Bushcraft USA – A Complete Guide

While campsites are a favorite for most wilderness adventurers, there are those of us who prefer to go completely off-grid. For many, nature adds much-needed beauty and serenity and can be a truly calming experience. Life in the US can be stressful and nature has this incredible ability to provide us with an escape from our daily routine, and the constant hustle and bustle of city life. However, before we start on the topic, we need to discuss a little bit about the legality of Bushcraft in the USA. You should be aware of how bushcraft is categorized by the government. Unlike traditional camping, which usually takes place in a designated campground on private property or in a National Forest, bushcraft takes place off the beaten path.  

Is Bushcraft legal in the USA?

Yes, it is legal to bushcraft here in the United States. However, there are still some laws about bushcraft that you need to be made aware of. Because the last thing you want to do is violate policy and end up with a fine or worse. For the purpose of this informative article, bushcraft rules and regulations would fall under the same category as dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is how the government refers to camping that is outside of designated campgrounds in National Forests.

The guidelines you need to follow as a bushcrafter in the USA

When camping at a traditional campsite, you are usually provided with certain amenities that both make your life easier and make upkeep simple. For example, for hygiene, you’ll usually have access to running water, restrooms, or even showers. However, this is not the case when you venture in nature. It is important to keep in mind that you should not do anything which impacts the surroundings in a negative way.

The place where you practice bushcraft should be left in the same condition as it was before you arrived at it. For that reason, it’s important you follow the Leave No Trace guidelines provided by the USDA. These guidelines are put in place to minimize any impact campers and bushcrafters will have on their surrounding environment. 

The summary of the leave no trace guidelines are as follows:

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Where can you Bushcraft in the USA?

You don’t necessarily have to be in the wilderness to practice bushcraft. It can be as easy as starting in your backyard if you just want to focus on skills like trap-making, plant ID, wildlife observation, weather predictions, and many more. 

Local county, municipal, and state parks are ok if there aren’t (m)any restrictions on when/where/how you camp or craft. The downside is people will be all over the place.

National Parks are pretty restrictive and are administered by the Dep’t of the Interior’s Park Service. Again, too many people in most of them.

National Forest land is probably the least restrictive in general. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, not the Park Service. They understand “multiple use” and, at least in my experience, allow back-country camping, fire making, and just about anything you want (short of cutting down live trees). The farther off-roads you go, the better your experience will be. Some areas are easily accessible by truck/4WD/car and become party-spots, full of crap, TP, trash, empty bottles and cans, and people, and utterly stripped of firewood.

Bushcraft USA Spots – Places to practice your bushcraft skills

Stumpy Meadows Reservoir, California

Go east to Georgetown. Then go east on Wentworth Springs Rd. to the area of Stumpy Meadows reservoir. in the El Dorado NF. That area isn’t crowded and you will find it to be just what you are looking for. Unless you do something really dumb you will never even see a ranger.

Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont

Green mountain national forest is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest type which is situated in Vermont. The forest area is 3,322.6 square kilometers in size and shares boundaries with seven different counties. This vast forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife and can be excellent to experience the art of bushcraft in true nature.

Out of the total forest area of 3322 sq km, 1,615 square kilometers is federally owned and administered. Green Mountain National Forest is one of only two national forest areas in New England, the other area being the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. In the Green Mountain National Forest, there are a variety of backcountry roads, offering primitive roadside camping. 

Campsites are free to use and have no facilities except for a fire ring and a pull-off from the road, and sometimes a site reinforced with gravel.

Sabine National Forest, Texas

Sabine National Forest is 651 square kilometers and in the East near the Texas-Louisiana border. It is filled with extensive forests of American beech and other hardwood trees. There are many opportunities for bushcraft USA throughout the forest. When camping outside the developed camping sites, be extremely careful with campfires and always carry out all trash.

Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

It is Missouri’s only national forest and has a size of 12,419 square kilometers of which 6,095 square kilometers are publicly owned, 320 square kilometers of which are Wilderness, and the National Scenic River area.

