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

Has 2026 info 2026 dates from the forest's Recreation.gov listing (updated Oct 22, 2026). Price and rules from the Forest Service page (updated Oct 26, 2026).

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

Where can I cut?

• Not in Wilderness or proposed Wilderness.
• Not in developed recreation areas, including Glenwood Canyon.
• Not in administrative areas, campgrounds or ski areas.
• Not in commercial timber sales where logging is active.
• Not within 100 ft of main roads.
• Not in the Camp Hale area (Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District).
• Not on White River National Forest lands within Gunnison County (Aspen-Sopris Ranger District).
• Not on the lower slopes of Meadow Mountain directly behind the Holy Cross Ranger Station outside Minturn.
• Not in the Grizzly Creek Fire and Deep Creek Fire area closures.

When can I buy a permit?

• Online sales open Nov 12, 2026 (Recreation.gov).
• Cutting season: Nov 16 – Dec 31, 2026 (permit season listed on Recreation.gov).
• Winter travel season begins Nov 23 and many forest roads close to wheeled travel that day.

How much?

• $10 per permit
• 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.

• Recreation.gov, local vendors, and ranger districts in Dillon, Meeker, Minturn and Rifle.
• Sales final.

Rules to know

• How many: 5 permits per person
• Under 15 ft tall.
• Stump diameter 6 in. or less.
• Cut 6 in. or less from the ground.
• No Colorado blue spruce.
• No topping.

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 River firewood permit page.

Sources

• Forest Service: Christmas Tree Permits (White River) (page updated: Oct 26, 2026)
• Recreation.gov: White River National Forest Christmas Tree Permit (page updated: 2026 season listing (checked Oct 24, 2026))

Data Source: Recreation.gov

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

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