Ochoco 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 Ochoco National Forest in Oregon, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: Not listed on the official pages — shown at checkout on Recreation.gov
- How many: One permit is required for each tree. Five permits maximum per household.
- Permit sales: 2026 date not yet posted.
- Cutting season: Not yet posted.
Where can I cut?
- National Forest land only.
- Not on private property.
- Not within 150 ft of state highways, picnic areas, campgrounds and other developed areas.
- Not within 300 ft of streams and bodies of water.
- Not in young tree plantations or active timber sales.
- Not in designated Wilderness (Mill Creek, Bridge Creek and Black Canyon).
- Respect road and area closures and follow the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
- An Oregon Sno-Park permit is required to park at designated Sno-Parks.
When can I buy a permit?
- 2026 date not yet posted.
- Cutting season: Not yet posted.
How much?
- Not listed on the official pages — shown at checkout on Recreation.gov
- 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.
- In person, permits may be available at R&R Grocery and Bi-Mart in Prineville, and at Bi-Mart and the Madras Chamber of Commerce in Madras.
Rules to know
- How many: One permit is required for each tree.
- Five permits maximum per household.
- Any species less than 12 ft tall.
- Only take a tree that is within 20 ft of another tree.
- Take the whole tree.
- Don't remove just the top.
- Stump height: shorter than 12 in. (Forest Service page).
- 6 in. maximum (Recreation.gov listing).
- Quality Christmas trees here include grand fir, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and western juniper. Pines typically grow on south and west slopes; firs on north and east slopes.
- Roads may not be plowed and cell service may be spotty. Carry tire chains and a shovel, and bring extra food and water.
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 Ochoco firewood permit page.
Sources
More in Oregon: Deschutes · Fremont-Winema · Malheur · Mt. Hood · 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.