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Montana, 2026 season

Montana Christmas Tree Permits 2026

Seven national forests in Montana sell $5 Christmas tree permits, six BLM field offices sell them for $5 online, and the state DNRC charges $10 a tree on trust land.

9
Forests selling permits
7 on Recreation.gov
$5 to $10
Price per tree
2026 season
Nov 13, 2025
On sale
Lolo National Forest, 2025 season
Free
Fourth graders
with an Every Kid Outdoors pass
Forest by forest

Where to get a Christmas tree permit in Montana

A Custer Gallatin permit is good on the forest in both Montana and South Dakota. BLM Montana sells online through forestproducts.blm.gov, picking the field office that covers where you plan to cut; the North Dakota and South Dakota field offices are handled by phone.

Custer Gallatin National Forest, Flathead National Forest, Lolo National Forest and BLM Montana field offices show the 2025 season, the most recent the forest has posted. Each forest posts its 2026 price and dates on its permit page in the fall.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per permit on Recreation.gov
Tallest tree
12 feet
Where to buy
Recreation.gov
This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest!
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Christmas Tree Permit, Recreation.gov (USDA Forest Service), read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Trees may be up to 12 feet with a stump of 6 inches or less; take the whole tree and scatter the leftover branches.

Tree Height: 12 feet maximum ... Stump height: 6 inches maximum ... Take the whole tree. Cutting the tree top off is prohibited. ... Cut the leftover branches from the stump and scatter them.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Read it at the source

Whitebark pine and white pine, the five needle pines, may not be cut.

Prohibited Tree Species: Whitebark Pine or White Pine (5-Needle Pine).
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Read it at the source

No cutting on private land, in wilderness, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, plantations, active timber sales or new plantings.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, or existing tree plantations. ... Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Read it at the source

Do not cut trees visible from major roads or within 150 feet of streams and creeks.

Do not cut trees visible from major roads, within 150-feet of streams and creeks, or in other well-used areas.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Read it at the source

Post the permit on the dash.

Please post your permit on your dash.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Read it at the source

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Bitterroot National Forest

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per permit on Recreation.gov
Tallest tree
12 feet
Where to buy
Recreation.gov
This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within the Bitterroot National Forest!
Bitterroot National Forest Christmas Tree Permit, Recreation.gov (USDA Forest Service), read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Trees may be up to 12 feet with a stump of 6 inches or less; take the whole tree and scatter the leftover branches.

Tree Height: 12 feet maximum ... Stump height: 6 inches maximum ... Take the whole tree. Cutting the tree top off is prohibited. ... Cut the leftover branches from the stump and scatter them.
Bitterroot National Forest. Read it at the source

Whitebark pine and white pine, the five needle pines, may not be cut.

Prohibited Tree Species: Whitebark Pine and White Pine (5-Needle Pine).
Bitterroot National Forest. Read it at the source

No cutting on private land, in wilderness, developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, previously thinned areas, plantations, active timber sales or new plantings.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, previously thinned areas, or existing tree plantations. ... Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
Bitterroot National Forest. Read it at the source

Do not cut trees visible from major roads, in campgrounds or in other well used areas.

Do not cut trees visible from major roads, in campgrounds, or in other well-used areas.
Bitterroot National Forest. Read it at the source

Check the Southwest Montana Interagency Visitor Map or the forest visitor map to be sure you are on public land.

Make sure you cut your tree on public lands by checking either the Southwest Montana Interagency Visitor Map or the Bitterroot National Forest Visitors Map and follow road signs.
Bitterroot National Forest. Read it at the source

Bitterroot National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Custer Gallatin National Forest

2025 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per permit
Tallest tree
12 feet on the Bozeman, Gardiner, Hebgen Lake and Yellowstone districts and 15 feet on the Ashland, Beartooth and Sioux districts
Where to buy
Recreation.gov, Custer Gallatin district offices

These are the forest’s 2025 season details. The forest posts its 2026 price and dates on its permit page each fall.

Christmas tree permits will be available to purchase at your local district office or online through Recreation.gov.
Christmas tree permits available from the Custer Gallatin National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Height depends on the district: 15 feet on Ashland, Beartooth and Sioux, 12 feet on Bozeman, Gardiner, Hebgen Lake and Yellowstone.

