Online permits sell out within days
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — El Dorado County residents looking to bring home a freshly cut Christmas tree from the Eldorado National Forest may need to adjust their holiday plans. The Forest Service’s 2026 Christmas tree permit program opened Nov. 1, but online permits have already sold out.
According to the Eldorado National Forest’s Recreation.gov permit listing, the online allocation is exhausted. A limited number of walk-in permits may still be offered at the Placerville, Amador and Georgetown Ranger District offices after normal operations resume following the current lapse in federal government funding.
The uncertainty surrounding in-person sales makes it important for prospective tree hunters to check with the ranger district offices before traveling.
Where to purchase a permit
Under the original 2026 program, permits were offered for $10 per tree, with a limit of one tree per household. Online purchases also carried a $2.50 processing fee.
The three participating ranger district offices are:
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Placerville Ranger District: 4260 Eight Mile Road, Camino. Phone: 530-644-2324.
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Amador Ranger District: 26820 Silver Drive, Pioneer. Phone: 209-259-3774.
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Georgetown Ranger District: 7600 Wentworth Springs Road, Georgetown. Phone: 530-333-4312.
In-person permits are cash-only, and purchasers are asked not to bring bills larger than $20. Availability is limited, and sales will end when the district allocations are exhausted.
Residents should confirm that in-person sales have resumed before visiting an office.
The official permit information is available through Recreation.gov’s Eldorado National Forest Christmas Tree Permit page.
Fourth graders eligible for a free Christmas tree
Families with fourth-grade students have another opportunity to participate through the federal Every Kid Outdoors program.
Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass or voucher are eligible for one free Christmas tree permit. Applicants must enter their pass or voucher number when completing the online reservation.
Although the tree permit is free, Recreation.gov applies a $2.50 reservation fee to online transactions.
The program provides an opportunity for families to introduce younger generations to public lands, outdoor recreation and responsible forest stewardship.
More information about obtaining a pass is available at Every Kid Outdoors.
Christmas tree cutting also benefits forest health
The annual Christmas tree program serves a purpose beyond helping families bring home a holiday centerpiece.
The Eldorado National Forest uses the permit program as one component of its broader forest health and fuels management efforts.
According to the Forest Service, the program helps thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. These crowded stands can contain excessive vegetation that contributes to hazardous fuel conditions.
The agency explains:
“Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife.”
By allowing permit holders to remove appropriately sized trees from designated locations, the program can help create additional growing space for remaining trees while improving conditions for wildlife.
The Forest Service emphasizes that trees must be selected from dense groupings rather than isolated trees growing in open areas.
Important rules before heading into the forest
The 2026 Christmas tree cutting season runs from Nov. 9 through Dec. 31.
A permit authorizes the removal of one tree from approved areas of the Eldorado National Forest. It does not authorize cutting on private property or in restricted areas.
Several important restrictions apply:
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Maximum tree height is 20 feet.
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Maximum stump diameter is 6 inches.
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Stumps cannot exceed 12 inches in height.
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Only pine, fir and cedar may be harvested.
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Cutting isolated trees growing in open areas is prohibited.
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Motorized vehicles must remain on existing roads and trails open to public travel.
Several wildfire-affected areas are also excluded from Christmas tree harvesting. These include the Mosquito Fire closure area, portions of the 2021 Caldor Fire area along Mormon Emigrant Trail, Silver Fork Road and North-South Road, and portions of the King Fire area.
Tree hunters should download and review the appropriate cutting-area maps before leaving home. Private property is interspersed throughout portions of the national forest, and trespassing is prohibited.
The Forest Service also warns that winter conditions can change access to forest roads. Snow, ice, seasonal road closures and limited cellular coverage can complicate a trip.
Visitors are encouraged to carry appropriate winter equipment, including tire chains, shovels and emergency supplies, and to let someone know their destination and expected return time.
Detailed maps, restrictions and preparation guidance are available on the official Recreation.gov permit page.
A holiday tradition with a conservation purpose
For many El Dorado County families, finding a Christmas tree in the mountains is more than a holiday shopping trip. It is an opportunity to spend time outdoors, introduce children to the forest and establish family traditions.
The Eldorado National Forest’s program combines that tradition with a practical forest management objective: thinning overcrowded stands and improving growing conditions for the remaining trees.
With online permits already sold out, residents interested in participating should monitor the Forest Service’s announcements and contact their local ranger district before making the drive.
Official information:
