Sometimes our lives can just feel crowded. There’s not always a lot of space to get away in the cities and suburbs. And even the national parks and forests and other sites that used to feel secluded are getting more crowded.
Fortunately, there are still places you can escape. These five national forests and wilderness areas are far off the beaten path. You’ll find wild, untamed landscapes far away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world.
It does take work to get to these remote places. You might not find the amenities you would at a more popular destination. But you’ll be rewarded with peace and quiet as you immerse yourself in nature.
Let’s look at some of the most remote forests in the United States.
Dixie National Forest, Utah
Dixie National Forest is between Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, and it borders Capitol Reef National Park on the east. The elevation in the forest ranges from 2,800 feet near St. George to 11,300 feet at Blue Bell Knoll on Boulder Mountain. Because the forest is so close to the national parks, a lot of the hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and other outdoor activities you do will be among landscapes that are similar to those much more crowded parks. You’ll even find an area that looks like Bryce Canyon, with hoodoos and other rock formations.
Getting There
The forest is traversed by U.S. Route 12 and Utah State Route 14. The roads are paved, but some areas require navigating narrow, winding mountain roads, which could be challenging in a larger RV.
Things to Do
There’s a lot to do in this vast forest. There are miles and miles of hiking trails, including the Pink Ledges Trail and Arches Trail in Red Canyon, and the Virgin River Rim Trail, which gives you amazing panoramic views of the area. You can go fishing and boating on more than 500 miles of streams and 90 lakes – Panguitch Lake is a convenient option.
Horseback riding is available, and there are guided rides in areas including Panguitch Lake. You’ll find mountain biking and OHV riding on designated trails. During the fall, you can go leaf peeping among vibrant fall foliage. And in winter, you can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Camping Options
There are lots of camping options in the forest. Red Canyon Village is a seasonal campground that has RV camping and is close to Bryce Canyon. It has full hookups, showers, fire pits, and a dog park. There are several Forest Service campgrounds available as well, including Navajo Lake Campground and Cedar Canyon Campground.
About the Area
Dixie National Forest is Utah’s largest national forest and covers more than 2 million acres. It has several different regions, including the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert. Because of these regions, the forest has a variety of landscapes and ecosystems. You’ll find desert environments, along with lakes, alpine tundra, and mountains.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Montana
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is in southwestern Montana, near Butte and Dillon. It ranges in elevation from 4,500 feet to over 11,000 feet and encompasses the Anaconda, Pioneer, Tobacco Root, Gravelly, Tendoy, and Beaverhead Mountains.
Wildlife in the area includes grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, mountain lions, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and more. There are also lots of trout in the sparkling mountain streams. It’s the perfect spot for someone looking for solitude and fewer crowds.
Getting There
This national forest is accessible via multiple highways and forest roads. Some areas of the forest are easier to reach than others. Some parts do have rough gravel roads and may be hard for large RVs to navigate.
Things to Do
There are lots of outdoor activities to do in this forest. The area has more than 1,500 miles of trails, and you can hike part of the Continental Divide Scenic Trail or the Lewis & Clark Trail. Look for remnants of historic ghost towns like the one at Bannack State Park. Go fishing in the rivers and lakes – the area is excellent for fly fishing, especially. Some lakes also allow kayaking and canoeing. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is a beautiful 49-mile drive through part of the forest.
You can also try winter activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing.
Camping Options
There are established campgrounds within the forest boundaries. Grasshopper Campground is the only developed campground in the Castle Mountains, and is popular with hunters because it closes late in the season. It has potable water during the warmer months, but it does not have hookups. It allows trailers up to 22 feet and is not suitable for larger RVs. Pintler Campground has three sites and no services, including trash. Campers must pack out what they pack in.
Dispersed camping is also allowed throughout much of the forest. Make sure you follow U.S. Forest Service guidelines for camping.
If you’re looking for more comfortable camping, with more amenities, Fairmont RV Resort is about 24 miles from the forest boundary. It’s next to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, where you can soak and relax in the hot springs. This campground has full hookups, plus a playground, laundry, and a dump station. Guests can also use Hot Springs Resort facilities for a fee.
