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The National Forest Service manages over 192 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands that comprise the National Forest System. The National Forest Service's Special Uses Program authorizes uses on National Forest Service land that provide a benefit to the general public and protect public and natural resources.
Each year, the National Forest Service receives thousands of individual and business applications for use of National Forest Service land for photography, film and video productions. The National Forest Service carefully reviews each application to determine how the request affects the public's use of National Forest Service land. Normally, National Forest Service land is not made available if the overall needs of the individual or business can be met on non-federal lands.
What are Special Use Authorizations?
A Special Use Authorization is a legal document such as a permit, term permit, lease or easement which allows occupancy, use, rights or privileges of National Forest Service land. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.
When do I need an authorization?
- If you will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest Service 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 National Forest Service land involves individuals or organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.
Application Process
Is my proposal appropriate?
- Your request must be consistent with laws, regulations, orders, policies of National Forest Service lands, other federal laws and applicable State and local health and sanitation laws.
- Your request must be consistent or made consistent with the standards and guidelines in the applicable Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
- Your request must not pose serious or substantial risk to public health or safety.
- Your request must not require exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy.
- Your request does not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative uses, other scheduled or authorized existing uses or use of adjacent non-National Forest Service lands.
- The proponent must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior or existing Special Use Authorization.
- No gambling or providing of sexually oriented commercial services can be authorized on National Forest Service land, even if permitted under state law.
- No military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals can be authorized on National Forest Service land, unless it is federally funded.
- No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized on National Forest Service land.
How do I apply?
- Contact a Forest Service headquarters or district office and request an application. Application information is also available on the special uses home page at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/permits
- Prior to submitting the proposal, you are required to arrange a preapplication meeting at the local Forest Service office where the use is being requested. A staff member will discuss your proposal, potential land use conflicts, application procedures and qualifications, probable time frames, fees, bonding requirements, additional coordination with other agencies, environmental reports and field reviews.
- Most commercial uses require additional information with the application. You may need business plans, operating plans, liability insurance, licenses/registrations or other documents. A commercial use is when an applicant intends to make use of National Forest Services lands for business or financial gain.
- Complete and submit the application form, including supporting documents, to the local Forest Service office. An incomplete proposal could delay the processing.
How do I answer all the questions?
Name and Address - Include the full name(s) to be used. If the application includes real property, the name(s) on the legal document must match the application.
Applicant's Agent - This person must be at least 21 years old and may or may not be the same as the applicant. Documentation should be included to verify that this person may sign on behalf of the applicant.
Project Description - Include enough detail to enable the Forest Service to determine feasibility, environmental impacts, benefits to the public, the safety of the request, lands to be occupied or used and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Environmental Protection Plan - Include proposed plans for environmental protection and rehabilitation during construction, maintenance, removal and reclamation of the land.
Map - Provide a detailed map US Geological Survey quadrangle or equivalent or plat (survey or equivalent) showing the requested use in relation to National Forest Service land, identification of applicant's property if applicable, scale, map legend, legal description and a north arrow.
Technical and Financial Capability - Provide documentation to assure the Forest Service you are capable of constructing, operating, maintaining, removing the use of National Forest Service land and reclaiming the land after the authorization terminates.
Alternatives - You must first consider using non-federal land. Lower costs or fewer restrictions are not adequate reasons for use of National Forest Service lands. Provide alternative locations for the proposal in your application.
What does an authorization cost?
Cost Recovery Fees - An assessment of fees to recover agency processing costs for special use applications and monitoring costs for special use authorizations. These fees are separate from any fees charged for the use and occupancy of National Forest Service lands.
Land Use Fees - This is an annual rental fee based on the fair market value for the uses authorized and is payable in advance. Fees are established by appraisal or other sound business management principles.
Other Associated Costs - You may be responsible for providing information and reports necessary to determine the feasibility and environmental impacts of your proposal; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and terms and conditions to be included in the authorization.
The United States Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write: United States Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202.720.5964. United States Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
National Forest Service Offices
740 Simms St.
Golden, Colorado 80401
Phone: 303.275.5367
The Rocky Mountain Region manages 17 national forests and 7 national grasslands throughout Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming and include Arapaho, Roosevelt, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison, Medicine Bow, Routt, Pike, San Isabel, Rio Grande, San Juan and White River National Forests and Pawnee, Cimmaron and Comanche National Grasslands in Colorado.
