Permits
Recreation Permits
Recreation permits may be required when extra measures are needed to protect natural or cultural resources. Recreation permits can include: Wilderness Permits, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area permits and Rifle Range permits. Please contact the nearest Forest Service office for information about permits that may be required in that area.
Contact Nearest Forest Service Office
Campfire Permits
Permits are currently required for the use of portable gas stoves or wood or charcoal fires outside of designated recreation sites. These are free and are available online or at Forest Service offices. Remember to check for fire restrictions before you go!
Other Permits
Instructions to Obtain a Permit and Usage Guidelines for Nordhoff Ridge Road
The following instructions and guidelines are intended to inform and educate you about Nordhoff Ridge Road in the Ojai Ranger District. The area will remain open to the public if everyone follows the guidelines listed below.
The U.S. Forest Service has a limited budget; your help in maintaining this area in its pristine condition is important so that you and others can visit it again. Access to the road is controlled with a locked gate and a limited number of permits are available to maintain the area's desirable condition. We ask for everyone's cooperation to ensure future public use of this area.
- When is Nordhoff Ridge Road open?
The road is seasonal and is open from May 1 through December 15.
- How far in advance do I need to apply for a permit?
Allow at least 5 business days in advance for the Forest Service to obtain all of your information, review your request, deny or approve it, and issue a permit. If your application is denied, you will receive a notice with an explanation.
- How many vehicles are allowed?
Nordhoff Ridge Road has a limit of 10 vehicles per day.
- What type of vehicles are suitable for or allowed on the road?
ONLY high clearance (8"-ground clearance) vehicles, 4x4 vehicles, and off-road appropriate street legal motorcycles are permitted. *Quad runners, side-x-side, and ATVs are not allowed.*
- How do I apply for a permit?
Each vehicle’s driver must apply for their own permit (in the same email is OK). Please email your request to: sm.fs.nordhoff_rdg@usda.gov
- What do I include in my email request?
- Full Name, Address, and Telephone number
- A copy of your driver’s license (in .pdf or .jpg format)
- Make, Model, and Year of vehicle traveling including license number
- Number of people in party
- Dates of travel
- Four-wheel Driving Experience: Beginner, intermediate, advanced - Describe your reasoning for your skill level and terrain driven
- How much does it cost?
There is no cost to these permits.
- If I am a beginner, where can I go?
If you are inexperienced in operating four-wheel drive, you are not allowed to access Nordhoff Ridge Road. Only experienced drivers are permitted (up to the Fire Tower).
- How and when can I expect to get my permit?
After 5 business days, a permit will be emailed back to the email address you have provided.
- Now I have my permit, how do I get in? And to get out?
You will receive a gate code and entry/exit points written on your permit. Please note that Sisar Canyon is not an exit route. The Rose Valley gate is the only entry AND exit point.
- What do I do to enjoy the adventure?
- Plan accordingly and for emergency situations.
- Open the gate, drive in, and lock it behind you.
- Stay on the designated roads. Stay on the right side of the road and drive at a safe speed.
- Remove all your belongings and TRASH upon your departure of the Los Padres National Forest.
- Share the road. Trucks, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and hikers all use this road, so be aware of who is around you while driving.
- Be respectful of landowners' signage, and do not disturb residents.
12. How long is a permit good for?
A permit is valid for one day, and up to two days if camping overnight is planned. No multiple days (like 3 days or more). Reservations may be made for up to 2 days in a 7-day period.
DO NOT let in behind you other vehicles without a permit.
DO NOT leave both entry and exit gates unlocked behind you.
DO NOT share the gate code.
WARNINGS:
**Abandoning property in the forest for more than 24 hours could result in a fine from $150 up to $5,000**
**Anyone failing to comply with all the rules and regulations for the forest may have their permits revoked for up to 1 year**
PLEASE USE THE LATEST INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES AS THEY ARE UPDATED REGULARLY ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER AND TRAIL CONDITIONS
Where to Obtain a Wood Cutting Permit on the Los Padres National Forest
Woodcutting requirements may vary substantially so please check with your local ranger district office to see if there are any specific local restrictions or requirements.
Ranger District Offices
- Santa Barbara Ranger District – (805) 967-3481
- Santa Lucia Ranger District in Santa Maria – (805) 925-9538 ext. 0
- Ojai Ranger District in Ojai – (805) 646-4348
- Mt. Pinos Ranger District in Frazier Park – (661) 245-3731 ext. 0
- Monterey Ranger District in King City - 831-385-5434 ext. 0 (wood cutting is not allowed on the Monterey Ranger District due to Sudden Oak Death)
Wood Cutting Permits will be offered as long as wood collecting does not conflict with other forest resources and activities such as reforestation, wildlife habitat management, and fire prevention.
Shut Down Days
In an effort to be consistent with other Forest activities, we will suspend firewood cutting on VERY HIGH and EXTREME fire danger days. On these days you will not be allowed to use a chainsaw. Wood permit holders can reference the online project activity level guide to see if chainsaw use is allowed for the area they intend to collect wood by visiting http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/ecc/lpcc/daily-indices/index.php. For information on Forest closures in effect, visit Alerts or call one of the Ranger District Offices.
It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to the following regulations:
- Collect down and dead wood only. No standing trees may be cut, pushed or pulled down.
- Permits cannot be sold, transferred or given away.
- Carry your Wood Cutting Collecting Permit, Map and Tags with you whenever you are collecting wood.
- Cutting wood is allowed during daylight hours only.
- Each person over 18 years of age in a given household may purchase a Permit for up to 8 cords of wood.
- A shovel or fire extinguisher must be kept available at all times when cutting firewood.
Spark Arresters Are Required!
The Forest Service and the State of California require wood collectors to equip their chainsaws and other internal combustion equipment with spark arresters. A spark arrester screen should be cleaned with a wire brush after 8 hours of use in order to keep it safe and functional. A screen should be replaced as soon as there is an increase (burning out) or decrease (clogging) in opening size.
HELP REDUCE FIRE DANGER!!! |
When starting a chainsaw:
|
While Using the Chainsaw:
|
When Adding Fuel To The Chainsaw:
|
The Forest Service manages over 192 million acres of national forests and grasslands that comprise the National Forest System. Today, our growing population and mobile society have created a demand for a variety of uses of these federal lands. Often these diverse needs require specific approval. The Forest Service provides services that support our national policy and federal land laws. The Agency's special-uses program authorizes uses on National Forest System land that provide a benefit to the general public and protect public and natural resources values. Currently there are over 74,000 authorizations on the National Forest System lands for over 180 types of uses.
Each year, the Forest Service receives thousands of individual and business applications for authorization for use of National Forest System land for such activities as water transmission, agriculture, outfitting and guiding, recreation, telecommunication, research, photography and video productions, and granting road and utility rights-of-ways. The Forest Service carefully reviews each application to determine how the request affects the public's use of National Forest System land. Normally, National Forest System land is not made available if the overall needs of the individual or business can be met on nonfederal lands.
If you are interested in obtaining a Forest Special Use Permit, please email your request to: SM.FS.LPF_Permits@usda.gov. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.