Umatilla 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 Umatilla National Forest in Oregon, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: $5.00 per permit in person (Forest Service page, last updated Mar 2025).
- How many: One tree per permit (Recreation.gov listing). The forest asks that you limit permits to one per household, but you can buy for neighbors, family and friends.
- Permit sales: 2026 date not yet confirmed. The Forest Service page says permits go on sale November 15, without naming a year. The Recreation.gov listing shows online sales opening Nov 12, 2026.
- Cutting season: Not yet posted for 2026.
Where can I cut?
- On any Umatilla National Forest Ranger District land, when the permit is accompanied by the forest's brochure.
- Not on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds or existing tree plantations.
- Not in active timber sales or areas planted with new trees.
- Not within 200 ft of the Bluewood or Spout Springs ski areas, summer home sites, the Tollgate Work Center or Forest Service guard stations.
- On the Pomeroy Ranger District, not on Park and Cook Ridges or in the Lick Creek area, including Sheep Creek, Cabin, Capehorn and Mud Springs ridges.
When can I buy a permit?
- 2026 date not yet confirmed.
- The Forest Service page says permits go on sale November 15, without naming a year.
- The Recreation.gov listing shows online sales opening Nov 12, 2026.
- Cutting season: Not yet posted for 2026.
How much?
- $5.00 per permit in person (Forest Service page, last updated Mar 2025).
- Extra fees: Online purchases on Recreation.gov may carry a processing 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.
- In person at any Umatilla National Forest office, or at local businesses in Athena, Boardman, Elgin, Heppner, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Tollgate and Ukiah, OR, and Clarkston, Dayton, Kennewick, Pomeroy and Walla Walla, WA (listed on the Forest Service page).
- Online at Recreation.gov.
Rules to know
- How many: One tree per permit (Recreation.gov listing).
- The forest asks that you limit permits to one per household, but you can buy for neighbors, family and friends.
- Trees up to 14 ft tall.
- Leave stumps no higher than 10 in.
- It is illegal to top a tree.
- Cut down the entire tree.
- Cut off any green limbs left on the stump.
- Clean up any trimmings or limbs.
- The forest covers parts of northeast Oregon and southeast Washington.
- In the Tollgate area of the Walla Walla Ranger District, most forest roads close for the winter after December 1. After that, snowmobiling or snowshoeing is the only access to most roads off Highway 204.
- You may meet road closures during logging operations on the Pomeroy Ranger District. Please follow them.
- Be ready for winter weather: dress warmly, bring snacks and water, make sure your vehicle is equipped for winter travel, and tell someone where you're going.
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 Umatilla firewood permit page.
Sources
- Forest Service: Christmas Tree Permits (Umatilla)
- Recreation.gov: Umatilla National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
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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.