Davy Crockett National Forest, Texas 

Davy Crockett National Forest covers a total of 650 square kilometers. It is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service local headquarters in Lufkin.

Dispersed camping is permitted in most parts of the National Forest year-round. However, it is restricted to 25 designated hunter camps during the fall deer season to provide a safer hunting experience. This forest is great for bushcraft in the USA.

Sam Houston National Forest, Texas

Sam Houston National Forest is 50 miles north of Houston. There are local ranger district offices located in New Waverly. It is located in portions of three Texas counties including Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Walker.

Camping is allowed anywhere except during hunting season, gun and archery, then all users are required to camp in designated camping areas

Angelina National Forest, Texas

The 619 square kilometers Angelina National Forest is located in the East. Hundreds of wildlife species exist in this forest. Standard game species include white-tailed deer, squirrel, wild turkey, American woodcock, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, and wood duck. The forest provides a wintering habitat for the bald eagle. The red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species, is found throughout the forest. The Forest Service also allows primitive camping outside of developed campsites for Angelina National Forest. This makes this forest amazing for bushcraft USA.

Hoosier National Forest, Indiana

Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south-central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy. Rolling hills, back-country trails, and rural crossroad communities make this small but beautiful 204,000 acre Forest a local treasure. It is a property managed by the United States Forest Service.

Ozark – St. Francis National Forest, Arkansas

This national forest can be divided into two separate forests, Ozark National Forest in the Ozark Mountains; and St. Francis National Forest on Crowley’s Ridge. Together, the two forests have 23 developed campgrounds and include nine swimming areas, 395 miles (636 km) of hiking trails, and 370 miles (600 km) of streams for fishing.

Umatilla National Forest, Washington

Umatilla National Forest, located in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, covers 1.4 million acres of diverse landscapes and plant communities. The Forest has some mountainous terrain, but most of the area consists of v-shaped valleys separated by narrow ridges or plateaus. 

The landscape includes heavily timbered slopes, grassland ridges and benches, and bold basalt outcroppings with elevations from 1,600 to 8,000 feet above sea level. Summers are generally warm and dry with cool evenings. Cold, snowy winters and mild temperatures during spring and fall can be expected.

Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

This forest is located on the western slopes of the Cascade mountain range extending over 140 miles between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Here you will find glacier-covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and old-growth forests. 

As you explore Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest you will rediscover nature on a personal level. Your forest has a little of everything to accommodate the most experienced outdoor enthusiast to the beginning hiker.

Colville National Forest, Washington

This forest is in northeastern Washington state. It is bordered on the west by the Okanogan National Forest and the Kaniksu National Forest to the east. The forest also borders Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. The forest has a total area of 1.5 million acres. A 1993 Forest Service study estimated that the extent of old growth in the Forest was 212,488 acres.

Residents and visitors enjoy the Colville National Forest’s wild huckleberries, camping, hiking trails (486 miles), OHV trails, mountain biking, horse trails, lakes, rivers, and streams. The forest also boasts exciting wildlife such as the grizzly and black bears, cougars, bald eagles and the last remaining herd of caribou in the U.S. Nearby attractions also include Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

Olympic National Forest, Washington

The Olympic National Forest recognizes our tribal partners and their original connection to the land now managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It is surrounded on three sides by salt water, with the Olympic Mountains nestled in the center. 

The Olympic National Forest offers the unique opportunity to hike a mountain for great 360 degree views, explore the only temperate rainforest in the lower 48, and camp right along with one of the many pristine bodies of water. 

Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

There is nothing quite like spending an evening away from home in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Whether you seek the solitude of a backcountry camping site or a convenient place for you and your family to pitch a tent or park an RV, there are plenty of places to camp. 

Campsite fees, visitation fees, and seasonal restrictions vary from site to site. Many campgrounds have sites that can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov, but all campgrounds have at least some sites that are first-come, first-served.

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) is a federally managed forest contained within the White Mountains in the northeastern United States. It is a perfect spot for bushcraft USA. It can provide you with the amazing experience of breathtaking scenery, clear mountain lakes and streams, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities year-round. 

