Christmas Tree Permits for National Forests Now Available (+ Free Permits for 4th Graders!)

Make a fun Christmas memory & help to maintain a healthy forest near you!

Did you know that many national forests will allow you to cut your own Christmas tree? Not only is this a great opportunity to make a special holiday memory with your family, but it’s also a way for you to support the forest’s health by helping to thin densely populated areas of small-diameter trees.

To cut a Christmas Tree in a forest, you must first get a Forest Service-issued permit, which can now be purchased for the 2022 holiday season in select areas!

To get started, just head on over here to view the list of participating forests and see if there’s one near you. After you choose your forest, you can purchase and print your permit. Note that you will be required to have this permit in your possession when you head out into the forest to cut down your tree.

Note that every forest has a different cutting season, so permits are not available to purchase for every participating forest yet. The cost of permits does vary by location, but they start at just $5 per tree in select forests!

Each location has specific guidelines for cutting a Christmas tree, so be sure to carefully read all the details and rules of your permit and prepare accordingly for your adventure before heading out.

Fourth graders may qualify for a FREE Christmas tree-cutting permit!

All fourth graders (or age equivalent) are eligible to receive an Every Kid Outdoors pass, which is good at 2,000+ federally managed land and water sites across the US between Sept. 1, 2022 and Aug. 30, 2023.

EKO passholders are also eligible for a FREE Christmas tree permit through their local national forest. To claim your child’s free holiday tree permit, visit Recreation.gov to apply, and enter your child’s Every Kid Outdoors pass number. Note that a $2.50 reservation fee will be applied.

We’re giving away OVER $50,000 in prizes this Christmas! Find out how you can win!