Chugach National Forest Outdoors Business Proposals Now Being Accepted

Here’s information from Chugach National Forest:

Outfitter Guide Permits

The Chugach National Forest announces an open season opportunity for submitting new outfitter/guide proposals for limited activities on the Glacier, Seward, and Cordova Ranger Districts.  The open season is from August 24 – October 30, 2022.  This opportunity is for operations starting in 2023 and is limited to companies not already permitted to operate on the Chugach National Forest.

Proposals will be accepted for the following activities and locations:

ActivityLocationRanger District
(See map)
Boat based hiking & campingPrince William SoundCordova & Glacier
Boat based &/or hike-in fishingCordova (some areas may not be available)Cordova
Non-motorized watercraft toursMcKinley Lake, Alaganik RiverCordova
HikingAll trailsCordova & Glacier
HikingLost Lake, Primrose Trail, Iditarod (INHT), Rainbow Lake TrailSeward
Non-motorized watercraft/fishingKenai Lake, Trail Lake, Rainbow LakeSeward
Backcountry skills trainings and school programsForest-wide (some trails not available)All
Van toursForest-wideAll
Snow machiningTurnagain PassGlacier

Proposals must pass an initial and second level screening process before acceptance. Successful applicants will be processed in the order they are received.

Newly accepted applicants will receive a two-year priority use permit with an option to extend for an additional 8 years if permit holder receives acceptable performance evaluations.

Proposals must include:

  1. The desired type of service or activity.
  2. A map of the proposed area. (CNF Districts map for reference)
  3. The allocation of use in terms of service days.  A service day is a day or part of any day that a client is on National Forest System Lands.
  4. The mode of transportation.
  5. A completed Special Use Application for Outfitter/Guide Services 
  6. A completed Operation and Safety Plan.

A copy of the insurance policy covering the activities will be required prior to start of operations.  A copy of the State of Alaska business license will be required once the proposal is approved.

Please note that submitting a proposal does not guarantee that a permit will be issued.

Email the completed proposal package to Teresa Paquet, Special Uses Service Team Lead

For more information contact Teresa Paquet at 907-754-2314.

Permitted Guides on the Chugach National Forest

Find a non-comprehensive list of companies authorized to guide on the Chugach National Forest.

Current Permit Holders – Alaska Region Outfitter and Guide Hub Site

This Hub site is intended to serve as a one-stop shop for outfitter and guide permit holders to get information related to Forest Service permits. Find instructions and information about submitting actual use reports and more.