pickinghours

Christmas tree permits in California

Cut your own tree in California’s national forests: Tahoe, Eldorado, Stanislaus, Lassen, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers are already selling 2026 permits. Here is what each forest has published, and which is still to post.

Tahoe on sale
1 Nov
Stanislaus permit
$20
Forests listed
12
Last checked
12 Nov

California Christmas tree permits: 2026

12 national forests with 2026 information on their own pages, by first cutting day. 4 have posted 2026 cutting dates; the others give their sale date, price or rules.

  1. 1 Nov2026Humboldt-Toiyabe: Bridgeport & CarsonBridgeport & the Carson Valley · the eastern Sierraby districtnot printed for 2026
  2. 3 Nov2026Shasta-Trinity National ForestRedding, Mount Shasta & Weaverville · far northern Californiaone tree per permit$10
  3. 9 Nov2026Eldorado National ForestPlacerville & Highway 50 · between Sacramento and Lake Tahoeany tree up to 20 ft$10, no year given
  4. 27 Nov2026Stanislaus National ForestSonora · the central Sierrasee the permit map$20
  5. tbcTahoe National ForestTruckee, Nevada City & Sierraville · closest to Sacramento and Lake Tahoepine, fir, cedarnot printed for 2026
  6. tbcInyo National ForestBishop & Mammoth Lakes · the eastern Sierraone per permit$20, no year given
  7. tbcSequoia National ForestKernville, Dunlap & Springville · the southern Sierraany conifer but giant sequoianot printed for 2026
  8. tbcModoc National ForestAlturas · north-east Californiaone per household$10, no year given
  9. tbcLassen National ForestChester, Susanville & Burney · north-east Californiaone tree per permit$10
  10. tbcKlamath National ForestYreka & Fort Jones · the Oregon bordertrunk up to 4 innot printed for 2026
  11. tbcSix Rivers National ForestEureka & Orleans · the north coastnot statednot printed for 2026
  12. tbcMendocino National ForestWillows · the north Coast Rangeany tree up to 10 ft$10

On sale now

Stanislaus National Forest since 10 October (cutting from 27 November), Humboldt-Toiyabe: Bridgeport & Carson since 20 October, Tahoe National Forest, Eldorado National Forest and Lassen National Forest since 1 November, Shasta-Trinity National Forest since 3 November and Six Rivers National Forest since 9 November.

What a permit costs

$10 a tree in 2026 on Lassen National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Mendocino National Forest, and $20 on Stanislaus National Forest, with two trees to a permit. Recreation.gov adds $2.50. Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get one free (the $2.50 still applies online).

Lake Tahoe Basin

The Forest Service paused Christmas tree permits in the Lake Tahoe Basin in 2024 “for several years”. It points people to the neighboring forests instead: Tahoe National Forest, Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe: Bridgeport & Carson.

Sacramento, Lake Tahoe & the eastern Sierra · 3 forests, 2 with 2026 cutting dates — Tahoe and Humboldt-Toiyabe

Humboldt-Toiyabe: Bridgeport & Carson

Bridgeport & the Carson Valley, CA · the eastern Sierra

The eastern side of the Sierra, south and east of Lake Tahoe. Each permit is for one tree, in the district you bought it for.

2026 season1 Nov – 31 Dec
OctNovDec
  • Permits on saleSince 20 Oct 2026Recreation.gov and selected shops
  • Valid1 Nov – 31 Dec 2026
  • Sell out?Carson can“limited amount of Christmas tree permits”
  • Permit pricenot publishedRecreation.gov adds $2.50 a transaction

Practical

  • Per permitone tree
  • Displayattach it to the tree for the drive home

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Eldorado National Forest

Placerville & Highway 50, CA · between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe

Along Highway 50 between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Permits went on sale on 1 November, one tree per household, until they run out.

