(STACKER/WFXR) — About 237 million individuals checked out American national forests in 2020, standing for a 28% year-over-year reduction credited to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lots of parks were required to near deal with the spread of the infection, however that’s not the entire tale—when the parks were open, a lot of them saw document groups as crowds of individuals determined to securely take pleasure in nature came down onto parks when they resumed.

Head Of State Woodrow Wilson in 1916 authorized the act developing the National forest Solution to leave all-natural and also historical sensations “unimpaired for the pleasure of future generations.”

Ever Since, our national forests have actually invited site visitors from worldwide to experience several of the most effective the nation needs to use and also display the nation’s all-natural charm and also social heritage.

Today, the nation’s 63 national forests include a minimum of 247 varieties of threatened or intimidated plants and also pets, greater than 75,000 historical sites, and also 18,000 miles of tracks.

Stacker assembled a listing of the closest national forests to southwest and also main Virginia. National forest are noted based upon closest straight line range, determined from depictive factors in the Roanoke, Lynchburg, and also Blacksburg city locations and also each national forest.

Approximated driving time are from Below and also are just readily available within the reduced 48 states. All included ranges and also driving time are approximated utilizing depictive areas from the facility of each city and also national forest—for some locations within the city location, the real range might be a little much shorter or longer to get to the closest entranceway to a park.

Make certain to contact specific parks prior to you see to learn about continuous, pandemic-related security preventative measures at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

#1. New River Chasm National Forest (West Virginia)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 82 miles
— From Lynchburg: 113 miles
— From Blacksburg: 71 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 2.4 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 3.3 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 2.1 hrs
– Day started: Dec. 27, 2020
– 2020 site visitors: 1,054,374 (#19 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 7,021 acres

#2. Shenandoah National Forest (Virginia)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 122 miles
— From Lynchburg: 93 miles
— From Blacksburg: 155 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 2.8 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 2.2 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 3.3 hrs
– Day started: Dec. 26, 1935
– 2020 site visitors: 1,666,265 (#14 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 199,223.77 acres

#3. Wonderful Smoky Mountains National Forest (North Carolina, Tennessee)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 228 miles
— From Lynchburg: 267 miles
— From Blacksburg: 193 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 4.2 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 5.2 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 3.6 hrs
– Day started: June 15, 1934
– 2020 site visitors: 12,095,720 (#1 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 522,426.88 acres

#4. Congaree National Forest (South Carolina)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 246 miles
— From Lynchburg: 262 miles
— From Blacksburg: 231 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 5.3 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 5.6 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 4.7 hrs
– Day started: Nov. 10, 2003
– 2020 site visitors: 119,306 (#51 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 26,476.47 acres

#5. Cuyahoga Valley National Forest (Ohio)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 286 miles
— From Lynchburg: 295 miles
— From Blacksburg: 289 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 6.4 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 7.4 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 6 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 11, 2000
– 2020 site visitors: 2,755,628 (#7 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 32,571.88 acres

#6. Monstrous Cavern National Forest (Kentucky)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 339 miles
— From Lynchburg: 379 miles
— From Blacksburg: 306 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 7.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 8.5 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 6.9 hrs
– Day started: July 1, 1941
– 2020 site visitors: 290,392 (#41 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 54,011.91 acres

#7. Indiana Dunes National Forest (Indiana)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 485 miles
— From Lynchburg: 512 miles
— From Blacksburg: 467 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 10.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 11.8 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 10.1 hrs
– Day started: Feb. 15, 2019
– 2020 site visitors: 2,293,106 (#11 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 15,349.08 acres

#8. Portal Arc National Forest (Missouri)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 567 miles
— From Lynchburg: 605 miles
— From Blacksburg: 536 hrs
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 10.4 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 11.4 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 10 hrs
– Day started: Feb. 22, 2018
– 2020 site visitors: 486,021 (#31 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 192.83 acres

#9. Warm Springs National Forest (Arkansas)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 759 miles
— From Lynchburg: 799 miles
— From Blacksburg: 724 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 12.4 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 13.4 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 11.8 hrs
– Day started: March 4, 1921
– 2020 site visitors: 1,348,215 (#16 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 5,554.15 acres

