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Nebraska, 2026 season

Nebraska Christmas Tree Permits 2026

The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands sell $10 Christmas tree permits on Recreation.gov for the Pine Ridge and Bessey Ranger Districts and the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest.

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Forest selling permits
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest)
$10
Price per tree
2026 season
Nov 12, 2026
On sale
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest)
Free
Fourth graders
with an Every Kid Outdoors pass
Forest by forest

Where to get a Christmas tree permit in Nebraska

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest)

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$10
Tallest tree
20 feet
On sale
Nov 12, 2026
Cutting
Nov 24, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026
Where to buy
Recreation.gov
Christmas Trees can now be purchased on Recreation.gov for the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, beginning the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Permits, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Only ponderosa pine and eastern red cedar may be cut.

Allowed Species: Ponderosa Pine and Eastern Red Cedar.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest). Read it at the source

Trees can be up to 20 feet with a stump of 6 inches or less.

Tree Height: 20 feet maximum.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest). Read it at the source

The Signal Hill Research Natural Area on the Bessey district and every research natural area on the Pine Ridge district are closed.

Christmas tree cutting in the Signal Hill Research Natural Area (RNA) of the Bessey Ranger District is prohibited.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest). Read it at the source

Attach the permit where it can be seen from the rear of the vehicle before leaving the cutting area.

Permit must be attached and clearly visible from the rear of the vehicle prior to leaving the cutting area, or transporting the tree.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest). Read it at the source

Drive only on designated roads shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Motor vehicle travel is limited to designated existing roads on the Motor Vehicle Use Map. No off-road travel is allowed.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest). Read it at the source

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Pine Ridge Ranger District, Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest) permits on Recreation.gov

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Every Kid Outdoors

The free Christmas tree permit for Nebraska fourth graders

A fourth grader with an Every Kid Outdoors pass can get a free Christmas tree permit from a national forest. The pass is free from the Every Kid Outdoors program, and the permit is redeemed on Recreation.gov with the pass number.

Every Kid Outdoors pass holders are also eligible for a free holiday tree permit through their local National Forest. To obtain a free holiday tree permit, visit Recreation.gov to apply using the Every Kid Outdoors pass by checking the box indicating you have a pass and entering the pass or voucher number (a $2.50 reservation fee will be applied).
Green Mountain National Forest, on Recreation.gov. 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

Nebraska Christmas tree permit questions

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Christmas tree permits in other states

Nebraska Christmas tree farmsChoose and cut farms and the pick your own season in Nebraska.First snow in NebraskaWhen the first measurable snow usually falls, city by city.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 Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Permits, 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.