Monongahela National Forest: Firewood Permits (2026)
Price posted
How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.
Quick facts
- Price: $20 per permit.
- How much: Up to 5 cords, on one ranger district.
- Season: Permits are good January 1 to December 31 of the year bought.
How much does it cost?
- $20 per permit.
How much wood can I cut?
- Up to 5 cords, on one ranger district.
When can I cut?
- Permits are good January 1 to December 31 of the year bought.
How do I get a permit?
- Buy in person at a ranger district office.
- Call ahead for an appointment.
Rules to know
- Only dead and down trees may be cut.
- No standing trees, dead or alive, of any size.
- Pieces must be 4 feet long or less.
- Painted trees are sold timber.
- Do not cut them.
- This firewood cannot be sold.
- Cutting on another district needs a separate permit.
- The official page was last updated in May 2025.
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 Monongahela Christmas tree permit page.
Sources
More firewood in West Virginia: All forests · West Virginia 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.