Washington’s holiday revelers have many options when it comes to a Christmas tree, from buying one from a local farm to heading up to the attic to fetch the tried and true artificial tree.
For the adventurous, there is another option: Heading into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to select your own Christmas tree in the wild.
Beginning Nov. 12, visitors can purchase Christmas tree cutting permits at the Mount Adams, Cowlitz Valley and Mount St. Helens Ranger District offices, through local vendors or online. Permits cost $5 each and may be purchased with cash, check or credit card.
Permits are also available through Recreation.gov. Additional administrative fees may apply to online purchases. Before purchasing a permit, visitors should carefully review the permit overview and important information provided online. A printed copy of the permit must be carried while cutting a tree in the forest.
Each household may purchase up to five permits. Permits are valid for a single tree and include a map showing areas closed to cutting, along with instructions and guidelines for harvesting a Christmas tree on the national forest.
Fourth-grade students are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid Outdoors program. After obtaining a Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher online, fourth graders can present their voucher or pass at any national forest office to receive a complimentary permit. Families can visit everykidoutdoors.gov for additional information and to obtain a voucher.
Visitors are encouraged to plan and prepare for winter conditions before traveling to the forest. Ranger district offices and vendor hours may vary, so call ahead to confirm current hours of operation. Winter weather can change rapidly, and many forest roads are not maintained for winter travel.
Forest staff recommend carrying traction devices, a shovel, extra food and water, warm clothing, blankets, a flashlight and a first-aid kit. Visitors should also bring a saw or other tree-cutting tool and rope or straps to securely transport their tree home.
Harvesting a Christmas tree often takes longer than expected, especially in winter conditions. Plan for extra travel time, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return, start early, and aim to leave the forest well before dark, the U.S. Forest Service advises.
For additional information and a video on successful tree harvesting, visit https://tinyurl.com/357f4pht.
For more information on current road status and closures, visit https://tinyurl.com/en89uph8.
Christmas tree permits can be purchased in person at the following Forest Service offices and vendor locations:
Forest offices:
• Mount Adams Ranger District, 2455 Highway 141, Trout Lake; 509-395-3400
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and District Office, 42218 NE Yale Bridge Road, Amboy; 360-449-7800
• Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, 10024 U.S. Highway 12, Randle; 360-497-1100
Forest Service Offices are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The offices are closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. All Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.
Vendor locations (call for hours of operation and information):
• Amboy — Chelatchie Prairie General Store, 360-247-5529
• Ashford — Ashford General Store, 360-569-2377
• Carson — Wind River Market, 509-427-5565
• Cougar — Lakeside Country Store, 360-238-5202
• Cougar — Cougar Store, 360-238-5228
• Elbe — Elbe Mall, 360-569-2772
• Kalama — Kalama Spirits and Tobacco, 360-673-4991
• Morton — Quicky Mart/Shell Gas Station, 360-496-5553
• Packwood — Blanton’s Market, 360-494-6101
• Randle — Fischer’s Market, 360-497-5355
• Stevenson — Main St. Convenience Store (open 24 hours), 509-427-5653
• Trout Lake — Little Mountain True Value Hardware, 509-395-2773
• Vancouver — Sportsman's Warehouse, 360-604-800
