National Forests
Welcome to the National Forests page. The search module at left is your gateway to an extensive directory of National Forests, National Parks and OHV Trails so you can find an outdoor adventure in your own neck of the woods.
If you’re longing for places of grandeur, the public lands of the United States national forests and grasslands offer a diversity of terrain. Landscapes range from desert and canyon to wetland and mountain, so don’t be misled by the “forest” designation. Many have four-wheel drive trails, some of which are listed here. All the national forests offer a wonderful variety of outdoor pursuits and are worthy destinations to get yourself centered or to teach your kids how to have fun without electricity.
Visitors will find fewer restrictions in the national forests than in the national parks. The forests to be rough and ready, less fussed over than their more genteel cousins. Another noteworthy difference between forests and parks is the presence of commercial activity. Before World War II, livestock grazing was the principal commercial use of national forest system lands. With the development of suburbia in postwar America, however, came an unprecedented demand for timber for housing, about 20 percent of which was met by the abundant resources in the national forests. Many of these old logging roads are the trails we navigate today. Our gallery of archival photography (see below) illustrates the history of the national forests and the challenges they presented. It also takes a nostalgic look back as our parents and their parents enjoyed the Great American Vacation.
The national forests are available for all to enjoy. If you plan to visit one of these natural treasures, call ahead to request current recreation and travel literature. Please observe local rules of the trail so that other outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy their interests, too. Happy trails!
Did You Know…
• The United States currently has 155 national forests covering nearly 190 million acres, approximately 8.5 percent of the total land area of the country. This does not include the country’s 20 grasslands, which contain an additional 1 million acres.
• California has the greatest number of national forests (18), followed by Oregon (14), Idaho and Colorado (13), and Montana (10).
• Fifteen states have just one national forest—Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont and West Virginia.
• Eight states have no national forest lands—Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
• The Deschutes National Forest in Oregon has 1,388 miles of trails, including nearly 60 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
• The only tropical rain forest in the national park system is in Puerto Rico’s Caribbean National Forest.
• Of all the U.S. states, Alaska boasts the largest area of national forest land—22.2 million acres, or 12 percent of all national forest land. Runners-up are California (20.6), Idaho (20.4), Montana (16.8) and Oregon (15.7).
• In the early 1920s, about 5 million people visited the national forests. By 1975, the number swelled to 233 million. This staggering increase in visitors brought about the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, which provides for the management of a variety of uses and values. These include recreation, rangeland grazing, watershed protection, wildlife and timber.
• Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest-running public service campaign in U.S. history. The National Forest Web site features commercials and radio spots dating back to the 1950s.
Gallery: A Century of Life in the National Forests
This extraordinary collection of photography, courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, is a fascinating record of how the forests have developed and been enjoyed over the decades. Nostalgic as they are, these photos are rich in detail—the vintage equipment used by campers and skiers brings new appreciation for what we have today. You’ll also see commercial enterprise at work and a whole lot more. See the slide show here.