Huron-Manistee National Forests: Firewood Permits (2026)
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How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.
Quick facts
- Price: $4 per cord. Minimum 5 cords for $20.
- How much: 5 cords minimum, 15 cords ($60) maximum per year.
- Season: Permits are valid through the calendar year and expire December 31, or when you have gathered your cords.
How much does it cost?
- $4 per cord.
- Minimum 5 cords for $20.
How much wood can I cut?
- 5 cords minimum, 15 cords ($60) maximum per year.
When can I cut?
- Permits are valid through the calendar year and expire December 31, or when you have gathered your cords.
How do I get a permit?
- Buy in person at a Huron-Manistee office.
Rules to know
- Live trees may not be cut.
- Dead and down trees may be gathered.
- Standing dead trees may be cut only within 200 feet of a public road.
- No cutting within 200 feet of lakes, ponds, streams, rivers or recreation areas.
- Pieces must be 6 feet or shorter, and stumps 14 inches or lower.
- On parts of the Manistee, standing dead trees may only be cut September 1 to April 30 to protect the Indiana bat.
- A map of cutting areas comes with the permit.
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 Huron-Manistee Christmas tree permit page.
Sources
More firewood in Michigan: Hiawatha · Ottawa · All forests · Michigan 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.