Chippewa National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Has 2026 info
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: $5 per tree
- How many: One permit for each tree; household limit not stated.
- Permit sales: Online sales opened Oct 8, 2026. Also sold at all Chippewa National Forest offices, or by mail.
- Cutting season: Oct 9 – Dec 25, 2026 (permit season listed on Recreation.gov).
Where can I cut?
- Chippewa National Forest land only.
- Not on private land or land managed by other federal, state or local agencies.
- Not within 150 ft of state highways, picnic areas, campgrounds or other developed areas.
- Not within 300 ft of streams and bodies of water.
- Not in active timber sales or young tree plantations.
When can I buy a permit?
- Online sales opened Oct 8, 2026.
- Also sold at all Chippewa National Forest offices, or by mail.
- Cutting season: Oct 9 – Dec 25, 2026 (permit season listed on Recreation.gov).
How much?
- $5 per tree
- Extra fees: Not stated.
How do I buy it?
What's an online permit? It's a permit you buy on Recreation.gov, the U.S. government's official booking website. You pay there, then follow the instructions that come with your permit.
- Online at Recreation.gov.
- Validate and display the permit when you cut.
- Or buy at any Chippewa National Forest office.
- By mail: send your request and $5 per permit, payable to USDA Forest Service, to Chippewa National Forest, Attn: Christmas Permit, 201 Minnesota Ave. East, Walker, MN 56484.
Rules to know
- How many: One permit for each tree.
- Household limit not stated.
- Common species: red pine, balsam fir, black spruce and white spruce.
- Take the whole tree.
- Don't cut just the top.
- Cut the stump as close to ground level as possible.
- Suggested area from the listing: Tanglewood Road (FR-3759), eight miles east of Walker (pine, fir and spruce).
Before you go
- Check this forest's official page and alerts the week you go. Rules, roads and closures can change.
- Cut only on National Forest land, never on private, state or tribal land.
- Forest roads are often unplowed. Check the weather and road conditions.
- Follow your permit's instructions for carrying, tagging or displaying it.
What to bring:
- Your permit (printed, if your forest asks you to print it)
- A hatchet, ax or saw (check your forest: some ban chainsaws)
- Warm gloves, boots and extra warm clothing
- Rope to tie your tree down
- A flashlight, first aid kit and tire chains
- Water, a hot drink, lunch or snacks (it always takes longer than expected)
Need firewood too? See the Chippewa firewood permit page.
Sources
More in Minnesota: Superior · All Minnesota options
Independent site. Forest Permit Finder is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the USDA Forest Service or Recreation.gov. Permit rules change; always check the official page before you go. Information last verified Oct 2026.