Passes & Permits
Passes and permits are required for some Forest activities. These permits help us to provide quality recreation opportunities, to insure
distribution of visitors in sensitive areas such as wilderness, and to regulate activities such as removal of firewood and other products.
You must comply with local fire use restrictions and guidelines at all
times.
Adventure Pass / Recreational Use Fees - Portions of the San Bernardino National Forest and Designated Recreational Sites do require a fee / pass - Where to buy, where it is needed and other great information.
Campfire Permits - You can help protect the forest from wildfires by knowing and following rules for the safe use of fire. You must obtain a
California Campfire Permit if you plan to build a campfire in a yellow post site or use a stove, unless you are in a developed recreation area (campground or picnic area).
Remember, wood and charcoal fires are never permitted outside yellow post sites, picnic areas or campgrounds on the San Bernardino
National Forest.
Permits are available free-of-charge at offices of the
San Bernardino National Forest, the
Bureau of Land
Management, and CAL FIRE. Remember that regulations governing campfires are specific to each National Forest and change with weather conditions and the seasons. To protect yourself and the forest, before each visit check with the Forest Service for current campfire restrictions. If you smoke outside a vehicle, be sure you do so within a cleared area at least three feet in diameter.
Christmas Tree Cutting Permits - Christmas tree farms and lots are a viable industry in southern California and opening the forest to Christmas tree cutting could have a negative impact on the industry. Because of this and other issues, our policy is to not provide this opportunity on the San
Bernardino National Forest at this time.
Fern Collecting Permits - The San Bernardino National Forest will not be offering fern permits this spring and summer in the Lake Arrowhead or Skyforest area, but plans to resume this permitted activity next year. The Forest is still actively processing fire-killed trees in the fern picking areas and have not finished clearing dead trees and hazards for public safety. Due to the impacts of the wildfire and tree removal process, we ask that the community
help by allowing the ground another season to heal before fern picking resumes.
No bracken fern collecting permits will be sold in 2008. The San Bernardino
National Forest will continue to monitor the area for future fern collecting. Permits to collect fiddlehead ferns are available during the early 2009 spring from the Arrowhead Ranger Station.
The ferns are popular with many Asian American visitors, who consider the
young fiddlebacks a delicacy. Contact the Arrowhead Ranger Station at (909) 382-2782 for more information.
Film & Photography Permits (Commercial Use) - The San Bernardino
National Forest permits commercial filming & Photography on public lands.
Like other commercial uses of National Forest System lands (NFS) and
resources, commercial filming & photography require a Special Use Permit
issued by the District Ranger.
Prior to the issuance of the permit, the Forest Service will determine if
there are any environmental concerns in the
proposed shoot location. The Forest Service may deny permits for filming
that depict practices prohibited on NFS lands (i.e. operating vehicles off
of road, maintaining an illegal campfire, littering, etc).
The Forest Service encourages use of environmental messages and depiction of
environmentally sound practices in
connection with the filming. Staff will work
Visit the Inland Empire Film
Commission website for more information
Firewood / Fuelwood Collecting and Gathering - Please visit our Fuelwood page
Other Forest Products - Those wishing to collect seeds, pine cones, plant specimens, and other forest products are required to obtain a permit before removing anything from National Forest land. The permit will tell you where you may collect and any restrictions which may apply.
Contact the Ranger Station in the area you would like to visit to find out how to obtain your permit. Be sure to plan ahead, as some permits require advance notice.
Prospecting & Mining -
Please visit our Prospecting and Mining page
Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Fee Information -
Visit our National Fee information website
Rock Collecting - The San Bernardino National Forest does not issue permits to collect rocks for personal use.
Wilderness Permits - All Wilderness Areas except Santa Rosa and Bighorn Mountain, require a free Wilderness Permit for day hiking and camping. The Permits can be reserved up to 3 months in advance. The number of people admitted to the Wilderness is limited-on some summer weekends Wilderness areas fill to capacity well in advance. The best advice is to
plan ahead. Please contact the local Ranger Station for the area you plan to visit:
San Jacinto Wilderness - Idyllwild Ranger Station
San Gorgonio Wilderness - Mill Creek Ranger Station
Cucamonga Wilderness - Lytle Creek Ranger Station
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