5 Incredibly Stunning Storybook Forests in the USA

How many of these forests have you explored?

Our country’s National Forest system extends over 193 million acres. This includes 154 protected grasslands and forests. And we rely on them more than you may imagine. Over 200 million people get their drinking water sourced from them.

Wooded areas aid in protecting our drinking water’s cleanliness by decreasing soil erosion and filtering harsh chemicals and sediments.

They reduce the risks in times of natural disasters like landslides and flooding, as well as the amounts of carbon dioxide in the air we breathe. So they ease the effects of climate change on our environment.

Let’s relish mother nature as we explore some of our country’s most stunning storybook forests.

Flathead National Forest: Montana

When in this area of our country, people tend to steer towards Glacier National Park. But if you drive a bit south, you’ll find 2.4 million acres of forest extending over a wild patch of the continent.

Flathead National Forest has three wilderness areas where you’ll find wandering grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. And for people who love nature, this protected area is a year-round adventure getaway.

The Jewel Basin Hiking Area has 15,000 acres intentionally created for trekkers at the northern end of the Swan Mountain range.

For rowing enthusiasts, the Middle, North, and South Forks of the Flathead River are part of the country’s National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. And throughout the winter, Flathead’s Whitefish Mountain Resort delivers over 3,000 acres of skiing opportunities.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Washington

If you’re in the area and planning to visit Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, you should also check out this beautiful wooded area.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest is well-known for its unique landscape, which includes caverns and tunnels formed in old cooling lava. We especially recommend visiting the 2.5-mile-long Ape Cave.

It’s a popular tourist attraction and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, a popular destination for hikers of all levels. This forest’s many lakes, rivers, and streams have a variety of fish like coho salmon, chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, steelhead trout, and rainbow trout.

You may even get a peek at the incredible wildlife, which includes elk, mountain goats, black bears, and bobcats.

El Yunque National Forest: Puerto Rico

This US island has 28,000 acres of pristine woodlands east of San Juan. It’s a biodiversity hub and happens to be the only tropical forest in our country’s National Forest System.

It spreads over the stream-braided Luquillo Mountains flanks, and the orchid-decked rainforest is a sanctuary for many beautiful local creatures, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.

But beyond the myriad of flora and fauna, these woodlands are trickled with peaks that give visitors picturesque views, including the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

For an authentic taste of the woodland’s 24-mile trail system, start at La Mina Trail, paralleling the La Mina River, and end at La Mina Falls. This 35ft waterfall gloriously spills into a remote swimming hole.

Expert hikers can take a longer trek on the El Toro Wilderness Trail which winds through the forest’s 10,000-acre wilderness area to the summit of 3,542ft El Toro, the highest peak in the Luquillo Mountains.

Coconino National Forest: Arizona

When you think about “Arizona,” your mind might automatically conjure up visions of cacti and the desert. And when you think about the word “forest,” you’ll probably imagine miles of evergreen-covered mountains.

Well, this particular woodland somehow defies both sets of those expectations. It boasts a landscape that goes from dramatic red rock formations to an alpine tundra. The wildlife in the area is just as varied.

You’ll find elk, black bears, javelinas, rattlesnakes, and much more. It’s no wonder that this National Forest is so famous for its outdoor recreation. Visitors get to hike, go horseback riding, fish, and camp.

Another notable feature of this forest is that it’s a significant archaeological site. It sits on top of the remains of an ancient Sinagua village at Elden Pueblo.

The objects recovered here are believed to have originated as far away as California and even Mexico, suggesting that a prominent trade outpost was nearby.

White River National Forest: Colorado

These particular woods has eight wilderness areas, including the famously picturesque Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. It also has ten mountain peaks that are taller than 14,000ft.

This makes it a massive attraction for skilled mountain climbers, photographers, skiers, campers, and any other outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Besides that, this was where Arthur Carhart, the US Forest Service official, originated the idea of federally designated wilderness areas. This National Forest is also a well-known area where you can catch wildflowers blooming in the summer.

You get to see when blue lupines and Colorado columbines contrast with yellow heartleaf arnica and soaring groundsel. In fact, this time of year is so popular there are wildflower festival events held yearly in the nearby town of Crested Butte to honor the event.

Be sure to let us know if you’ve visited any of these places, and share your experience with us! And if you enjoy reading about the beautiful places our country has to offer, we also recommend checking out: 6 Magnificent Train Tours In The US You “MUST-SEE”