Don’t Forget to Get Your Christmas Tree Permits

Christmas Tree hunting. [Photo by Kevin Church]

Christmas tree permits will go on sale beginning November 1, 2023 and are valid through December 31, 2023.

For many families, the winter holiday season begins with a journey into the woods to find their perfect Christmas tree. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is happy to provide an opportunity for families to enjoy the forest while fulfilling this tradition each year.

A Christmas tree permit costs $10.00, and each household may cut only one tree per permit. Permits do not authorize cutting on private land. Follow the maps and be sure you are on forest land. The maps are part of the permit and are required to be in your possession when searching for and bringing home your tree.

Fourth-grade students are eligible for 1 free “Every Kid Outdoors” Christmas tree permit. These specific Christmas tree permits can be issued online through Recreation.gov, through the mail, or in person at one of the Forest Service offices.  There is a $2.50 service fee through Recreation.gov. The parent or guardian of the fourth grader will sign the tag. By signing the tag, the parent or guardian agrees to the rules and regulations printed on the permit.

Permits can be obtained through the following methods:

• Online at Recreation.gov. A service fee of $2.50 will be charged in addition to the permit fee.
• At designated retail locations. Please contact the retail location to verify hours and availability.  Unfortunately, retail locations are not able to provide the “Every Kid Outdoors” free permit for Fourth-grade students.
• At your local Shasta-Trinity National Forest Ranger District Office. Permits may be purchased in person, by calling with a credit card, or mailing a check. Permits and maps will be returned by mail. Please allow up to two weeks for processing.

The following are designated retail locations where permits may be purchased:

Mt. Shasta: The Fifth Season, Ramshaw’s Ace Hardware, Solano’s Do It Best Hardware

McCloud: McCloud Outdoors and Gear Exchange

Weaverville: Trinity County Visitor Center, Up North Confectionery and Mercantile

Hayfork: The Watershed Research and Training Center

Redding: Ace Hardware, Redding Sports LTD

Christmas trees gathered under the Shasta-Trinity National Forest permits must be cut on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. For more information about the Shasta-Trinity National Forest follow us on Facebook @ShastaTrinityNF, X (formally known as Twitter) @ShastaTrinityNF, or visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf.