To obtain a cabin permit from the Forest Service, write or call on the Supervisor or nearest Ranger of the particular forest in which you think you’d like to live. Ask him what areas, if any, are open in his National Forest. If he has a forest officer available, he will arrange for him to visit the property with you. A personal visit is desirable but not absolutely necessary before applying for a permit.
Application for permit may be made in writing to the Forest Supervisor, or Forest Ranger, specifying the location of the property, the use to be made of it (summer cabin, hotel or resort) and the estimated cost of the improvements you intend to make.
Permits are granted strictly on a “first come—first served” basis. The cost—and this will amaze you—averages about $15 per year for cabin sites, depending on the size and location of the property. Each permit is renewable annually. You may sell your cabin at any time, but the transaction must be approved by the Forest Service.
Map showing location of National Forests in the West
Don’t depend on your own knowledge of the outdoors when you pick a cabin site. The local forest officer knows more about his particular locality than anyone else, and he’ll be glad to help you.
When seeking information about a particular forest, be sure you write to the officer in charge of that forest, because he is the only one with a complete file of data on it. If you don’t know who your nearest forest supervisor is, write to the nearest regional forester. Here’s a list of offices:
Region No. 1 (Northern Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Western Washington)—Federal Bldg., Missoula, Montana
Region No. 2 (Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Eastern Wyoming)—Post Office Bldg., Denver, Colorado
Region No. 3 (Arizona, New Mexico)—Federal Bldg., Albuquerque, N. M.