#10. Acadia National Forest (Maine)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 784 miles
— From Lynchburg: 750 miles
— From Blacksburg: 816 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 15.7 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 15.5 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 16.2 hrs
– Day started: Feb. 26, 1919
– 2020 site visitors: 2,669,034 (#8 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 49,076.63 acres

#11. Biscayne National Forest (Florida)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 802 miles
— From Lynchburg: 809 miles
— From Blacksburg: 791 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 14.2 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 14.3 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 13.6 hrs
– Day started: June 28, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 402,770 (#36 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 172,971.11 acres

#12. Everglades National Forest (Florida)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 826 miles
— From Lynchburg: 836 miles
— From Blacksburg: 813 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 15.2 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 15.3 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 14.5 hrs
– Day started: Might 30, 1934
– 2020 site visitors: 702,319 (#25 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 1,508,938.57 acres

#13. Island Royale National Forest (Michigan)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 864 miles
— From Lynchburg: 879 miles
— From Blacksburg: 859 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 18.6 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 19.7 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 18.3 hrs
– Day started: April 3, 1940
– 2020 site visitors: 6,493 (#59 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 571,790.30 acres

#14. Dry Tortugas National Forest (Florida)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 889 miles
— From Lynchburg: 904 miles
— From Blacksburg: 871 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 17.2 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 17.4 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 16.6 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 26, 1992
– 2020 site visitors: 48,543 (#55 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 64,701.22 acres

#15. Voyageurs National Forest (Minnesota)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,012 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,032 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,002 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 20.8 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 21.8 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 20.4 hrs
– Day started: April 8, 1975
– 2020 site visitors: 263,091 (#44 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 218,222.35 acres

#16. Badlands National Forest (South Dakota)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,264 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,297 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,239 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 23.6 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 24.6 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 23.2 hrs
– Day started: Nov. 10, 1978
– 2020 site visitors: 916,932 (#21 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 242,755.94 acres

#17. Wind Cavern National Forest (South Dakota)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,309 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,343 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,284 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 24.9 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 25.9 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 24.6 hrs
– Day started: Jan. 9, 1903
– 2020 site visitors: 448,405 (#33 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 33,970.84 acres

#18. Theodore Roosevelt National Forest (North Dakota)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,372 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,402 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,352 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 25.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 26.6 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 25.1 hrs
– Day started: Nov. 10, 1978
– 2020 site visitors: 551,303 (#28 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 70,446.89 acres

#19. Rocky Hill National Forest (Colorado)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,394 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,431 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,365 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 23.8 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 24.8 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 23.4 hrs
– Day started: Jan. 26, 1915
– 2020 site visitors: 3,305,199 (#4 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 265,807.25 acres

#20. Wonderful Desert National Forest (Colorado)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,400 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,439 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,369 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 25 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 26.3 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 24.8 hrs
– Day started: Sept. 24, 2004
– 2020 site visitors: 461,532 (#32 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 107,341.87 acres

#21. Carlsbad Caverns National Forest (New Mexico)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,433 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,474 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,398 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 23.9 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 25 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 23.2 hrs
– Day started: Might 14, 1930
– 2020 site visitors: 183,835 (#45 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 46,766.45 acres

#22. Huge Bend National Forest (Texas)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,453 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,494 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,418 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 26.8 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 27.9 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 26.1 hrs
– Day started: June 12, 1944
– 2020 site visitors: 393,907 (#37 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 801,163.21 acres

#23. Guadalupe Mountains National Forest (Texas)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,463 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,504 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,428 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 25 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 26.1 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 24.3 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 15, 1966
– 2020 site visitors: 151,256 (#49 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 86,367.10 acres

#24. White Sands National Forest (New Mexico)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,514 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,554 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,479 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 25.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 26.5 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 24.9 hrs
– Day started: Dec. 20, 2019
– 2020 site visitors: 415,383 (#34 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 146,344.31 acres

#25. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Forest (Colorado)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,514 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,552 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,483 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 27.3 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 28.3 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 26.9 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 21, 1999
– 2020 site visitors: 341,620 (#39 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 30,779.83 acres

#26. Mesa Verde National Forest (Colorado)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,568 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,607 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,536 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 28.4 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 29.5 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 27.8 hrs
– Day started: June 29, 1906
– 2020 site visitors: 287,477 (#42 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 52,485.17 acres

