Topic guide · last checked Oct 29, 2026
Hunting on national forests and large public forests
National forests are some of the largest blocks of public land in our PAD-US directory. This guide explains how to use those pages—and links a sample of major forests—without inventing seasons or bag limits.
Last checked Oct 29, 2026 against the U.S. Forest Service hunting overview. Forest-specific maps, closures and motor-vehicle rules change. Confirm with the local ranger district and your state wildlife agency before you hunt.
What PAD-US can and cannot tell you
Our forest pages show name, approximate acreage, counties, a representative point, nearby units and the PAD-US access tag. They do not list which species are legal, whether a forest is open that weekend, or whether a state permit is required beyond a hunting license. The Forest Service and state agency pages are the authority.
Official starting point: fs.usda.gov — hunting on national forests.
Sample national forests & large public forests in our directory
These units already have detail pages on this site. Acreage is from PAD-US, not a huntability score.
- National Forest land
Inyo National Forest
1,842,024 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Mono County, Inyo County + 2 more
Open access - National Forest land
White River National Forest
2,290,113 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Eagle County, Pitkin County + 7 more
Open access - National Forest land
San Juan National Forest
1,866,013 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · La Plata County, Archuleta County + 7 more
Open access - National Forest land
Superior National Forest
2,091,738 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Lake County, St. Louis County + 1 more
Open access - National Forest land
Flathead National Forest
2,414,257 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Flathead County, Powell County + 4 more
Open access - National Forest land
Tonto National Forest
2,866,821 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Gila County, Maricopa County + 2 more
Open access - National Forest land
Coconino National Forest
1,845,219 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Coconino County, Yavapai County + 1 more
Open access - National Forest land
Boise National Forest
2,648,291 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Valley County, Boise County + 4 more
Open access - National Forest land
Gila National Forest
2,659,260 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Catron County, Grant County + 2 more
Open access - National Forest land
Wenatchee National Forest
1,803,095 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Chelan County, Kittitas County
Open access - National Forest land
Sam Houston National Forest
163,234 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · San Jacinto County, Walker County + 1 more
Open access - National Forest land
Chattahoochee National Forest
751,522 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Rabun County, Fannin County + 15 more
Open access - National Forest land
Uwharrie National Forest
51,868 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Montgomery County, Randolph County + 1 more
Open access - State forest
Forbes State Forest
47,907 acres
State: department of natural resources · Somerset County, Westmoreland County + 1 more
Open access
Practical checklist
- Open the forest page here for location and size.
- Open the Forest Service unit / ranger-district page for maps, MVUMs and fire closures.
- Open your state wildlife agency for seasons, licenses and any state walk-in overlays.
- If a state WMA or refuge sits inside or beside the forest, follow that unit’s rules separately.
Related
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.