Sawtooth National Forest

Passes & Permits

Federal Recreation Fees Support Our National Heritage
Entrance and use fees for federal lands are not only used for conserving our nation's land, wildlife, waterways and historical sites, but are used to develop, maintain and improve visitor services and recreation opportunities.

Pass Information

Federal recreation passes are convenient because they provide an alternative to paying entrance or use fees for every visit.
Click on the passes below for information on the types of passes that the Sawtooth NF currently sells.

Permit Information

As managers of the National Forest, we welcome the opportunity to provide permits for public use. Available permits: firewood & post pole cutting, Christmas trees, ornamentals, wilderness & special use authorization. Please become familiar with the terms of your permit to help make both your time in the Forest and our job more enjoyable!

1. Entrance Fees - for entering designated federal recreation areas.
2. Use Fees - for using visitor services such as campgrounds, swimming areas, boat launches, parking, water-fowl blinds, cave tours or specialized interpretive services in designated federal recreation areas.
3. Special Recreation Permit Fees - for specialized uses that require a permit, such as group activities, recreational events and use of motorized recreational vehicles in designated federal recreation areas.

Interagency Annual Pass

• What is it: Entrance pass into national parks, national wildlife refuges, Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, & Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees.
• Who is it for: General Public
• Time Period: One year from date of purchase
• Cost: $80.00
• Admits: The pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. In those areas where a per person fee is charged, the pass admits the pass owner, plus 3 additional adults 16 and older.
• Covers: Entrance Fee

Interagency Senior Pass

• What is it: Entrance pass into national parks, national wildlife refuges, Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, & Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. It also provides a 50% discount on federal recreation use fees.
• Who is it for: Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. that are age 62 or older.
• Time Period: Lifetime
• Cost: $10
• Admits: The pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. In those areas where a per person fee is charged, the pass admits the pass owner, plus 3 additional adults 16 and older.
• Covers: Entrance fees plus a 50% discount on federal recreation use fees for most facilities and services (excludes concessions and special recreation permits.)

Interagency Access Pass

• What is it: Entrance pass into national parks, national wildlife refuges, Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, & Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. It also provides a 50% discount on federal recreation use fees.
• Who is it for: Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. that are legally blind or permanently disabled.
• Time Period: Lifetime
• Cost: No charge
• Admits: The pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. In those areas where a per person fee is charged, the pass admits the pass owner, plus 3 additional adults 16 and older.
• Covers: Entrance fees plus a 50% discount on federal recreation use fees for most facilities and services (excludes concessions and special recreation permits.)

Firewood Permits

Firewood permits are for personal use only. The cost of a basic permit is $25.00, which enables the holder to two cords of wood. There is a maximum of 10 cords per year, per household. Firewood permits can be purchased at all Sawtooth NF offices as well as specific private vendors. See map for designated cutting areas.

Pole Cutting Permits

Pole permits are for personal use only. The price is .50¢ per live tree <4.9" inches in diameter. $1.50 for posts 5.0-6.9" in diameter. Minimum purchase is $20 and maximum is 300 trees per family each year. Permit is valid until the end of the fuel wood cutting season 11/30/06. Pole permits can be purchased at all Sawtooth NF offices. See map for designated cutting areas.

Christmas Tree Permits

Christmas Tree permits are seasonal and are usually available beginning in early November. Permits are $5 for one tree up to eight feet tall, $10 for trees over 8 feet tall, and are limited to one per household or organization. See map for designated cutting areas.

Ornamental Permits

Ornamental permits are available for a limited in early spring and in the fall. Permits allow you to dig small live Douglas-fir or Lodgepole Pine in our forest for personal use. Permits cost $2 per tree. Minimum purchase is $20.

Wilderness Permits

To protect the Wilderness, the Forest Service requires all visitors to obtain a permit. Self-issued permits are available at trailheads for most visitors. However, large groups and most stock users need to obtain a special permit from one of the many ranger stations in the area. Both are unlimited and free of charge. Permits help the Forest Service gather accurate data on the number of people visiting various locations and assist with the management of the area.

Special-Uses Permit/Authorization

A special-use authorization is a legal document such as a permit, lease or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of NFS land. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.

You will need an authorization if:

• If you will need to occupy, use, or build on NFS land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term.
• If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
• If an activity on NFS land involves individuals or organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.

For general information about Special-Uses Authorization contact Jackie Richter at (208) 737-3200.
For site specific information contact the pertinent district.
For online applications go to www.fs.fed.us/recreation/permits

USDA Forest Service - Sawtooth National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 12 October 2007 at 12:33:51 EDT