- Not to be confused with the United States National Park System, a collection of smaller parks that includes the best-of-the-best natural attractions.
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.
Understand
[edit]There are 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands containing 193,000,000 acres (78,000,000 hectares), about 8.5% of the total land area of the U.S. They are owned collectively by the American people through the federal government. Most lie in the Western U.S. and Alaska, particularly in mountain ranges.
The United States Forest Service (USFS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), manages these areas. In addition to recreation, the USFS also coordinates forestry, livestock grazing and wildlife management. Unlike areas run by the National Park Service, Forest Service lands are often working lands, seeking to balance the needs of preservation and recreation with the needs of industry and resource extraction. Federal lands that are less mountainous or less vegetated tend to be administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with its own policies and land use priorities.
Fees and permits
[edit]National 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. Day passes are typically $5-10, annual passes a bit more. Campgrounds are a mix of free and paid, though dispersed camping and backpacking are typically free.
The America the Beautiful Pass, also called the Interagency Pass, provides entry to all national parks, as well as some national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests. A single pass applies for an entire group traveling together in a private vehicle, or up to four people on foot or bike. There are several pass types:
- The Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. $80 normal price, $20 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, and free for current military personnel (must show a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID).
- The Lifetime Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available for $80 to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, and free for veterans and Gold Star families (families of servicemembers who were killed in action). Applicants must provide documentation showing they are eligible. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities.
- The Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available for free to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities.
- The Volunteer Pass is available for free to individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
- The free Annual 4th Grade Pass (valid for September to August of the 4th grade school year) allows entry to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid Outdoors website is required.
The National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks on five days every year:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January); next observance is January 15, 2026
- The first day of National Park Week (third Saturday in April); next observance is April 18, 2026
- The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
- National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday in September); next observance is September 26, 2026
- Veterans Day (November 11)
Recreation.gov, operated by a contractor on behalf of the federal government, is the most widely-used reservation service for federal trails and campgrounds. Each facility uses the site a little differently: some open up reservation in large blocks at the beginning of the year, some have rolling openings 2-12 months out. A few trails and campsites are highly competitive: people wait on the site in the minutes before reservations open, and then snap up openings within seconds.
Sleep
[edit]Campgrounds
[edit]Forest Service campgrounds offer fewer amenities and services compared to National Parks and private campgrounds. They are also much cheaper, and many are free.
Dispersed camping
[edit]National Forests generally allow dispersed camping, outside of a designated campground: a pullout along the road, a remote patch of desert, a desolate beach, or nearly anywhere else you can drive up to and pitch a tent without bothering someone. These areas are typically free, or covered by cheap annual recreation passes. You need to be self-contained, as there are no amenities like water, restrooms or trash cans.
The following are typical restrictions for BLM or USFS lands. Contact the local agency office to check for any needed permits or special rules:
- Do not camp within 1/4 mile of a designated campground.
- Do not camp in the same area for more than 14 days.
- Do not drive more than 100-150 feet from a road, to limit damage.
- Large groups may need a special use permit.
- Leave-no-trace camping principles must be observed at all times. If a particular area becomes overused or damaged, it may be closed off.
- Camp at least 200 feet from any stream or other water source.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Destinations
[edit]This 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.
- Daniel Boone National Forest
- Monongahela National Forest
- Ozark National Forest
- Oconee National Forest
Respect
[edit]Share 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. Compared to national parks, there is much more of an "anything goes" approach to national forests. Land managers must balance all of these uses, and not everybody is happy with the balance. Local workers can have wildly different opinions than out-of-town recreationists, which makes for sensitive topics that can become politically-charged.
Tread lightly. Follow Leave-No-Trace principles in relatively undisturbed areas, and don't leave a mess in places with more human impact. Collection of rocks, plants and other natural products is often allowed, but only after obtaining a permit, typically in-person at a ranger station.