Christmas tree permits available from the Lincoln National Forest for the upcoming holiday season

ALAMOGORDO, N.M., Nov. 18, 2025— Christmas tree permits are available to purchase, now through December 31, online at Recreation.gov. Details about designated cutting areas, dates, and types of trees that may be cut are found here: https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/b853973f-ebbd-11ea-98dd-e638fec87f2e.

To purchase a Christmas tree permit online, visit Recreation.gov and search for Lincoln National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. It is important to carefully read the overview, need-to-know, and trip planning information prior to purchasing the permit. Remember to check our website for any current closures that may affect your harvest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts. Visitors will also need to set up or log in to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction online. There is a $2.50 service fee for online transactions.

From November 17 till December 24, permits will also be available for purchase in person at the district offices in Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, N.M. Office hours for permit sales are Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Each permit costs $10.00. Tree cutting and removal with a valid permit may also begin on November 17. Please note that all Lincoln National Forest offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, in observance of the federal Thanksgiving holiday.

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit online (note: the $2.50 service fee applies).

Cutting a Christmas tree also improves forest health. The permit system helps thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife.

For more information, visit these online resources:

• Recreation.gov Christmas Tree Permit page with map interface
• Help Center article “How Do I Purchase and Print a Christmas Tree Permit?”
• Cut a Tree for the Holidays from Your National Forest article
• Every Kid Outdoors Fourth Grade Pass program
• Lincoln National Forest Christmas Tree Permits Page
  
   

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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