White Mountain National Forest is the only national forest located in either New Hampshire or Maine and is the most eastern national forest in the USA. Fox New Hampshire The wildlife in this forest makes it perfect for dispersed camping. Animals include bald eagle, raccoon, beaver, white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, coyote, peregrine falcon, Canadian lynx, river otter, bobcat, gray and red foxes, fisher, mink, and porcupine.

Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

The Shawnee National Forest offers a variety of camping experiences ranging from primitive backpacking to a developed campground equipped with showers and electrical sites. Most campgrounds & picnic areas are located near lakes or areas of exceptional beauty. Hiking, fishing and sightseeing are but a few of the recreational opportunities to be found nearby. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia

Monongahela National Forest is a national forest found in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over 3,727 square kilometers of federally owned land and a 6,880 square kilometers proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Region and portions of 10 counties. 

Approximately 75 tree species are found in the forest. Within the forest boundaries lie some of the highest mountain peaks in the state, including the Spruce Knob 4,863 ft. which is also the highest point in the Allegheny Mountains.

The backwoods road and trail system is deployed for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Numerous railroad grades are a link in the recreation use of the forest. The lengthiest in the Glady to Durbin West Fork Railroad Trail is 23 miles.  Recreation ranges from self-reliant hikes in the wildernesses and backcountry areas to rock climbing, developed site camping, and dispersed camping.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, West Virginia and kentucky

These forests are popular for hiking, mountain biking, and hunting. The Appalachian Trail stretches for 530 square kilometers from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park through the forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

The forest is within a two-hour drive for over 10 million people and so gets a lot of visitors, especially in the region closest to the Shenandoah National Park. So this may not be the spot for you if you want to go away from the crowd where there is no one around.

Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana

It is one of the largest pieces of natural landscape and the only National forest in Louisiana. This forest covers 2,440 square kilometers of public land. This forest is a great spot for Bushcraft USA.

Bushcraft USA or Dispersed camping (camping outside a designated campground area) is available throughout the Forest for those who enjoy primitive camping. Be sure to follow the rules for dispersed camping and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Daniel Boone National Forest 

The Daniel Boone National forest is 8500 square kilometers. It was created in 1937. The name of the forest was changed in 1966 in honor of the explorer Daniel Boone. The forest is home to tons of wildlife. It has a rugged terrain with many prominent water bodies.

The Daniel Boone National Forest has a variety of recreational activities. There are lots of dispersed recreational activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, boating, and horse riding. 

There are two designated wilderness areas, Beaver Creek, consisting of 4,877 acres set aside in 1975, and Clifty Wilderness, consisting of 12,646 acres near the Red River Gorge. The Red River Gorge itself is a designated National Natural Landmark.

Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas and Oklahoma

The Ouachita National Forest is one of the oldest national forests in the southern region of the United States. The forest is home to diverse wildlife and extensive woodlands of Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Blackjack Oak, etc. The forest contains a number of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Canoeing and fishing are also some popular activities on the Mountain Fork River, Caddo River, Little Missouri River, and Ouachita River. 

Wayne National Forest, Ohio

The Wayne National Forest is located in the south-eastern part of the US state of Ohio, in the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. The Wayne National Forest offers a wide range of camping experiences from remote backpacking, dispersed camping throughout the Forest, to full-service developed campgrounds in each of the Ranger Districts.

Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming

The Bighorn National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in northern Wyoming. The Bighorn National Forest primarily consists of forests along with alpine meadows and lakes at higher elevations. Black bears are common in the area along with other mammals such as cougars, elks, mule deers, pronghorns, and moose. 

Black Hills National Forest, Wyoming

Black Hills National Forest is located in southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, United States. It consists of 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains and has diverse wildlife and plants reaching from the eastern forests to the western plains. The Forest allows multiple activities which range from hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mining, wildlife viewing, and many others. 

Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

The Mount Hood National Forest is located 62 miles east of the city of Portland, Oregon, and the northern Willamette River valley. This forest extends south from the strikingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge across more than a million acres of forested mountains, lakes, streams, and, of course, the iconic Mt. Hood. This forest is perfect for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and several other activities.

