What is The U.S. Forest Service?

Created in 1905, the U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres and sits under the Department of Agriculture. The land is managed for a multitude of uses including outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife management, natural resource management such as timber, minerals, energy, watersheds, livestock ranges, and wilderness preservation and ecosystem restoration. Visitors to the USFS can experience hikes and vistas just as majestic as national parks, but without the crowds. Don’t hesitate to speak with forest rangers for their recommendations.

Areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service (193 million acres):

• National Grasslands (20+ units)
• National Forests (150+ units)
• Wilderness Areas (448+ units)

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Why Camp In National Forests?

• Camping access: National Forests are one of the public lands where camping is a primary use. Everything from developed campgrounds, primitive, campgrounds, and wild dispersed camping is available in National Forests.
• Accessibility: Millions of acres are accessible via forest service roads, thousands of miles of trails, rivers, and countless access points for beginners and hardcore campers, without timed entries and heavy reservation systems.
• Solitude: With so many acres and ways to spread about the land, it’s easy to find some peace and quiet far away from the crowds, roads, and modern conveniences.
• Flexible: Trips can be planned spontaneously without permits or fees, making National Forests prime places to go camping.

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Who can Camp In National Forests?

National Forests are open to any type of campers, from first-timers, hardcore enthusiasts, families, groups, and international visitors (highly encouraged). So long as you respect the land, the rules, and other campers, you are welcome to camp here.

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Ways To camp In National Forests

Camping can be understood in two parts: how you camp and where you camp.

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Rules In National Forests

These are rules enforced on National Forests and Grasslands. Always check local orders for additional restrictions. Please leave the place better than you found it. (cited from the USFS website):

1. Leave No Trace Principles
   • Learn them and practice them
2. Fire
   • Build fires only where allowed.
   • Fully extinguish fires before leaving.
   • Follow all fire restrictions and bans.
3. Camping
   • Camp at least 100 feet from lakes, rivers, and streams.
   • Dispersed camping is generally allowed unless posted otherwise.
   • Do not clear vegetation or damage natural features.
4. Roads and Vehicles
   • Drive only on roads and trails designated as open on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
   • Roads not shown on the MVUM are closed to motor vehicles.
5. Trash
   • Pack out all trash, food scraps, and gear. There is NO TRASH SERVICE.
6. Natural and Cultural Resources
   • Do not cut standing trees or remove plants, rocks, or artifacts.
   • Leave historic and cultural sites undisturbed.
7. Pets
   • Keep pets under control and follow posted leash rules.
8. Human Waste
   • Use toilets when available.
   • Otherwise, use wag bags and carry out your waste.

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Reservations, Permits, and Passes For National Forests & Grasslands

Most National Forests and Grasslands do not charge a fee for general access. However, certain camping spots will require a reservation or permit.

Reservations

• Reservations are required for developed campgrounds, cabins, and certain overnight camping options.
• Reservations require a fee, which can vary.
• Most reservations for campgrounds can be made on rec.gov, while some are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Permits

• Permits may be required for overnight backpacking and camping trips, especially when entering Wilderness Areas or accessing highly popular trails.
• Permits require a fee, which can vary.
• Permits often have a daily cap, and may require a lottery drawing.
• Many permits can be secured on rec.gov, while others are only available at local Ranger Stations.
• Visit USFS Passes and Permits for detailed information.

Passes

• Annual passes like the America the Beautiful pass provide access to all federally managed lands including National Forests, and generally cover entrance fees or day use areas.
• However, they do not cover the fees for campsites or permits.

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How To Navigate National Forests & Grasslands

National Forests and grasslands have an extensive network of roads, trails, backcountry areas, and wildly varying terrain and elevations. Having the right maps for planning and exploring not only makes things easier, but they are critical for your safety.

Topographical Maps

These show elevation, terrain, and land features and are essential for any navigation. Physical topographical maps are strongly recommended. Never rely solely on your phone or GPS.

• US Geological Survey Maps
• National Geographic Maps 

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• Northern Region
• Rocky Mountain Region
• Southwestern Region
• Intermountain Region
• Pacific Southwest Region
• Pacific Northwest Region
• Southern Region
• Eastern Region
• Alaska

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Stewardship & Etiquette for Camping in National Forests and Grasslands

We can’t enjoy camping unless we all care to keep these places clean, safe, and accessible to all who use them. Like riding a bus, you’re in the public arena when camping and your presence always makes an impact. What kind of impact is up to you.