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
2150 Centre Avenue, Building E
Ft. Collins, Colorado 80526-8119
Phone: 970.295.6600
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland is located in North Central Colorado. The forests and grassland encompasses 1.5 million acres and extends north to the Wyoming border, south of Interstate 70 to Mount Evans, west across the Continental Divide to the Williams Fork area and includes short grass prairie east of I-25.
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
2250 Highway 50
Delta, Colorado 81416
Phone: 970.874.6600
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are a combination of separate National Forests located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. These three combined Forests cover 3,161,912 acres of public land in the Central and Southern portion of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, an area that lies South of the Colorado River and West of the Continental Divide with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies. National Forests vary in elevation from 5,800 feet above sea level in Roubideau Creek Canyon to 14,309 feet on Uncompahgre Peak. The Forests include spectacular features like the 355 foot high Bridal Veil Falls; the Grand Mesa with over 300 lakes and one of the world's largest flat top mountains; and Alpine Tunnel, once the highest railroad tunnel in North America.
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
2468 Jackson Street
Laramie, WY 82070
Phone: 307.745.2300
The Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests extend from North Central Colorado to Central Wyoming. The Forests encompass portions of many mountain ranges including the Gore Range, Flat Tops, Parks Range, Medicine Bow Mountains, Sierra Madre and Laramie Range. Elevations range from 5,500 feet to 12,940 feet. There are 10 designated Wilderness Areas in Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests, 2 ski areas including Steamboat Springs Ski Area and eight mountain lakes with developed boating facilities.
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, Colorado 81008
Phone: 719.553.1400
The Pike & San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands contain nearly 3 million acres and is perhaps the most diverse of all National Forest Lands in Colorado. Visitors can choose from the short grass prairies of the eastern grasslands to the alpine tundra of our northern districts and all of the variety in between. It is a busy urban national forest noted for the majority of 14 thousand foot peaks in Colorado and stretching from Colorado's Front Range to the wide-open grasslands of western Kansas.
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
1803 W. Highway 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
Phone: 719.852.5941
The Rio Grande National Forest is 1.86 million acres located in Southwestern Colorado and remains one of the true undiscovered jewels of Colorado. The Continental Divide runs for 236 miles along most of the western border of the Forest. The Forest presents myriad ecosystems; from 7600 foot alpine desert to over 14,300 feet in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on the Eastern side.
The Rio Grande National Forest also embraces the San Luis Valley, the largest agricultural alpine valley in the world and includes all or parts of four Wilderness Areas including South San Juan, Weminuche, La Garita and Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Areas. The Rio Grande National Forest also is the headwaters of the Rio Grande River and has the moonscape wonder of the Wheeler Geologic Area, established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1911. The Anasazi Indians were also visitors here and many of their sites still remain.
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: 970.247.4874
USDA Forest Service Headquarters Office
900 Grand Ave.
PO Box 948
Glenwood Springs Colorado 81602
Phone: 970.945.2521
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is the top recreation Forest in the nation. Home to world-renowned ski resorts and the birthplace of Wilderness, the White River has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. The White River National Forest contains eight Wilderness Areas including Collegiate Peaks, Eagles Nest, Flat Tops, Holy Cross, Hunter-Fryingpan, Ptarmigan Peak, Maroon Bells-Snowmass and Raggeds.
Anasazi Heritage Center
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
27501 Highway 184
Dolores, Colorado 81323
Phone: 970.882.5600
806 W. Hallam St.
Aspen, Colorado 81611
Phone: 970.925.3445
The Aspen/Sopris Ranger District has offices in both Carbondale and Aspen Colorado. Land managers from each ranger station work together as a combined Forest Service District Office. The Aspen/Sopris Forest Service District Office manages five wilderness areas including the spectacular Maroon Bells scenic recreation site, the historical Crystal Mill, Ashcroft Ghost Town and the small mining town of Marble.
620 Main St.
PO Box 309
Carbondale, Colorado 81623
Phone: 970.963.2266
The Aspen/Sopris Ranger District has offices in both Carbondale and Aspen Colorado. Land managers from each ranger station work together as a combined Forest Service District Office. The Aspen/Sopris Forest Service District Office manages five wilderness areas including the spectacular Maroon Bells scenic recreation site, the historical Crystal Mill, Ashcroft Ghost Town and the small mining town of Marble.
