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Pike and San Isabel National Forests: Firewood Permits (2026)

Price not posted — ask the district Personal-use firewood. Facts from the forest's official page, verified 2026-10-29.

How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.

How much does it cost?

• Not posted.
• The forest says to contact the district office for cost per cord, which may vary by firewood area.

How much wood can I cut?

• Sold per cord.
• The official page does not list a limit.

A cord is a stack of wood 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long (128 cubic feet). "CCF" means 100 cubic feet.

When can I cut?

• Not stated on the official page.
• Wildfires may make many San Isabel firewood areas unavailable.

How do I get a permit?

What's E-Permits? It's the Forest Service's own online permit website. You pick your forest, pay (or get a free permit), and print it. Most forests say a printed copy is required.

• Buy at participating ranger district offices.
• E-Permits are available for the Leadville, Salida and San Carlos ranger districts.
• Online permits for the Pike National Forest are "coming soon".

Rules to know

• Only standing dead or naturally fallen trees may be cut forest-wide.
• No live trees may be cut.
• Stumps must be less than 6 inches high.
• Wood larger than 7 inches in diameter must be cut in lengths under 8 feet.
• No cutting within 100 feet of streams, wet areas or water, or in wilderness, campgrounds, picnic areas, ski areas or Browns Canyon National Monument.
• These cutting rules are listed for the San Isabel National Forest.

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)

General tips. Your permit's own conditions always come first.

Cutting a Christmas tree? See the Pike and San Isabel Christmas tree permit page.

Sources

• Forest Service: Firewood Permits (PSICC) (page updated: Aug 5, 2026)

Last verified: 2026-10-29.

More firewood in Colorado: Arapaho and Roosevelt · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison · White River · All forests · Colorado state page