Gifford Pinchot National Forest tree permits are available starting Thursday.
Christmas tree permits for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for the 2019 season will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, November 14.
Permits cost $5 per tree with a limit of 5 permits per household. This year the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of thirteen national forests offering permits online as well as in person. Christmas tree permits purchased online will need to be printed to be valid and are available at openforest.fs.usda.gov.
Permits are also available at local Forest Service offices and participating vendors between November 14 and December 24.
“Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly,” according to the National Forest. “Most forest roads are not maintained for winter driving. Forest staff recommend bringing traction devices and a shovel, extra food, drinking water, winter clothing, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Don’t forget a tool for cutting the tree and a rope or cord to secure it to vehicles. Tree cutting and travel may take longer than anticipated, so let a friend or family member know where you’re going, get an early start, and leave the woods well before dark.”
Christmas tree permits are available at the following Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices and vendor locations.
National Forest Locations
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters
• Fort Vancouver Visitor Center
• 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661; (360) 891-5001. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Mt. Adams Ranger District
2455 Highway 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650; (509) 395-3400
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
10024 US Hwy 12, Randle, WA 98377; (360) 497-1100
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. (Closed for lunch 12:00 to 1:00.)
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd., Amboy, WA 98607; (360) 449-7800
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• All Forest Service offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28, 2019.
Vendor Locations (Call for hours of operation and information):
• Amboy — Amboy Market, 360-247-5421
• Amboy — Chelatchie Prairie General Store, 360-247-5529
• Cougar — Lakeside Country Store, 360-238-5202
• Cougar — Cougar Store, 360-238-5228
• Cougar — Lone Fir Resort, 360-238-5210
• Kalama — Kalama Spirits and Tobacco, 360-673-4991
• Carson — Wind River Market, 509-427-5565
• Home Valley — Home Valley General Store 509-427-4015
• Trout Lake, WA — Little Mountain (True Value) Hardware, 509-395-2773
• Stevenson, WA — Main St. Convenience Store (open 24 hours) 509-427-5653
• Ashford — Ashford General Store, 360-569-2377
• Ashford — Ashford Valley Grocery, 360-569-2560
• Elbe — Elbe Junction, 360-524-7707
• Elbe — Elbe Mall, 360-569-2772
• Packwood — Blanton’s Market, 360-494-6101
• Randle — Fischer’s Market, 360-497-5355
• Randle — Randle One Stop, 360-497-3261
• Kelso — Sportsman’s Warehouse, 360-423-2600
• Vancouver — Sportsman’s Warehouse, 360-604-8000
