Christmas Tree Permits
 Permits to cut Christmas trees on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are available for purchase from beginning Nov. 1, or the first business day thereafter, thru Dec. 24 on the Austin-Tonopah, Bridgeport, Carson, Ely, and Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger Districts. The U.S. Forest Service Christmas Tree Program is designed for families, businesses, and institutions wishing to cut their own trees for decorating.
Christmas Tree Permit and Vendor Flyer
Tips on How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Permit Details
Due to hazardous road conditions on the Dog Valley Road (Forest Service Road 002), the Carson Ranger District is recommending that the public not cut Christmas trees in the Dog Valley area unless they have a four- wheel drive and/or high clearance vehicle. Dog Valley Road, which is located near Verdi, Nevada, about 15 miles west of Reno, is a steep dirt road that is currently covered in ice and snow.
The District is suggesting that people with only two-wheel drive vehicles cut Christmas trees on National Forest System lands off of the Nevada State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway) in south Reno ( SEE MAP). Suggested cutting areas include the following locations:
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Atoma Area is located across from the Mt. Rose Ski Area off Mount Rose Highway. Please find a safe area or developed pull-off to park before hiking into the area. Parking and access are extremely limited in this area, and it is illegal to park along the highway.
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Jones Creek area is located near the Galena Creek Visitor Center off of Mount Rose Highway. Please park in the Jones Creek/Whites Creek Trailhead parking lot and hike into the area by following posted signs to identified Christmas tree cutting areas.
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Upper Whites Creek area is accessible from Forest Service Road 41047 (Whites Creek Road), which is off of Timberline Drive. Whites Creek Road is gated, so it will be necessary to hike into the area to cut a Christmas Tree.
Forest officials would like to remind the public that proper and responsible use of vehicles on Forest roads is important to ensure roads remain in good shape for all visitors. Causing damage to roads and other Forest resources can be a violation of federal regulations, which could carry a fine up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
How to Purchase a Christmas Tree Permit
Online
To purchase a Christmas tree permit online, visit Recreation.gov and search for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Christmas Tree Permits (https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/0b7eb323-ebc7-11ea-98dd-e638fec87f2e). It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will need to set up or login to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction. Please be aware that if purchasing through Recreation.gov there will be an additional fee of $2.50 per transaction.
In Person
While the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District's offices remain closed to the public to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, virtual services are still being provided by staff. If people are not interested in purchasing Christmas trees permits online, please contact the Ranger District for specific details on how to purchase them locally and the days and times permits will be available. Click here for contact information.
To minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, the Bridgeport Ranger District office in Bridgeport, California, is CLOSED to the public. The District is still selling Christmas tree permits from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every weekday, except Wednesday. The public can purchase permits by stopping by the office (75694 US-395, Bridgeport, California) and adding their name to a sign-up sheet outside the front office window. After returning to their vehicle, staff will call the person to handle transactions over the phone. Recreational passes, fuelwood permits, campfire permits, and maps can also be purchased this same way. Click here for a list of other vendors that are selling Bridgeport Ranger District's Christmas tree permits.
To minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, the Carson Ranger District office in Carson City, Nevada, and Supervisor's Office in Sparks, Nevada, are CLOSED to the public and will not be selling permits this year. Click here for a list of other vendors that are selling Carson Ranger District's Christmas tree permits.
To minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, Ely Ranger District plans to sell Christmas tree permits outside the office, 25 Avenue E, Ely, NV 8930, and Ridley’s Family Market, 689 Great Basin Blvd., Ely, NV 89301, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on specific days, weather dependent. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Firewood tags will also be available to purchase for $5 per cord with a maximum of four cords per household. Click here for contact information.
Ely Ranger District’s
2020 Christmas Tree Sales Location
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DATE
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TIME
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LOCATION
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Friday, Dec. 4
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ely Ranger District Office
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Tuesday, Dec. 8
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ely Ranger District Office
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Friday, Dec. 11
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ely Ranger District Office
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Saturday, Dec. 12
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ridley’s Family Market
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Tuesday, Dec. 15
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ely Ranger District Office
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Friday, Dec. 18
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ely Ranger District Office
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Saturday, Dec. 19
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ridley’s Family Market
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- Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District
While the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District's offices remain closed to the public to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, virtual services are still being provided by staff. If people are not interested in purchasing Christmas trees permits online, please contact the Ranger District for specific details on how to purchase them locally and the days and times permits will be available. Click here for a list of other vendors that are selling Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District's Christmas tree permits.
Christmas Tree Cutting
E ach Christmas tree permit is valid for the cutting of one tree in specific areas on lands managed by the Ranger District for which the permit was purchased. A map and cutting rules and regulations will be included with the permit. The permit does not authorize cutting on private, state, or other federal lands. Christmas trees also cannot be harvested within developed campgrounds, administrative sites, or designated wilderness areas.
REMEMBER TOPPING TREES IS NOT PERMITTED! The topping of trees and leaving behind high tree stumps is visually undesirable and can cause resource management problems. Please ensure that the maximum height of the stump left behind is no taller than six inches above bare soil with no live branches left on the stump. Also attach the Christmas tree permit securely to the tree so it is visible during transportation.
Safety Tips
Keep your family and your own safety in mind as you head out to look for a Christmas tree on National Forest lands. Dress warmly, fill your gas tank, and bring along a saw, shovel, chains map, food, water, warm drinks, blanket(s), and first-aid kit. Bring a rope and tarp to pack your tree in or on your vehicle for the trip home. Remember to pack out your trash. Also, make sure relatives or friends know where you are going and when to expect you home.
Getting your tree early before the snow falls usually means better access on forest roads. High-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles and traction devices are recommended when driving on mountain roads at this time of year. Vehicles with inadequate tires and/or no chains have caused extensive problems in the past, blocking roads and preventing other drivers from being able to enter or leave the cutting areas.
Remember, most forest roads are not plowed in the winter, so access may be limited due to seasonal road closures. Leave early in the day to allow for maximum daylight. Be prepared for unpredictable weather, check road conditions before leaving, and always use caution when emerging onto main roads.
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