Many people are often surprised to find out that the United States has a massive amount of public land that is completely free or relatively inexpensive to use for recreational purposes. From nearly anywhere in the country there is a national forest or a national park just a stone’s throw away. This is especially true for western states, like my home state of California, where the majority of public lands are located.
In my early 20’s I took advantage of having all of that land in my “backyard,” spending a great deal of my time camping and backpacking in National Forests and National Parks. The funny thing though, is I wouldn’t have been able to tell you when I was in one or the other. In fact, I have to admit I didn’t even realize they were two different entities until I started teaching American History much later. I just assumed there was one national program governing such land.
However it is that you came to realize these two are different, let’s discuss the differences between national parks and national forests.
National Parks and National Forests are designated land areas that are owned by the American public and governed by different U.S. agencies. National Parks have the primary purpose to protect and preserve the natural untouched state of an environment while National Forests aim to preserve an environment while using its natural resources for many different purposes; especially those for recreation and public enjoyment.
Each Purpose Explained
Let’s explore each purpose in a bit further detail, to fully appreciate and understand what they are and how we can enjoy them.
National Parks
National parks are home to some of the most iconic destinations for family camping trips and pristine day-hikes. They govern some of the most commonly known national landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon; and they are where some of the most geologically unique slices of land in America are located, like the Lava Beds National Monument in NorCal.
Places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion are all national parks. All of which are household names. But national parks are not limited to nationally or globally recognizable names and locations. For example, Lake Clark National Park, which is located in Alaska is classified as a national park. It is a stunning park, but it sees just 10 thousand visitors each year, while the Smoky Mountains see over 10 million.
But the primary purpose of national parks is not public recreation. It is a major aspect, but not the chief end of their existence. Rather, national parks are land areas that have been designated as highly important geological regions. They are areas that the U.S. government has pledged to put their full resources into in order to protect and preserve them. The ultimate goal is to ensure current and future generations will be able to experience them in their natural state.
This means that national parks can be a bit restrictive in how the general public is allowed to use them. For example, some parks are limited to day use only or have limited campsites available. Some parks have limited areas available for pets, for example, only one trail is open to pets in Zion. Don’t get me wrong, there are many places to stay with much to do and enjoy in our national parks, even for our four-legged family members. I simply mean to express that national parks tend to have more restrictions in comparison to national forests.
Additionally, national parks often require a fee to enter and/or access. In many situations, a park entrance fee on top of a campsite fee are needed if an overnight stay is in the plans. Again, this has to do with preservation being the primary purpose and aim of each location.
Please keep in mind, these are general guidelines, and you should check out the National Park Service website before heading out on your next visit to one of our many amazing national parks. Depending on the park and season, access and usage can change.
National Forests
A vast amount of public land is governed by the National Forest Service (193 million acres), much of which goes unused by the general public. I think, in large part, due to the fact that the major monuments tend to be located inside Park boundaries and therefore garner much of the public’s attention. The fact that many locations in national forests are not developed or marked, also likely play a part as it does take a bit more planning to find or access.
Interestingly enough though, a large number of national forest territories are absolutely free to use, with far fewer restrictions, and tend to be far less crowded than our national parks. What makes their lower usage rates so interesting, is that many national parks are actually located inside national forests or along their borders. I think many people would be surprised to find out that even when all campsites are booked in a national park, they would have a high likelihood of finding a spot just a few miles outside the park in national forest territory.
National forests tend to allow a wide range of recreational activities as well. Which has to do with their intended purpose. It is true, that preservation is a chief end of the National Forest Service, but it is not the chief end. Right along with preservation is the mandate to use the lands in responsible sustainable ways for recreation and natural resources.
This means that a plethora of recreational activities are allowed, even those that consume natural resources. Examples of resource usage include hunting, fishing, and grazing. Timber production is even permitted in some regions. Such activities require permits, but other activities like camping, motorized trail riding, and hiking are completely open to the public without the need to pay a fee and usually do not require obtaining a permit.
Please note that even though there are less regulations, many often wrongly assume that national forest land is completely wide open for usage or that camping is allowed anywhere. This is not true, there are rules and regulations that determine when, how, and where you can perform certain activities. Hunting is one of the more regulated while camping is among the least regulated.
Again, these are general rules and every region is different, so check in at the National Forest Service website for more information before planning your next trip.
When Did Each Agency Start?
In an effort to preserve America’s natural resources along with its beauty, the U.S. government formed the National Forest Service and The National Park Service in the early 1900’s.
The National Forest Service was created in 1905, and placed under the authority of the Department of Agriculture. It remains under the D of A’s authority today.
The National Park Service was created in 1916 and placed under the authority of the Department of Interior. It remains under the D of I’s authority today.
How to Check to See if Your Desired Usage is Allowed
As a general rule, you’ll want to start by deciding where you wish to visit and check in with that station or office. If it is a national park you can find that information on their website, and the same is true for national forests.
National Park: https://www.nps.gov/index.htm
Once you’re at the nps.gov website, simply search for the park you wish to visit, you’ll easily find all of the information you’ll need.
National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
This will require doing a bit more digging. As the national forest you are visiting will likely have more than one field office or ranger station. They are broken up into jurisdictions and regions. Simply decide which region you’d like to visit, and locate the ranger station or office from their website. You’ll be able to find most of the information you’ll need online, but do also contact the station directly to gain any further information.
Additionally, you can stop in and chat with a ranger or find additional guides and maps at the station on your way to your desired spot.
Helpful Resources For Finding Locations
Campendium
One of my favorite resources is Campendium, which is a user-submitted review site for campsites. It has a wide range of users from backpackers looking for dispersed hike-in only spots to those traveling with all the amenities a 40 ft RV can offer in need of full hookups.
It has an easy to navigate user experience and some of the best reviews we’ve found. What’s great is they almost always include GPS coordinates.
FreeCampsites.Net
This is another favorite of mine. It essentially is the same resource as campendium, with several of the same spots featured. Where they are lacking is user interface. It isn’t the prettiest or easiest to use, but the content is amazing. It is one of the most frequently used sites and among the oldest. Quality reviewers, with trusted content.