We get a lot of questions about winters in Boise, Idaho. How cold does it get? How much snow do we get? What do you do in Boise, Idaho in the winter? And there are many great things about living in Boise in the winter, like all of the great winter outdoor activities, but I can say that there is one winter tradition that is truly iconic to being an Idahoan – and that is going to the forest on a little adventure to cut down your own Christmas tree. We learned about that when we first moved here over 20 years ago, and we’ve been adventuring to the forest to hunt for and cut our own Christmas tree ever since. In fact, we just got this tree behind me yesterday, so let’s go on a Christmas tree cutting adventure, and I’ll tell you how to find your own tree, show you where to go, and what to expect so you can add this beloved Idaho tradition into your family holiday festivities. And of course, you can enjoy the beautiful Idaho winter scenery as we go along. 

First things first, you’ve got to get your Christmas tree cutting permit. You can do this online at Recreation.gov, but I think the easiest way to find it is to google Boise National Forest Christmas Tree Permit to find the direct page easily. The permit costs $10 with an additional $2.50 processing fee in 2024. You will get an email with the permit that will need to be printed out and put in your dashboard when you go. Make sure you follow all the rules listed, as well as check out the maps of where you are allowed to cut. 63% of Idaho is public land, but they have a system of where you can cut each year to help keep the forest ecosystem healthier. This year, we are heading up to Harris Creek Summit, which is on this Boise National Forest south map. 

So, if you’ve gotten your permit, made a plan of where to go, gathered your supplies, it’s time to go. 

If you’ve watched many of my videos, you may recognize this first stretch of road, heading north on highway 55 out of Eagle and toward Horseshoe bend. Today, we are headed to Harris Creek summit. We’re going to Harris Creek summit because it’s closest to us, about a 45-minute drive from Eagle. But you can also head up Highway 21, on the East side of Boise, and that takes you into the Boise National Forest as well. 

You can see as we head to the summit just before Horseshoe bend that It’s just a beautiful day, perfect for Christmas tree hunting, blue skies, no wind, and plenty of sun. We descend into Horseshoe Bend, and right at the Horseshoe bend sign, we turn right, or East, to head up Harris Creek Road, but if you are coming this way, do yourself a favor, and head into town first and go to Volcanic Farms Fruit and Veggie store and pick up a homemade pie to take up with you and eat after you’re done. We didn’t have time for that today, but that is a great thing to add to your tree hunting tradition.

If you’re wondering if I’ve showed this road on a video before, yes, I did, a couple of years ago when we got a tree, but I wanted to make a more detailed video for those who’ve been asking about where to hunt for trees and how to do go about doing it. 

So, while I’m taking this video, at the end of November 2024, we don’t have any snow down in Horseshoe Bend but let’s look at video of the same spot 2 years ago, and there was snow at the time. When we set out to get the tree this year, we didn’t think there would be much snow at the summit. In fact, some years, there hasn’t been any snow when we go to hunt for a tree, and others, there has been so much snow that it’s been quite difficult to get around to find one. So, we will see how much snow we have this year as we ascend up to the summit. 

After about two and a half miles on Harris Creek Road, it turns to dirt. So, if there is a year with no snow, you can probably make it up to the summit with a front wheel drive car. It’s a graded and maintained dirt road. But when there is snow on the road, you’ll want all wheel or four-wheel drive. And if you’re really a true Idahoan, you’ll also have a trailer to bring for your snowmobiles or side by sides so you can make a great adventure and get deeper back into the forest to find those hidden treasures. We haven’t graduated to that level of Idahoan yet, so we have to stick with our 4-wheel drive truck and our own legs for hiking. 

The drive up the summit is beautiful, along the creek, here’s a little view of Castle Rock, which is a great hiking trail when there isn’t snow. 

So, as we ascend up the summit, we do finally reach a little bit of snow. Here is the same area in 2023- still more snow that year. Another reason we like to come to Harris Creek Summit is because the county maintains this road from the snow since it is the main way into the tiny town of Placerville. You can see the build up from the plows along the side of the road. A couple of times in the past, we have tried going off the beaten path on the forest service roads that aren’t maintained, and the roads are pretty sketchy if they have snow and ice. I would not recommend the unmaintained roads in just a regular four wheel or all-wheel drive car when there is snow. 