317 E. Market St.
Boulder, Colorado 81641
Phone: 970.878.4039
There are 352,917 acres of National Forest land within the Blanco Forest Service District boundaries. Blanco Forest Service District Office is responsible for management of the historic Flat Tops Wilderness, which encompasses approximately 235,406 acres. The area is well known for outstanding hunting in one of the largest elk herds in North America. District elevation ranges from 6,500 to 12,000. The district has 24 licensed Outfitter/Guide permittees, who are equipped to host individual hunters from all over the world.
2140 Yarmouth Avenue
Boulder, Colorado 80301
Phone: 303.541.2500
Elevations start at 7,000 feet in the lower foothills of the Rocky Mountains and soar to over 13,000 feet on the Continental Divide. Home to the east side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, the Peak-to-Peak Highway and hundreds of miles of hiking, biking and four-wheel-drive roads, the Boulder Ranger District offers something for everyone. Located primarily in Boulder County and the northern portions of Gilpin County, the Boulder Ranger District covers 250,000 acres of the Front Range mountains. About 160,000 acres of that area are national forest and 87,000 acres are private lands interspersed within the national forest boundary.
2150 Centre Avenue, Building E
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
Phone: 970.295.6700
Located in North Central Colorado, the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest encompasses 650,022 acres, mostly in Larimer County. The Canyon Lakes Ranger District offers the visitor a variety of recreation opportunities throughout the year. We are home to four wilderness areas, three national recreation trails, two historic districts and Colorado's only Wild and Scenic River. State Highways 34, 36 and 14 allow for easy access to one of our many hiking trails, campgrounds, four-wheel drive roads, lakes and streams.
101 Chicago Creek Road
PO Box 3307
Idaho Springs, Colorado 80452
Phone: 303.567.3000
Denver's western gateway to the National Forest, Clear Creek Ranger District is home to the Mount Evans Wilderness, the Peak-to-Peak Byway, Loveland Ski Area and Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. Located along the I-70 corridor of Clear Creek County in the town of Idaho Springs, Clear Creek Ranger District manages approximately 200,000 acres in four different counties. Come climb a mountain 14,000 feet above the ocean's tides, take a relaxing drive through the Rocky Mountains or wet your fishing line in one of the many alpine lakes and streams.
Columbine Ranger District Office
367 Pearl St.
Bayfield, Colorado 81122
Phone: 970.884.2512
27204 US Hwy 287
PO Box 127
Springfield, Colorado 81073
Phone: 719.523.6591
Fax: 719.523.4861
The Comanche National Grassland includes over 440,000 acres in Southeastern Colorado. Today, you can see evidence of the dinosaurs on the Comanche. These Jurassic creatures walked along the shore of a shallow lake, leaving behind their footprints in the mud. Today, these footprints form one of the largest documented dinosaur trackways in North America, with over 1300 visible tracks.
If you visited southeastern Colorado between 1821 and 1880 you could have traveled the Santa Fe Trail, bringing goods or military supplies to cities and towns along the Trail. Imagine the long stretches of rugged trail, your water supply running out, your food rations consisting of nothing but flour, bacon, sugar, and salt. You can still travel sections of the Santa Fe Trail by foot or horseback. Journey back to the days of covered wagons on the Comanche National Grassland. The Comanche National Grassland is also home to many abandoned homesteads. Imagine these crumbling structures as living homes with the sounds of family echoing through them.
1420 E Third Street
La Junta, Colorado 81050
Phone: 719.384.2181
Fax: 719.384-7647
The Comanche National Grassland includes over 440,000 acres in Southeastern Colorado. Today, you can see evidence of the dinosaurs on the Comanche. These Jurassic creatures walked along the shore of a shallow lake, leaving behind their footprints in the mud. Today, these footprints form one of the largest documented dinosaur trackways in North America, with over 1300 visible tracks.
If you visited southeastern Colorado between 1821 and 1880 you could have traveled the Santa Fe Trail, bringing goods or military supplies to cities and towns along the Trail. Imagine the long stretches of rugged trail, your water supply running out, your food rations consisting of nothing but flour, bacon, sugar, and salt. You can still travel sections of the Santa Fe Trail by foot or horseback. Journey back to the days of covered wagons on the Comanche National Grassland. The Comanche National Grassland is also home to many abandoned homesteads. Imagine these crumbling structures as living homes with the sounds of family echoing through them.
