Kootenai National Forest: Firewood Permits (2026)
Price posted
How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the Kootenai National Forest in Montana: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.
Quick facts
- Price: Free for personal use.
- How much: Not stated on the current page.
- Season: Not stated on the current page.
How much does it cost?
- Free for personal use.
How much wood can I cut?
- Not stated on the current page.
When can I cut?
- Not stated on the current page.
How do I get a permit?
- Contact your local ranger station for the required free permit.
Rules to know
- You must get a free permit and follow it when cutting.
- Gathering anything to sell needs a commercial permit.
- The Kootenai Permits page still carries an older line saying permits stay free "through December 31, 2022"; the forest products page (Mar 9, 2026) says they remain free.
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 Kootenai Christmas tree permit page.
Sources
More firewood in Montana: Flathead · Lolo · All forests · Montana 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.