When Can Boise Buy Permits To Chop Down Their Own Perfect Christmas Tree?

After another challenging year, more families are getting a jump start on the holiday season to enjoy the warmth and joy of Christmas longer. If your traditions include lacing up the snow boots and venturing into the woods to cut down the family Christmas tree, here's what you need to know in 2021! 

When it comes to live Christmas trees, finding your own in the Boise or Payette National is one of the best values out there. For $10, your permit allows you to cut down a tree that's up to 12 feet tall. At some tree lots in the Treasure Valley, trees of that size sell for well over $150.

So when and where can you get one? Here's what we know!

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Boise National Forest

The Boise National Forest is recommending buying your permits online as they will not be selling permits at the Interagency Visitor Center in Boise this year. Those permits went on-sale mid-October and can be purchased at Recreation.gov. Online purchases will tack on an extra $2.50 service fee.

According to the Boise National Forest's website if you'd like to purchase your tree permit in person, their only vendor selling permits within the Treasure Valley is East Cleveland Beverage in Caldwell. Other vendors are selling permits in person as well, but they're a little further away. You can see those locations HERE. 

Once you buy your permit, you'll have to wait until November 20 to actually go cut down your tree. The permit is valid through New Year's Eve.

Payette National Forest

Like the Boise National Forest, the Payette National Forest also has permits on-sale now through Recreation.gov. The same $2.50 service fee applies to their permits.

In person permits will go on sale through Payette National Forest Vendors starting on Saturday, November 20. You can find a list of those vendors HERE. Payette National Forest offices will issue in-person permits via a call ahead, curbside service starting on Monday, November 22.

Payette National Forest permits are also valid from November 20-December 31, 2021. You can help build the kid's anticipation for the big trip to find the tree by printing out one of these cute coloring pages the forest service put together HERE.