Everyone knows America's famous national parks: Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Zion. People oftenplan their entire vacations around these protected lands, hoping toget away from the hustle of everyday life and enjoy the great outdoors. Yet some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the USA are often overlooked as they lie withinanother federal department: theNational Forest System.

　　Comprised of nearly 200 million acres of preserved forestlands and grasslands from coast to coast, America's National Forestsexisttodaythanks to the passing of the Forest Reserve Act of 1891. This law was created to protect Yellowstone Park Timberland Reserve(which bordered YellowstoneNational Park, also the first national park). Today,America has more than150 national forests. From Alaska's enormousTongass National Forest to thetoweringsequoias in California to sprawling lands in Ohio, these forests let visitors hike, bike, camp, and play in any way they choose. So, if you want to connect with nature,consider thesestunning national forests in the U.S. for your next adventure.