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The Forest Service was established in 1905 and is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres. more »

Spotlight

New Travel Management Rule

The Forest Service published a new regulation on November 9, 2005, governing off-highway vehicles and other motor vehicle use on national forests and grasslands. The new rule requires each national forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use.

"OHVs are fun and exciting ways to experience national forests, and we’ve seen dramatic increases in their popularity in the last decades," said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. "Land managers, working with states, counties, motorized sports enthusiasts, conservationists, local communities and others, will provide sustainable motorized recreation experiences in national forests and grasslands for the long run." more »

Final rule, as published in the Federal Register (pdf)

News release: USDA Forest Service Releases Final Rule For Motorized Recreation In National Forests & Grasslands (Nov. 2)

Audio replay of Final OHV Rule announcement with USDA Forest Service Chief Bosworth (mp3)

Forest Service Byways

A vast spectrum of visual delights awaits visitors as they travel along the Talimena Scenic Drive, a nationally designated Department of Transportation (DOT) national scenic byway. The Forest Service and Ouachita National Forest had key representatives on the committee to nominate this byway.

We celebrate the recent addition of 45 new National Scenic Byways and All American Roads to the America’s Byways collection by the Secretary of Transportation. The Forest Service has been involved or has landscape connections to 21 of these new designations which cross our National Forest System.

The Forest Service is proud to be an active player with the DOT, National Scenic Byways Program, helping to promote responsible travel and tourism to our National Forest System destinations and assisting these community organizations achieve sustainable economic development along their landscape corridors.

The National Forest System is now a major destination and partner for a majority of America’s Byways. See the whole list for planning your next trip to the National Forests and Grasslands. more »

Wild Turkey Hunting

The National Forests and Grasslands provide millions of acres of opportunity for recreational hunting. While safety should always be top priority, following a few special tips will help ensure a safe and successful outing in the great American outdoors, especially if you are hunting wild turkeys. Since turkey hunters are typically in full camouflage and mimicking the calls of the wild turkey, it becomes increasingly important to be absolutely sure of your target before you pull the trigger. Here are a few safety and awareness tips you can use, which were developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation:

• Always be sure of your target. Keep your safety on until you are absolutely sure and ready to pull the trigger
• Avoid wearing the colors red, white or blue as they resemble the colors on a wild turkey's head
• Be skeptical. Many turkey hunters can mimic the call of a wild turkey so well even the most experienced hunter can be fooled
• Never ever run with a loaded gun
• Set-up in front of a large tree or rock that will shield you from behind in case another hunter approaches
• If you observe another hunter approaching call out in a loud, clear voice, "Turkey Hunter, STOP!"
• Hunting regulations vary. Know the regulations in your area

Features

Fall Colors

The Forest Service Fall Color hotline is up and running!! This hotline provides national forest visitors with weekly updates on fall foliage color changes and fall activities throughout the nation.

The toll-free 'Fall Color Hotline' can be reached at (800) 354-4595. The automated voice system is updated weekly with information about peak fall foliage colors in various regions throughout the country. This is the 14th year we are providing this service. The hotline will continue to operate through the middle of November, or as long as there is significant fall color in our national forests.

more  »

Four Threats

Fire and fuels, invasive species, loss of open space, and unmanaged recreation are the four threats identified by Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth as having the greatest impact on the health of our Nation’s forests and grasslands. To learn more about each threat, visit the Four Threats section of our web site. more  »

Website Information

Web Survey

As you leave our site, a pop-up window may ask you to complete a survey that will help us improve the Forest Service website. The survey gathers no personal information about you. We hope you will take time to respond! more »