Ashland Ranger District (1-15 ft tree) ... Beartooth Ranger District (1-15 ft tree) ... Bozeman Ranger District (1-12 ft tree) ... Gardiner Ranger District (1-12 ft tree) ... Hebgen Lake Ranger District (1-12 ft tree) ... Sioux Ranger District (1-15 ft tree) ... Yellowstone Ranger District (1-12 ft tree)
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

Leave a stump of 6 inches or less and take the whole tree.

Stump height: 6 inches maximum (lower the better) ... Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

No five needle pines, which rules out limber pine and whitebark pine.

No cutting of 5 needle pines (i.e. 5 needles in one cluster) ... Limber Pine and White Bark Pine trees are NOT permitted. If unsure, please check with your local ranger district about tree species identification and restrictions.
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

Good forest wide except at cabins, campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, wilderness, riparian areas, natural landmarks, timber sales and reforestation areas.

Permits are good Forest-wide, except at cabins, campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, wilderness or riparian areas, natural landmarks, timber sales and areas where trees have been planted for reforestation purposes.
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

The permit also covers personal use boughs, but not from hemlock or cedar.

This permit allows for gathering personal-use boughs, but no cutting from Hemlock or Cedars.
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

Watch for dead and dying trees that could fall at the slightest disturbance.

Be Alert! There are many dead and dying trees that could fall at the slightest disturbance!
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get a free permit here.

Fourth graders with an 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 reservation fee will be applied).
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source

Custer Gallatin National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Flathead National Forest

2025 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 each, plus a $2.50 transaction fee on Recreation.gov
Limit
up to three trees per household
Tallest tree
12 feet
Where to buy
Recreation.gov, Flathead ranger district offices

These are the forest’s 2025 season details. The forest posts its 2026 price and dates on its permit page each fall.

Up to three trees can be harvested per household for $5.00 each. An additional $2.50 transaction fee will apply if you purchase through Recreation.gov.
Christmas Trees, Flathead National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Trees can be taken between October and December.

Trees can be harvested between October and December.
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

One online permit records up to three trees; at an office you buy three separate tags for three trees.

Each permit obtained through the website allows you to purchase and record up to three trees to be cut; if you want to purchase more than one tree when getting your permit at a local office, you must buy three individual tags.
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

Trees may be up to 12 feet with a stump no more than 6 inches high and 6 inches across.

Maximum tree height: 12 feet ... Stump height left after cutting: max 6 inches ... Stump diameter of cut tree: max 6 inches
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

Whitebark pine, white pine and western red cedar may not be cut.

Tree species that are prohibited from harvesting for Christmas trees: whitebark pine, white pine, western red cedar.
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

No cutting on private land, in wilderness, campgrounds, plantations, active timber sales or new plantings, and nothing visible from major roads.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing tree plantations. ... Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees. ... Do not cut trees visible from major roads, in campgrounds, or in other well-used areas.
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

Christmas tree cutting is not allowed in the Coram Experimental Forest.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, or existing tree plantations. No Christmas Tree cutting allowed in Coram Experimental Forest.
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get a free permit here.

The Flathead National Forest is pleased to support the Every Kid Outdoors Program and provide FREE Christmas tree permits to all fourth graders!
Flathead National Forest. Read it at the source

Flathead National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per tag, plus a $2.50 service fee online
Limit
one tree per tag, with a limit of three permits per household
Tallest tree
12 feet
Cutting
Until Dec 31
Where to buy
Recreation.gov, forest offices in Lincoln, Helena, Townsend, Stanford, Harlowton, Choteau, Augusta, White Sulphur Springs, Neihart and Great Falls, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
A permit allows an individual to cut up to one tree and there is a limit of three permits per household. Permits for the Holiday Trees are $5 per tag and 1 tree per tag.
Christmas Tree Permits, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Permits are sold from mid October through December 31.

Christmas Tree Permits can be obtained at Recreation.gov online or at your local Forest Service office from mid-October through December 31.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Read it at the source

Trees may be up to 12 feet with a stump of 6 inches or less; take the whole tree.

