The Best National Forests in Each Region with Greg M. Peters

Most RV owners have a National Park's bucket list. Whether its Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia or Denali, most RV owners know exactly what NPS units they want to visit next. But how many RV owners have a National Forest's bucket list? Not many. Our National Forests fly under the radar for most RV owners, and for most American's in general.

Most RV owners know that our most popular National Parks are experiencing major issues with overcrowding, and that they are being "loved to death." Because of this, many smart travelers are looking for other options that also offer magnificent landscapes and epic opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and more. Our National Forests provide all of these opportunities and more. With this in mind, The RV Atlas decided to interview an expert on our National Forests in a two-part podcast series. The last episode of the RV Atlas podcast offered tips for camping responsibly on public land. The most recent episode offers up recommendations for the best National Forests in each region.

Please click on the media player above to listen to this episode, or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows. 

photo by Greg M. Peters

The RV Atlas Interviews Greg M. Peters

Greg M. Peters was our guest on both of these aforementioned podcast episodes. Greg is the former director of communications at the National Forest Foundation and the author of Standup Paddling Montana and most recently, Our National Forests: Stories From America’s Most Important Public Lands. Greg’s latest book is truly beautiful and will look great on your coffee table or on the shelf. It is also imminently readable and the chapters can be tackled separately, or in one enjoyable read. Our National Forests is also filled with gorgeous photography. It is a must read for anyone that is interested in the past. present, and future of the NFS.

In Greg's second appearance on the show he gives us some basic information about the size and scope of our National Forests, and then talks about one of his favorite National Forests in each of its 9 regions.There are National Forests or Grasslands in all but the following 8 states:.NJ, MD, IA, HI, DE, MA, RI, and CT. So the network is vast. As incredible as it sounds, our National Forests encompass over 193 million acres. There are 155 National Forests in the United States, along with 20 Grasslands, and one tall-grass prairie. All of these units are managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture. Other federal lands, including our National Parks, operate under the Jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. 

photo compliments of Brian Chaszar

Here is a list of Greg's highlights from each of those regions, and his top pick from each region. Click on the links to explore each one and begin building your own National Forest bucket list! To hear Greg speak about each of these National Forests please tune in to this episode of The RV Atlas!

***Please note that there is no longer a region seven.

Region 1: Northern Region

(Northern Rockies - MT, NE-WA, North ID, ND, NW- SD, NW-WY – 12 NFs, 1 Grassland)

Greg's Highlights from the Northern Region – 2.8 million acres, Rocky Mountain Front – stunning scenery…prairies to mountains…Bob Marshall Wilderness Area…rivers…reservoirs…Island Mountain Ranges, Native American history, Lewis and Clark history, Missouri River…Gates of the Mountains…

Greg's top pick from the Northern Region: Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest

Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region

(Most of WY, SD, KS, NE, CO – 16 NFs, 7 Grasslands)

Greg's Highlights from the Rocky Mountain Region: 2.3 million acres, Winter sports mecca – more than 10 ski resorts, summer activities too – Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Ck, Aspen,