Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Firewood Permits (2026)
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How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.
Quick facts
- Price: Free for personal use.
- How much: Up to 6 cords per household per year, forest-wide.
- Season: Permits expire December 31 of the year issued.
How much does it cost?
- Free for personal use.
How much wood can I cut?
- Up to 6 cords per household per year, forest-wide.
When can I cut?
- Permits expire December 31 of the year issued.
How do I get a permit?
- Get a permit in person, by mail or by phone from the ranger district offices in Amboy, Trout Lake and Randle.
- Mt. Adams area permits are also sold at some local stores.
Rules to know
- Do not cut live trees or standing dead trees.
- Do not cut trees with signs, tags, blazes or wildlife nests or cavities.
- Attach one load ticket for each 1/2 cord.
- Free-use wood cannot be resold.
- Check the fire precaution level (IFPL) on the day you cut.
Before you go
- Check fire restrictions the day you cut. Chainsaw use is often limited or banned in hot, dry weather.
- Cut only on National Forest land in open areas, never on private, state, tribal or BLM land.
- Stay on open roads. Use the forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- Keep firewood local. Moving it can spread insects and diseases that kill trees.
What to bring:
- Your permit and load tickets or tags (printed, if bought online)
- A chainsaw with a working spark arrester, or a hand saw or ax
- A shovel and a fire extinguisher (many forests require them)
- Gloves, eye and ear protection, and sturdy boots
- A truck or trailer that can carry the weight (a full cord can weigh thousands of pounds)
Cutting a Christmas tree? See the Gifford Pinchot Christmas tree permit page.
Sources
More firewood in Washington: Colville · Okanogan-Wenatchee · Olympic · All forests · Washington state page
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.