Permits
Wilderness/Long Distance/Backpacking
A Wilderness & Visitor Permit is required for overnight camping or hiking in areas outside of established campgrounds on the Cleveland.
For information regarding day hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, please see our designated Pacific Crest Trail page.
- To protect public health and safety, all visitors to the forest are encouraged to:
- Avoid visiting the forest if you are sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Follow CDC guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during your visit to the forest.
- If an area is crowded, move to a less occupied location. Also consider avoiding the forest during high-use periods.
Outdoor recreation can be beneficial to mental and physical health but must be practiced safely. Be aware that dispersed camping rules and regulations apply, please refer to the Descanso Dispersed Camping Guide. Please contact the Descanso District Office for area-specific information and restrictions at (619) 445-6235 or SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov.
Dispersed Camping Permits-- Email completed forms to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov Please allow 4 days for processing. Permits needed for the weekend should be submitted by COB on Tuesday.
- Wood or charcoal fires are never allowed outside of developed campgrounds or picnic sites
Please pack out all trash and waste
To protect public health and safety, all visitors to the forest are encouraged to:
- Avoid visiting the forest if you are sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Follow CDC guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during your visit to the forest.
- If an area is crowded, move to a less occupied location. Also consider avoiding the forest during high-use periods.
Outdoor recreation can be beneficial to mental and physical health but must be practiced safely. Please contact the Palomar District Office for area-specific information and restrictions at 760-788-0250​ or SM.FS.PalomarRD@usda.gov.
Dispersed Camping Permits--Email completed forms to SM.FS.PalomarRD@usda.gov Please allow 2 days for processing. Permits needed for the weekend should be submitted by COB on Thursday.
- Wood or charcoal fires are never allowed outside of developed campgrounds or picnic sites
- Please pack out all trash and waste
- Trabuco - Camping is currently allowed within the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. Only a limited number of wilderness camping permits are issued per day. Please allow 2 days for processing. Complete and submit the Trabuco Wilderness Application. If you are experiencing issues sending this form, please save it and email it to SM.FS.trabucord@usda.gov
Botanical Collecting Permits
If you are interested in collecting plant materials from the Cleveland National Forest, please be advised of the following:
- Requests should be submitted at least 8 weeks in advance, but no later than January 15th, for spring collection due to the large number of requests.
- No commercial collecting allowed. For all requests, include a copy of the study design, list of requested species, quantities, and a map of proposed collecting locations.
- Collection requests should be submitted via email or hard copy to the Forest Botanist at the Supervisors Office.
Firewood Collecting Permit
The Cleveland National Forest is just one of many forests offering firewood collection permits to the public. This program plays an important role in ongoing forest management. It will be offered as long as wood collection does not conflict with other resources and activities, such as forest health protection, reforestation, wildlife habitat management, and fire prevention. It should be noted that purchasing a personal use firewood permit allows for collections solely on the Cleveland National Forest and does not permit collections on private lands or lands under jurisdiction by local, state, or other federal government agencies including national forests.
A permit can be obtained by contacting the Descanso, Palomar or Trabuco district offices by phone or email to arrange the issuance and mailing of the permit and associated documents. Permittees should plan for a 5 to 7 day lead time from time of issuance to receive the permit by mail prior to heading onto Cleveland National Forest System lands to cut or collect firewood.
Please note the following:
- Permits are valid for the calendar year in which they are purchased and cannot be extended or modified.
- Permits are issued with an accompanying district fuelwood map and load tags to be used while transporting firewood off national forest lands.
- Firewood collecting permits are available year around, however collection areas are subject to wet weather or fire closures at any time.
- Firewood cutting and gathering areas are limited to existing dead and down wood within 100 feet of roads as shown on the respective district firewood maps.
- A total of 5 cords may be purchased per household, per calendar year.
Descanso Ranger District
Over the course of 2019 and into 2020, the Descanso Ranger District had suspended the sales of oak firewood while reevaluating its firewood program in light of increased levels of goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) mortality in the local area, as well as, GSOB’s expansion north into San Diego County communities and wildlands while also infesting satellite locations in Orange and Riverside Counties mainly through the movement of infested firewood. As a result of reevaluating the program internally and with input from past permittees; the District has decided to again issue personal-use oak firewood permits to qualified permittees. Starting in 2020, the Descanso Ranger District begun issuing personal use firewood permits for the collection of dead and down oak trees in permitted areas shown on the Districts Personal-use Firewood map under the following conditions:
- Permittee resides within the administrative boundary of the Descanso Ranger District were GSOB activity is known.
- At time of issuance, permittees shall present proof of residency through a valid form of identification or a utility bill that shows physical address of permittee and can be verified by Forest Service.
