Tahoe National Forest

Passes & Permits

The Tahoe National Forest offers many activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, camping, birding, driving for pleasure, 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.

Recreation Fees and Passes

National Passes

The national pass program has recently changed. There are several pass options to consider. To make the best choice on which pass to purchase, you should think about your recreation plans for the next year. National passes cover entrance fees found a federal recreation areas such as National Parks and wildlife refuges. They also cover the use of facilities and services at many day use sites on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

If you plan to recreate in many different spots across the nation, an Interagency Annual Pass may be your best value. You may also qualify for either an

• Interagency Senior Pass (formerly the "Golden Age Passport") or
• Interagency Access Pass (formerly the "Golden Access Passport").

Interagency Passes are honored at Forest Service sites charging fees for use of many developed day use recreation sites; which may include picnic sites, low developed boat ramps, and trailheads. Interagency Passes may also provide discounts for camping at Forest Service operated campgrounds. For more information, see the national "Frequently Asked Questions" page."

Here's the scoop on other commonly asked-about permits issued by our offices:

CAMPFIRE PERMITS		CHRISTMAS TREE CUTTING
Campfire permits are required to use a stove, lantern, charcoal barbeque, or wood campfire outside of a developed campground or recreation area on public lands. The permit is your agreement to follow the campfire restrictions and regulations in effect.		Many people enjoy choosing and cutting their own Christmas tree. The Tahoe National Forest does not issue Christmas Tree permits. Check out this page to find out where you can cut your own special tree.
FUELWOOD PERMITS		WILDERNESS PERMITS
If you want to cut firewood for personal home use, you will need to purchase a permit. This allows you to search and gather dead and down wood on almost all Tahoe National Forest Land except Wilderness areas, recreation, and administrative sites.		The Granite Chief Wilderness is one of the few wilderness areas where a permit is not required for entry or camping. Wilderness permits are tools for limiting use to reduce human impacts. At this time, the wilderness management plan for Granite Chief does not require a permit program. A campfire permit is required for fires, bar-b-ques, or gas stoves anywhere on National Forest lands.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE		SNO-PARK PERMITS
In the State of California all motorized vehicles must be registered with the Deparment of Motor Vehicles before being operated on public lands.		Sno-Parks are fun and safe locations to ski, snowshoe, or snow play with friends or family.

USDA Forest Service - Tahoe National Forest
Last Modified:  Friday, 31 October 2008 at 18:03:33 EDT