U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds

Federal coverage only. This compares federal campground agencies in the Recreation.gov system; state-park and private campgrounds are out of scope.

The U.S. Forest Service operates 3,724 campgrounds across 40 states, offering a total of 62,104 overnight sites available through the federal Recreation.gov reservation system. Of these campgrounds, 3,290 are reservable online, while the remainder operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This represents one of the largest networks of public campgrounds in the country, providing widespread access to outdoor recreation.

The U.S. Forest Service manages national forests and grasslands, which encompass diverse landscapes including forested areas, mountain ranges, reservoirs, and riparian zones. These lands are typically characterized by natural forest environments and wilderness areas that offer camping, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. The agency's campgrounds range from developed facilities with amenities to more rustic backcountry options, serving millions of visitors annually across both popular and remote destinations.

What U.S. Forest Service camping looks like

U.S. Forest Service-managed campgrounds span 40 states and about 62,104 overnight sites. The states below carry the most; each state page breaks the grounds down by rec area and links every facility to Recreation.gov.

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Federal RIDB export, verified June 2026. How we compile this.