Safety and Outdoor Ethics
Your national forests and grasslands provide a natural arena for a wide variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities. Some sites require a modest recreation fee to help provide the services and facilities at the site. To help you get the most of your experience, read these helpful tips:
- Camping
- Driving
- Electronic Bicycle Use
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain biking
- Off-highway vehicle touring
- Recreation Fees and Passes
- Responsible recreation
- Shooting
- Tree-cutting
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or Drones
- Wildflowers
- Wildlife photography
Stay Safe
The beauty and peacefulness of the forest may make you feel carefree, but you must remain vigilant for potentially dangerous situations.
Brave the Elements
The weather can change suddenly and dramatically. Be prepared by monitoring weather conditions before you set out for the day.
- Avalanches
- Floods
- Hail
- Heat
- Heat.gov - National Integrated Heat Health Information System
- Hurricanes
- Hypothermia
- Lightning
- Tornadoes
- Wind
Respect Wildlife
We share the outdoors with a variety of animals who make the forest their home. Remember, these are not pets. Keep a safe distance from them and be careful not to disturb their habitat.