2026 season9 Nov – 31 Dec
OctNovDec
  • Permits on saleSince Sun 1 Novonline from 7am; walk-in at district offices from 8am, then weekdays until they run out
  • Valid9 Nov – 31 Dec 2026Recreation.gov
  • Permit price$10 a treeno year printed beside it (page updated 28 Oct 2026); plus $2.50 online; cash only at the offices
  • LimitOne tree per household

Practical

  • Tree sizeup to 20 ft; stump no more than 6 in across and 12 in high
  • Not herethe Mosquito and Caldor fire areas, and parts of the King Fire area

Before you set offStill $10: the forest proposed raising the permit to $20 in July 2026, but its Christmas tree page still lists $10.

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Tahoe National Forest

Truckee, Nevada City & Sierraville, CA · closest to Sacramento and Lake Tahoe

The forest Sacramento and Lake Tahoe search for. You buy the permit for one ranger district, and can choose pine, fir or cedar.

  • Permits on saleSince Sun 1 Novthe forest’s release of 29 Oct 2026; Recreation.gov
  • Cutting areasChanged for 2026“The 2026 cutting areas have changed for Truckee and American River Ranger Districts”
  • Permit pricenot publishednot in the forest’s 2026 release; Recreation.gov shows it at checkout

Practical

  • Tree sizeup to 20 ft; stump no more than 12 in high and 6 in across
  • Speciespine, fir or cedar, in the designated areas
  • Buy forthe ranger district where you’ll cut

Before you set offCheck the new maps if you’ve cut near Truckee or on the American River district before: the 2026 areas have moved.

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Central & southern Sierra · 3 forests, 1 with 2026 cutting dates — Stanislaus, Inyo and Sequoia

Stanislaus National Forest

Sonora, CA · the central Sierra

Already selling, with cutting from the day after Thanksgiving. Each permit covers up to two trees.

2026 seasonfrom 27 Nov
OctNovDec
  • Permits on saleSince Sat 10 OctRecreation.gov
  • CuttingFrom Fri 27 Novthe forest’s release of 9 Oct 2026
  • Permit price$20 a treeup to two trees per permit

Practical

  • Buyonline at Recreation.gov (an account is needed)

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Inyo National Forest

Bishop & Mammoth Lakes, CA · the eastern Sierra

The eastern Sierra around Bishop, with permits sold online from November to December.

  • Permit price$20 a treeno year printed beside it; plus $2.50
  • SeasonNovember to December“each year”; no 2026 date printed

Practical

  • Per permitone tree
  • Buyonline at Recreation.gov

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Sequoia National Forest

Kernville, Dunlap & Springville, CA · the southern Sierra

No online permits this year: each of the three districts sells them at its own office, from late November or early December.

  • OnlineNone in 2026“No online permits will be available in 2026”
  • Kern RiverFrom Wed 25 Nov 2026Kernville office, 9am
  • Hume LakeFrom Tue 1 Dec 2026Dunlap office
  • Western DivideFrom Sat 5 Dec 2026Springville office
  • Permit pricenot publishednot on the forest’s 2026 page

Practical

  • Speciesany conifer except giant sequoia
  • Stumpno more than 12 in high and 6 in across

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Northern California · 6 forests, 1 with 2026 cutting dates — Modoc, Lassen, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, Six Rivers and Mendocino

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Redding, Mount Shasta & Weaverville, CA · far northern California

Redding’s forest, with permits at its offices and at shops in Mount Shasta, McCloud, Weaverville, Hayfork and Redding.

2026 season3 Nov – 24 Dec
OctNovDec
  • Permits on saleSince 3 Nov 2026the forest’s release of 3 Nov 2026
  • ValidUntil 24 Dec 2026
  • Permit price$10plus $2.50 on Recreation.gov; no fee at forest offices
  • LimitOne tree per permit

Practical

  • Stumpno more than 12 in high and 6 in across
  • Not hereclosure areas; some parts of the forest are not open

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Modoc National Forest

Alturas, CA · north-east California

The far north-east corner, with permits at its offices and at local shops when they’re closed.

