RECREATION RESIDENCE PROGRAM

Cabin within the Butte Meadow Recreation Residence Tract

Congress established this unique program in 1915 to facilitate family recreation experiences in our Nation's Forests. The program has a deep history within the Forest Service and among generations of cabin owners. The Forest Service Recreation Residence program allows private citizens the opportunity for seasonal use of a private cabin in designated areas on the National Forests. They are commonly called "summer homes" or "recreation cabins."

The Forest Service does not sell the land or building lot but issues a permit to authorize occupancy. These privately owned cabins (improvements) are within formally established "tracts" on "lots" designated for that purpose and are authorized and administered under the terms and conditions of a Special Use Authorization (SUA) called a permit.

The program is very restrictive to protect the forest environment, including soil, vegetation, water quality, wildlife, air quality, and historical resources. The occupant maintains recreation residences for personal, family, and guest enjoyment. The permit holder pays an annual land use fee based upon the land's fair market value, not including improvements, as determined by an appraisal.

The Lassen National Forest has 272 recreation residence cabins spread across eight (8) tracts. It is open to everyone willing and able to purchase a cabin from a current owner and meet the qualifications necessary to obtain a Forest Service permit.

The Forest Service does not keep a log of which cabins are for sale. If you are interested in purchasing a cabin on Forest Service land, contact local realtors.

Prospective Cabin Owners

Five Key Things to Know about Recreation Cabin Ownership and Permits

The Forest can only issue a permit to an individual or married couple. Several people can own a cabin together, but one owner (or married couple) must officially be the permit holder with the Forest Service. This designated permit holder will be the only person(s) the Forest Service will communicate with regarding the recreation residence permit.
Cabins cannot be used for commercial purposes, as retreats for companies, and are very limited in their ability to be "rented" (14-day max, with prior Forest Service written permission).
As a permit holder, you will be responsible for removing hazardous trees on or off your lot that are dangerous to your cabin or improvements. You must first obtain written Forest Service approval for tree or vegetation removal.
The permit does not come with rights associated with the land. The cabin is a private structure on public land, and the deed must reflect that.
Any project work that disturbs the soil, is on the exterior of the cabin or on the lot (roof, windows, paint, deck, etc.) must be submitted as a proposal, undergo a review process that can vary in length, and then be approved by the Forest Service in writing before any work can begin.