White River National Forest, Colorado  

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the White River National Forest is one of the largest and most scenic sections of the National Forest System. Located in northwest Colorado, it is named after the White River that passes through its northern section.  It is the most visited National Forest in the United States, primarily for twelve ski areas within its boundaries. Hundreds of miles of trails are available to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. There are areas developed within the forest with facilities for family and group campgrounds and picnic areas.

Arapaho National Forest, Colorado

Arapaho National Forest is located in north-central Colorado, United States and is managed jointly with the Roosevelt National Forest and the Pawnee National Grassland from the United States Forest Service office in Fort Collins, Colorado. This forest is known for its diverse wildlife and supportive ecosystem. Whether you are ready to embark on a single-day hike or a multiple-day backcountry excursion, there are plenty of trails to suit your needs. 

San Isabel National Forest, Colorado

San Isabel National Forest is located in central Colorado and it contains 19 of the state’s 53 fourteeners, including Mount Elbert, the highest point in Colorado. This landscape offers a variety of ecosystems rich in history, geology, scenery, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities.

San Juan National Forest, Colorado

San Juan National Forest encompasses about 1.8 million acres in the southwestern corner of Colorado. The terrain varies from high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, with thousands of miles of back roads and hundreds of miles of trails to explore. These federal lands are managed for multiple uses and visitors are asked to respect each other and the natural resources. Activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, and much more are allowed on the premises of this forest.

Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska

The Nebraska National Forest is located within the state of Nebraska with a total area of 141,864 acres, or 222 sq miles. The forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service’s Nebraska Forests and Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Chadron, Nebraska. This national forest provides a lot of recreation opportunities and a diversity of natural resources which make it a perfect place to explore, learn, and enjoy your National Forests and Grasslands.

Talladega National Forest, Alabama

The Talladega National Forest is located in the U.S. state of Alabama and covers 392,567 acres of area at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains. The diverse ecosystem hosts pine forests and wildlife such as coyotes, black bears, white-tailed deers, two species of fox, bobwhite quails, two species of squirrel, turkeys, rabbits, raccoons, and various waterfowls. The forest is also home to a number of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species including the gopher tortoise flattened musk turtle and the red-cockaded woodpecker. The forest has services such as campgrounds, hiking trails, ATV trails, mountain cycling, wilderness camping, and much more. 

Cleveland National Forest, California

This forest is the southernmost national forest of California and encompasses an area of  460,000 acres. Some popular activities which are commonly seen include picnic areas, hiking through the mountains on foot, exploring on horseback, trail running, trail mountain biking, etc. Besides climbers and wildlife advocates, the Forest also accommodates the needs of hunters, campers, off-road-vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, horse riders, and others. 

Lassen National Forest, California

Lassen National Forest is located in northeastern California and is named after the pioneer Peter Lassen, who mined, ranched, and promoted the area to emigrant parties in the 1850s. This forest is now home to diverse plant life and wildlife and supports recreational activities like exploring, camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing, or just sitting beneath the towering pines on a sunny afternoon and relaxing. 

Angeles National Forest, California

The Angeles National Forest is part of the U.S. Forest Service and is located in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, primarily within Los Angeles County in southern California. The Angeles forests are excellent for outdoor recreational activities such as camping, hiking, trail biking, and much more. 

Apache–Sitgreaves National Forests, Mexico

The Apache–Sitgreaves National Forests are two 11,169 square kilometers, United States National Forests which run along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains in east-central Arizona and into the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Both these forests are managed as one unit by USDA Forest Service from the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Springerville, Arizona. Apache–Sitgreaves has over 400 species of wildlife. The Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest borders the western and northern borders of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Cibola National Forest, Mexico

The Cibola National Forest covers more than 1.6 million acres in New Mexico, with elevations ranging from 2,700 feet to over 11,300 feet. We have four ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mt. Taylor. In addition, the Cibola has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid. 

