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White Mountain National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)

Has 2026 info 2026 season posted on the forest's Recreation.gov listing.

How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.

Where can I cut?

• National Forest land only.
• Not within 100 ft of campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads or developed recreation areas, experimental forests, designated wilderness, water or active timber sales.
• Not within 100 ft of paved roads or 50 ft of dirt roads.
• Not on private land or in tree plantations.

When can I buy a permit?

• Online sales open Nov 9, 2026 (Recreation.gov).
• Also sold at district offices.
• Cutting season: Nov 9 – 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, or at a White Mountain National Forest district office.

Rules to know

• How many: One tree per family (one permit per household).
• Hand tools only (ax or handsaw).
• No chainsaws.
• No trees larger than 6 in. in diameter (Forest Service page: measured at chest height; Recreation.gov: stump diameter).
• Stumps under 10 in. tall.
• Take the whole tree.
• Pack limb piles down so they're within 2 ft of the ground.

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)

Packing list based on the Forest Service's Christmas tree safety tips for the Chippewa National Forest. Before you leave, tell someone where you plan to cut.

Need firewood too? See the White Mountain firewood permit page.

Sources

• Forest Service: Permits (White Mountain) (page updated: Oct 1, 2026)
• Recreation.gov: White Mountain National Forest Christmas Tree Permit (page updated: 2026 season listing (checked Oct 22, 2026))

Data Source: Recreation.gov

Last verified: Oct 2026 (2026-10-29).

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