United States National Forests
Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The United States Forest Service operates 174 National Forests and National Grasslands, managing huge expanses of forests, woodlands and other natural areas for outdoor recreation and other uses.
UnderstandS. They are owned collectively by the American people through the federal government.S. and Alaska, particularly in mountain ranges.
Fees and permitsNational Forests are almost always free to drive through and make short stops along the way. The more popular ones may charge a small fee for parking passes or for specific facilities such as visitor centers.
Get aroundThe Forest Service Road System is a collection of rural and forest roads built and maintained by the USFS, designated with "NF" and a number.
SleepForest Service campgrounds offer fewer amenities and services compared to National Parks and private campgrounds. They are also much cheaper, and many are free.
DestinationsThis is not a comprehensive list of National Forests. There are many more described in the articles for nearby cities and the states that contain them. Some forests have more recreation opportunities than others.
RespectShare the land. Expect to bump into hikers, horse riders, offroaders, rockhounds, boondockers, survivalists, hunters, loggers, and cattle, as most forests explicitly allow all of these users.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "United States National Forests" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons