National Forest Week 2025: A Celebration of Where We Come Alive
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June 9–15, 2025
What’s your favorite way to connect with the wild?
(USDA Forest Service photo by Preston Keres)
Maybe it’s hiking a pine-scented trail at sunrise, casting a line into a mountain stream, or pitching a tent under a sky full of stars. However you choose to recharge, National Forest Week™ 2025 is your invitation to get outside and celebrate the places that fuel your spirit.
From June 9–15, 2025, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) is throwing a nationwide party. One that spans 193 million acres of public land and welcomes anyone who finds joy, peace, or adventure in the great outdoors.
This year marks the 7th annual National Forest Week™, and it promises more ways than ever to explore your public lands, support stewardship efforts, and fall head over hiking boots in love with nature all over again.
National Forests are Where We Come Alive
“National Forest Week celebrates the unmatched outdoor experiences found in our National Forests,” says Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President & CEO of the National Forest Foundation. “From hiking, biking, and hunting to fishing, paddling, and camping, these 193 million acres offer something for everyone. This summer, we invite all Americans to get outside, explore their public lands, and join us in caring for them.”
The NFF is the official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, a congressionally chartered organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the beauty, health, and accessibility of our National Forests and Grasslands.
With restoration projects, trail work, education programs, and advocacy, the NFF helps ensure that these special places thrive for generations to come.
But National Forest Week isn’t just about raising awareness. It’s about combining action and fun to celebrate our public lands. From group hikes and volunteer days to trail rides, trivia nights, and community celebrations, this week is packed with opportunities to show your love for the wild places that keep us grounded.
Local Events, National Impact
Whether you live in the mountain towns of the Rockies or the rolling woodlands of the South, there’s probably a National Forest Week™ event near you. Here’s a glimpse at what’s happening around the country:
In Asheville, North Carolina, trail lovers can get their hands dirty at Camp Grier with the G5 Trail Collective, join a mountain bike ride hosted by Pisgah Area SORBA, or attend a lively panel discussion focused on the future of public lands.
In Boise, Idaho, you can help plant seedlings at Bogus Basin or test your forest smarts at National Forest Trivia Night at Lost Grove Brewing—prizes included, of course.
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, outdoor enthusiasts are invited to join a river cleanup, go birding with experts at the Randall Davey Audubon Center, or explore the Santa Fe Watershed on a guided hike. And for those who like to pair their pedals with a pint, there’s a community bike ride ending at Santa Fe Brewing Co.
In Truckee, California, volunteers can participate in a trail restoration project with Truckee Dirt Union, then kick back at a celebratory gathering with The Landmark Project and other local partners—raffles, food, and storytelling included.
Additional events are planned throughout Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Every gathering is an opportunity to connect with your community, give back to the land, and enjoy the wild just a little more deeply.
(Don’t forget to RSVP: event details are available on the NFF’s website.)
Snap, Share, and Win: The National Forest Week Photo Contest
If you prefer your celebration through the lens of a camera, the National Forest Week™ Photo Contest is calling your name.
Between May 19 and June 15, 2025, photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit their favorite shots taken in a U.S. National Forest or Grassland.
The best entries will win prizes from adventure-worthy brands like RVshare, Southwest Airlines, Big Agnes, and more.
Whether it’s a misty morning over a mountain ridge or the moment your kid catches their first fish, this is your chance to show the world what makes our National Forests so unforgettable.
(Just be sure your photo was taken in a National Forest or Grassland—entries outside of those parameters won’t qualify.)
Plan Your Own Forest Adventure
Can’t make it to an official event? No problem.
With 154 National Forests and 20 National Grasslands spread across 193 million acres, your next great adventure is probably closer than you think. In fact, 7 in 10 Americans live within a two-hour drive of a National Forest or Grassland.
Better yet, most National Forests are free to access, and they tend to be less crowded than many National Parks, making them perfect for spontaneous getaways and peaceful nature breaks.
Use National Forest Week™ as the perfect excuse to:
- Hike a new trail
- Discover a hidden swimming hole
- Camp under the stars
- Take a scenic drive
- Visit a ranger station and learn something new
Need help picking a destination? Visit the NFF’s “Find a Forest” tool to explore new locations and plan your trip.
The Forest is Waiting
National Forest Week™ is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action. It’s about finding joy in the outdoors, deepening our connection to the land, and giving back to the wild places that give us so much.
Whether you spend the week volunteering, hiking your favorite trail, or simply sitting quietly beneath a canopy of trees, you’re part of something bigger. You’re part of a movement to celebrate and protect the spaces that make us feel alive.
So grab your boots, your bike, your binoculars, or just your curiosity, and join the National Forest Foundation this June.
The forest is calling. Will you answer?
Read Next: National Parks vs. National Forests and the Best Spots to Visit in the USA
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