White River National Forest: Firewood Permits (2026)
Price not posted — ask the district
How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the White River National Forest in Colorado: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.
Quick facts
- Price: Not posted on the official page.
- How much: Not posted on the official page.
- Season: Not stated on the official page.
How much does it cost?
- Not posted on the official page.
How much wood can I cut?
- Not posted on the official page.
When can I cut?
- Not stated on the official page.
How do I get a permit?
- Buy at ranger district offices.
Rules to know
- Cut dead standing or dead down trees only.
- Leave stumps less than 12 inches high.
- Wood larger than 7 inches in diameter must be cut in 8-foot lengths or less.
- No cutting in posted timber sale areas, campgrounds, picnic areas, resorts or recreation areas, or within 100 feet of streams, wet areas and water.
- Motorized vehicles may only be used 300 feet or less from a Forest Service road.
- Firewood from free-use areas may not be resold.
- Keep your letter of authorization with you while cutting and hauling.
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 White River Christmas tree permit page.
Sources
More firewood in Colorado: Arapaho and Roosevelt · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison · Pike and San Isabel · All forests · Colorado 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.