Christmas Trees

Permits available to purchase November 8, 2025, to January 7, 2026. Permitted cutting dates vary based on harvest location listed below. No refunds.

• Online/In Advance – Recreation.gov
  • Permit Purchasing Video Walkthrough
  • ​4th Graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass qualify for a free Christmas Tree permit through recreation.gov (with a $2.50 reservation fee).

Christmas tree cutting will only be permitted on National Forest system lands on the Sulphur Ranger District in Grand County and the Canyon Lakes Ranger District in Larimer County. Use the Ranger District Locator to find district boundaries.

Canyon Lakes Ranger District (Larimer County)

Christmas tree cutting permitted between November 24 – January 7

Canyon Lakes Christmas Tree Flyer & Maps

• Poudre Wilderness Volunteers and Smokey will be at Arrowhead Lodge and Potbelly Restaurant and Lounge sharing maps and information about tree cutting 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nov 28 - 30; Dec 6-7.

Sulphur Ranger District (Grand County)

Christmas tree cutting permitted between November 8th – January 7th

Sulphur Christmas Tree Flyer and Maps

• Elk Creek Cutting Area: The Elk Creek cutting area will not be open for drive-in tree cutting this coming season. This area is open for walk-in use only. Christmas trees may be harvested across the Sulphur Ranger District. Please plan your trip accordingly and evaluate areas on the district that you can safely access and walk in to. The attached maps provide some example areas that are easily accessible for Christmas tree cutting.  Note that harvesting a Christmas tree is not limited to these areas.

​For Sulphur and Canyon Lakes Ranger District

• Make sure you are cutting on National Forest lands by downloading a georeferenced map on the Avenza mobile app.
  • Roosevelt NF - Canyon Lakes Ranger District (North Half) – MVUM
  • Roosevelt NF - Canyon Lakes Ranger District (South Half) - MVUM
  • Arapaho NF - Sulphur Ranger District (North) – MVUM
  • Arapaho NF - Sulphur Ranger District (South) – MVUM
• PDF maps are also available to download
  • Canyon Lakes Ranger District
    • North Half
    • South Half
  • Sulphur Ranger District
    • North Half
    • South Half
• When planning your visit, make sure the Forest Service road you plan to drive is open using our Road Status Tables.

• Refer to Harvest Locations to know where you can cut.
• Do not cut in or near developed recreation areas, such as a campground or picnic area, or near any residential areas.
• Do not cut in Wilderness areas, special protection areas, experimental forest or anywhere else that is marked as “No Cutting.”
• Tree trunk size must be six inches or less in diameter (strictly enforced).
• Cut tree six inches or less from the ground
• No topping of trees
• No cutting trees within 75 feet of any road or trail
• No cutting trees marked with blue paint
• Permits must be visible on the tree for easy viewing or visible on your dash.

• Four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or chains are required.
• Consider weekday cutting to avoid weekend crowds.
• Be prepared for winter conditions and below freezing temperatures! Bring warm clothes, ice scraper, tow straps, chains, jumper cables, and other emergency supplies. Remember that cell phones may not work in the mountains
• Plan accordingly, the forest will likely have two or more feet of snow and temperatures drop quickly after dark. Please watch the weather and plan to cut your tree and be back at your vehicle by 3 p.m.
• Park in areas so that traffic can safely pass. Don't block gates.
• CAUTION: Due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic and severe burn areas, avoid standing dead or burned trees. Stay out of recently burned areas and be aware that trees can fall at any time.