Outfitters & Guides with Special Use Permits

Bearlodge Ranger District Seeking Applications for Outfitting/Guiding Services

Outfitters and guides conduct commercial trips or provide services under a Special Use Permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service.  Each outfitter works to provide a range of quality recreational activities, opportunities, and experiences.  The permitted outfitters must have all required state licenses and insurance, meet civil rights requirements, and pay fees to operate on National Forest System lands. The Forest monitors and inspects permitted outfitters for quality of services provided.

Utilizing the services of a permitted Outfitter/Guide will help to ensure you have hired someone who:

  • will provide you with the proper equipment
  • can help to protect your safety and well being
  • is skilled and knowledgeable about the activity and the area you will visit
  • prevents you from facilitating an illegal activity by hiring someone without a permit, and
  • will work to provide you with the best possible experience during your visit to the Forest.

When booking a trip or arranging for guided services on the Forest, please be diligent in asking whether your prospective outfitter/guide holds a valid Forest Service permit.  The Black Hills National Forest has authorized a variety of outfitter/guides to operate under Special Use Permits.  When advertising their services for use of the National Forest, permitted outfitters are required to include a statement that they operate under a special use permit from the Black Hills National Forest.

In order to provide a higher quality experience on the Forest and to help maintain business viability, we have limited the number of outfitter and guide permits that the Forest issues.  Be advised that permitted services or activities might not be available in all areas of the Forest. 

Please note that the links below are only provided for your awareness and basic contact information.  The Forest does its best to maintain an active and up-to-date list of outfitter/guides.  However, the contact list may change sporadically throughout the year and may not be updated on a routine basis. For the most current information and listing, call the appropriate Ranger District. For the most current information related to available services, please contact the respective company for further details.

(Below updated March 2024)