Firewood Permits

Firewood permits for the Sawtooth National Forest Districts usually go on sale annually in mid-May, depending on road conditions. When on sale, permits are available at Sawtooth National Forest offices and participating private vendors.

Permits cost $6.25 per cord with a 4-cord minimum and a 10-cord maximum per household. A cord of firewood is equivalent to 128 cubic feet or, generally, the amount of wood that would fill a an area 4-feet high by 4-feet wide by 8-feet long. 

While permits typically go on sale in May, some firewood cutting areas may be not immediately accessible due to snowdrifts or road conditions. Firewood collectors should contact their local offices to check snowmelt and road conditions in these areas. Visitors are encouraged to cut firewood early in the season because fire restrictions may impact the cutting season later in the summer. Early season wood cutters should be very careful with wet road conditions and avoid them if rutting to prevent getting stuck. In the fall, roads may become inaccessible before closure dates due to snow. Be prepared for all weather conditions.

All motorized travel related to fuelwood gathering must be done in accordance with official Forest Service travel regulations for the area unless specifically exempted in the firewood permit. Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Sawtooth National Forest are available for downloading online and on mobile devices through the Avenza Maps application.

Campers are allowed to gather firewood for incidental use on the Forest during their stay. If a camper wants to take firewood home, they must obtain a firewood permit. Campers do not have to abide by firewood permit regulations for incidental use gathering, but on the ground signage and Code of Federal Regulations do apply.

Tribal members may receive a free wood cutting permit with valid ID.