Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2025
Author: JW Robinson, Associate Broker | Licensed in WY
The American dream, historically, has included homeownership as a primary importance to most people's goals. However, a home away from home has become a major pursuit for many Americans. Often, this shows itself in the purchase of a beach-town home, a ranch or ag property, hunting retreats, and, for many, a condo in a metropolitan area. However, one option for a home away from home is a cabin located within the United States National Forest.
The United States Forest Service is a federal agency under the United States Department of Agriculture. They manage around 193 million acres of land. The land is in 44 states and offers unparalleled access to outdoor recreation for the average American. One program the United States Forest Service offers to individuals is the Recreational Residence Program. This is a cabin located on Forest Service land and made available for personal and recreational use. Congress established the program in 1915 as the “cabin program” with the main desire of providing families with opportunities for outdoor recreational use. The name of the program has changed through the years, but the idea remains the same: to get people outside and involved in the outdoors. The cabins available on USFS land may be the perfect opportunity for some people.
There are 14,000 cabins spread around the many different National Forests of the United States. Each cabin is the personal property of the owner. The owner then pays an annual use fee for the land the cabin sits on. A personal property cabin can be renewed in an agreement with the USFS for 20 years at a time and is restricted to the rules of the USFS. For more information, check out the Recreation Residence Program Overview .
Having the USFS as a landlord may not be enticing to many. However, those interested in snowmobiling, horseback riding, hunting and fishing, or a host of other outdoor activities within the forest may find it the perfect home away from home. Let’s review four important pieces to ownership of a recreational residence within the forest service.
1. Understand Your Purchase: Personal Property
It is important that you understand exactly what you are going to purchase. Your purchase will be personal property only. Therefore, your rights with the personal property will be subject to the requirements of the landowner, the USFS. However, do not let this disinterest you. The cabins within the USFS have been enjoyed by numerous owners for over 100 years, they have provided countless memories to multiple generations of families. Often, it leaves a historic impact on children and grandchildren to pass on a legacy of outdoor adventure, leaving them with a desire to own personal property and pass the outdoor legacy on to their children.
Personal property can vary greatly. When a cabin becomes available for sale, each one has a unique background. Some have been finished out completely and offer semi-luxury accommodations, and others are quite primitive offering basic shelter for the ever-changing weather. Either way, it is important to understand your purchase. You are purchasing personal property within the national forest.
2. Understand Your Landlord: The USFS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the United States Forest Service, it’s program and services, and its requirements for a recreational residence. They have district employees who are more than willing to provide information and assistance with the application and approval process. Although the USFS is a large federal organization, which can be intimidating, they are eager to work with cabin owners who share a love for the outdoors and a willingness to keep both their cabin and the forest in healthy order.
3. Understand the Requirements: Building and Use Restrictions
Just because you own a residence in the National Forest Service does not mean you can do whatever you want to with it. The 20-year permit will come with some requirements and obligations for the owner. Plan to have restrictions on the size and the style of your structure as well as use restrictions such as "no renters" without a special permit. Also, you will be obligated to maintain the structure and keep the land around the structure clean. Cleanliness is paramount to protecting your structure in a forest fire or from falling tree branches during a windstorm. Conservation of the forest and its resources will always be the primary concern of the USFS.
4. Understand the Process: Recommendations for dealing with the USFS
When purchasing a residence, applying for a use permit, and maintaining your personal property, it is important to consider the below recommendations.
A Guide to Maintaining the Historic Character of Your Forest Service Recreation Residence
Term Special Use Permit for Recreational Residences
A vacation home will always be part of the American dream. The Recreational Residence Program provided by the USFS delivers this opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts. Although private land ownership presents multiple opportunities as well, a "cabin in the woods" may be available in your favorite national forest. This "cabin in the woods" could provide generations of outdoor adventure for your family and ultimately gift you with a home away from home.
