Christmas Tree permits go on sale Nov. 1

CHRISTMAS tree permits for the Rio Grande National Forest will become available to purchase online beginning Tuesday, Nov. 1, and will go through this holiday season. 

Permits can be found at recreation.gov by searching “Rio Grande Christmas Tree.” This early season option offers an easy alternative to the in-person sales that are scheduled to begin in late November.

“We are pleased to offer this early option for our forest users that are eager to get their Christmas tree permits and begin planning their outing,” said Carlos Gonzales, recreation program manager for the Rio Grande National Forest. “Each year, hundreds of families harvest a tree from the forest, and we want to encourage early trip planning with this online permit option.”

Users must have a permit with them to harvest a Christmas tree. Several rules apply to this activity and can be found here.  

Permits cost $8 per tree; there is an additional small transaction fee charged by recreation.gov. 

More information about Christmas tree harvesting on the RGNF will be available when in-person sales are announced later this season.

“The RGNF recognizes that many visitors love to come into our offices to get their annual permit and we will welcome them soon,” Gonzales added.