Christmas Tree Sales 2023

A permit for harvesting a Christmas tree on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests must be bought before harvesting. Permits will be available for purchase November 9^th – January 7^th. Permitted cutting dates will vary based on harvest location - Canyon Lakes Ranger District November 24^th – January 7^th, Sulphur Ranger District November 10^th – January 7^th.

How to get a Permit Harvest Locations Cutting Guildelines Know Before You Go and Safety

How to Purchase a Christmas Tree Cutting Permit

Permits available to purchase November 9^th – January 7^th. Permitted cutting dates will vary based on harvest location. No refunds.

Online/In Advance – Recreation.gov
In Person (Grand County Only) – See local vendors.

Where to Harvest Your Christmas Tree

Christmas tree cutting will only be permitted on National Forest system lands on the Sulphur Ranger District of Grand County and the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of Larimer County.

Map of Ranger Districts that make up the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest

Canyon Lakes Ranger District (Larimer County)

Christmas tree cutting permitted between November 24^th – January 7^th

Canyon Lakes Christmas Tree Flyer & Maps

The Red Feather Lakes Sale Area on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District was impacted by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. As a result, you will be able to cut your own Christmas tree through much of the open portions of the district, instead of one designated cutting area.
Poudre Wilderness Volunteers will be at Arrowhead Lodge and Mount Margaret Trailhead sharing maps and information about tree cutting 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Nov 24 & 25; Dec 2, 3, 9, & 10

Sulphur Ranger District (Grand County)

Christmas tree cutting permitted between November 10^th – January 7^th

Sulphur Christmas Tree Flyer & Maps

Christmas tree cutting is allowed through much of Sulphur Ranger District except: closure areas, wilderness areas, within ¼ mile of any highways, the Fraser Experimental Forest (accessed via CR 73/NFSR 160), Winter Park/Mary Jane Ski Areas and above to Berthoud Pass, and James Peak Protection Area.
Elk Creek Cutting Area will be open 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dec. 2nd - 10th. The Sulphur Ranger District will staff the cutting area Dec. 2, 3, 9, & 10. Purchase your permit prior to arriving at the cutting area, permits are not available onsite. The entrance gate closes at 2:00 pm for Elk Creek. Please have your tree selected and return to your vehicle no later than 3:00 pm to allow time to load your tree and exit the area before 4:00 pm. Tire chains, 4‐wheel drive or all‐wheel drive are required upon entering the cutting area. This is for your safety; please cooperate with this requirement. You will be asked to verify that you have one or the other at the entrance station. If the road conditions are icy, chains may be needed to get up the hill at the bottom of CR 72, just outside of Fraser. Snowmobiles are prohibited in these cutting areas during this time.

For Sulphur and Canyon Lakes Ranger District

Make sure you are cutting on National Forest lands by downloading interactive visitor maps to the Avenza mobile app, for either the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Avenza North Map, South Map or the Sulphur Ranger District Avenza North Map, South Map. PDF maps are also available for download and printing for both the Sulphur Ranger District North and South portions, as-well-as the Canyon Lakes Ranger District North and South.

When planning your visit, make sure the Forest Service road you plan to drive is open using our Road Status Tables

Snowmobiles are allowed in much of the Sulphur Ranger District when the snow level is six inches or greater.

Christmas Tree Cutting Guidelines

A visitor cuts a Christmas tree with a handsaw

Refer to Harvest Locations to know where you cut
Do not cut in or near developed recreation areas, such as a campground or picnic area, or near any residential areas
Do not cut in wilderness areas, special protection areas, experimental forest or anywhere else that is marked as “No Cutting”
Tree trunk size must be six inches or less in diameter (strictly enforced)
Cut tree six inches or less from the ground
No topping of trees
No cutting trees within 75 feet of any road, trail, and all bodies of water
No cutting trees marked with blue paint
Handsaws required (chainsaws prohibited)
Permits must be visible on the tree for easy viewing or visible on your dash

Know Before You Go and Safety Recommendations

Four-wheel, all-wheel drive, or chains required.
Consider weekday cutting to avoid weekend crowds.
Be prepared for winter conditions and below freezing temperatures! Bring warm clothes, ice scraper, tow straps, chains, jumper cables, and other emergency supplies. Remember that cellphones may not work in the mountains
Plan accordingly, the forest will likely have two or more feet of snow and temperatures drop quickly after dark. Please watch the weather and plan to cut your tree and be back at your vehicle by 3 p.m.
Park in areas so that traffic can safely pass. Don't block gates.
CAUTION: Due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic and severe burn areas, avoid standing dead or burned trees. Stay out of recently burned areas and be aware that trees can fall at any time.