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ForestMatters, LLC

Independent Outdoor Research

Your Guide to
America's National Forests

Accurate stats, honest difficulty ratings, and the detail that actually helps you plan your next trip.

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National Forest Guides

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San Gabriel Mountains and Mount San Antonio in Angeles National Forest, California

Angeles National Forest

California700,386 acres

Complete guide to Angeles National Forest in Southern California. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, mountain peaks, and trip planning resources for LA's backyard wilderness.

12 min read

Dukes Creek Falls in Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

Georgia865,790 acres

Complete guide to Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, waterfalls, Appalachian Trail access, and trip planning resources.

14 min read

Fall color along the Verde Wild and Scenic River in Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Coconino National Forest

Arizona1,856,038 acres

Complete guide to Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, red rock country, and trip planning resources.

12 min read

Fall color at Sparks Lake meadow in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon

Deschutes National Forest

Oregon1,596,900 acres

Complete guide to Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, volcanic landscapes, and trip planning resources.

9 min read

Rocky Mountains in Flathead National Forest, Montana

Flathead National Forest

Montana2,411,557 acres

Complete guide to Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, grizzly bear country, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Shenandoah Mountain panorama in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Virginia

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Virginia1,790,000 acres

Complete guide to George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia and West Virginia. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, McAfee Knob, Dragon's Tooth, and trip planning resources.

12 min read

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Washington1,312,000 acres

Complete guide to Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington. Trail recommendations, volcanic landscapes, campgrounds, permits, and trip planning for this underrated Pacific Northwest gem.

9 min read

Banner Peak and Island Pass Lake in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, California

Inyo National Forest

California1,837,190 acres

Complete guide to Inyo National Forest in California's Eastern Sierra. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, Mount Whitney, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Eureka Peak in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

Mount Hood National Forest

Oregon1,067,043 acres

Complete guide to Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, seasonal tips, and everything you need to plan your trip.

10 min read

Barnett Branch Trail waterfall in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Pisgah National Forest

North Carolina512,758 acres

Complete guide to Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, waterfalls, Blue Ridge Parkway access, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Alpine Loop scenic drive in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Utah2,119,930 acres

Complete guide to Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, alpine lakes, and trip planning resources.

10 min read

Mountain panorama from Kancamagus Highway in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

White Mountain National Forest

New Hampshire800,992 acres

Complete guide to White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, Presidential Range, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Maroon Bells in autumn near Aspen in White River National Forest, Colorado

White River National Forest

Colorado2,285,970 acres

Complete guide to White River National Forest in the Colorado Rockies. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, fourteeners, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Latest Trail Guides

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moderateout-and-back

Bridge to Nowhere

10 mi1,200 ft gain
CaliforniaOctober through May

Guide to the Bridge to Nowhere trail in Angeles National Forest, California. A 10-mile out-and-back along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River to an abandoned 1930s bridge.

5 min read

easy-moderateloop

Crystal Lake Loop

2.6 mi400 ft gain
CaliforniaMay through November

A 2.6-mile loop around Crystal Lake in Angeles National Forest, California, the only natural lake in the San Gabriel Mountains, at 5,800 feet with views through a ponderosa pine forest.

5 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Eaton Canyon Falls

3.4 mi400 ft gain
CaliforniaNovember through May

Guide to the Eaton Canyon Falls trail near Pasadena, California. An easy 3.4-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall just minutes from the LA metro area.

5 min read

moderateout-and-back

Josephine Peak via Colby Canyon

5.5 mi1,500 ft gain
CaliforniaOctober through May

A 5.5-mile out-and-back to the 5,558-foot summit of Josephine Peak in Angeles National Forest, California, with sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding San Gabriel peaks.

5 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Mt. Baldy via Devil's Backbone

11 mi3,900 ft gain
CaliforniaMay through November

Guide to summiting Mount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) via the Devil's Backbone in Angeles National Forest, California. The highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,069 feet.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

San Gabriel Peak

6.2 mi1,300 ft gain
CaliforniaOctober through June

Guide to San Gabriel Peak in Angeles National Forest. A 6.2-mile out-and-back from Red Box Junction climbs to the highest point in the front range of the San Gabriels with panoramic views of Los Angeles.

6 min read

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