Special
Use Permits (Recreational and Commercial)
Most people visit and use the
national forest for personal recreation activities like hiking and camping.
These uses may have nightly fees or require a NW Forest Pass, but generally
do not require any special approval or special use permits. There are
other uses that are of a commercial nature or require more complicated
evaluation and approval which make up the Special Uses program.
The Special Uses
program on the Olympic National Forest encompasses a
variety of uses including communication sites, water transmission lines,
recreation events, apiaries, outfitter guides, summer homes, filming,
research studies and many more. Over 200 special uses are currently authorized
under permits, easements and leases that legally allow specific activities,
uses and occupancies on National Forest lands.
Generally, when
individuals want to occupy, use or build on National Forest land for personal
or business purposes where a fee would be charged or if income is derived
from the use, and if an activity involves individuals or organizations
with 75 or more participants or spectators, they will probably need a
special use authorization. Individuals who are unsure about the need for
a special use authorization for a planned use, should contact the District
office that manages the specific area to get more information and begin
the application process if needed. Special use proposals will be
evaluated for compliance with existing laws, regulations and the Forest
Plan, and to determine the benefit to the public and the potential impact
to the natural resources.
For more information, or to
get an application (SF 299), you may visit our joint Forest Service/BLM
Special Uses web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/permits
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