Olympic National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Has 2026 info
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Olympic National Forest in Washington, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: $5 per tree
- How many: Up to 5 permits per household. Each permit is good for one tree.
- Permit sales: On sale now on Recreation.gov (online sales opened Oct 8, 2026).
- Cutting season: Not stated by the forest. Check the terms printed on your permit.
Where can I cut?
- Anywhere on the forest except the areas named in the permit terms.
- Trees may be cut along roads, in forest plantations and in the understory of older stands.
- Cut a tree only if another standing tree is within 10 ft.
- Not within 100 ft of campgrounds or trailheads.
- Not in the Quinault Special Management Area, designated wilderness or Research Natural Areas.
- Be sure you're on Forest Service land.
When can I buy a permit?
- On sale now on Recreation.gov (online sales opened Oct 8, 2026).
- Cutting season: Not stated by the forest.
- Check the terms printed on your permit.
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.
- Recreation.gov (print it), in person or by phone from a forest office (the permit can be mailed), or local vendors.
- Call vendors first to check availability and hours.
Rules to know
- How many: Up to 5 permits per household.
- Each permit is good for one tree.
- Max 15 ft tall.
- Any evergreen except western white pine.
- Cut down the entire tree.
- Don't remove just the top.
- Washington State law requires a hauling permit to haul more than five trees in or on a vehicle at one time.
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 Olympic firewood permit page.
Sources
- Forest Service: Christmas Tree Permits (Olympic)
- Recreation.gov: Olympic National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
More in Washington: Colville · Gifford Pinchot · Okanogan-Wenatchee · All Washington 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.