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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Environment and the outdoors
    3. Forests and outdoor recreation
    4. Forests
    5. Activities in forests

    Permits for vehicles and activities in forests

    If you often visit public forests, annual permits are available for parking. Permits are also needed for horse riding and caravanning in forests. You may need a licence if you're managing events and activities in forests. Find out more below.

    Forest charges

    Find out about charges for particular activities in forests, annual permits, organised events, daily visits, charities and community groups - as well as prices for caravanning and camping:

    • Forest recreation charges

    Annual permit 

    • the permit covers the vehicle and all occupants - permits are available for cars, minibuses and motorcycles
    • for costs visit Forest recreation charges

    Buying permits

    Buy permits from Forest Service Headquarters by phone:

    • phone: 028 6634 3165

    Hours are Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. 

    You can pay over the phone by credit or debit card. 

    You may also apply for an annual forest permit by email: 

    • email: customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk 

    Or, you can give your name, address and contact telephone number and Forest Service will contact you to get payment details for your annual permit.

    If you prefer to post a cheque, this should be made payable to DAERA. Postal applications must not include cash. Return postal applications to Forest Service Headquarters.

    Concessionary permits

    A concessionary rate is available for people 60 years old and above as well as Blue Badge parking permit holders. 

    To apply for a concessionary rate send in the following details:

    • your name, address, contact telephone number
    • copies of identification like a driving licence or medical card that has your name, address and date of birth - once your details have been checked the copy will be securely destroyed
    • copies of Blue Badge permit

    When a concessionary permit is shown upon entry into a charged forest recreation site it must be with a person who qualifies for the concessionary permit.

    Share a permit

    A permit of the same type and category may be shared between members of one household where two or more vehicles are registered and owned at the same address. This is as long as it's used by only one vehicle at a time and the permit is clearly displayed in the vehicle.  It allows you to visit the following forests as often as you wish:

    • Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim
    • Portglenone Forest, County Antrim
    • Tollymore Forest Park, County Down
    • Drum Manor Forest Park, County Tyrone

    Privacy notice

    Find out how Forest Service will use and protect your personal information that you provide:

    • Forest Service Privacy Notice 

    Lost or damaged permits

    A charge of £10 will apply for replacing a lost or damaged permit. Keep your till or card receipt  as proof that you've paid.  

    Horse riding permit

    Information on horse riding permits is available on the following page:

    • Horse riding in forests

    Touring in the Trees permit

    A Touring in the Trees permit runs by calendar year. The permit allows you to stay in nine touring caravan sites where you can explore the forests and surrounding countryside:

    • Castlewellan
    • Ballypatrick
    • Glenariff
    • Springwell
    • Parkanaur
    • Kesh
    • Florencecourt
    • Drum Manor

    The forest sites are reserved for permit holders and you cannot stay for longer than three nights at one site.

    Licence for managing events and activities

    A licence is needed if you're managing events and activities on land managed by Forest Service. The licence application form together with advice on how to fill this form in can be found below:

    • Forest Service licence application form

    Examples of events and activities that need a licence:

    • activities where vehicles need to be taken into the forest
    • events that are competitive
    • events that will need extra car parking 
    • events that will need part of the forest closed off to protect public safety
    • event locations or activities which may damage the forest
    • events or activities where people will be charged to take part
    • filming activities including the use of drones
    • events involving the sale of food or other items
    • training and bush-craft courses and events
    • events or activities where structures or tents need to be put up

    More useful links

    • Forests
    • Country parks
    • Nature reserves
    • Parks and green spaces
    • Wildlife reserves and designated landscapes
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    Activities in forests

    • Camping and touring sites in forests
    • Cycling in forests
    • Forest camping and touring online booking
    • Forest camping and touring terms and conditions
    • Forest campsite and touring rules
    • Forests that you can cycle in
    • Horse riding in forests
    • Organising events and activities in forests
    • Orienteering and eco trails in forests
    • Permits for vehicles and activities in forests
    • Touring in the Trees caravan sites
    • Walking in forests

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