Since 2008, the Forest Service has offered a select number of Christmas tree permits so families can experience the age old tradition of going out into the forests and harvesting their own live tree. Here at Last Chance Texaco and General Store in Idaho we carry and sell a select number of permits starting in late October. Once we are sold out we are sold out! If you headed up to buy a Christmas tree permit we suggest you give us a call to make sure we have them our number is 208-558-7318 and we are open 7 days a week. Here are a few more details:

• One permit can be purchased per household
• You will be provided with a tag to affix to the tree and a physical map of where you can cut
• The cost is $15 for one permit for a tree up to 20 feet tall
• The Christmas tree permits we offer are for the Targhee/Caribou National forests
• If you don’t use your permit it is not refundable
• The Forest service here encourages you to cut a sub-alpine Fir or Lodgepole pine. They’d prefer you leave Douglas fir trees and Englemann Spruce trees to grow
• Cut the tree so that you leave no more than 6 inches of stump in the ground
• DO NOT CUT in campgrounds, Herriman Park, summer home areas, privat, state or BLM lands or within 200 feet of cross-country ski trails
• One of the easiest places to cut a tree is south of our gas station going towards Ashton. Once you cross Osbourne Bridge over the Snake River you continue a few more miles and you will notice a few well-plowed pull outs for semi truck parking and snowmobiles. Feel free to park in one of these and find a great tree!
• For more detailed info please visit the Forest Service Webpage (click here)

Dress warm and have fun! It can get very cold and snowy up here so plan accordingly and be safe.