Christmas Tree Cutting

The holiday season is often time for families and friends to head to the woods to play in the snow and to cut the traditional family Christmas Tree. Lifelong memories are built during these special times and the Boise National Forest is happy to help with any information gathering you'll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one.  

Purchase your Christmas Tree permit at recreation.gov  (printer required), local vendors or Ranger District offices. 

Improve your experience and safety with these Pro-Tips: 

Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Review the brochure provided with your permit!

• Bring the right tools (saw, shovel, and tarp recommended)

• Wear winter clothing, carry plenty of food and water, use a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

• Let someone know where you plan to go and when you will be back.

Know Before You Go! Have your maps downloaded in the Avenza app (Christmas Tree Cutting map and Winter Travel Map recommended) 

• Review the brochure provided with your permit! 

• Bring the right tools (saw, shovel, and tarp recommended) 

• Wear winter clothing, carry plenty of food and water, use a 4-wheel drive vehicle. 

• Let someone know where you plan to go and when you will be back 

• Know where you can cut your tree—300 ft from roadways, no cutting along streams, within campgrounds, timber sales, or on private property! 

• Whitebark pine is a threatened species and cutting/removal is prohibited. 
   
• Forest roads are not plowed. Call ahead and check websites ahead for road conditions before heading out. Please do not block private or county roads at any time. Download the Christmas Tree Map to your Avenza app ahead of time, the GPS function will ensure you are cutting on approved Forest Service land. 

Vendors

Ranger District Offices & Interagency Visitor Center  Open: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  Idaho City only  Open: Sat & Sun 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.  (Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17)	East Cleveland Beverage and Tackle    2518 E Cleveland    Caldwell, ID   208-459-6442    Open: Daily 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Ray’s Corner Market    445 State Highway 55    Horseshoe Bend, ID   208-793-2391   Open: Daily 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.	Horseshoe Hardware    110 Foss St   Horseshoe Bend, ID   208-793-2214   Open: Mon- Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.,   Sun 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Garden Valley Market    284 Village Circle   Garden Valley, ID   208-462-3817   Open:  Sun- Thurs 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.,   Fri & Sat 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.	B & W Fuels   1900 N Washington Ave.    Emmett, ID   |208-365-2291    Open:  Sun- Thurs 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.,   Fri & Sat 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Anderson Hardware & Supply   3845 Hwy. 21   Idaho City, ID   208-392-2271   Open: Daily 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.   Closed Tuesdays	Idaho City Grocery   3868 Hwy. 21   Idaho City, ID   208-392-4426  Open:    Mon 7:40 a.m.- 8 p.m.   Tues- Thurs 7:40 a.m.- 9 p.m.   Fri & Sat 7 a.m.- 9 p.m.    Sun 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.

 

Every Kid Outdoors 

In coordination with the “Every Kid Outdoors” program, fourth-graders can receive a free Christmas tree permit. 

The initiative provides a free pass to all fourth-grade students who first go to the website, complete the application process, print the voucher, and bring into a Ranger District Office for a free permit.  

Every Kid Outdoors vouchers are NOT for use at local vendors and must be used on either recreation.gov or at a Boise National Forest Ranger District Office.