Forest Product Permits
Permits are required for certain individual and commercial activities that occur on the Forest including but not limited to firewood, wild plants, post and poles, transplants and Christmas trees. Many Forest Product permits (including firewood, rocks and transplants) are not available in the winter months when Forest Service Roads are closed. Roads and permits usually return in early May.
Generally, a permit is required to remove a product from public land. Permits are either free or carry a charge. Free use permits are given for the collection of small quantities of forest products for personal use (not for resale), valued at less than $20. Charge permits are for removal of larger quantities of products or for commercial sales (products for resale).
Firewood Permits
Permits to cut firewood on the San Juan National Forest are sold online and at selected retail outlets and specific agency office buildings between May and December.
Christmas Trees
Christmas tree permits allow you to cut your own holiday tree on public lands managed by San Juan National Forest.
Special Forest Products
Special Forest Products include medicinal plants, berries, mushrooms, transplants, native plant seeds, basket-making material, tipi poles, posts, boughs, pine cones, and decorative plants.
Rockhounding, Metal Detecting, and Other Permits
Permits are required for collecting common variety mineral materials for personal use: petrified wood, sand, gravel, stone, pumice, pumicite, cinders, clay, and others. Another type of permit is needed for collecting of fossils, or panning, dredging, sluicing, placer, and other recreational mineral activity.