Guided use of public lands in the US, be it non-profit or for-profit, falls under the category of Commercial Use, and requires a permit issued by the local land manager. The typical criterion is whether taxable income is generated. If so, it is a commercial entity. If not, it may still require a permit. Check with the land manager for further details. Every land management agency has its own permit types, but here is a quick overview of the major categories:
Permit Locations
Acadia National Park, Maine
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Liz Weston
Phone: 207.288.8705
website
Arapaho–Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado
Permit Type: Special Use Permit (Outfitter/Guide)
Submit a detailed proposal letter with specific dates and locations at least one year in advance.
Contact: Jaime Oliva (Boulder Ranger District)
Phone: 303.541.2500
website
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Steve Winslow
Phone: 970.249.1914 x421
website
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Colorado
Permit Type: Commercial Use Permit
Insurance Amount Required: $600,000
Contact: Michelle Gonzales
Phone: 303.441.3440
website
Chugach National Forest, Alaska
Permit Type: Special Use Permit (Outfitter/Guide)
Insurance Amount Required: Minimum of $300,000. Higher risk activities require more.
Phone: 907.743.9568
website
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
website
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
website
Denali National Park, Alaska (Excluding Denali and Foraker)
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
AMGA Accreditation required.
Insurance Amount Required: Based on group size
1-5 $300,000
6-12 $500,000
13+ $1,000,000
Contact: Brenda Coleman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 907.644.3362
website or website for managing commercial operations
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Drew Gilmour
Phone: 307.467.5283 ext. 636
website
Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado
Permit Type: Special Use Agreement
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Steve Muehlhauser, Superintendent
Phone: 303.494.3943
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, Texas
Permit Type: Non-exclusive Concession (5 maximum, 2 year contract)
Additional Requirements: All guides must attend 3-day park orientation / training
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Wanda Olszewski, Superintendent
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 915.857.1135
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Permit Type: Commercial Use Authorization
Insurance Amount Required: $1,000,000
Contact: Li Li McGary
Phone: 760.367.5545
website
Moab Area – BLM
Permit Type: Special Recreation Permit
Insurance Amount: $1,000,000 aggregate
Contact: Jennifer Jones, Moab Field Office
Phone: 435.259.2136
Email: [email protected]
website
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
website
Monongahela National Forest (Seneca Rocks), West Virginia
Permit Type: Special Use Permit (Outfitter/Guide)
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Sara Schell
Phone: 304.257.4488 ext. 16
website
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Permit Type: Concession Contract and single-trip Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)
CUA Contact: Jan Crosetto
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 360.569.2211 ext. 2316
Concessions Contact: Mary Wysong
Phone: 360.569.2211 ext. 2303
website
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
website
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: [email protected]
Phone: 970.325.4925
Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Permit Type: Special Use Permit (Outfitter/Guide)
website
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada – BLM
Permit Type: Five Full-time Special Recreation Permits. Guest Climbing Permits available. Good for 10 days/yr. Application period is in Sept., selection made via lottery, notifications in October for the next year. Unlimited number of guides/clients during those 10 days.
Contact: Nick Walendziak, Recreation Planner – Climbing Lead.
Phone: 702.515.5358
website
White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Permit Type: Temporary Special Use Permit (Outfitter/Guide)
Insurance Amount Required: $500,000
Contact: Jennifer Batt (Please contact at least 45-60 days out from start of trip)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 603.466.2713 ext. 213
website
White River National Forest, Colorado
Permit Type: Temporary Special Use Permit (Outfitter/Guide)
Contact the specific ranger district where you wish to conduct guiding.
Insurance Amount Required: Minimum of $300,000. Higher risk activities require more.
website: Ranger District contact information
Canada
Access for IFMGA Mountain Guides through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Find out more on their website.