Car Camping Stewardship And Etiquette

• Do not leave your car running or your headlights on.
• Park in proper pull-offs and not on sensitive vegetation.
• Do not steal other campers’ parking spots for convenience.

Backpacking Stewardship And Etiquette

• If dispersed camping, try to find and utilize an already established camping spot.
• Do not cut trails or switchbacks. This is very dangerous and damaging.
• Do not disturb trail markers or cairns.
• Do not play music loudly unless necessary for safety (like in bear country).

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What to expect when camping in a National Forest

Notes About Camping On USFS Land:

• The USFS has a variety of uses and fewer restrictions in some cases, so be prepared for OHVs (off highway vehicles), mountain bikers, and other people participating in outdoor recreation. This is not to say it will be crowded, but don’t be shocked if you hear a random dirt bike a few miles away from your campsite.

General Camping expectations

• It always requires some hard work.
• There will be bugs.
• There will be bad weather.
• There will be spooky sounds.
• You will get dirty and smell.
• You will forget something.
• Your feet, back, and shoulders may be sore.
• It can feel a little scary at first.
• Weather exposure and falling tree limbs are way more of a threat than animal encounters.
• You will have a lot of fun.

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How to Plan A Camping Trip In A National Forest

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A Note on Public Lands Today

Public lands in the United States exist because people chose long-term care over short-term gain. Lands that had been previously been stewarded for generations by Indigenous nations. That protection is never guaranteed. It depends on laws, funding, leadership, and public attention.

Unfortunately, recent federal decisions have weakened protections and increased pressure from extractive use and private enterprises, putting ecosystems, natural resources, cultural sites, historical sites, the economy, and public access and benefits at major risk.

If you appreciate public lands, and the benefits they provide to all of us regardless of political disposition, there are many ways to take action and support them.

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Other Camping Resources

Camping Foundations

• An Intro To Camping
• Backpacking Basics
• Car Camping Basics
• Solo Camping Basics
• Dispersed Camping Basics

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Glossary

Click to expand

• Car camping – Driving up to a camping area and packing your gear in a car. This can be at a designated campground, primitive campground, or on your own as “dispersed camping” (see below). Ultimately, anywhere you camp with your car is “car camping.”
• Developed campgrounds – A designated campground with basic amenities and facilities including fire rings, vault toilets, tent platforms, potable water spigots, firewood for sale, and picnic tables. Oftentimes a campground host will be present to answer questions and collect fees. Amenities and facilities will vary depending on the campground. Many times these campgrounds will have electric sites and hookups for RV’s and trailers.
• Primitive campgrounds – A designated camping area with little to no amenities or facilities, usually just a place to set up your tent. You may get lucky with a fire ring, but these campgrounds are mainly to provide safe areas for people to camp in less accessible areas, and to help protect the landscape by preventing excessive dispersed camping.
• The Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The BLM oversees the largest portion of public land with about 250 million access. BLM lands are very accessible, and typically have fewer restrictions than you’d find on other public lands, which attracts a large variety of adventure seekers and campers. This includes (but is not limited) to places like Wilderness Areas and National Conservation Lands.
• The U.S. Forest Service: The USFS manages almost 200 million acres of land and provides some of the best places to camp among majestic forests, mountains, and a great way to escape the crowds. This includes (but is not limited) to places like National Forests and National Grasslands.
• The National Park Service: The NPS manages 85 million acres and over 425+ units, including some of the most scenic parts of the country like Olympic National Park and Zion National Park, as well as National Monuments and other gems. Everything from designated camping, backpacking, and car camping can be had in public lands managed by the National Park Service. This includes (but is not limited) to places like National Parks, National Rivers, and Wilderness Areas.
• Wilderness Areas: Each agency manages Federal Wilderness Areas with over 111 million acres and 806+ units, Wilderness Areas are the highest level of protection and designation public land can receive. Only accessible by foot traffic (no cars, bikes, or pets) it certainly offers the chance to see some of the most remote and pristine wilderness in the country, and is excellent for wildlife and natural ecosystems. However, the subject of management and the notion of “untouched” wilderness has received some criticism over the years as potentially not the healthiest way to manage wild lands.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service: The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages 95 million acres on land, and over 755 million acres on water across all 50 US States, which is mostly composed of units called National Wildlife Refuges. Because the agency’s main goal is to protect and restore wildlife species and ecosystems, very few of them have camping areas. This includes (but is not limited) to places like Wilderness Areas and National Wildlife Refuge Units.