Tree Height: 12 feet maximum. ... Stump height: 6 inches maximum. ... Take the whole tree. Cutting the tree top off is prohibited.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Read it at the source

No five needle pines.

No cutting of 5 needle pines. (i.e. 5 needles in one cluster)
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Read it at the source

No cutting on private land, in wilderness, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, plantations, active timber sales or new plantings.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, or existing tree plantations. ... Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Read it at the source

Do not cut trees visible from major roads or within 150 feet of streams and creeks.

Do not cut trees visible from major roads, within 150-feet of streams and creeks, or in other well-used areas.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Read it at the source

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get a free permit here.

Every Kid Outdoor pass holders are allowed one free tag.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Read it at the source

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Kootenai National Forest

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per permit on Recreation.gov
Tallest tree
12 feet
Where to buy
Recreation.gov
Christmas tree permits are available seasonally at Recreation.gov
Christmas Tree Permits, Kootenai National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Each permit is good for one tree.

Each permit allows up one tree to be cut.
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

Trees may be up to 12 feet with a stump no more than 6 inches high and 6 inches across.

Maximum tree height: 12 feet ... Stump height left after cutting: max 6 inches ... Stump diameter of cut tree: max 6 inches
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

Whitebark pine, white pine and western red cedar may not be cut.

Tree species that are prohibited from harvesting for Christmas trees: whitebark pine, white pine, western red cedar.
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

Cut at least 200 feet from main roads, campgrounds and other recreation sites.

Cut your tree at least 200 feet away from main roads, campgrounds, and other recreation sites. These are closed to all tree cutting.
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

No cutting on private land, in wilderness, campgrounds, plantations, active timber sales or new plantings.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing tree plantations. ... Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

Display the permit on the dashboard.

Display your permit on the dashboard of your vehicle when you go out to harvest the tree(s).
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get a free permit here.

The Kootenai National Forest is pleased to support the Every Kid Outdoors Program and provide FREE Christmas tree permits to all fourth graders!
Kootenai National Forest. Read it at the source

Kootenai National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Lolo National Forest

2025 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per tree, plus a $2.50 transaction fee on Recreation.gov
Limit
up to three permits per person
Tallest tree
12 feet
On sale
Nov 13, 2025
Cutting
Until Dec 31
Where to buy
Recreation.gov, Lolo ranger stations

These are the forest’s 2025 season details. The forest posts its 2026 price and dates on its permit page each fall.

One Christmas tree can be harvested per permit for $5/tree and up to three permits can be purchased per person.
Christmas Tree Permits, Lolo National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Permits went on sale November 13, 2025 online and at ranger stations.

Christmas Tree Permits can be obtained at Recreation.gov or by visiting a local Ranger Station starting November 13, 2025.
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

One tree per permit at $5, up to three permits per person.

One Christmas tree can be harvested per permit for $5/tree and up to three permits can be purchased per person.
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

Trees may be up to 12 feet with a stump of 6 inches or less; take the whole tree.

Tree Height: 12 feet maximum ... Stump height: 6 inches maximum ... Take the whole tree. Cutting the tree top off is prohibited.
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

The Blue Mountain and Pattee Canyon Recreation Areas and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area are closed to cutting.

Do not cut trees in the Blue Mountain and Pattee Canyon Recreation Areas or the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area.
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

No cutting on private land, in wilderness, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, plantations, active timber sales or new plantings, and nothing within 150 feet of streams.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, or existing tree plantations. ... Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees. ... Do not cut trees visible from major roads, within 150-feet of streams or creeks, or in other well-used areas.
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

Display the permit on the dashboard.

Display your permit on the dashboard of your vehicle when you go out to harvest the tree(s).
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get a free permit here.

The Lolo National Forest is pleased to support the Every Kid Outdoors Program and provide FREE Christmas tree permits to all fourth graders!
Lolo National Forest. Read it at the source

Lolo National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

BLM Montana field offices

2025 season

Bureau of Land Management

Price
$5 per tree
Cutting
Until Dec 25
Where to buy
forestproducts.blm.gov

These are the forest’s 2025 season details. The forest posts its 2026 price and dates on its permit page each fall.

