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Douglas LivaUT-4717A- John HillUT-383707A
- Jesse GardnerUT-380938A
- Robert ValenciaUT-391234A
Douglas LivaUT-4717AJohn HillUT-383707AJesse GardnerUT-380938ARobert ValenciaUT-391234ALoading
Seasonal & Storm Preparedness
November 10, 2026
Heber-Kamas Christmas tree permits for 2026: where to buy, what and where you can cut, and how to keep a fresh-cut fir from drying out.
Christmas tree permits for the Heber-Kamas Ranger District, the national forest closest to Park City, go on sale in person on November 9, 2026. Only subalpine fir may be cut there, up to 20 feet tall, with a stump no higher than 6 inches. Last year’s permits cost $20 per tree, and fourth graders can get one free.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest sells Heber-Kamas permits two ways:
Permits sell out. In 2024 the Heber-Kamas allotment was cut from 6,000 to 2,900 after the Yellow Lake Fire, and some Wasatch Back districts sold out on opening day. If Heber-Kamas is gone, the Forest Service points buyers to the Evanston-Mountain View district, which “often has additional availability.”
Free for fourth graders. Holders of an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available to all fourth graders, can get a free Christmas tree permit on Recreation.gov. Only the $2.50 reservation fee applies.
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Species | Subalpine fir only; limber pine may not be cut |
| Tree height | 20 feet maximum |
| Stump height | 6 inches maximum |
| Trees per permit | One; take the whole tree, not just the top |
| Permit display | On your dashboard while cutting and driving home |
No cutting in wilderness areas, timber sales or replanted areas. Stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative sites, summer-home areas, designated closed areas and Highway 40.
Not sure which tree is a subalpine fir? It has flat, soft needles and a narrow spire shape, unlike the stiff, sharp needles of spruce. Our species field guide shows the differences.
The Mirror Lake Highway (SR-150) out of Kamas usually closes for the season in late November or early December at the Soapstone gate; in 2025 it closed just before the holidays. Check UDOT conditions before you go.
The Forest Service recommends checking road and forest conditions, preparing for bad weather, and bringing a rope and tarp to drag the tree to your vehicle. Measure the space at home before you leave. Bring a hand saw, warm layers, water and a charged phone, and tell someone where you are going; cell coverage is patchy in the Uintas.
The permit program is a thinning program. The Forest Service says permits help “thin dense stands of Christmas tree-size trees,” which if left uncut “can compete for resources and fuel catastrophic wildfires.” Its advice: pick a tree from an overcrowded stand.
That is the same logic we use on private land. Thinning crowded young conifers removes ladder fuel and gives the remaining trees room to grow. If your own lot is overgrown, our fire mitigation service does that work at scale.
The NFPA counted an average of 160 home fires a year that started with Christmas trees from 2016 to 2020, three-quarters of them in December and January. A watered tree is far harder to ignite.
When the season ends, the trunk makes good kindling. Our firewood guide covers how to season it.
Heber-Kamas permits were $20 per tree in 2025. Check Recreation.gov for the 2026 price before you go.
In-person sales start November 9, 2026. Online permits are released in three batches on Recreation.gov.
Only subalpine fir, 20 feet or shorter. Limber pine is off-limits.
Yes. Every Kid Outdoors pass holders get one free, plus a $2.50 reservation fee.
Crowded young firs on your property are the same fuel the permit program targets. Contact us or call (201) 960-8275 about thinning and fuel reduction before next fire season.
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