Southeast Idaho Families Can Score Their Own Forest-Fresh Christmas Tree for Just $10

A cherished Southeast Idaho tradition kicked off this month as federal land managers began issuing $10 Christmas tree permits — giving local families the green light to venture into snow-dusted mountains and harvest their own perfect holiday centerpiece.

The annual ritual draws hundreds of families from across the region to public lands managed by the Pocatello and Upper Snake field offices, transforming a simple tree search into a memory-making winter adventure.

Each $10 permit allows one tree per family from designated BLM-managed public lands in southeastern Idaho, including popular harvest areas like the rugged Deep Creek, Pleasantview, and Samaria mountain ranges.

Getting your permit couldn't be easier — families can secure their cutting rights online or visit the Pocatello Field Office on South Cliffs Drive during regular weekday hours from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

But tree hunters need to know where not to cut.

A lengthy list of restricted areas includes BLM-administered campgrounds, several wilderness study areas like Sand Mountain and Black Canyon, plus off-limits zones such as Wolverine Canyon, White Knob Mountains, and the ominously named Hell's Half Acre.

For many Idaho families, cutting a holiday tree from public forest is "a special tradition to share with family and friends" that often spans multiple generations.

Local forester Anna Nichol King of Genesee told reporters that families often target grand fir trees "because they smell so good," though the shade-loving species can sometimes produce gangly growth patterns.

Weather conditions can make or break the tree-hunting experience, with early-season cutting strongly recommended as mountain access roads become treacherous after heavy snowfall.

Safety-conscious families should pack warm clothing, emergency supplies, and tire chains — and always inform someone about their destination and expected return time before heading into remote forest areas.

The BLM Pocatello Field Office at 208-478-6340 remains the go-to resource for specific questions about cutting locations and current road conditions.

This year's permit window closes December 24, giving families just over a month to plan their forest expedition and claim their slice of Southeast Idaho's holiday tradition.