An essential source for water, clean air and farming, just over a third of the United States is made up of forest. Hikers, landscape lovers and adventure travellers flock from all over the world to experience America's exquisite woodland offerings, from soaring sequoias and dramatic dark pines to desert groves and temperate rainforests.
Click through this gallery to see our ranking of the 31 most enchanting national forests across the US...
Spanning 289,000 acres, the Shawnee National Forest can be found nestled between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers in southern Illinois. With its rolling hills, sparkling lakes, rugged bluffs and open land alongside its lush forests, it is a dreamy destination. The plant life is particularly diverse, ranging from dense dark foliage to sun-loving woodland. The crown jewel of Shawnee is the Garden of Gods, a stunning landscape of rugged rocks and cliffs laced with trails providing spectacular views across the forest.
Officially established in 1920, West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest is home to some of the most diverse and pristine forest land in the state. With over 920,000 acres, the forest sits within the gorgeous Potomac Highlands, and with its steep hills, crystal clear streams and forested slopes, it is a haven for adventurers. Seneca Rocks is probably the forest’s best-known landmark, the rocky outcrop rises nearly 900 feet (274m) above the North Fork River and is hailed for its jaw-dropping views.
Trailing eastern New Hampshire and western Maine, the White Mountain National Forest encompasses New England’s most rugged terrain. With roughly 800,000 acres of deep valleys, soaring mountains and hardwood trees, the forest is overflowing with natural beauty. Perched near the middle is Mount Washington – at an impressive 6,288 feet high (1,917m), it is the highest mountain in the northeast. The forest is especially striking in autumn when the green carpet transforms into a kaleidoscope of oranges, yellows and reds.
A little less known than Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park in the northwest, the Bridger-Teton National Forest is extremely impressive in its own right. Around 3.4 million acres of pristine watersheds, vast wildlands and granite mountains encompass the forest landscape. As part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact ecosystems in the continental US, wildlife is plentiful here. The forest provides a habitat for grizzly bears, mule deer, elk and over 355 species of birds.
The largest tract of public land in Tennessee, Cherokee National Forest lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachian mountain range. Its 650,000 acres straddle the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, the forest is considered one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the state. Highlights from the forest include a beautiful wildflower population and the array of sparkling waterfalls that decorate the landscape.
Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration
Occupying a staggering 6.3 million acres including much of Nevada and the far eastern edge of California, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. The two forests of Humboldt and Toiyabe were administratively joined in 1995 and feature an incredibly varied landscape. From the rocky tree-covered peaks and crystalline alpine lakes of the Spring Mountains to the sun-bleached cactuses and rocky outcrops of Nevada’s desert, the forest showcases some of the best of the West Coast’s natural beauty.
From soaring pine trees and glittering lakes to desert canyons and lofty peaks, Arizona’s Coconino National Forest is one of the most varied forests in the country. Split into four unique areas, its incredible landscape ranges from the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, a colourful collection of ochre-coloured rock formations; to the magnificent tree-lined slopes of Mogollon Rim. The forest’s wildlife includes black bears, elk, prairie dogs and coyotes.
With its towering oaks and manzanitas set against beautiful mountain scenery, California’s San Bernardino National Forest feels a world apart from nearby Los Angeles. Covering more than 800,000 acres, it’s home to a plethora of greenery, from conifer and oak woodlands to chaparral and pinyon-juniper trees. Rising high above the foliage, the forest’s magnificent Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is one of the most scenic spots. With an elevation of 10,834 feet (3,302m) it provides breathtaking mountain views.
Where the land meets the sea, at nearly 17 million acres the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the US. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, it is also home to the biggest temperate rainforest in the world. Its dense green canopy includes towering hemlock, spruce and red and yellow cedar, while shrubs such as blueberry and huckleberry litter the forest floor. Wildlife here is abundant, spanning everything from brown bears and wolves to killer whales and sea otters.
Situated in the extreme northwest corner of Montana and northeast Idaho on the Canadian border, the Kootenai National Forest is dominated by rugged mountainous terrain. Encompassing more than 2.2 million acres, the forest’s lofty peaks soar up to an impressive 3,738 feet (1,139m) and provide stunningly picturesque sub-alpine scenery. Kootenai’s Lake Koocanusa is another highlight; slicing through a narrow gorge, its rocky outcrops and ledges provide shelter for bighorn sheep and other wildlife.
