Christmas Tree Permits
 Permits to cut Christmas trees on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are available for purchase seasonally at Recreation.gov as well as at multiple locations. 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 Program Details
Christmas Tree Permit Information for Other National Forests System or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands...
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- Cost $10 each, with a limit of two per household and can be purchased online through Recreation.gov.
- Permits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
- The Carson Ranger District has a limited amount of Christmas tree permits available, and once those allotted permits are sold, no more will be available.
- News Release
- VENDOR LIST
- Christmas Tree Permit Information Video sponsored by Galena Creek Visitor Center, Galena Creek Regional Park, and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
- Purchasing Instuctions
- Christmas Tree Permit Rules and Regulations
- Christmas Tree Cutting Area Maps
- Bridgeport Ranger District
- Carson Ranger District
The Carson Ranger District recommends the public not cut Christmas trees in the Dog Valley area unless they have a four- wheel drive and/or high clearance vehicle. The Dog Valley Road, which is located near Verdi, Nevada, about 15 miles west of Reno, is a steep dirt road that is extremely hazardous when snow and ice covered. The Road is not accessible once the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan area receives significant amount of snow. People with only two-wheel drive vehicles might want to cut a Christmas Tree off 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.
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Permits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
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- Purchasing Instuctions
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Christmas Tree Permit Rules and Regulations
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Christmas Tree Cutting Area Maps
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Online
To purchase a Christmas tree permit online, visit Recreation.gov and search for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Christmas Tree Permits (https://bit.ly/RecreationgovHTNFChristmasTreePermits). It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will also 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.
Other Methods
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While the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District office remains closed to the public to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, contactless service is still being provided by staff. Christmas tree permit can be purchased over the phone by calling the District at 775-346-1509 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Permits can either be mailed or picked up at the Austin office (100 Midas Canyon Road, Austin, Nevada) on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Tonopah office (1400 S. Erie Main St. Tonopah, Nevada) on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except on federal holidays). Permit holders can only cut a Christmas Tree after their permit is received via U.S. Postal Service or picked up.
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While the Bridgeport Ranger District office remains closed to the public to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, contactless service is still being provided by staff. Anyone interested in getting a Christmas tree permit by mail can purchase one over the phone by calling the office at 760-932-7070 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed on federal holidays. The public can also pick up a form outside the office (75694 US-395, Bridgeport, California) to fill out and mail back. Permit holders can only cut a Christmas Tree after their permit is received via U.S. Postal Service. Click here for a list of other vendors that are selling Bridgeport Ranger District's Christmas tree permits.
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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.
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While the Ely Ranger District office remains closed to the public to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, contactless service is still being provided by staff. Anyone interested in getting a Christmas tree permit by mail can purchase one over the phone by calling the District at 775-289-3031 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Permit holders can only cut a Christmas Tree after their permit is received via U.S. Postal Service.
The District also plans to sell Christmas tree permits outside the office (825 Avenue E, Ely, NV) on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except on federal holidays) and at Ridley’s Family Market (1689 Great Basin Blvd., Ely, Nevada) on the days listed below, weather dependent. Only cash or checks will be excepted. Firewood tags will also be available to purchase for $5 per cord with a maximum of four cords per household (https://bit.ly/HTNFFirewoodPermitEly).
Ridley’s Family Market
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DATE
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TIME
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LOCATION
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Saturday, Nov. 20
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12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ridley’s Family Market
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Friday, Nov. 26
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1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Ridley’s Family Market
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Saturday, Dec. 4
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12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Ridley’s Family Market
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While the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District office remains closed to the public to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19, contactless service is still being provided by staff. Anyone interested in getting a Christmas tree permit by mail can purchase one over the phone by calling the District at 775-738-5171 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Permit holders can only cut a Christmas Tree after their permit is received via U.S. Postal Service. Christmas tree permits are also available at Our Grocery Story in Owyhee, Nevada. Click here for a list of other vendors that are selling Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District's Christmas tree permits.
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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.
Tips on How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Flyer
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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