Forest Products Permits

There are so many great reasons to visit the Forest, including harvesting wood, mushrooms and more!  Scroll down to learn about personal firewood permits, post and pole permits, Christmas tree permits mushroom permits, and rock permits.

Personal Use Firewood Permit

• Permit year January 1-December 31, 2024
• Minimum purchase: 4 cord
• Maximum purchase: 12 cord

Permits are valid on National Forest lands in Region 1. You must keep your permit on the dashboard of your vehicle where it is visible through the windshield. To cut firewood for someone else (third party), authorization must be approved when purchasing the permit.  A lost or stolen permit cannot be replaced or the fee refunded. You must have a valid drivers license or photo ID to purchase.

Firewood Reminders

• Make certain you are cutting on the national forest. Your permit is only valid on public, national forest system lands. 
• Do Not Cut firewood in recreation areas, campgrounds,summer home areas,in active timber sales,and in other areas of concentrated use. 
• Firewood is defined as dead wood- standing or on the ground.
• Cut a standing dead tree close to the ground, only leaving a low stump.
• Scatter debris generated from wood gathering away from ditches, streams, and roadways.
• Fire regulations require that chainsaw operators have a serviceable fire extinguisher and shovel available at all times. Saws must be equipped with an approved spark arresting screen.
• Be prepared for sudden weather changes and adverse road conditions. 
• Refer to the forest travel plan to avoid unexpected closures.

Post & Pole Permit

A permit is required to harvest posts and/or poles from National Forest Service lands. Please contact your local Forest Service office for more information.

Christmas Tree Permit

Christmas tree permits will be available online through Rec.gov or at select district offices for the holiday season starting in the fall. Learn more

Tips for making your outing a success......

• Do not cut in recreation areas or widely space, previously thinned stands. the uniform spacing of tress and obvious stumps identifies thinned areas.
• Do not cut in designated wilderness areas,campgrounds, within 100 feet of a well traveled roads, in summer home areas, active timber sale areas, and in other areas of concentrated use.
• Cut your tree close to the ground, leaving a stump less than 10 inches in height. Remove all the limbs on the remaining stump.
• Select a tree no taller than 12 feet. never cut the top out of a large tree.
• Consider cutting your tree as early as possible before snowfall closes your favorite areas.
• Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and adverse road surfaces.

Mushroom Permit

A permit may be required to harvest mushrooms from National Forest Service lands within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest during the 2024 season.  Please contact your local Forest Service office for more information.  

Visit our regional page for 2024 mushroom information

Rock Collection Permit

A permit is required to harvest rocks or minerals from National Forest Service lands. Please contact your local Forest Service office for more information.

Last updated: March 28, 2024