Tramping through the snowy woods to cut down your own Christmas tree could be the highlight of your holiday. Find out where to go by scrolling down.
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Tips for Tree Cutting
A good trip to cut down your Christmas tree requires a bit of planning. Here are a few things to remember.
- First and foremost, check the weather and stay safe.
- Snow chains and 4-wheel drive are always a good idea in the mountains.
- Remember a saw, axe, or chainsaw. Don’t pull a Clark Griswald!
- Dress warmly and take extra dry clothes. Waterproof boots are a must if there’s snow on the ground, which is likely. Don’t forget gloves and mittens for snow play.
- Be sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
- Cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back.
- If you don’t have a truck, plan ahead with rope, ratchet straps, and bungy cords. Roof rails/crossbars really help so you have something to tie the tree to. A tarp or blanket on top of your vehicle is also a good idea to prevent scratches.
- Pack snacks and a meal. Thanksgiving leftovers in the mountains is chef’s kiss! And don’t forget the thermos of hot chocolate, obviously!
- Before you leave home, be sure to measure the space where you plan to place the tree in your home (height and width), and measure the space in or on your vehicle where you will be transporting the tree.
- Remember to print your permit and display it on the dashboard of your vehicle.
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Print out the available map from this site and bring it with you. Don’t rely on GPS because it may not be up-to-date with forest service roads. And don’t rely on cell phone maps because you may not have service in the mountains.
Tree Cutting Locations Near Albuquerque
All locations require a permit and a small fee in order to cut down your own tree. They also have limitations and certain specifications regarding the size of your tree. Click on each place for more info.
Carson National Forest
Taos, NM
- Christmas tree permits go on sale beginning November 14.
- The tree may be cut or dug up and removed as a transplant. The ground starts freezing as early as November. Please fill in the hole created when digging up a live tree.
- Do not cut or transplant Bristlecone Pine.
- Stump height: 6 inches maximum
- Each permit is $5 (for any species) up to 10 feet, $10 for over 10 feet – up to 15 feet, and $15 for over 15 feet – up to 20 feet
- Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree. Cut down the entire tree.
Cibola National Forest
Albuquerque, NM
- For the 2025 cutting season, all Christmas Tree Permits can be purchased online only.
- Tree cutting permits go on sale November 7 at 10 am.
- The tree-cutting season begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs through December 31.
- Each permit is good for one tree. Two trees per household may be purchased.
- Tree Height: 15 feet maximum. See your selected permit for specifics on tree height.
- The permit allows you to cut a Christmas tree within certain designated areas of the Cibola National Forest.
Gila National Forest
Silver City, NM
- Tree cutting permits go on sale November 13 at 10 am. Purchase permits online.
- Trees are $5 each and pinon trees are free!
- Tree Height: 10 feet maximum
- Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree. Cut down the entire tree.
- If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.
- See their helpful tips.
Jemez Mountains (Part of Santa Fe National Forest)
Jemez, NM
- Cutting dates are Friday, Nov 15, 2024 – Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024.
- Permits are available online or at the Walatowa Visitor Center.
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One permit is valid for trees 5 inches in diameter and up to 10 feet in height. Trees taller than 10 feet require an additional permit(s).
Santa Fe National Forest
Santa Fe, NM
- Tree Height: 10 or 15 feet maximum, depending on permit
- Stump diameter: 5 inches maximum
- Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree. Cut down the entire tree.
- If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.
ABQ Mom Team Recommendations
“We love to cut down our own tree! Last year, we got a permit to cut down a tree in the Sandias. Main tip: Remember, the weather can be very different in the East Mountains. We were cutting our tree down in knee-high snow last year! Also, remember permits go on sale several weeks in advance, and to double-check the tree cutting areas in each district.” -Lindsey A.
“We cut a tree every year. Usually in Jemez or Cuba area. Always make sure to get a permit before and don’t forget your tools to cut the tree!” -Stephanie L.
“We cut down our own tree every year on my aunt’s property in Sandia Park, but one year we got our tree from the Jemez near the Redondo Campground. Tip: you need to buy a permit ahead of time, but you can get your tree anywhere in the national forest area that you purchased the permit for.”
-Dena F.
“My favorite memory is when we went to Jemez to cut down a tree a few years ago. A family was stuck in the snow and my dad tried to pull them out. My dad ended up stuck. We all worked together to dig through the snow and try to get the trucks back onto the road. The women went out to chop down the trees and haul them back to the trucks while the men worked. Thank goodness the park rangers showed up. They pulled us out and we all got home just as it was starting to get dark. Even though this could have been seen as a major fail, it was one of the best days of my life.”
-Margo T.
“Our family goes to cut down a tree in the Jemez every year on the day after Thanksgiving. It’s almost always a little sparse and usually way too big for our house. And honestly, it’s a lot of work. But my kids absolutely love it. It’s one of our favorite days of the year, and I think they’d revolt if we tried to do something different. We make a campfire in the woods (don’t worry, we double and triple-check that we put the fire out well). And I cook turkey soup on a camping stove with leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. The videos and photos we have of our family and this sweet tradition are some of my most cherished possessions.”
-Vanessa B.
“One time my family cut our tree down at Mount Taylor near Grants. On the way home, the tree was sliding off our car about 15 minutes outside of Grants! Thank goodness my husband stopped to check. If you don’t have a truck, plan ahead with rope, ratchet straps, and bungy cords. Roof rails/crossbars really help so you have something to tie the tree to. Actual trees from the forest are usually sparser, less perfect, and have weaker branches, but they are so beautiful and whimsical in their own way! They really make a statement. But we can’t put all our heavy ornaments on trees we chop down.”
-Paige P.
More Winter & Holiday Fun
Guide to Winter Sports In and Around Albuquerque
Guide to Lights and Luminarias in the Albuquerque Area
Guide to Holiday Events in Albuquerque
