If you’re looking for a holiday tradition that combines adventure, nature, and a real forest-fresh feel, cutting your own Christmas tree in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a perfect choice. With a simple permit, families and visitors can head into the forest, pick their favorite tree, and bring home a one-of-a-kind holiday centerpiece.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

• • Permits cost $5 per tree, and one household can purchase up to 5 permits.

• • You can purchase a permit online (via Recreation.gov), at Forest Service district offices, or from a network of local vendors in towns like Ashford, Packwood, Cougar, Randle, and more.

• • Permits are one-time use, and all sales are final—so pick wisely!

Important Tree-Cutting Guidelines

To protect the forest and ensure sustainability, the Forest Service asks cutters to follow these rules:

Cut one tree per permit; limit is five trees per household.

• • Choose a tree under ~12 feet tall and cut it no more than 12 inches above the ground.

• • Don’t “top” trees — you must remove the entire tree, leaving no standing stub

• • Avoid cutting in restricted areas: no wilderness zones, no streams, no campgrounds, no trails, no developed sites, and stay a safe distance from water sources.

What to Bring & How to Prepare

Before heading into the forest, plan carefully and check conditions:

• • Bring the printed permit — forest staff can require it.

• • Dress for winter: boots, gloves, warm layers, and pack food, water, and blankets.

• • Have a saw, measuring tape, tarp or sled, rope or straps to secure the tree, and maybe tire chains or shovel if roads are snowy.

• • Plan to leave the woods before dark — winter days are short.

• • Once home, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk and place the tree in a bucket of water; this helps the tree stay fresh longer for the holidays.

Why It’s a Great Holiday Tradition

• • You get a real, wild-grown tree, fresher and more fragrant than most store-bought trees.

• • Cutting your own tree is a memorable family activity, blending winter adventure with a seasonal tradition.

• • You contribute to sustainable forest management by thinning out smaller trees that help reduce fire risk and support healthy forest growth.

Cutting your own Christmas tree in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a simple, memorable way to celebrate the season while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors! With a little preparation and a $5 permit, you can bring home a fresh tree and create a tradition your family will treasure for years to come. Happy hunting!