Why stop only at a National Park when you can explore a National Forest too?
Many travelers spend days planning the perfect National Park vacation, but once they’ve checked off the park’s most famous sights, they often wonder what to do next. The answer may be right next door. National Forests are some of America’s best-kept outdoor secrets, offering stunning scenery, scenic drives, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and far fewer crowds than many National Parks.
From glacier-carved mountains and towering waterfalls to red rock canyons and ancient forests, these National Park and National Forest pairings give you the best of both worlds.
As an Amazon affiliate, when you click on any of the links on this page and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you! By using our affiliate links, you’ll find our favorite picks and support us at the same time. And we really appreciate your support!
Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest, Washington
Explore Washington’s Most Diverse Landscapes
Surrounding Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest encompasses more than 632,000 acres of rainforests, mountain ridges, rivers, and coastal landscapes. Visitors can enjoy over 270 miles of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and scenic drives.
Inside Olympic National Park, you’ll find an incredible mix of ecosystems, from rugged Pacific coastline and temperate rainforests to alpine peaks. Popular activities include hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and waterfall chasing.
Where to Stay
Stay at the historic Lake Quinault Lodge or choose from numerous campgrounds throughout both the park and forest.
Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, Montana
Glacier Views Without the Crowds
Located just south of Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest covers 2.4 million acres of pristine wilderness filled with lakes, rivers, mountains, and more than 2,000 miles of trails.
Glacier National Park is famous for its alpine scenery, turquoise lakes, historic lodges, and the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. With more than 700 miles of trails, it’s one of America’s premier hiking destinations.
Where to Stay
Both the park and forest offer excellent camping opportunities, while Glacier’s historic lodges provide a memorable national park experience.
Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest, Arizona
Beyond the Rim
Kaibab National Forest surrounds much of Grand Canyon National Park and offers spectacular canyon views, scenic drives, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife with significantly fewer visitors.
Grand Canyon National Park remains one of the world’s most iconic landscapes, featuring breathtaking overlooks, scenic drives, and hiking opportunities on both the North and South Rims.
Where to Stay
The Kaibab Lodge is a fantastic option for visitors exploring the North Rim and North Kaibab National Forest. The south rim offers multiple choices for lodging including the historic El Tovar Hotel.
Travel Tip: Some areas in the north affected by recent wildfires may remain closed. Always check current conditions before your trip.
Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest, California
Giant Sequoias, Waterfalls, and Mountain Views
Bordering Yosemite’s southern edge, Sierra National Forest offers granite peaks, deep canyons, waterfalls, lakes, and some of the world’s largest giant sequoias.
Yosemite National Park is known for iconic landmarks such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and expansive wilderness areas that attract visitors from around the globe.
Where to Stay
Choose from Yosemite’s historic lodges and campgrounds, or enjoy camping and outdoor recreation within Sierra National Forest.
Yellowstone National Park and Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana
Wildlife, Wilderness, and Fewer Crowds
With six mountain ranges and more than three million acres of public land, Custer Gallatin National Forest offers exceptional wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, and scenic drives.
Yellowstone National Park features geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, including bison, elk, wolves, and bears. Old Faithful is a must-see iconic geyser.
Where to Stay
Yellowstone offers nine lodging options and numerous campgrounds. Custer Gallatin provides campgrounds, cabins, and peaceful backcountry escapes.
Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming
Mountains as Far as the Eye Can See
Bridger-Teton National Forest features mountain lakes, scenic byways, wildlife viewing, and over 3.4 million acres of outdoor adventure.
Next door, Grand Teton National Park showcases some of America’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Popular destinations include Jenny Lake, Colter Bay, and the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.
Where to Stay
Campgrounds and lodges are available throughout both destinations. Reservations are highly recommended during peak season.
Bryce Canyon National Park and Fishlake National Forest, Utah
Hoodoos and Hidden Mountain Lakes
Fishlake National Forest is home to Utah’s largest natural mountain lake, excellent fishing, waterfalls, wildlife viewing, and scenic mountain landscapes.
Bryce Canyon National Park features the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos, towering rock spires that create one of the most unique landscapes in America. The first 3 miles into the park brings you Bryce Amphitheater where you will see many of the hoodoos.
Where to Stay
Fishlake offers dozens of campgrounds, while Bryce Canyon provides historic lodging and campground options.
Zion National Park and Dixie National Forest, Utah
Red Rock Beauty Without the Crowds
Dixie National Forest delivers stunning red rock formations, scenic drives, mountain viewpoints, fishing, and hiking opportunities that rival nearby National Parks. From the top of Powell Point you can see three different states.
Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls of a narrow slot canyon. Enjoy the scenic drive or river trip through the canyon. Zion National Park captivates visitors with towering sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and unforgettable canyon views.
Where to Stay
Choose from Zion Lodge, historic cabins, campgrounds, or camping opportunities throughout Dixie National Forest.
Pro Tip: Use a dash camera when doing the scenic drives to get great pictures and videos.
Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado
Colorado’s Ultimate Mountain Escape
Surrounding much of Rocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest offers alpine lakes, mountain trails, scenic drives, and access to Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans). Drive the highest paved road in North America to the summit and make a stop at Echo Lake.
Rocky Mountain National Park features over 350 miles of trails, breathtaking alpine scenery, and incredible wildlife viewing.
Where to Stay
Campgrounds are available throughout both destinations, though lodging options inside the park are limited.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee
Endless Scenic Drives and Waterfalls
Cherokee National Forest contains over 700 miles of trails, scenic mountain drives, rivers, waterfalls, and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park, known for its rolling mountain vistas, historic sites, waterfalls, and wildlife and scenic drives.
Where to Stay
The national forest offers more than 30 campgrounds, while the park provides multiple camping options throughout the Smokies.
Badlands National Park and Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Prairies, Peaks, and Presidential History
Black Hills National Forest offers scenic drives, wildlife viewing, historic mining sites, and easy access to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.
Badlands National Park protects colorful rock formations, fossil beds, and mixed-grass prairie landscapes filled with wildlife. Driving the scenic routes are the best way to enjoy the park and see the bison and other wildlife.
Where to Stay
The forest features numerous campgrounds and historic cabin rentals, while Badlands offers limited lodging and camping.
Pro Tip: Bring binoculars for better viewing of wildlife. These digital binoculars are great for pictures.
North Cascades National Park and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington
One of America’s Most Underrated Mountain Destinations
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest stretches from ancient forests and deep river valleys to alpine peaks and the shores of Lake Chelan. From the rugged peaks of the Cascade Mountains to the tranquil shores of Lake Chelan, from water activities, waterfalls and scenic drives there is something for everyone.
North Cascades National Park is home to more than 300 glaciers, jagged mountain peaks, waterfalls, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Explore jagged peaks crowned by glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied here.
Where to Stay
Numerous campgrounds and lookout cabins are available in the forest. Lodging options near the park are limited, making nearby gateway towns an excellent base camp.
Final Thoughts: Double the Adventure on Your Next Road Trip
Why choose between a National Park and a National Forest when you can experience both?
These incredible pairings offer the iconic scenery of America’s National Parks alongside the quieter trails, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing found in nearby National Forests. Together, they create the perfect combination of bucket-list attractions and hidden gems.
On your next road trip, consider adding a neighboring National Forest to your itinerary. You’ll discover fewer crowds, more opportunities to explore, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in America.
We love sharing tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your next vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.