5 National Forests with Trails and Campgrounds

Spending time in America's National Forests is recommended for many reasons, including the availability of trails and campgrounds.

National Forests in the US

There is a lot of interest in national parks and wilderness regions and for many good reasons. National forests, however, also contribute significantly to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for both people and animals. The Wilderness Society also claims that national forests are among the most breathtaking, eye-catching wildlands on the planet.

The National Forest System today contributes to the preservation of hundreds of millions of acres under the US Forest Service.

Trails and Campgrounds for the Nature Lover

More and more people are discovering the beauty of national forests, as they offer not only scenery and the joy of being surrounded by nature, but also trails and campgrounds that support an active lifestyle. Here are 5 of the National Forests that made the list of trail experts, Trail Mastery.

Pisgah National Forest

In the Appalachian Mountains, close to Asheville, North Carolina, is where the Pisgah National Forest stands. The name Pisgah, which means "summit" in Hebrew, makes sense given that the forest contains several mountains. One of the first national forests to be established on the East Coast was this one, in 1916. There are several rivers, paths, and beautiful waterfalls in the region.

Mount Mitchell, which is situated in a state park encircled by a national forest, is one of the area's most notable features. With a height of 6,684 feet, it is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi, so you can anticipate a lot of interest from hikers.

Easy Trail: Catabawa Falls Trail (2.3 miles)
Moderate Trail: Looking Glass Rock Trail (6.1 miles)
Challenging Trail: Mount Mitchell Trail (11.1 miles)
Campgrounds: RV, tents, and group camping

Angeles National Forest

The second-most populous city in the country shares a border with the Angeles National Forest. People will be lured to the region because about 10 million people are living nearby. There is a lot to see and do in Southern California thanks to the 700 miles of trails and 66 campsites.

Moderate Trail: Bridge to Nowhere (9.5miles)
Challenging Trail: Mount Baldy Loop Trail (11.3 miles)
Campgrounds: Tents, high mountain camping, and group camping

Sequoia National Forest

This national forest offers a variety of recreational opportunities and is located south of Sequoia National Park. Winter sports are well-liked here since it is the southern entry to the Sierras. Summertime activities include hiking, camping, and lakeside enjoyment. The majority of the forest's giant sequoia groves are located within Giant Sequoia National Monument. The National Park Service claims that there are other old-growth species present inside the limits.

Granite spires and monoliths dot the rocky terrain, including The Needles along the Kern River, a popular tourist site amidst the forest.

As an alternative to the adjacent national parks that are busier, this woodland is available.

Easy Trail: Trail of 100 Giants (1.5 miles)
Moderate Trail: Unal Trail (3.2 miles)
Challenging Trail: Packsaddle Trail (5 miles)
Campgrounds: Tents and group camping

Los Padres National Forest

Santa Barbara and the Los Padres National Forest are both near to Los Angeles. Hikers may enjoy the Channel Islands and breathtaking ocean vistas from the Coast and Transverse Ranges.

Easy Trail: Inspiration Point (3.5 miles)
Moderate Trail: Santa Paula Canyon and Punch Bowls Trail (6.6 miles)
Challenging Trail: Cerro Alto Trail Loop (4.5 miles)
Campgrounds: Tents and RV

Inyo National Forest

Several activities make use of the harsh terrain in this area, which is the Sierra Nevada range, the eastern side.

Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks are nearby. Within the forest lies the well-known ski resort of Mammoth, and close by is the Alabama Hills BLM land, which is well-known on Instagram and offers stunning vistas of Mount Whitney. According to Trail Mastery, it contains alpine lakes, unusual vegetation, and difficult scenery.

Easy Trail: Crystal Lake Trail (3.1 miles)
Moderate Trail: Barney Lake Trail (5.46.6 miles)
Challenging Trail: Mount Whitney Trail (22.5 miles)
Campgrounds: Tents, RV, and base camp for hiking