The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands are located in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma and are part of the Southwestern Region. The Cibola also administers four National Grasslands: Black Kettle, McClellan Creek, Kiowa, and Rita Blanca, which cover 263,261 acres in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, and northern Texas.

This forest is a visual treat to the eyes. The two most popular recreational activities on the Cibola are hiking/walking and viewing natural features with 35% and 15% of visitors citing these as their main activities, respectively.

Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

Hiawatha National Forest is located in Michigan’s wild and scenic Upper Peninsula. The Hiawatha National Forest’s shorelines lie nestled up to Lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan, three of the five great lakes in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan in the United States. This forest features lakeshores, lighthouses, islands, and abundant snow which create a natural habitat of recreation and wilderness activities. 

Gila National Forest, Mexico

The Gila is 3.3 million acres of forested hills, majestic mountains and rangeland. It is probably best known for its wilderness areas, in particular the Gila Wilderness – the first wilderness in the United States. The magnificent mountain scenery, cool summer temperatures, and relatively warm winters permit a wide range of recreational opportunities during all seasons. 

This forest covers approximately 10,969 square kilometers of public land, making it the sixth-largest National Forest in the United States. The Forest also manages that part of the Apache National Forest that is in New Mexico. Bushcraft in Gila National Forest is done regularly. The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping.

The Gila National Forest offers beautiful camping areas that range widely from low to high elevation, lakeside to forested and primitive to developed. The more developed campgrounds offer electrical hookups for RV or trailer camping, while the more primitive offer only a toilet. Most of the campsites tend to be directed toward the more primitive camping experience.

Carson National Forest, Mexico

In northern New Mexico, Carson National Forest is present with a size of 6,070 square kilometers. The Forest Service’s “mixed-use” policy allows for its use for recreation, grazing, and resource extraction. 

Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres covered by the Carson National Forest. Elevations rise from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Our objective is to maintain that natural beauty.

The Carson National Forest offers unlimited recreational opportunities in any season. The magnificent mountain scenery and cool summer temperatures lure vacationers to enjoy the peace and quiet, for fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

For those who want to get away, the Carson provides opportunities for back-country car and backpack camping. With few exceptions, visitors can roam the woods at will, wrapped in a cloak of peace and quiet. For more information, ask for a camping guide to Carson.

Coronado National Forest, Mexico

Coronado National Forest has an area of about 7,200 square kilometers spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. You can camp outside of developed areas across most of the Coronado National Forest at no charge. This forest is amazing for primitive camping and bushcraft in the USA.

The Boise National Forest, Idaho

The Boise National Forest features vast landscapes that span over 2.5 million acres of diverse forests and grasslands. This beautiful forest is located northeast of Idaho’s capital city of Boise, where recreationists can explore the North Fork Payette River Canyon at 2,800 feet in elevation to the nearly 10,000-foot peak of Trinity Mountain.  A perfect place to explore any of the more than 500 wilderness trails, or cool off in one of over 250 lakes and reservoirs, the Boise National Forest is truly an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. 

Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

The Sawtooth National Forest is a place of remarkable beauty that has been providing goods and services to the American people since its establishment in 1905. This 2.1 million-acre forest is situated in south-central Idaho and extends into northern Utah. The seasons of the year make no difference as the Sawtooth is a “Forest for all Seasons”. Wintertime offers outstanding experiences for cross-country skiing on both groomed and ungroomed trails. Springtime features snow-capped mountain peaks, rushing streams, and meadows carpeted with hundreds of varieties of wildflowers. Summertime allows visitors access to more than 80 developed camping and picnic areas.

Manistee National Forest, Michigan

Lying between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the nearly one-million-acre Huron-Manistee National Forests. These forests are known to offer year-around motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities. Some of the most popular are the trails and campgrounds which are situated alongside the four nationally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers such as the Pine, Manistee, Au Sable and Pere Marquette.

Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania

Allegheny National Forest, situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, was established in 1923. This national forest is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest and is composed of plateau tops with elevations up to approximately 2,300 feet and valleys down to approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. This National Forest has a healthy and vigorous forest that provides wood products, watershed protection, a variety of wildlife habitats, and recreational opportunities in a sustainable way. 

