If you are looking to cut down your own Christmas tree this year? Here is your answer. The cutting area on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District near Red Feather Lakes is open Dec. 6 through 14. You must have a cutting permit.

The cutting area entrance is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For safety reasons, visitors are asked to be out of the area by 4 p.m.  Smokey Bear will greet people at the cutting area on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., so make sure to pack your camera.

It can get cold while looking for your tree, remember to dress for the weather. You also need the right tools to cut your tree and no chainsaws are allowed in the Red Feather cutting area. Chains or four-wheel drive is required to enter the cutting area.

Where to Get Your Permit:

  • Canyon Lakes Ranger District office (2150 Centre, Ave., Building E, Fort Collins),
  • Pawnee National Grassland office (660 “O” Street, Greeley, Colo.),
  • Boulder Ranger District office (2140 Yarmouth Avenue, Boulder, Colo.),
  • or at the Red Feather cutting area on the weekends.

How to Get There

The cutting area is located north of Fort Collins, south of Red Feather Lakes. Take Highway 287 north of Fort Collins for 21 miles. At Livermore, turn left onto Red Feather Lakes Road (County Road 74E) and travel approximately 16 miles to the Boy Scout Road (County Road 68C). Turn left on the Boy Scout Road and drive seven miles to the entrance of the cutting area. Signs or U.S. Forest Service personnel will provide directions the rest of the way.

More Info

For more information about cutting your own tree, contact the visitor information office in Fort Collins at 970-295-6700.   Information is also available online.

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