Los Alamos Reporter

Christmas Tree Permits Available Online And In-Person From Santa Fe National Forest For Upcoming Holiday Season

Christmas tree permits are now available to purchase online through Recreation.gov and in person at all Santa Fe National Forest District Offices and the Supervisor’s Office. Photo Courtesy SFNF

SFNF NEWS RELEASE

Christmas tree permits will be available to purchase online through Recreation.gov and in-person at all Santa Fe National Forest District Offices and the Supervisor’s Office beginning November 13, 2025. Details about designated cutting areas, dates, and types of trees that may be cut may be found here.

Purchase your Christmas Tree permit:

  • Online through Recreation.gov and search for Santa Fe National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will also need to set up or log in to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction.
  • In-person at the Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe, N.M., or the Jemez, Cuba, Coyote, Española, and Pecos/Las Vegas District Offices. Contact us for current hours.  
  • Permits will be sold in-person at the Walatowa Visitor Center only on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from November 22 through December 20, 2024.
  • Pre-cut Christmas Trees may be available for purchase at district offices. Availability is subject to weather conditions and supply, with priority given to people who are unable to cut their own tree.

The SFNF’s non-refundable Christmas tree permits are $10. Permits purchased online through recreation.gov will include an additional $2.50 service fee. One tag is valid for a tree up to 5 inches in diameter and 10 feet in height. Trees taller than 10 feet and/or wider than 5 inches require an additional tag. For example, a 15-foot tree requires two tags.

Fourth graders with Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit (note: a $2.50 service fee will be applied). 

Cutting a Christmas tree also improves forest health. The permit system helps thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife. 

For more information, visit these online resources: 

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.