JACKSON, Wyo. — From July 12-18,  National Forest Week will be held as a reminder that without these lands, America would be a very different place. In the U.S., National Forests and Grasslands provide Americans with 193 million spectacular acres of wildlands.
This year, National Forest Week encourages Americans to get outside and explore their National Forests and Grasslands. Whether it’s a new trail in the backyard forest or a new destination across the country, there are endless ways to explore the incredible public lands.
Managed by the USDA Forest Service, National Forests and Grasslands host more than 170 million visits each year. Visitor spending pumps $13.5 billion into the economy annually, sustaining nearly 223,000 jobs in gateway communities.
National Forest lands across the country provide the following:
- More than 9,000 miles of scenic byways to drive
- Almost 150,000 miles of trails to hike
- More than 4,400 miles of wild and scenic rivers to float
- At least 5,100 campgrounds to pitch tents
- 328 natural pools to swim in
National Forest lands also offer the chance to see elk and bear, ducks and deer, trout and trees, thousands of species of plants, and billions of stars in a midnight sky.
These lands are the foundation of America’s outdoor recreation heritage and continue to sustain a way of life. They provide water to millions of Americans in thousands of communities, clean the air, store carbon, and provide timber, minerals, oil and gas and other resources for industry and communities.
Anytime individuals pay a visit to a National Forest, they are encouraged to tag #RecreateResponsibly to ensure these places stay healthy for future generations.
Click here to learn more about National Forests and National Forest Week.
