Lolo National Forest Will Open for Christmas Tree Hunting Soon

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Soon, it will start to look a lot like Christmas (we hope), and the Lolo National Forest is getting in the spirit by opening the forest to Christmas tree hunters on Thursday.

I spoke with Hillary Markin, Public Affairs Officer on Tuesday about what many see as the true start of the Christmas season, cutting their own tree.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in the Lolo National Forest Starting Thursday

“The holiday season is fast approaching, and the Lolo National Forest will be starting to sell Christmas tree permits on Thursday,” began Markin. “Folks can go online to recreation.gov or they can stop by one of our offices and pick up one of their permits. You can purchase one Christmas tree permit for $5 per tree, or you can get up to three permits for one person. So, if you wanted to have multiple trees around your house, you can get up to three total Christmas tree permits per person, again at $5 per tree.”

Markin said the Lolo National Forest will be open for Christmas Tree hunters.

“The forest is open for you to look for Christmas trees,” she said. “We do have some areas that are restricted, such as wilderness areas, but if you have questions about where to go, the best thing to do is to call one of our offices. They usually know the hot spots for finding good Christmas trees and can point you in that direction. We can also give you a map to show you where you're going."

Markin reminded me that snow is coming to the Lolo National Forest and to be prepared.

Markin Said to Come Prepared for Snow With Proper Tires and a Shovel

“If you’re going after it snows, make sure that you've got chains on your tires and a full tank of gas, and make sure that you have an extra set of keys in case one person locks keys in the car. Make sure you've got food and water, a shovel in case you've got stuck, and you've told somebody else where you're going. It’s always a good plan to wear orange when you're out in the woods this time of year because it’s hunting season. It's a busy time of year in the woods, so wearing orange, making noise, and staying close to the roads are all important.”

READ MORE: If You See Red Paint On a Tree, You Need to Leave in a Hurry

If You Have a 4th Grader You Can Get a Free Christmas Tree Permit

Markin said families with a fourth grader can even get a free Christmas tree.

“We do have a great opportunity for fourth graders,” she said. “If you are a fourth grader and you go online and get your ‘Every Kid Outdoors’ pass, you’re eligible for a free Christmas tree permit. So we're encouraging everybody with a fourth grader to go out to Every Kid Outdoors.gov and get their pass. You can either stop by our office to get your free Christmas tree permit, bring in your Every Kid pass, or you can go online as well and get your tree Christmas tree permit that way too.”

Click here to get more details about cutting your own Christmas tree in the Lolo National Forest.