Passes & Permits
You are here: Home > Passes & Permits
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.
Recreation Fees and Passes
This recreation fees and passes section
will help you understand where fees and passes exist and the
variety of pass options available to you. Recreation
Fees and Passes Web Site
Recreation Permit Information
Recreation permits may be required
when extra measures are needed to protect natural or cultural
resources.
Recreation permits can include:
- Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area/Trail
- River
- Wilderness
- Rifle Range
- Groomed Cross-Country Ski Trail
- Group Activities*
- Recreation Events*
* These activities have historically
required a "Special Use Permit", which sometimes
includes a fee and sometimes are free. The Recreation Enhancement
Act allows funds from these fees to now remain where collected.
A Special Use Permit grants
rights or privileges of occupancy and use to the holder.
Examples include reserving a public site for a wedding
party, or holding a bicycle race on public lands. These
permits contain specific terms and conditions that the
holder must follow.
Before Special Use Permits are
issued, the Forest Service must determine that the proposed
use complies with all management plans and laws, that there
is a demonstrated need for the activity, and that the use
is appropriate on national forest system lands. Special
Use Permits are a temporary authority. |
For information about permits required
to conduct business on national forests, please visit the Special
Uses area of our web site.
|