Soaring high on the western slopes of the central Sierra Nevada in California, the Sierra National Forest is famed for its incredible mountain scenery. With dizzying elevations of up to 13,986 feet (4,263m), its varied terrain includes heavily forested slopes, oak-covered foothills and the beautiful alpine landscape of the Sierra mountains. Two scenic byways meander through the forest, the Sierra Vista and the Sierra Heritage, trailing through some of the best beauty spots.
This forest trails more than 140 miles (225km) along the west side of the Cascades between the Canadian border and the Mount Rainier National Park. Characterised by its old-growth forests, mountain meadows and snowy peaks, there are more glaciers and snowfields here than any other national forest in the lower 48 states. With its amazing wildlife, breathtaking natural beauty and proximity to Seattle and Vancouver, it is one of the most visited forests in the country.
Shrouded by Wisconsin’s Northwoods, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been managed since 1993. Due to heavy logging in the 1930s, the separate forests Chequamegon and Nicolet were established to protect, manage and reforest the landscape. Today, sprawling over 1.5 million acres, its magnificent cathedral pines are the biggest draw. The 40-acre grove of beautiful white pine, hemlock and red pine is one of the few remaining strands of pine and hemlock in Wisconsin.
Home to more lakes and wetlands than any other national forest, water is the backbone of this hardwood beauty spot in northern Minnesota. Established in 1908, the Chippewa National Forest was the first to be created east of the Mississippi River. Sitting at the headwaters of two major drainages, the Mississippi River and Hudson Bay, it includes more than 1,300 lakes, 923 miles (1,485km) of streams and over 400,000 acres of wetland. The forest is also one of the few areas in the US with wetlands essentially unchanged since settlement.
Straddling South Dakota and Wyoming, the Black Hills National Forest gets its name from the dark pine-covered hills that rise thousands of feet above the surrounding prairies, and is nicknamed 'the Island in the Plains'. Black Elk Peak can also be found here – at 7,242 feet (2,207m) tall it is the highest point in the US east of the Rockies. Its historic lookout offers blissful views across South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska.
This forest in southwestern and central Vermont is one of only two national forests in the Northeast. Covering over 400,000 acres, the Green Mountain National Forest reaches from the ancient Taconic mountains to the glorious Green Mountains. The forest is laced with hiking trails that slice through the dense woodland where resident moose are known to roam. Beautiful year-round, the forest looks best in autumn, ablaze with fiery red, yellow and orange hues.
Discover the most beautiful piece of wilderness in every US state
Known as Missouri’s only national forest, the Mark Twain National Forest lies mostly within the Ozark Highlands in southern and central Missouri. Named after famous author and Missouri native Mark Twain, the oak and pine forest is characterised by its large springs, rocky barren glades, old volcanic mountains and nationally-recognised streams. Established in 1968 as a float river, the 44-mile-long (71km) Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the Ozark hills and is one of the prettiest spots in the forest.
Part of the American southwest, the Cibola National Forest sprawls over 1.6 million acres across New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. The name Cibola, pronounced 'see-bo-lah', is thought to be the original Native American name for their tribal lands, which the Spanish later interpreted to mean 'buffalo'. Today, the forest is dotted with Native American settlements and prehistoric ruins alongside pretty juniper, pine and spruce-fir trees.
Known as the birthplace of forestry in the US, over 500,000 acres of cascading waterfalls, heavily forested slopes and scenic hiking trails make up North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. Established in 1916, Pisgah is home to the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911, which led to the creation of national forests in the eastern United States. The Forest Festival Trail slices through the woodland, offering a glimpse into Pisgah's incredible history, including the first school of forestry in the country.
Bordered by three of the Great Lakes (Superior, Huron and Michigan) and home to 100 miles (161km) of shoreline, this picturesque forest in Michigan is a watery paradise. Sandy beaches, tranquil islands and pretty red pine, jack pine and aspen woodland can all be found within the Hiawatha National Forest. With towering trees mirrored in the waters, the lakes are a haven for boating, swimming and fishing, and are home to plenty of magnificent fish.
