Nothing nourishes the soul quite like a walk in the forest. Your hiking boots spring softly off the forest floor while songbirds serenade from above. Every season is a different experience, with sunshine beaming through the leafy canopy in summer and winter bringing a blanket of fog and drippy silence. Wildflowers are the highlight in spring, while the leaves blaze red and gold in fall.
From the pine ridgelines of Alaska to the cypress swamps of Florida, there are millions of acres of wild forests for hiking, biking, getting on the water and camping under the stars. Celebrate America’s woodlands with an outdoor adventure in these state forests.
1. Tanana Valley State Forest
Tanana River Basin, Alaska
What to Expect: Diverse is the best way to describe the 1.81 million acres of state forest that lies between the Canadian border and Manley Hot Springs west of Fairbanks. The Tanana River flows for 200 miles through the forest of paper birch, quaking aspen, spruce and tamarack, with elevations ranging from 275 feet at the river to over 5,000 feet in the Alaska Range.
Where to Camp: Backpack to backcountry campsites in the state forest, or RV and tent camp at Birch Lake State Recreation Site inside state forest boundaries, with amenities like potable water, bathrooms and fire pits. Launch from the boat ramp for jet skiing on the lake in summer. Book now.
2. Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
Dillwyn, Virginia
What to Expect: Virginia’s largest state forest was at one time almost completely clear-cut for farming. Almost 20,000 acres of mixed oak-hickory and pine forest in the central part of the state now has 20 miles of trails and two ponds for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking and SUP boarding. A connector trail leads to the 12-mile Carter Taylor singletrack mountain biking trail.
Where to Camp: Fish for bass and bluegill or swim at the beach at Holliday Lake State Park. The park, within the boundaries of the forest, has tent and RV sites, and a group bunkhouse. Book now.
3. Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Downsville, New York
What to Expect: Steep mountains and valley streams mark this 7,000-acre red oak, red and sugar maple, beech, birch, ash and black cherry forest, known for populations of migrating songbirds and resident waterfowl. Look for vireo, warblers, woodpeckers, pheasants and hummingbirds on the walking trails, and kestrel, osprey and snow geese near the water.
Where to Camp: RV and tent camp close to the lake beach, playground and trails, all within the Bear Spring Mountain forest boundaries. Rent kayaks and paddle boats or swim on Launt Pond. Book now.
4. Gile State Forest
Springfield, New Hampshire
What to Expect: Hike easy to moderate trails through over 6,500 acres of hickory, oak, white pine and red pine to Morgan Pond and Bog Mountain. For a more strenuous trek, hike between four state parks and three state forests in New Hampshire on the 75-mile Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway.
Where to Camp: Pitch your tent on camping platforms or spend the night in a lean-to and swim, fish and hike around Lake Sunapee. A mile-long trail leads from the campground to the lake beach at Lake Sunapee State Park, a 30-minute drive from the state forest. Book now.
5. W. Goodrich Jones State Forest
Conroe, Texas
What to Expect: Hike, bike and ride horses on 15 miles of trails in this 1,722-acres tract of loblolly and shortleaf pine forest north of Houston. Fish in two small lakes and go birdwatching for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker found in two wildlife management areas.
Where to Camp: Camp in RV and tent sites by a creek, or stay in one of the park’s historic cabins at Bastrop State Park, a two hour drive west of the state forest. Book now.
6. Dixon Memorial State Forest
Astoria, Georgia
What to Expect: Hunt for deer, turkey, alligator, dove, rabbit, feral hogs and quail on 35,000 acres of upland pine and cypress-gum wetlands in south Georgia. Outside hunting season, you can visit the on-site shooting range for practice. The forest area also offers recreational walking trails.
Where to Camp: Camp in lakeside tent and RV sites or two-bedroom cabins on the edge of Okefenokee Swamp in Laura S. Walker State Park, a 20-minute drive from the state forest. Group campsites are also on the lake, with a swimming beach, fishing dock and boat rental nearby. Book now.
7. Withlacoochee State Forest
Inverness, Florida
What to Expect: Seven tracts of pine, cypress, oak, southern magnolia, gum and hickory trees in west central Florida make up this 157,479-acre forest. Hike and bike miles of natural surface trail or the paved, 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail. Paddle and camp on the Florida State Canoe Trail.
Where to Camp: Hike, swim and go boating from your tent or RV campsite on the shores of the lake at Silver Lake Campground within the boundaries of Withlacoochee State Forest. Ride 2,600 acres of off-road trails nearby at Croom Motorcycle Area. Book now.
8. Redden State Forest
Georgetown, Delaware
What to Expect: Hike and bike 44 miles of trails in Delaware’s largest state forest. Over 12,900 acres of oak, gum, maple and loblolly pine near the Atlantic coastline are a birdwatcher’s dream, with barred owls, red-shouldered hawks, scarlet tanagers and pileated woodpeckers in residence.
Where to Camp: Book a tent or RV site, or stay in a cabin to kayak, fish and swim at Killens Pond State Park. Walk the trail from wooded sites on the water to the boat rental and nature center. Book now.
9. Tillamook State Forest
Tillamook, Oregon
What to Expect: The Wilson River runs across this 34,000-acre forest, one of the wettest areas in the country. Over 100 inches of precipitation falls here, with Douglas fir dominating the eastern region, and moss, ferns, Sitka spruce and western hemlock on trails toward the coast. Hike to a waterfall on the Wilson River Trail, or climb over 2,500 feet on Kings Mountain and Elk Mountain.
Where to Camp: Six tent campgrounds and backcountry sites, all along creeks within the state forest, don’t require reservations. To confirm a reserved campsite, book a campground in Oregon.
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.