Firewood Collection Permits Available from Rocky Mountain National Park in October

Date: September 29, 2009
Contact: Kyle Patterson, 970-586-1363

More permits will be available to collect firewood generated from hazard tree removals within Rocky Mountain National Park. A $20 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged for removing up to five cords of firewood.

On the east side of the park, the wood can be collected at the storage pit accessed through the Glacier Basin Campground; on the west side of the park the wood can be collected from the Corral Area and from the Pontiac Pit area. Fifty permits will be issued on each side of the park. Because of the popularity of the previous wood sale on the east side of the park in August, a lottery system will be used for this wood sale.

On Wednesday, October 7, between 9:00 am and 3:00 p.m. interested parties can stop by or call to register for the lottery for a firewood permit. For people interested in the lottery for a firewood permit on the east side call [phone] or stop by the backcountry office adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center near Estes Park. For people interested in the lottery for wood collection on the west side call [phone] or stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center north of Grand Lake. Please note, October 7, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. is the only time to register for the lottery for firewood permits.

On Saturday, October 10, permits will be available to be picked up at the respective backcountry offices and collection can begin. Backcountry office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Firewood collection times are from 9:00 a.m. to sunset through November 15, weather permitting.

Payment must be made with cash in the exact amount or a personal check when picking up the permit. One permit is allowed per household. Maps of the wood collection areas will be provided with the permit. The firewood at the Corral Area has already been cut into lengths that are manageable and can be loaded into pickup trucks or trailers. Chainsaws can be used at the other two sites.

 Wood is primarily lodgepole pine but may include some Douglas-fir, spruce, ponderosa pine and aspen. Some of the wood was previously inhabited with mountain pine beetle but enough time should have elapsed to allow the beetles to exit the wood.

Permit holders will be authorized non-fee entry into the park for purposes of wood collection. To receive more information and permit availability, please call the park’s information office at 970-586-1206.