THIS LIST IS ALWAYS GROWING!
National Forests
We've Explored
📍 Badlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) – The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.
📍 Bighorn Mountains - Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) – The northern end of the Bighorn Mountains have been cut by the Bighorn River which carved a canyon almost 50 miles long. The range runs for about 150 miles in north-central Wyoming and south-central Montana.
📍 Kaibab National Forest – If you are anywhere near Arizona, you won't want to miss the chance to visit us as the forest surrounds the northern and southern portions of the majestic Grand Canyon. From canyons to prairies, peaks to plateaus, the Kaibab National Forest offers layers of opportunity for peace, solitude and discovery.
📍 Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area | Bureau of Land Management – The Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA) was created in 1983 to fulfill the needs of winter visitors and to protect the local desert ecosystem from overuse. The campground is approximately 3,500 acres in size, flat landscape, sparsely vegetated with plants such as creosote bushes, palo verde trees, ironwood trees, mesquite trees and various species of cacti. Imperial Dam LTVA offers solitude in a unique desert landscape and a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing.
At DogGone Nomads, we believe that some of the best adventures happen in America’s National Forests and Parks! From towering mountains to vast deserts, we’ve explored some of the most breathtaking landscapes the U.S. has to offer—all with dogs by my side.
This page is a growing list of the National Forests we’ve personally visited, complete with links to their official sites so you can plan your own adventure. Whether you’re looking for pet-friendly trails, boondocking spots nearby, or just some inspiration for your next trip, we’ve got you covered.
Explore the Forests
Click on a National Forest name below to visit its official website and learn more about what makes each destination special.
📍 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest – Major attractions for visitors from the desert are the Mogollon Rim and eight cold-water lakes. From the Rim’s 7,600 - foot elevation, vista points provide inspiring views of the low lands to the south.
📍 Sauls Creek in the San Juan National Forest – The Sauls Creek OHV Trail System includes both roads open to all vehicles as well as trails limited to Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 50 inches wide. This area is subject to seasonal winter closures to protect big game habitat. Check Columbine District Motorized Vehicle Use Map for seasonal closures dates.
📍 San Juan National Forest - San Juan National Forest encompasses about 1.8 million acres in the southwestern corner of Colorado. From high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, these federal lands are managed for multiple uses and visitors are asked to respect each other and the natural resources. The San Juan National Forest Headquarters is located in Durango, Colorado, with district offices in Bayfield, Dolores and Pagosa Springs.
📍 Black Hills National Forest – The Black Hills, in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, consists of 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains, approximately 110 miles long and 70 miles wide. The name "Black Hills" comes from the Lakota words Paha Sapa, which mean "hills that are black." Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black. Millions of visitors come to the Black Hills each year to experience the rich and diverse heritage.
📍 Rio Grande National Forest – The Rio Grande National Forest spans over 1.8 million acres in a forested ring around the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. From the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range to rugged canyons and ancient calderas, the forest offers year-round opportunities for sightseeing and abundant recreational activities.
📍 Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests – Scenery and an abundance of opportunities for access draw you in and trails lead the way to the rugged canyons, vast mountains, wildlife and history of the GMUG. Over 3,000 miles of trails and routes provide access to areas of rugged beauty and solitude. The topography allows the forest to provide trails—beginner to extreme—all year. The mountains, plateau and mesa that make up the forest will always provide a scenic backdrop and a unique experience.
📍 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland – The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, also known as the MBRTB, spans nearly 2.9 million acres in northern Colorado and eastern Wyoming. Characterized by mountain ranges and vast open landscapes, the national forests and national grassland provide abundant and unique opportunities for visitors all year round. From scenic views and summer summits to nationally renowned winter recreation, what ever you are seeking, you can find it here.
📍 Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands encompasses 1.9 million acres. The 4 “sky island” ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mt Taylor cover more than 1.6 million acres in New Mexico with elevations range up to 11,301 ft. The Cibola also has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington and Apache Kid and administers four National Grasslands: Black Kettle, McClellan Creek, Kiowa and Rita Blanca covering 263,261 acres in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and northern Texas.
This list is always growing! Be sure to check back as we add more National Parks to our journey. If you’ve visited any of these spots, we’d love to hear about your experiences—connect with us on social media and share your favorite park moments!
🔗 Looking for tips on exploring with your dog? Check out our Travel Guide for expert advice on pet-friendly adventures!
