WENATCHEE, Wash. — On Monday, the U.S. Forest Service announced that $5 Christmas tree permits are now available for families to cut down their own trees from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Permits can be bought online, at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offices and from local businesses.
Fourth graders can also receive free permits with an Every Kid Outdoors pass. In order to get the free permit, they need an Every Kids Outdoors pass or paper voucher from the website. Electronic copies are not accepted.
One permit allows for one tree up to 15 feet in height and 6 inches in stump height only from certain areas in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Permits are nonrefundable.
Each family is allowed two permits, which cost $5 each. However, there is an extra $2.50 transaction fee for online purchases. Online permits must be printed and displayed on the dash on the day of.
Some roads may not be paved, so the Forest Service recommends high clearance four-wheel drive cars, as well as checking avalanche hazards and carrying extra clothing, food and tools.
Visitors will need to provide their own tarp, rope and saw.
Here is the list of the national forest offices selling tree permits. Visitors will need to call ahead for current road conditions and hours of operations:
- Chelan
- 428 W. Woodin Avenue Chelan, WA (509) 682-4900
- Entiat
- 2108 Entiat Way Entiat, WA (509) 784-4700
- Visitors will need to call ahead to make an appointment
- Methow Valley
- 24 West Chewuch Road Winthrop, WA (509) 996-4000
- Wenatchee River
- 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509) 548-2550
- Cle Elum
- 803 W. 2nd Street Cle Elum, WA (509) 852-1100
- Naches Ranger District
- 10237 Highway 12 Naches, WA 98937 (509) 653-1401
For a list of participating local vendors, check the Forest Service website.