Personal-use Christmas tree permits issued by the Butte, Dillon, Lewistown, Malta, Miles City and Missoula field offices cost only $5 per tree and can be applied for online.
BLM makes getting Christmas tree permits easy online, Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Six field offices issue them: Butte, Dillon, Lewistown, Malta, Miles City and Missoula.

Personal-use Christmas tree permits issued by the Butte, Dillon, Lewistown, Malta, Miles City and Missoula field offices cost only $5 per tree and can be applied for online.
BLM Montana field offices. Read it at the source

Permits run through Christmas Day in designated harvest areas, and each office has its own map and stipulations.

Permits are valid through Christmas Day (Dec. 25) in designated harvest areas on BLM-administered lands. ... Locations where Christmas trees can be harvested vary by field office. Maps, stipulations and measuring guidelines are available on each office permit application webpage.
BLM Montana field offices. Read it at the source

A BLM permit is not good on Forest Service land, and no resale is allowed.

BLM-issued forest product permits are not valid on U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service lands. No resale or other commercial use of the Christmas trees is allowed.
BLM Montana field offices. Read it at the source

Follow county fire restrictions, carry a shovel and fire extinguisher, and use a spark arrestor on a chainsaw.

To minimize the risk of starting wildfires, permittees must comply with current county fire restrictions. Woodcutters must have a shovel and fire extinguisher ready for immediate use, and chainsaws must be equipped with a functioning spark arrestor.
BLM Montana field offices. Read it at the source

Print the permit, stipulations, instructions, maps and tags and keep them with you.

Print your permit, stipulations, instructions, maps, and tags. Keep them handy when harvesting Christmas trees.
BLM Montana field offices. Read it at the source

BLM Montana field offices permit page

Montana state trust land

Permit on request

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Price
$10 per tree
On sale
On request
Cutting
Any time the permit is open
Where to buy
local DNRC field offices
Cutting of any trees on trust land requires a permit from the local DNRC field office. The cost is $10 per tree.
Firewood & Christmas Trees, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

A permit from the local DNRC field office is needed to cut any tree on trust land.

Cutting of any trees on trust land requires a permit from the local DNRC field office.
Montana state trust land. Read it at the source

The permit costs $10 per tree.

The cost is $10 per tree.
Montana state trust land. Read it at the source

Montana state trust land permit page

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Every Kid Outdoors

The free Christmas tree permit for Montana fourth graders

A fourth grader with an Every Kid Outdoors pass can get a free Christmas tree permit from a national forest, and Custer Gallatin National Forest, Flathead National Forest, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Kootenai National Forest and Lolo National Forest say so on their permit page. The pass is free from the Every Kid Outdoors program, and the permit is redeemed on Recreation.gov with the pass number.

Fourth graders with an 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 reservation fee will be applied).
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Read it at the source
A small child in a knit hat rides a sled beside a cut fir tree on a snowy forest track, an adult and a dog walking ahead
A family tree on its way out of the Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming. The forest shared this photo to remind fourth graders that the Every Kid Outdoors pass brings a free tree permit. “Christmas tree - Bighorn National Forest - December 2017”, US Forest Service, Public domain

Montana Christmas tree permit questions

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Christmas tree permits in other states

Montana Christmas tree farmsChoose and cut farms and the pick your own season in Montana.First snow in MontanaWhen the first measurable snow usually falls, city by city.Montana snowpackHow deep the snow sits in the mountains right now.Montana mountain passesPass conditions and winter driving rules from the state transportation department.Christmas tree permits by stateEvery forest's price and dates in one table, with the free fourth grade permit.
Tall snow covered conifers lining a snowy forest road under a bright blue sky
Fresh snow on the conifers of a Pacific Southwest Region national forest in November 2024, the week the region reminded families that its tree permits sell on Recreation.gov. “Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? Christmas tree permits are availiable online at Recreation (20241116-FS-ASA-55)”, Region 5 Photography, Public domain

Compiled September 22, 2026. Every price, date and rule above is republished from Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Christmas Tree Permit, Recreation.gov (USDA Forest Service) and the other forest pages linked beside each quote, read on September 22, 2026. Prices, dates and cutting areas change each fall, so the forest’s page is the one to check before a trip. Every state is in the national Christmas tree permit guide.