680 Blue River Parkway
Silverthorne, Colorado 80498
Phone: 970.468.5400
The Dillon Forest Service District has numerous opportunities for both summer and winter recreation. During summer months you can enjoy more than 200 miles of hiking trails, 150 miles of mountain bike trails and 100 miles of off highway vehicle routes. For whitewater enthusiasts rafting and kayaking may be enjoyed at several sites on the Dillon Ranger District. The Dillon Ranger District also has two major reservoirs for boating and fishing, Dillon Reservoir and Green Mountain Reservoir. The Dillon Ranger District is home to 25 awesome cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails and 8 excellent snowmobile trails. There are also 4 major ski resorts located in the Dillon Ranger District including Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone Ski Resorts.
Dolores Ranger District Office
100 North 6th Street
Dolores, Colorado 81323
Phone: 970.882.7296
125 W. 5th St.
Eagle, Colorado 81631
Phone: 970.328.6388
The Eagle Forest Service District offers 82 trails that range from 200 yards to 13 miles in length. These trails offer a variety of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and in the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. While most of these are backcountry trails, the Glenwood Canyon Trail is a paved recreation path ideal for biking, in-line skating or walking through scenic Glenwood Canyon. Popular winter recreation activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Tenth Mountain Hut System cuts across the southern end of the district and provides a hut-to-hut trail system for backcountry skiing. Great snowmobiling exists in many of the non-wilderness portions of the district.
24747 US Hwy 24
Minturn, Colorado 81645
Phone: 970-827-5715
Recreation opportunities abound on the Holy Cross Forest Service District. The district is home to the well known ski resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek. Roughly 35 percent of the district is designated Wilderness and includes major portions of the Holy Cross and Eagle's Nest Wildernesses. Five huts operated by the Tenth Mountain Hut Association, along with their associated trail systems, are found on the district. Camp Hale, a World War II winter training site for the 10th Mountain Division now on the National Register of Historic Places, is situated toward the south end of the district. The Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area is the most heavily used area of the Holy Cross Forest Service District and offers 55,000 acres of designated snowmobile routes, cross-country ski routes and backcountry ski/snowboard areas.
Pagosa Ranger District Office
180 Pagosa Street
Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147
Phone: 970.264.2268
660 O Street
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Phone: 970.346.5000
The Pawnee National Grassland lies 35 miles east of Fort Collins and 25 miles northeast of Greeley in Weld County. Contained within the 30-by-60 mile area are 193,060 acres managed by the Pawnee National Grassland. The rest of the land is a checkerboard of private land, State of Colorado ownership and the Central Plains Experimental Range.
The windswept plains have witnessed the pageant of the frontier, the tragedy of the Dust Bowl and the wonders of modern agriculture. The rich history of the area is represented by old cemeteries and nearby museums. A person can explore the old homesteads and gain an appreciation of the area's history. The network of numbered forest service and county roads will take you within easy walking distance of almost all parts of the grassland.
0094 County Road 224
Rifle, Colorado 81650
Phone: 970.625.2371
The Rifle Ranger District is rich with cultural history and amazing outdoor recreational opportunities. The first human use of the area probably occurred from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. The Ute Indians were the last Native American Tribe to inhabit the area. The Ute trail from Meeker to Dotsero was a frequently traveled route for these Native Americans. Signs of the early uses of the land by European settlers can still be seen in abandoned mines, wagon roads and cabins.
Silverton Public Lands Center District Office
1246 Blair St.
PO Box 709
Silverton, Colorado 81433
Phone: 970.387.5530
9 Ten Mile Drive
Granby, Colorado 80446
Phone: 970.887.4100
The Sulphur Ranger District is over 442,000 acres in Grand County, Colorado. Being surrounded by mountain peaks, meadows and lakes, you are in for a truly majestic experience in this forest. Summers are filled with mountain biking near the towns of Winter Park and Fraser, hiking or backpacking in one of the five wilderness areas or in the Arapaho National Recreation Area. The Three Lakes of Grand, Granby and Shadow Mountain are great places to escape with your boat or a fishing pole for a day. The Stillwater area next to the town of Grand Lake has miles of trails for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Interpretive programs occur at Monarch Lake and a Rivers, Raptors and Reservoirs near the Green Ridge Campground.
Grand Lake is called the Snowmobile Capital of Colorado and is consistently ranked in the top 20 of best places to snowmobile in the United States. Along with the miles of snowmobile trails, the forest is available for tranquil snowshoe and cross-country ski excursions in this winter wonderland.
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