Operating Legally on Public Land
Climbing Permits & Authorizations
Professional climbing guide services are responsible for securing the permits and authorizations required to operate on public lands. Here's how that generally works across the major land managers.
National Parks
National Park Service
Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) are required for any guiding within national parks. Each park issues and administers its own CUAs.
National Forests & Grasslands
U.S. Forest Service
Outfitter and guide special-use permits are required for commercial guiding on Forest Service lands.
BLM Land
Bureau of Land Management
Commercial recreational use permits are required for guided climbing on BLM-administered lands.
State Parks & Lands
State agencies
Most states require commercial-use or special-use permits for guided activities on state-managed lands.
How Dialed Guides handles permits
We display permit status as operator-provided information. A listing on Dialed Guides does not constitute verification of any guide service's permits or authorizations.
Before you book
Ask any guide service directly about the permits they hold for the area you want to climb. Reputable guide services are transparent about their authorizations.
For informational and entertainment purposes only. Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time; confirm current requirements with the managing agency.