And one year, we went farther up highway 55 and turned off near the Smith’s Ferry area heading back towards Tripod Reservoir, and the roads were so icy, everyone was sliding off into the ditch, including our car, which was an all-wheel drive pilot. The people at Cougar Mountain Lodge had to help everyone, and it was quite a scary experience. So needless to say, we stick to the main county-maintained roads as much as we can in the snow now. 

So, from where the road turned to dirt, we have about another 10-mile drive to the summit, and you can see we are getting into more snow. There’s just nothing better than an Idaho winter wonderland. We brought our dog Pippi this year because we thought there would be less snow for her to trudge through, and she is loving the winter air today.

We are getting up to the summit, and you will know where to park because there are usually cars up here with other people tree hunting as well. And there is a large pull-out area to park. And today, there is definitely snow at the summit and people here too.

So, it’s really fun to do as this family is doing, and bring food, hot drinks, make a fire, and really make a whole day’s adventure and a yearly tradition out of Christmas tree hunting with family and friends. We got a late start today, so we are just getting the tree, and we need to get going before we run out of daylight. I definitely recommend starting much earlier in the day. But it’s 33 degrees, sunny, and perfect weather right now. Let’s go find that tree!

We are heading out on the North side of Harris Creek Road and look for these signs to know you are in a Christmas tree cutting area. In years past, we’ve been able to go on the south side, which is easier to find a tree because the topography isn’t as steep, but there aren’t forest roads on that side, so it’s a lot more work hiking through the snow, as you can see in a video from past years here. But on this north side, you start by hiking out the forest service road, so it’s easier for you and of course for the dog. 

We get going just a bit, and I don’t know if you noticed, but we were missing something important – the saw! So, we go back to get it – thank goodness we only left it in the truck and not at home. Okay, now we have the saw and can get back to the hunt. The views from this summit are incredible, you can see mountains on either side of the ridge. Here is looking west, and here is looking East – you can see what I think is Sunset Mountain, which is just under 8000 feet. 

So really you can go on either side of this road to try to find your perfect tree. The difficulty with this area is that the terrain is steep on either side of the road as we are up on a ridge. There is no cell service here for most providers, but there are usually plenty of other people out in case you were to need help for some reason. We pass a family that got their tree so we know we can find a tree over here. And then a group on ATV’s pass by as they are out having fun on their hunt. 

We try a few different areas, looking over the ridge to see if it’s worth adventuring down, and take this little side road to get down the hill a bit better. You can see in this video how much deeper the snow was a couple of years ago when we went off the road. 

But we will run out of light if we don’t just go down a hillside and find one. 

So, we venture down the hillside. It’s much steeper. We inspect a few different possible trees. 

And then we think we find one. Is this the tree for us this year? 

After closer inspection, it is completely bare of branches on one side because there is another tree growing behind it, so onto another. 

And then we see this one all alone in the middle of some shrubs – nice and rounded out. It’s a little short, but it’s a nice shape, and we are running out of light. 

After a quick easy cut, and the obligatory yelling of “timber!”, we begin the ascent up the hillside. 

It’s easy to drag the tree down the road- another benefit of finding a tree off of a forest service road. 

Pippi is having a great time and loves being out in the forest in the snow. The kids have so much fun, and I’m reminded of just one of the many reasons we love living in the Boise Idaho area so much. These beautiful mountains are under an hour drive from our house, and it’s just spectacular when there is fresh snow, clear skies, no wind, and the warm sun is on your back. 

So, in total, we hiked about 2 miles. It was pretty easy, except for just a little bit on the hillsides. And when we get back to the truck, we load it up – this one fits in our truck bed – look how much taller our tree was a couple of years ago. 

Time to head back, and we head back toward Horseshoe Bend. The sun is setting, and it highlights the Owyhee Mountain range on the South side of the Treasure Valley as we had back into Eagle, with that feeling of deep satisfaction after taking a break from the regular world and spending a great day in the outdoors with family and friends. 

And now, here is the tree in my home behind me, smelling wonderful of course. So, you know, the best way to learn to deal with Idaho snow is to get outside and learn how to enjoy it. And what could be a better way than to make cutting down an Idaho Christmas tree part of your family traditions? And now you know how to do it, where to go, and just one more thing that makes living in the Boise, Idaho are so special.