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, South Carolina

The Sumter National Forest consists of 1,499.13 square kilometers, which are divided into several non-contiguous sections in western South Carolina. Forest headquarters of both South Carolina forests are located together in the state’s capital city of Columbia.

Four ranger districts in South Carolina: the Andrew Pickens, the Enoree and the Long Cane districts on the Sumter National Forest; and the Francis Marion District on the Francis Marion National Forest offer recreational activities as diverse as their terrain–whether you prefer to hike to a mountain waterfall or paddle a lowcountry swamp wilderness.

Tongass National Forest, Alaska

The Tongass National Forest is the nation’s largest national forest and covers most of Southeast Alaska. The forest surrounds the famous Inside Passage and offers unique chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and other breath-taking vistas of “wild” Alaska. Hiking or sled-dog riding on a glacier, strolling along boardwalk trails, learning about fisheries management, fishing in streams or the ocean, or relaxing at a remote cabin are some of the activities that can be done while camping in this National Forest.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is host to some of the finest natural resources in Georgia. Its vast landscape is spread across nearly 26 counties with thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers. The forest also has approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities. These lands are rich in natural scenery, history, and culture and a must-visit location for bushcraft and wilderness campers.

Croatan National Forest, North Carolina

Croatan National Forest was established on July 29, 1936, and is located on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Croatan National Forest’s 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps called pocosins.  Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water. All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears, and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys, and alligators. Canoeing and fishing are popular in blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder, and pitcher plant.

Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina

The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina’s four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. In some spots, the sun reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the forest only when it is high overhead at midday.

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprising over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home to the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. This forest is perfect for Bushcraft USA.

Uwharrie National Forest, North Carolina

This is the smallest of the four National Forests in North Carolina, with a total area of 204 square kilometers. The forest is managed together with the other three North Carolina National Forests (Croatan, Nantahala, and Pisgah) from common headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina.

Primitive dispersed camping or Bushcraft is allowed except in those areas posted “No Camping” or a developed campground or day-use area. Find sites along most Forest Service roads and trails. Be careful with campfires and only use dead and down wood. Do not bring wood from outside the area to protect from invasive plants and insects.

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

Cherokee National Forest is located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee and is divided into northern and southern sections by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The forest is home to wildlife species such as black bear, raccoon, coyote, skunk, opossum, beaver, bobcat, chipmunk, river otter, two species of fox, woodchuck, and white-tailed deer. The Cherokee National Forest provides a scenic drive through the mountains, the pursuit of wildlife, the thrill of whitewater, a night under the stars, or solitude on a backcountry trail. 

Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah

This forest is more than 4,900 square kilometers and is located in central and southeastern Utah and Colorado. The forest is headquartered in Price, with ranger district offices in Price, Ferron, Ephraim, Moab, and Monticello. The maximum elevation is Mount Peale in the La Sal Mountains, reaching 12,721 feet above sea level. The La Sal Mountains are the second-highest mountain range in Utah after the Uintas. Bushcraft and Primitive camping in Manti-La Sal National Forest is allowed, however, rules must be followed. 

Fishlake National Forest, Utah

Fishlake National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in south-central Utah. The namesake for the forest is Fish Lake, the largest freshwater mountain lake in the state. Animals that live in this forest include elk, shrews, deer, black bears, raccoons, two species of skunks, badgers, turkey vultures, pine marten, porcupines, beavers, kestrels, pronghorn, various species of owls, bobcats, minks, three species of fox, cougars, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, wild turkeys, and mountain goats. 

This forest features majestic stands of aspen encircling open mountain meadows that are lush with a diverse community of forbs and grasses.

Coconino National Forest, Arizona

The Coconino National Forest is located in northern Arizona and was originally established as the “San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve”. It is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous red rocks of Sedona to pine forests in Ponderosa, from the deserts in the southwestern regions to the alpine tundra. This forest is perfect for camping and hiking as it has a diverse landscape such as mountains and canyons, fish in small lakes, creeks, and streams.