Cut your own Christmas tree on public land

Find out where your family can cut a Christmas tree in a national forest, what the permit costs, and how to get one. Plain answers, with a link to the official source for every fact.

Where can I cut my own Christmas tree?

• In 41 national forests across 16 states on this site.
• Each forest has set areas where you may cut, and places you may not (like campgrounds, wilderness and near roads or water). Your forest's page lists them.
• Only on National Forest land, never on private, state or tribal land.
• In Ohio and Pennsylvania, we found no public forest that sells a permit. Those state pages point you to choose-and-cut tree farms.

How does a permit work?

• A permit is your written OK from the Forest Service to cut a tree. You carry it with you while you cut and drive home.
• Most forests sell an online permit. That means you buy it on Recreation.gov, the U.S. government's official booking website. Some also sell permits at ranger offices or local stores.
• Usually, one permit is good for one tree, and each forest limits how many a family can get.
• Each forest sets its own rules: how tall the tree can be, how thick the trunk can be, which kinds of trees, and where you can't cut.

See all online permits on Recreation.gov

How much does it cost?

• Prices on this site range from $5 to $20 per tree. 25 forests charge $5.
• A few cost nothing: Umpqua, Colville, Mark Twain.
• Recreation.gov may add a small reservation fee at checkout (some forests list $2.50).
• A few forests don't post a price; you'll see it at checkout.
• Some forests give free permits to 4th graders through the Every Kid Outdoors program; check your forest's page or the official site.

Compare prices for every forest

What do I need to bring?

• Your permit (printed, if your forest asks you to print it)
• A hatchet, ax or saw (check your forest: some ban chainsaws)
• Warm gloves, boots and extra warm clothing
• Rope to tie your tree down
• A flashlight, first aid kit and tire chains
• Water, a hot drink, lunch or snacks (it always takes longer than expected)

Packing list based on the Forest Service's Christmas tree safety tips for the Chippewa National Forest. Before you leave, tell someone where you plan to cut.

Need firewood?

We also cover personal-use firewood permits on 41 national forests: price, how many cords, season and how to buy.

All forests by state

What the labels mean: Has 2026 info the forest has posted 2026 details. Current rules — 2026 dates not posted yet these are the forest's current official rules, but 2026 dates aren't posted yet. Older year shown — 2026 not posted yet only an older season is published, and we show which year.

33 of 41 forests have posted 2026 details; the rest are clearly labeled. New: personal-use firewood permits for 41 forests. See the update log.