Three purchase options offered; permits are also free to Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass
information released, USFS photo
Holiday season is just around the corner, and for those individuals yearning to cut their Christmas tree from the national forest there are three options for obtaining a Christmas tree permit. Permits may be purchased online through Recreation.gov, at Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offices, and from local vendors.
Christmas tree permits cost $5 each; if they are purchased online there is an additional $2.50 charged for the transaction fee. Each tree permit allows a family to cut one tree, with a tree height limit of 15 feet, or dig a small live transplant tree. Only two permits are allowed per household. The permits are nonrefundable and are only good on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Christmas trees cannot be harvested in Wilderness areas, campgrounds, developed recreation areas, or tree plantations.
To purchase a Christmas tree permit online, go to Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests Christmas Tree Permit in Washington – Recreation.gov. It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Permits purchased online must be printed and displayed on the vehicle dash on the day when you remove your tree from the forest.
Traditional permits may be purchased from the Chelan, Entiat, Methow Valley, Wenatchee River, Cle Elum, and Naches Ranger District offices. Be sure to check their hours of operation at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/about-forest/offices. Those wanting to purchase a permit at the Entiat Ranger District office will need to call to make an appointment to do so, their phone number is 509-784-4700.
There are many local vendors selling national forest Christmas tree permits. A list of vendors is posted online at https://bit.ly/3nM83Az .
Free tree permits are available to fourth graders as part of the national Every Kid Outdoors initiative. Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass can get one free holiday tree cutting permit from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. In order for students to receive a free tree permit, they must present an Every Kid Outdoors pass or a valid paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website (https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm).
Please note, not all national forest offices are open daily, so be sure to call before visiting offices. High clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended when driving on national forest roads during the winter months. Remember to leave early in the day to allow for maximum daylight. Also, be prepared for all types of weather. It is also a good idea to bring traction devices for cars, a shovel, warm clothing, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Don’t forget to bring a saw to cut down the tree, a tarp to wrap around the tree, and a rope to secure the tarp in place on your vehicle.
Some Forest Service roads are a part of the Washington State Sno-Park system and are closed to wheeled vehicle traffic and groomed for winter recreation. A Sno-Park permit is required to park at a SnoPark beginning Dec. 1.
Check the forest website or call ranger district offices for information on roads or suggestions on where to go for your tree.
For more information about the Christmas tree program on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, please contact local ranger district offices or visit the forest website at https://go.usa.gov/xV7SG.
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