Encompassing 2.1 million acres, Sawtooth National Forest trails across south-central Idaho and extends into northern Utah. Steeped in history, the forest has nearly 1,500 heritage sites reflecting the state’s past. Divided into four areas, the Sawtooth Wilderness is arguably the most picturesque, with its granite peaks, secluded valleys, alpine lakes and dense forests.
Running along the Arkansas River Valley, just south of the Ouachita Mountains, the Ozark National Forest in northern Arkansas is one of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Sprawling across a mighty 1.2 million acres, the forest blankets the Ozark Mountains with woodland species such as maple, witch-hazel, redbud and dogwood. The Ozark forest is a popular spot during spring when its trees are in full bloom with a dreamy display of white and pink.
Named after two of America’s Founding Fathers, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests stretch 1.8 million acres across Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky. In 1995, the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests were merged, becoming one of the largest blocks of public land in the eastern United States. Known as one of the most picturesque trails in the country, segments of the Appalachian Trail pass through the forest. At 2,193 miles (3,529m) long, it claims to be the longest hiking-only trail in the world.
A sparkling jewel of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, this gorgeous forest blankets the foothills of the Olympic Mountains and borders much of the Olympic National Park. Covering over 633,000 acres, the Olympic National Forest features rugged mountains, temperate rainforest, lowland lakes, rivers and even coastal beaches. Fauna and flora are in abundance here, while the scenic trails pass through some of the forest’s most beautiful sights.
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the sleepy Allegheny River zigzags through Pennsylvania’s only national forest in the northwestern corner of the state. In the past 100 years, a mixture of human intervention, insects, disease, animals and fire created the conditions for Allegheny’s beautiful black cherry, maple and other hardwood trees to grow. The forest’s best-known attraction is the Allegheny Reservoir, formed by the Kinzua Dam in the 1960s. Traversing the border between Pennsylvania and New York, its peaceful tree-fringed waters are considered among the most scenic lakes in the country.
Occupying almost two million acres, the Dixie National Forest stretches across the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River and is the largest national forest in Utah. Red Canyon, one of the most incredible red cliff canyons in the state, can be found in the heart of Dixie. Its unique vermillion-hued rock formations and contrasting green pine trees make it one of the most scenic spots in the forest. Dixie is also home to Boulder Mountain, and, when in season, its thickly forested summit is dotted with colourful alpine flowers.
Established as part of the Mount Rainier Reserve in 1897, the Gifford Pinchot forest in Washington state is one of the oldest in the US. In 1908, the area was set aside as the Columbia National Forest before it was renamed in 1949. With over 1.3 million acres, western hemlock and ponderosa pines reside in its native woodland while its streams provide habitats for several threatened fish species including steelhead and bull trout.
Located in the northeast corner of Minnesota, the Superior National Forest certainly lives up to its name. Pine, fir and spruce trees blanket the three million acres of land which are home to the largest number of breeding birds of any national forest. Superior’s biggest draw is its crystal clear waters, and a whopping 695 square miles (1,800sq km) of the forest are surface water. Its lakes and cold water streams are teeming with fish such as walleye, northern pike and rainbow trout, making it a popular fishing spot.
Small but beautiful, at just 204,000 acres, the Hoosier National Forest is a hidden gem of south-central Indiana. Spread over nine counties, hickory, oak, walnut and hemlock trees cover the forest’s rolling hills, ridges and valleys, while dramatic caves and caverns can be found deep below the surface. Scenic trails slice through the charming forest, where woodchuck, white-tailed deer, fox and opossum are known to roam.
Slicing through the middle of south-central Alaska, the Chugach National Forest is the most northern of America’s national forests. Spanning an impressive 5.4 million acres, it is the second-largest national forest in the US. Nearly all Alaska’s geographical zones can be found here: rainforests, boreal woods, coastal inlets and immense wetlands. The mammoth forest also includes the Prince William Sound, a glorious glacier that is often considered one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Possibly the most famous woodland in the country, the Sequoia National Forest in southern California is named after its most treasured residents. Covering over 1.1 million acres, the forest is home to the giant sequoia, the world’s largest tree, and has the greatest concentration of these leafy giants anywhere in the world. Sequoia’s landscape is just as impressive as its woodland. Granite monoliths, glacier-carved canyons, roaring white-water rapids and picturesque lakes are just a few of its stunning natural wonders.
Now marvel at the earliest photos ever taken in every US state