#27. Virgin Islands National Forest (U.S. Virgin Islands)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,599 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,578 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,612 miles
– Day started: Aug. 2, 1956
– 2020 site visitors: 167,540 (#46 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 15,052.53 acres

#28. Arches National Forest (Utah)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,613 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,651 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,582 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 28 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 29 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 27.6 hrs
– Day started: Nov. 12, 1971
– 2020 site visitors: 1,238,083 (#17 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 76,678.98 acres

#29. Canyonlands National Forest (Utah)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,636 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1.674 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,605 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 35 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 36 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 34.4 hrs
– Day started: Sept. 12, 1964
– 2020 site visitors: 493,914 (#30 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 337,597.83 acres

#30. Yellowstone National Forest (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,665 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,698 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,641 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 30.7 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 31.8 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 30.3 hrs
– Day started: March 1, 1872
– 2020 site visitors: 3,806,306 (#2 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 2,219,790.71 acres

#31. Scared Woodland National Forest (Arizona)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,668 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,707 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,635 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 26.7 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 27.8 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 26.1 hrs
– Day started: Dec. 9, 1962
– 2020 site visitors: 384,483 (#38 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 221,390.21 acres

#32. Grand Teton National Forest (Wyoming)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,674 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,708 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,648 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 29.7 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 30.8 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 29.3 hrs
– Day started: Feb. 26, 1929
– 2020 site visitors: 3,289,638 (#5 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 310,044.36 acres

#33. Capitol Coral Reef National Forest (Utah)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,703 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,741 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,672 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 29.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 30.5 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 29.1 hrs
– Day started: Dec. 18, 1971
– 2020 site visitors: 981,038 (#20 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 241,904.50 acres

#34. Bryce Canyon National Forest (Utah)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,764 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,803 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,733 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 31.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 32.5 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 31.4 hrs
– Day started: Feb. 25, 1928
– 2020 site visitors: 1,464,655 (#15 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 35,835.08 acres

#35. Saguaro National Forest (Arizona)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,764 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,805 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,730 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 29.9 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 31 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 29.2 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 14, 1994
– 2020 site visitors: 762,226 (#24 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 92,867.42 acres

#36. Grand Canyon National Forest (Arizona)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,782 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,821 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,749 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 30.2 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 31.3 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 29.6 hrs
– Day started: Feb. 26, 1919
– 2020 site visitors: 2,897,098 (#6 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 1,201,647.03 acres

#37. Zion National Forest (Utah)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,814 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,853 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,783 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 32 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 33 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 31.9 hrs
– Day started: Nov. 19, 1919
– 2020 site visitors: 3,591,254 (#3 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 147,242.66 acres

#38. Wonderful Container National Forest (Nevada)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 1,864 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,902 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,834 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 32 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 33.1 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 31.6 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 27, 1986
– 2020 site visitors: 120,248 (#50 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 77,180.00 acres

#39. Glacier National Forest (Montana)

– Range: 1,878 miles
— From Roanoke: 1,878 miles
— From Lynchburg: 1,907 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,857 miles
– Day started: Might 11, 1910
– 2020 site visitors: 1,698,864 (#13 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 1,013,125.99 acres

#40. Joshua Tree National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,028 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,068 miles
— From Blacksburg: 1,995 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 33.9 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 35 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 33.3 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 31, 1994
– 2020 site visitors: 2,399,542 (#10 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 795,155.85 acres

#41. Fatality Valley National Forest (The Golden State, Nevada)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,034 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,073 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,003 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 34.4 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 35.4 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 33.8 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 31, 1994
– 2020 site visitors: 820,023 (#22 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 3,408,406.73 acres

#42. Kings Canyon National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,119 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,158 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,088 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 41.2 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 42.2 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 40.6 hrs
– Day started: March 4, 1940
– 2020 site visitors: 415,077 (#35 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 461,901.20 acres

#43. Sequoia National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,132 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,170 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,101 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 39.9 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 41 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 39.3 hrs
– Day started: Sept. 25, 1890
– 2020 site visitors: 796,086 (#23 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 404,062.63 acres

