Rogue River-Siskiyou 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 Rogue River-Siskiyou 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: One permit is required for each Christmas tree. Five permits maximum per household.
- Permit sales: 2026 date not yet posted.
- Cutting season: Not yet posted.
Where can I cut?
- Only on lands open to Christmas tree harvest, shown on the forest's Christmas Tree Harvest Map.
- Not on private property.
- Not within 200 ft of state highways, picnic areas, campgrounds and other developed areas (Forest Service page).
- The Recreation.gov listing says 150 ft.
- Not within 300 ft of streams and bodies of water.
- Not in posted young tree plantations or active timber sales.
- Not in Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic River corridors, campgrounds, developed recreation areas, National Monuments, Research Natural Areas or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
- Not in areas closed for public health and safety.
- Respect road and area closures and follow the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
When can I buy a permit?
- 2026 date not yet posted.
- Cutting season: Not yet posted.
How much?
- $5 per tree.
- Extra fees: Online purchases on Recreation.gov carry a small transaction 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.
- At any Interagency or District office, or from local vendors (call ahead to make sure they have permits).
- Online at Recreation.gov.
- Permits bought online must be printed to be valid.
Rules to know
- How many: One permit is required for each Christmas tree.
- Five permits maximum per household.
- Any tree species less than 12 ft tall.
- Only take a tree that is within 12 ft of another tree.
- Cut stumps shorter than 12 in.
- Take the whole tree and don't remove just the top (Recreation.gov listing).
- Permits must be validated and attached to your tree while you transport it.
- Free digital Christmas tree maps (Medford area; Grants Pass and coastal area) are available on the Avenza Maps app, which works without cell service.
- An Oregon Sno-Park permit is required to park at a Sno-Park (Recreation.gov listing).
- 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 Rogue River-Siskiyou firewood permit page.
Sources
- Forest Service: Christmas Trees (Rogue River-Siskiyou)
- Recreation.gov: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
More in Oregon: Deschutes · Fremont-Winema · Malheur · Mt. Hood · Ochoco · 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.