  • Permit price$10 a treeno year printed beside it
  • LimitOne tree per household
  • Cut by25 December“of year issued”

Practical

  • Tree sizetrunk 6 in across or less at the ground; stump no more than 12 in
  • Tagseal it on the main stem; keep it visible on the drive home

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Lassen National Forest

Chester, Susanville & Burney, CA · north-east California

Permits online, at the forest’s offices, by mail, and at shops in Burney, Chester, Chico, Redding and Susanville.

  • Permits on sale1 Nov – 24 Dec 2026“Christmas Tree Permits 2026”, page updated 4 Nov 2026
  • ValidThrough 25 Dec
  • Permit price$10 a tree
  • LimitTwo permits per household

Practical

  • BuyRecreation.gov, district offices, local shops or the mail-in form

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Klamath National Forest

Yreka & Fort Jones, CA · the Oregon border

Along the Oregon border, with maps of the recommended 2026 cutting areas on its permit page.

  • SeasonOpen through 31 Dec 2026Recreation.gov
  • Permit pricenot publishednot on the forest’s 2026 pages

Practical

  • Tree sizetrunk no more than 4 in across; stump no more than 12 in high
  • Not herewithin 300 ft of a flowing stream or 150 ft of a dry creek bed

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Six Rivers National Forest

Eureka & Orleans, CA · the north coast

The north coast’s forest. Permits went on sale on 9 November, online and at its offices.

  • Permits on saleFrom Mon 9 Nov 2026online and at any Six Rivers office
  • Permit pricenot publishednot on the forest’s page

Practical

  • BuyRecreation.gov or a Six Rivers office

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Mendocino National Forest

Willows, CA · the north Coast Range

Three trees on one permit, but trees cut in Mendocino and Lake counties can’t leave the Sudden Oak Death quarantine area.

  • Permit price$10 a tree“The cost for 2026 is $10 per tree”
  • LimitOne permit per householdup to 3 trees per permit
  • Sale datenot publishednot on the forest’s pages

Practical

  • Tree sizeup to 10 ft
  • Quarantinetrees cut in Mendocino and Lake counties may not be taken to other counties
  • Not herewithin 50 ft of any road

Contact

Checked 12 Nov 2026

Still to post their 2026 dates

Read on the Forest Service’s pages on 12 Nov 2026. None has published a usable 2026 season yet, so none is carrying last year’s dates here as though they were this year’s.

California Christmas tree permit questions

How do I get a Christmas tree permit in California?

Buy it from the national forest you want to cut in, usually on Recreation.gov, and print it. Some forests also sell permits at their offices and at local shops. A permit is good only on the forest, and often only the ranger district, it was bought for.

Can I cut a Christmas tree at Lake Tahoe?

Not in the Lake Tahoe Basin: in 2024 the Forest Service paused its permit program there for several years. Tahoe National Forest (on sale since 1 November 2026) and the Humboldt-Toiyabe's Carson and Bridgeport districts sell permits nearby.

Where can I cut a Christmas tree near Sacramento?

Tahoe National Forest, which has sold 2026 permits since 1 November; you choose a ranger district at checkout. Eldorado, along Highway 50, has sold them since 1 November too, for cutting from 9 November to 31 December 2026, one tree per household.

How much is a Christmas tree permit in California?

For 2026, Lassen, Shasta-Trinity and Mendocino charge $10 a tree, and Stanislaus $20 with two trees to a permit. Eldorado and Modoc list $10 and Inyo $20, without a year beside the price. Recreation.gov adds $2.50.

Can I cut a Christmas tree in Southern California?

Recreation.gov's list of forests selling Christmas tree permits doesn't include the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres or San Bernardino national forests. The nearest forests that sell them are in the Sierra.

How these were checked

Every forest here was read on the Forest Service’s own pages on 7 to 12 November 2026: its Christmas tree page, its 2026 news releases, and its Recreation.gov permit page. Where a forest hasn’t printed a 2026 date or price, the card says so rather than repeating last year’s. News stories were used only to find those pages.

Rules differ from forest to forest and district to district, and roads close with the snow. Read the permit you buy, and check the road before you drive.

Also on pickinghours