About the Area
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is the largest national forest in Montana at over 3 million acres. It has diverse terrains and ecosystems. You’ll find alpine tundra at the highest elevations, subalpine forests with spruce, fir, and pines, montane forests, glacial valleys, high desert basins, and plains. There are numerous lakes, rivers, and streams, making this a beautiful natural area.
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming
Bridger-Teton National Forest is in western Wyoming, near both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. The national forest is popular with wildlife photographers because of the grizzlies, black bears, elk, moose, wolves, bison, and bald eagles that make the area their home.
In fact, bear safety in this region and both national parks is extremely important. Be bear aware, safely store all food and smellables, and know what to do if you encounter a bear while you’re exploring the forest.
This region also has weather that changes quickly. Make sure to pack layers and be ready for cold nights even in summer. Watch for thunderstorms, especially during the summer months.
Getting There
The forest can be reached via U.S. Route 191 and Wyoming State Route 22. The roads are well-paved to all the main access points, but backroads can be challenging for large RVs.
Things to Do
There are more than 3,000 miles of trails through this forest, including parts of the Continental Divide Trail and the Teton Crest Trail. You can explore the Wind River Range, which is in the park. You can also fish in pristine alpine lakes and enjoy spectacular views of the Tetons. Horseback riding, fly fishing, rafting, hunting, and backcountry skiing are all popular activities to do in the area.
Camping Options
There are campgrounds in the national forest boundaries. Hoback Campground has potable water during the warmer months, but there are no hookups. Gros Ventre Campground is in Grand Teton National Park and has electric hookups.
Dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas of the national forest. If you want more amenities, there are some private campgrounds near the forest. The Alpine/Bridger Teton National Forest KOA is in Star Valley and is a short drive to both the national parks and the forest. It has full hookups, a dump station, lawn games, a playground, and laundry facilities.
About the Area
This forest is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and it provides a critical habitat for a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears and elk. It’s also 3.4 million acres – one of the biggest national forests in the continental United States. It has rushing rivers, alpine meadows, soaring mountains, and lots of wildlife.
The Wind River Range, the Gros Ventre Range, and the Salt River Range all lie within this forest, and the Green River and Fremont Lakes are also in the area. The Bridger Wilderness, the Gros Ventre Wilderness, and the Teton Wilderness are all in this forest as well. All of the wilderness areas are no-motor, so you’ll find extreme solitude if you venture there.
Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota
The Chippewa National Forest is in north-central Minnesota. It was established in 1908 and called the Minnesota National Forest. In 1928 it was renamed to honor the Ojibwe, or Chippewa, people. About 90% of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the forest boundaries and has been home to Indigenous people for more than 10,000 years. Today, the National Forest and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to manage the land and preserve culture in the area.
Getting There
The forest is accessible via state and county roads. Remote sections of the forest are reachable by dirt roads, and some wilderness areas do not allow motor vehicles at all. Some of the unpaved routes can be challenging for larger RVs to reach, especially after rain or snow in the area.
Things to Do
There are hundreds of lakes and streams throughout the forest that are great for fishing, canoeing, and swimming. There are also more than 298 miles of non-motorized trails where you can hike and mountain bike. Areas in the Suomi Hills, Cut Foot Sioux, and Lost Forty have some wonderful hiking trails. The Lost Forty is an area of 144 acres that escaped logging because of a mapping error. It has red and white pines that are more than 300 years old, and there is a 1.8-mile interpretive trail you can walk to learn more.
You can also watch for wildlife, including wolves, lynx, black bears, moose, deer, and many more. The lakes and streams also attract a variety of birds, and you can watch for loons, ospreys, great grey owls, and other birds.
During the winter, visitors can go snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing on the many trails in the national forest.
Camp Rabideau is a Civilian Conservation Corps camp that is now a national historic landmark you can explore, and Norway Beach Recreation Area on Cass Lake has a visitor center, picnic area, and hiking trails.
Camping Options
There are lots of camping options within the national forest. Campgrounds run by the National Forest Service are generally less expensive, but also have fewer amenities. Private campgrounds will cost more, but will also have more perks like showers, laundry, and hookups.
