Permits and Access

Commercial Guiding Permit Opportunity

This information is available to individuals seeking information about commercial use on public lands. Please contact the AMGA if you are aware of any area that is reviewing its land management policies, or has commercial guiding permits available.

Members are at all times representatives of the AMGA and should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects well on the AMGA. This applies equally whether on AMGA courses, in the mountains with friends or clients, or transacting business with clients or government agencies.

Acadia National Park, Maine
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Liz Weston
Phone: 207.288.8705
Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/acad/parkmgmt/commercialuseauthorizations.htm

Arapahoe–Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado
Submit a detailed proposal letter with specific dates and locations at least one year in advance.
Contact: Jaime Oliva (Boulder District)
Phone: 303.541.2500

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Linda Alick
Phone: 970.641.2337 ext. 221

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Colorado
Permit Type: Commercial Use Permit
Insurance Amount Required: $600,000
Contact: Michelle Gonzales
Phone: 303.441.3440
Web Site: http://www.osmppermits.org

Chugach National Forest, Alaska
Permit Type: Special Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: Minimum of $300,000. Higher risk activities require more.
Phone: 907.743.9568
Web Site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/lands/index.html

City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho
Permit Type: Small Concession Permit
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
You must first go through the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board
Web Site: http://www.oglb.idaho.gov/
Then obtain a Small Concession Permit from the Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Contact: Dean Sangrey
Phone: 208.334.4180 ext. 2260

Crowders Mountain State Park, North Carolina
Permit Type: Fill out a climbing permit the day of climb
Insurance Amount Required: Safety, training, and insurance is left up to guide/climber.
Phone: 704.853.5375

Denali National Park, Alaska (Excluding Denali and Foraker)
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: Based on group size
1-5 $300,000
6-12 $500,000
13+ $1,000,000
Contact: Brenda Coleman
Email: brenda_coleman@nps.gov
Phone: 907.644.3362
Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/akso/concessions/index.cfm?theme=cua

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Permit Type: Incidental Business Permit (IBP), will switch to Commercial Use Authorization in winter 2007-2008.
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Dona Rutherford
Phone: 307.467.5283 ext. 221

Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado
Permit Type: Short Term Concession
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000 (Employees must also have workman’s comp)
Contact: Steve Muehlhauser
Phone: 303.494.3943

Joshua Tree National Park, California
Permit Type: Special Use Permit
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Don Roberts
Phone: 760.367.5545
Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/permits.htm

Mohonk Preserve (Shawangunks), New York
Permit Type: Visiting Guide
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000 per incident, $2,000,000 aggregate
Contact: Hank Alicandri
Phone: 845.255.0919
Web Site: http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/index.php?climbing_instruction

Monongahela National Forest (Seneca Rocks), West Virginia
Permit Type: Special Use Permit
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Sara Schell
Phone: 304.257.4488 ext. 16
Web Site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/rec/outfitter_guides/how_when_to_apply.shtml

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Permit Type: Long Term Contract and Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)
CUA Contact: Jan Crosetto
Email: Jan_Crosetto@nps.gov
Phone: 360.569.2211 ext. 2316
Concessions Contact: Mary Wysong
Phone: 360.569.2211 ext. 2303

New Hampshire State Parks, New Hampshire
Permit Type: N/A
Insurance Amount Required: Insurance is left up to guide.
Contact: Kevin Donovan
Phone: 603.823.7722 ext. 757

North Cascades National Park, Washington
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Tammra Sterling
Phone: 360.854.7213

Ouray Ice Park, Colorado (County Owned)
Limited Permit Availability
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate
Contact: Nate Disser
Email: nate@ourayclimbing.com
Phone: 970.325.4925
Ouray Ice Park Request for Qualifications (information & application form)(PDF)

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Permit Type: Long Term Contract
There are currently no permits available.
Contact: John Hannan
Phone: 970.586.1206
Certified Guides may contact the Colorado Mountain School to inquire about working through their permit for RMNP.
Contact: Mike Alkaitis
Phone: 303.447.2804 ext. 107

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Permit Type: Outfitter Guide Permit
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Jennifer Batt (Please contact at least 45-60 days out from start of trip)
Email: jbatt@fs.fed.us
Phone: 603.466.2713 ext. 213

White River National Forest, Colorado
Contact the specific ranger district where you wish to conduct guiding.
Insurance Amount Required: Minimum of $300,000. Higher risk activities require more.
Web Site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/contact/

Opportunities for Certified Guides to Work With Permit Holders

Rainier National Park: For US AMGA Certified Alpine Guides
Rocky Mountain National Park: For US AMGA Certified Guides Colorado Mountain School
Pacific Northwest: For US AMGA Certified Guides
Canada through the ACMG for IFMGA Guides PDF (PDF)
Ouray Ice Park (pdf)

Land Management Plans Reviewed and Commented on by the AMGA

If you would like to receive a copy of the AMGA comments please contact the office.

Mount Rainier National Park
Eldorado State Park
Inyo National Forest
Mohonk Preserve (Shawangunks)
New River Gorge National Park
Red Rocks National Conservation Area (Land Management Plan)
Rocky Mountain National Park
Zion National Park

Areas Considering Changing or Creating a Land Management or Climbing Management Plan

Acadia National Park, Maine
Denali National Park and Preserve (Currently Reviewing 5 Draft Plans)
Red Rocks National Conservation Area (Climbing Management Plan)
Indian Creek, Utah

Commercial Guide at Hueco Tanks State Historical Park

Submit guiding proposal once a year; upon acceptance receives one-year contract
Assumes responsibility for resource protection and group safety
Non-exclusive concession
Must complete certified guide training (conducted by park twice per year, no charge to participants)
Holds $500,000 liability policy
Pays annual concession fee of $250
Pays fee per client visit (no charge for guides)
Allowed to access either guide or self-guide areas subject to daily use limitations
Commercial guides may climb with clients during climbing tour

The Hueco Tanks State Historical Park exists for the preservation and restoration of Native American pictographs located within the park; education of the public on cultural and historical significance of the site; preservation of the site and its significant natural resources. The park, located near El Paso, Texas is a popular bouldering venue. There are also a number of traditional climbing routes. The park is divided into "self-guided" and guided-only access areas. The role of commercial and volunteer guides is to lead visitors into areas that would not otherwise be accessible.

For information on submitting a commercial guiding proposal or guide training, call or e-mail the park manager, John Moses at 915-857-1135, john.moses@tpwd.state.tx.us