Firewood and Other Forest Products
Forest Product Permits will be available for purchase beginning in May 2023 for the 2023 season. Permits will only be sold via email and phone.
A permit for forest product collection must be issued before harvesting any firewood, transplants, post and poles, mushrooms, and other forest products; except for the small amounts used for campfires or gathered casually while visiting the forests and grassland and categorized as “incidental use.”
Steps to Getting a Permit Harvest Locations When to Harvest Available Products Permit Conditions & Removal Request Documents
Steps to get a Firewood and Other Forest Product Permit:
1. Select the appropriate Permit Conditions & Removal Request Document below.
2. Save the document to your digital files.
3. Fill out and sign documents (signatures are required on first and last page) then email to ARPForestProducts@usda.gov.
4. Wait for Forest Service staff to call for payment.
5. You will recieve an email with your offical permit containing a Forest Service staff signature.
6. Print and sign your permit.
7. Carry the permit with you. As you harvest, fill out the "Product Quantity Removal Record" section located on the paper permit.
Where to Harvest
Permits are organized by Ranger District. On the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland we have 5 ranger districts:
- Boulder Ranger District:
Does not have designated cutting areas. Forest products may NOT be cut or gathered in wilderness areas, developed recreation sites including: campgrounds, picnic areas, summer home groups, trailheads or private property. Forest products may be collected on Forest Service land that does not meet these restrictions; please use the following map as a guide.
- Canyon Lakes Ranger District:
Has very limited cutting this year due to Cameron Peak fire closures. Please use the designated cutting area maps in conjunction with the closure area maps.
- Clear Creek Ranger District:
Does not have designated cutting areas. Forest products may NOT be cut or gathered in wilderness areas, developed recreation sites including: campgrounds, picnic areas, summer home groups, trailheads or private property. Forest products may be collected on Forest Service land that does not meet these restrictions; please use the following map as a guide.
- Sulphur Ranger District:
Has designated cutting areas. Please use the designated cutting area maps in conjunction with the East Troublesome closure maps and Williams Fork closure maps.
- Pawnee National Grasslands:
Does not have public-use forest products for sale.
Please note: The area for harvesting firewood on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District is extremely limited this year due to closures associated with the Cameron Peak fire.When to Harvest
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Forest Product Permits are available for purchase mid-spring to mid-fall (generally beginning in May and ending November 15th). This coincides with the open season for majority of the Forest Service roads and access points across the forest (June 15 – November 15).
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A permit purchased during the purchasing season may be used until April 30th, 2024. If you plan on transplanting during the early spring (before April 30th), please purchase a transplant permit now, while they are available for purchase.
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Please purchase and use fuelwood permits early in the summer season, before the fall fuelwood rush!
Types of Products & Associated Fees Per District
The cost of a permit varies according to the product, type of wood to be harvested and the district (Boulder, Canyon Lakes, Clear Creek, Sulphur) it is harvested on. The definition of a "cord" of wood is: a well-stacked pile 8 feet long by 4 feet wide by 4 feet high.
Commercial Permits: Contact the Ranger District you’re interested in for information about any commercial areas that may exist.
Personal Use Permit Details:
Permit Conditions & Removal Request Documents
The following documents outline rules and restrictions associated with collection of various forest products for each ranger district. Select the permit document that applies to the resource you will be collecting.
- Always check fire restrictions and fire closures at alerts and notices and road status before you go.
Fuelwood Permit Conditions & Removal Request For All Ranger Districts
Transplant Permit Conditions & Removal Request For All Ranger Districts
Mushroom Collection Permit Conditions & Removal Request For All Ranger Districts
Post and Pole Permit Conditions & Removal Request For Sulphur Ranger District
Not all dead wood is fair game
- Trimming dead limbs from live trees is not permitted on the forest, and standing dead trees may only be cut if they meet specific standards. Before cutting any dead tree check it carefully for signs of wildlife habitation.