June is finally here to kick off summer and a new season of outdoor recreation! Whether this will be your first summer exploring the wonders of our nation’s National Forests and Grasslands, or you are dusting off your trail guides from the last time it was 70+ degrees, here are five things you need to know before visiting a National Forest this summer.

1. How to Find a Campsite

It is easy to find designated campsites on Recreation.gov—the hard part can be reserving them (especially in well-known campgrounds). If you are interested in booking a campsite, cabin, yurt, or even a lookout tower this summer or fall, check out our blog for tips on how to reserve these unforgettable experiences.

For the more spontaneous crowd, dispersed camping is also an option (spots are generally free and can’t be reserved ahead of time)—but you have to know how and where you can set up camp without harming the landscape.

• Most dispersed camping sites are in the backcountry or along U.S. Forest Service roads. You can find maps of these spots online or by calling the local ranger district to confirm where dispersed camping is allowed.
• When selecting a spot, reduce your impact by using an existing dispersed campsite. If there are no existing campsites, select a site with flat, durable surfaces like dry grass or compacted dirt.
• Remember that fewer amenities = more preparation. Keep reading for tips on fire safety and how to answer nature’s call in the woods!

More on selecting the right backcountry campsite for you and the forest.

2. How to Stay Safe with Fire

Summer is the season of adventure, but for much of the country—especially the arid mountain west—it is also wildfire season. Be mindful of the wildfire risk in your area, and keep these basic fire safety tips in mind when you are out enjoying forests this summer:

• Before hiking or camping, check with the forest, grassland, or ranger district for fire restrictions or area closures.
• Use alternatives to campfires during periods of high fire danger, even if there are no restrictions. If you do use a campfire, follow these safety tips. Once you start a fire, don’t leave it unattended until the ashes are cold to the touch!
• Be mindful of grass and other dry vegetation around you. Camp stoves, cigarette butts, and even cars can light these natural fuels on fire.

Don't forget what Smokey Bear says: Only YOU can prevent wildfires!

3. How to Go in the Woods

A clean (dare we say pristine?) trailhead restroom or backcountry pit toilet is anyone’s first choice when nature calls. But the reality of exploring these wonderful and wild places is that we don’t always have the luxury of the porcelain throne when we really need to go.

Human waste, disposed improperly, has a negative impact on the water, wildlife, and ecology of public lands (not to mention the experience of other visitors!), so before you hit the trails this summer be prepared to relieve responsibly:

• Always go at least 200 feet (or 70 steps) away from a water source.
• For #2, dig a cathole and cover it with dirt when you are done.
• Bring a small, sealable bag to pack out toilet paper. Don’t leave it in the cathole!
• Some sensitive or heavily-traveled areas require people to pack out ALL waste. Look up the regulations in the area you are visiting before you head out.

Click here for more tips on how to go!

4. How to Be a Good Trail Steward

Something we learn from our time in National Forests is that the journey—the path winding through whispering aspen groves, the quiet moment we take to rest as sunlight dances through the leaves—is just as awe-inspiring as the grand view or epic waterfall at the end.

You can help keep these trails in good condition by practicing basic stewardship principles this summer, so we can all continue to enjoy and benefit from our shared lands.

• Stay on the trail. Walk in the middle of the trail and don’t use unofficial paths or shortcuts.
  
• Pack in, pack out. Don’t leave any waste, even if it is biodegradable. Go even further by picking up trash left by others, too.
  
• Keep it wild. Stay a safe distance from wildlife and leave everything you find where it belongs—in the wild.
  

5. How to Plan Ahead—And Be Flexible

The key to any successful visit to a National Forest is to plan ahead, but be flexible once you arrive. The best laid plans can be upended by trail closures, full parking lots, changing weather conditions, and countless other factors, which is why it is important to always have a backup plan.

• As you are planning your trip, check local Forest Service resources for information on trail closures, fees and permits, and fire risk and regulations.
  
• Always have a backup plan! Never hike a closed trail or park outside designated areas—it's safer for you and better for the local ecosystem to come back another day.
  

Cover photo California’s Angeles National Forest by Sabrina Claros.

--------

National Forests provide more hiking opportunities than any other public lands in the U.S. The NFF is determined to ensure this incredible resource is always available. Your unrestricted gift today can help us restore trails, improve safety, and much more. Please click here to make your gift today. Thank you!