Tips for cutting your own Christmas tree through Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
- Permits MUST be purchased in advance and cost $20 per tree.
- Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests announced that Christmas Tree cutting permits will go on sale Thursday, Nov. 9, at recreation.gov.
- Christmas Tree Cutting begins Nov. 24.
- In Larimer County, Christmas tree cutting is allowed through most of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Red Feather Lakes sale area was impacted by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, cutting will be allowed in open portions of the district, not a specific designated area.
- Permit holders are responsible for understanding where it is legal to cut a tree. Information on cutting areas, maps and regulations are available on Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests’ Christmas tree page online.
- Forest Service employees and partners will be staffing information sites on Canyon Lakes Ranger Districts on varying weekends Sun, Nov 24, 2024 - Tue, Jan 7, 2025. Elk Creek Cutting Area (Sulphur RD) Sat, Dec 7, 2024 - Sun, Dec 15, 2024, Sulphur Ranger District: District-wide Dispersed Cutting Fri, Nov 8, 2024 - Tue, Jan 7, 2025.
- Download the interactive visitor maps onto your smartphone through the Avenza app. This app works without cell service and helps to make sure you are not on private property or in prohibited areas. Do this before you head up to get your tree.
- After Mid November many roads will be closed. Snowmobiles and skis may be used to access some areas. Make sure the Forest Service Road you plan to drive is open using the forest's road status table, which you can find online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/arp.
Colorado State Forest State Park Christmas Trees
Important to Know:
- Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 - 7 only
- Stop by Moose Visitor Center, on Colorado Highway 14, to get a permit.
- Cost is $10 per tree. They only take cash.
- Staff at the Moose Visitor Center will direct you to the designated cutting area.
- You'll need to bring your own cutting gear and items to secure the tree.
- Call 970-723-8366 for information.
