SFNF News:
SANTA FE — It’s that time of year to be festive and start decorating for the holidays. What better way to get in the spirit than with a Christmas tree grown naturally in the local national forest?
Make it an adventure with the entire family by cutting a tree on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) and creating some great family memories in the process.
Purchase a permit online or in person from a variety of Forest Service offices starting Nov. 9 through Dec. 31, 2023.
The official cutting period begins Nov. 16.
Options to obtain a permit:
- Christmas tree permits will be available for purchase at Recreation.gov Nov. 9;
- In-person sales at district offices and SFNF Headquarters will begin Nov. 15; and
- In-person sales at Walatowa Visitor Center will be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday beginning Nov. 17.
The SFNF’s nonrefundable Christmas tree permits are $10. Permits purchased online through Recreation.gov will include an additional $2.50 service fee. One tag is valid for a tree up to five inches in diameter and 10 feet in height. Trees taller than 10 feet and/or wider than five inches require an additional tag. For example, a 15-foot tree requires two tags.
Members of the public will need a Recreation.gov account to purchase a Christmas tree permit online. Need-to-know information about cutting your own tree, maps and tips for planning your adventure will also be posted on the website. You will need to print the online permit and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle before you head into the woods. The digital image on your smartphone is not considered a valid permit.
As part of the “Every Kid Outdoors” initiative, every fourth grader is eligible for a free holiday tree permit with a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass, downloadable at www.everykidoutdoors.gov. The student’s unique pass code is required to receive a free permit. Fourth graders can apply for their free permit through the online system by selecting the option and entering the code on their pass when prompted. The online Every Kid Outdoors permits will include the $2.50 service fee. Every Kid Outdoors permits can also be redeemed at all SFNF offices except the Jemez District Office.
Permit holders should be prepared for unpredictable weather changes and colder conditions at higher elevations. SFNF Christmas tree permits are valid only on land within forest boundaries. Tree cutting is prohibited in developed recreation sites and congressionally designated wilderness areas and within 300 feet of streams, rivers and paved roads. See this Forest Service video for more tips on harvesting your own Christmas tree.
Stay up to date on seasonal closures by checking the SFNF website and following the forest on Facebook and Twitter.