National Forest Campgrounds
- Norway Beach Recreation Area has four campground loops, and some spots have electric hookups. The campground is near interpretive trails, beaches, boat ramps, a bike trail, and showers.
- Stony Point Campground on Leech Lake has 44 campsites. There is boat access and harbors, a swim beach, and a picnic area. The campground has electric hookups, showers, a dump station, and a fish cleaning shed.
- Noma Lake Campground has access to great fishing for bass, northern pike, and panfish. There is a county boat ramp at the south end of the lake, along with fishing platforms and a picnic area. This is a dispersed recreation site, so there are no services and no fees for camping.
- South Pike Bay Campground is on Cass Lake and has a picnic and swimming area. There is potable water, but no hookups.
- Clubhouse Campground has a swim beach, a fishing pier, and a day-use area. This campground along Clubhouse Lake is another popular fishing spot, where anglers might catch northern pike, bass, and panfish. There are also lots of lakes and river trails for canoeing. There is potable water, but no hookups.
Private Campgrounds
- Stony Point Resort on Cass Lake has cabins and RV camping. The campground has full hookups and showers and is pet-friendly. Campsites are along the lake and canal, or in wooded areas of the resort.
- Trails RV Park near Walker has full hookups, showers, a pool, and a lodge area. The RV park is pet-friendly.
- Big Winnie Store RV Park & Campground has full hookups, laundry facilities, showers, and a playground. The campground is pet-friendly.
About the Area
Chippewa National Forest has nearly 700 lakes and 1,300 miles of rivers and streams, so there are lots of water activities and water-loving wildlife in the area. The forest covers about 1.6 million acres of old-growth trees, some of which are more than 350 years old.
Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas/Oklahoma
The Ouachita National Forest covers western Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. It’s named for the Ouachita Mountains – one of the few east-to-west mountain ranges in the United States. The forest contains deep valleys, clear running streams, and hardwood and pine forests. Spring visitors are treated to colorful wildflowers, and fall travelers will see beautiful foliage.
The forest also has quartz crystal deposits, especially near Mount Ida, scenic byways, lakes, and lots of wildlife. Bears, bobcats, deer, bald eagles, and armadillos all live in this national forest.
Getting There
The forest is crossed by U.S. Route 259 and State Highway 7, which give drivers access to scenic areas. The 54-mile Talimena Scenic Drive offers incredible ridge-top views but includes steep grades and sharp curves.
Things to Do
The forest has more than 700 miles of hiking trails, including the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail. There are also many designated trails for ATV riding and horseback riding. You can go boating and swimming on Lake Ouachita, Lake Sylvia, Broken Bow Lake, and numerous other lakes in the forest. You can also fish for bass and catfish. Deer and turkey hunting are also popular activities in season.
Hot Springs National Park is close to the forest, and it’s easy to take a day trip to the national park to soak in the hot springs and explore the area.
Camping Options
There are several developed campgrounds within the forest.
- Cedar Lake Recreation Area is on the shores of Cedar Lake and offers access to swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding. The campground has a variety of sites – some with no services, and some with full hookups.
- Shady Lake Recreation Area has campsites ranging from some with no services, to some with electric and water hookups. There are bathhouses with showers. A day-use area has a swimming area, picnic tables with barbecue grills, and a hiking trail around Shady Lake.
- Winding Stair Campground is near Talimena Scenic Drive and has campsites with grills, fire rings, and tent pads. There are vault toilets, but no hookups are available.
About the Area
The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres and is the oldest national forest in the southern United States.
These remote national forests and wilderness areas are ideal for RV travelers seeking solitude and natural beauty. Make sure your RV is prepared for rugged terrain, and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes these destinations have to offer. If you don’t have your own RV, you can rent one from RVshare. We have a variety of motorhomes, trailers, and other vehicles ready for rent, so you’re sure to find one that will suit your group!
A lot of these national forests have opportunities for boondocking to truly get away from the crowds. If you’re new to going off the grid, be sure to check out our expert guide to boondocking for tips!
