Deschutes National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Current rules — 2026 dates not posted yet
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: $5 per tree
- How many: 5 permits per household
- Permit sales: Seasonal on Recreation.gov — 2026 date not yet posted
- Cutting season: Not stated
Where can I cut?
- At least 150 ft from main roads, highways, recreation sites and campgrounds.
- 300 ft from streams and water.
- Not in plantations or Wilderness.
When can I buy a permit?
- Seasonal on Recreation.gov — 2026 date not yet posted
- Cutting season: Not stated
How much?
- $5 per tree
- Extra fees: Recreation.gov adds a service fee.
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.
- Recreation.gov (print permit), local Central Oregon vendors, or Forest Service offices.
Rules to know
- How many: 5 permits per household
- Any species under 12 ft tall.
- Trunk 6 in. or less.
- Stumps under 12 in..
- Tree must be within 20 ft of another tree.
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 Deschutes firewood permit page.
Sources
More in Oregon: Fremont-Winema · Malheur · Mt. Hood · Ochoco · Rogue River-Siskiyou · Siuslaw · Umatilla · Umpqua · Wallowa-Whitman · Willamette · All Oregon 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.