- Oak firewood gathered under the permit is for personal-use and will not be resold, bartered, or given away to a member of the public that resides outside of the Districts boundary.
For those members of the public that qualify, a minimum of 1 cord of oak may be purchased with an associated cost of $25.00. Additional cords of oak firewood may be purchased in $25.00 increments up to the maximum of 5 per household per calendar year.
The District will continue to monitor the sale of oak firewood through the Personal-use Firewood Program and make changes as is necessary to balance the local needs of home heating while limiting impacts to natural and cultural resources.
For all permittees living outside the administrative boundary of the District, non-oak personal-use firewood permit sales will continue to be offered, with cuttings and collection limited to conifer species including pine, incense cedar, and white fir. A minimum of 2 cords must be purchased with an associated cost of $20.00. Additional cords may be purchased in $10.00 increments up to the maximum of 5 per household. Please see the Descanso Collection Map for designated collection areas.
The Forest Service makes no guarantee as to quantity and availability of wood at designated collection areas. It is recommended that prospective permittees visit the sites prior to purchasing a permit. Wood may become available throughout the year as a result of ongoing forest management activities. Interested individuals should contact the Descanso Ranger District.
Palomar Ranger District
The Palomar Ranger District began selling personal-use firewood permits on August 1, 2021. Firewood cutting and gathering is limited to conifers, including pine species, incense cedar, white fir, and big cone Douglas-fir.A minimum of 2 cords must be purchased with an associated cost of $20.00. Additional cords may be purchased in $10.00 increments up to the maximum of 5 per household. Dead and down oak species cannot be collected. Please see the Palomar Collection Map for designated collection areas.
The Forest Service makes no guarantee as to quantity and availability of wood at designated collection areas. It is recommended that prospective permittees visit the sites prior to purchasing a permit. Wood may become available throughout the year as a result of ongoing forest management activities. Interested Individuals should contact the Palomar Ranger District
Trabuco Ranger District
The Trabuco Ranger District began selling personal-use firewood permits on August 1, 2021. Firewood cutting and gathering is limited to conifers, including pine species, incense cedar, white fir, and big cone Douglas-fir. A minimum of 2 cords must be purchased with an associated cost of $20.00. Additional cords may be purchased in $10.00 increments up to the maximum of 5 per household. Dead and down oak species cannot be collected. Please see the Trabuco Collection Map for designated collection areas.
The Forest Service makes no guarantee as to quantity and availability of wood at designated collection areas. It is recommended that prospective permittees visit the sites prior to purchasing a permit. Wood may become available throughout the year as a result of ongoing forest management activities. Interested Individuals should contact the Trabuco Ranger District
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 System (NFS) land. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land during a specified period of time.
It is important to note that not all requests will receive a permit. Therefore any action taken before receiving a Special Use authorization, such as occupying NFS lands and advertising or expending funds is against the law.
You will need an authorization:
- If you will need to occupy, use or build on NFS 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 involves individuals or organizations with 75 or more participants or spectators.
Special uses may involve everything from outfitting & guide activities, ski resorts, lodging, and marinas to energy transmission and development, commercial filming, and much more. Each application is carefully reviewed to determine its affects on public lands and resources.
Depending on the complexity of the proposal, obtaining a Special Use authorization can be a lengthy process. Please coordinate early with the ranger district where you would like to operate.
For more information, see our Special Use Application Process.
If you should have any further questions regarding obtaining a special use permit, please contact the Public Affairs Officer
Recreation Event
This type of special use includes organized events such as bike or foot races, etc. If you are interested in learning more about submitting a proposal for a recreation event, please contact your local special uses permit administrator and submit Form SF-2700-3c
Filming
National forests are a popular location for commercial filming and still photography and we welcome the use of these lands for your project. However, those wishing to film on National Forest System lands must obtain a special use permit from the Forest Service prior to the event. To begin the permit process, or to review land use and permit fees, please download our application form.
Research
There are many diverse research projects on the Cleveland National Forest. Research includes observatories, laboratories, stream gauges, weather stations, educational research study, and similar uses not intended to result in further development.
Outfitting and Guiding
This area of Special Uses includes all commercial outfitting operations involving services for accommodating guests, transporting persons, and providing equipment, supplies, and materials. It also includes commercial guiding activities wherein the guide furnishes personal services or serves as a leader or teacher. Please use Form FS-2700-3f for this permit.
Other Permits
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 System (NFS) land. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.
Campfire Permits are required for the use of portable gas stoves outside of designated recreation sites. These are free and are available at all Forest Service, BLM, or CAL FIRE offices, or online (printer required). Campfires are Not allowed outside of designated recreation areas on the Cleveland National Forest. Remember to check for fire restrictions before you go!