Shawnee National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Has 2026 info
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, 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 tree per permit; household limit not stated.
- Permit sales: Online sales open Nov 17, 2026 (Recreation.gov).
- Cutting season: Nov 14 – Dec 31, 2026 (permit season listed on Recreation.gov).
Where can I cut?
- Shawnee National Forest land only, not private land.
- Not in Wilderness, Natural Areas or experimental forests.
- Not in active timber sales or newly planted areas.
- Not in developed recreation areas (campgrounds, picnic areas, interpretive areas, observation sites, trailheads) or within 150 yards of them.
- This also applies to Saline Springs, Millstone Bluff and along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
- Not within 150 ft of water or in areas closed by a Forest Order.
- Otherwise, cutting along roads and trails is allowed.
When can I buy a permit?
- Online sales open Nov 17, 2026 (Recreation.gov).
- Cutting season: Nov 14 – Dec 31, 2026 (permit season listed on Recreation.gov).
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.
- Online at Recreation.gov.
- Print the permit and bring it with you.
Rules to know
- How many: One tree per permit.
- Household limit not stated.
- Only eastern red cedar, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine and white pine.
- No tree taller than 15 ft.
- Maximum stump diameter 6 in..
- Stump no more than 6 in. above the ground.
- Take the whole tree.
- Chainsaws are allowed, but trucks, tractors, winches, ATVs/UTVs and other machines may not be used to drag the tree out.
- The forest suggests a scouting trip first; finding a tree can take a few hours.
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 Shawnee firewood permit page.
Sources
More in Illinois: All Illinois 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.