Pike and San Isabel National Forests: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Has 2026 info
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: Pike NF districts: $20 per tree. San Isabel NF districts: $10 per tree.
- How many: Pike districts: 5 per family. San Isabel districts: 2 per family.
- Permit sales: South Platte RD: online only, from Oct 8 (8 a.m. MT), limited and may sell out. Pikes Peak, South Park, Salida, Leadville, San Carlos: Nov 16.
- Cutting season: South Platte (Buffalo Creek, Sugar Creek): Friday after Thanksgiving through Sat. Dec 19, 2026 (make-up day). Pikes Peak: through Dec 23. South Park, Salida, Leadville, San Carlos: through Dec 31.
Where can I cut?
- Not within 200 ft of developed areas (campgrounds, trailheads, overlooks).
- Not within 100 ft of any waterway, road or trail.
- No Wilderness, timber sales or painted/flagged trees.
When can I buy a permit?
- South Platte RD: online only, from Oct 8 (8 a.m. MT), limited and may sell out.
- Pikes Peak, South Park, Salida, Leadville, San Carlos: Nov 16.
- Cutting season: South Platte (Buffalo Creek, Sugar Creek): Friday after Thanksgiving through Sat.
- Dec 19, 2026 (make-up day).
- Pikes Peak: through Dec 23.
- South Park, Salida, Leadville, San Carlos: through Dec 31.
How much?
- Pike NF districts: $20 per tree.
- San Isabel NF districts: $10 per tree.
- Extra fees: Not stated on the Forest Service page.
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 (must print permit).
- San Isabel offices accept cash, check or card.
- Westcliffe and La Veta offices cash or check only.
Rules to know
- How many: Pike districts: 5 per family.
- San Isabel districts: 2 per family.
- Up to 15 ft tall or 6 in. diameter at ground level.
- Cut within 6 in. of the ground.
- Hand saw or axe only (no chainsaws).
- The Forest Service page's purchase-date table (Nov 7/17/18, Dec 2) differs from the 2026 Recreation.gov listing (Nov 16). We show the Recreation.gov 2026 dates; confirm with your district.
- The Recreation.gov listing says South Park cutting is allowed Nov 7 – Dec 31 while sales start Nov 16. Ask the district before you go.
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 Pike and San Isabel firewood permit page.
Sources
- Recreation.gov: Pike and San Isabel Christmas Tree Permit
- Forest Service: Christmas Tree Permits (PSICC)
More in Colorado: Arapaho and Roosevelt · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison · White River · All Colorado 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.