#44. Yosemite National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,155 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,193 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,125 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 40.1 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 41.2 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 39.5 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 1, 1890
– 2020 site visitors: 2,268,313 (#12 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 761,747.50 acres

#45. North Cascades National Forest (Washington)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,202 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,232 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,181 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 42.6 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 43.7 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 42.2 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 2, 1968
– 2020 site visitors: 30,885 (#56 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 504,780.94 acres

#46. Network Islands National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,217 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,256 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,184 miles
– Day started: March 5, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 167,290 (#47 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 249,561.00 acres

#47. Mount Rainier National Forest (Washington)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,220 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,251 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,196 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 41.1 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 42.1 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 40.8 hrs
– Day started: March 2, 1899
– 2020 site visitors: 1,160,754 (#18 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 236,381.64 acres

#48. Lassen Volcanic National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,231 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,267 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,203 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 39.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 40.6 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 39.2 hrs
– Day started: Aug. 9, 1916
– 2020 site visitors: 542,274 (#29 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 106,589.02 acres

#49. Crater Lake National Forest (Oregon)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,243 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,278 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,216 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 40.5 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 42 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 40.1 hrs
– Day started: Might 22, 1902
– 2020 site visitors: 670,500 (#26 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 183,224.05 acres

#50. Pinnacles National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,265 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,304 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,234 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 38.6 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 39.6 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 37.9 hrs
– Day started: Jan. 10, 2013
– 2020 site visitors: 165,740 (#48 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 26,685.73 acres

#51. Olympic National Forest (Washington)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,304 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,335 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,282 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 43.3 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 44.4 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 42.9 hrs
– Day started: June 29, 1938
– 2020 site visitors: 2,499,177 (#9 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 922,649.41 acres

#52. Redwood National Forest (The Golden State)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,352 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,388 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,325 miles
– Driving time:
— From Roanoke: 44 hrs
— From Lynchburg: 45 hrs
— From Blacksburg: 44 hrs
– Day started: Oct. 2, 1968
– 2020 site visitors: 265,177 (#43 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 138,999.37 acres

#53. Glacier Bay National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 2,911 miles
— From Lynchburg: 2,934 miles
— From Blacksburg: 2,898 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 5,748 (#60 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 3,223,383.43 acres

#54. Wrangell–St. Elias National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,096 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,116 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,085 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 16,655 (#57 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 8,323,146.48 acres

#55. Kenai Fjords National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,359 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,380 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,347 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 115,882 (#52 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 669,650.05 acres

#56. Denali National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,371 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,389 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,362 miles
– Day started: Feb. 26, 1917
– 2020 site visitors: 54,850 (#53 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 4,740,911.16 acres

#57. Gates of the Arctic National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,440 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,455 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,434 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 2,872 (#63 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 7,523,897.45 acres

#58. Lake Clark National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,480 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,500 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,468 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 4,948 (#61 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 2,619,816.49 acres

#59. Katmai National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,561 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,582 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,548 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 51,511 (#54 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 3,674,529.33 acres

#60. Kobuk Valley National Forest (Alaska)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 3,599 miles
— From Lynchburg: 3,613 miles
— From Blacksburg: 3,593 miles
– Day started: Dec. 2, 1980
– 2020 site visitors: 11,185 (#58 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 1,750,716.16 acres

#61. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Forest (Hawaii)

– Range: 4,630 miles
— From Roanoke: 4,630 miles
— From Lynchburg: 4,670 miles
— From Blacksburg: 4,598 miles
– Day started: Aug. 1, 1916
– 2020 site visitors: 589,775 (#27 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 325,605.28 acres

#62. Haleakalā National Forest (Hawaii)

– Range: 4,633 miles
— From Roanoke: 4,633 miles
— From Lynchburg: 4,672 miles
— From Blacksburg: 4,602 miles
– Day started: July 1, 1961
– 2020 site visitors: 319,147 (#40 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 33,264.62 acres

#63. National Forest of American Samoa (American Samoa)

– Range:
— From Roanoke: 6,849 miles
— From Lynchburg: 6,890 miles
— From Blacksburg: 6,814 miles
– Day started: Oct. 31, 1988
– 2020 site visitors: 4,819 (#62 greatest amongst all national forests)
– Park location: 8,256.67 acres