What is the difference between national parks and state forests

While national parks, like all public land, officially belong to the American people, state residents have less control over how their parks are managed. State parks often get overlooked, but several are as spectacular as any national park. Most are also nice alternatives to national parks for quick trips, family outings, and mixed groups, either in interests or abilities.

State parks are generally closer to urban areas and have more amenities than national parks, which regulate development more strictly.

To top it off, many state parks are free, and there are over 10, to choose from across the nation. The line between national parks and monuments is thinner. Although national monuments emphasize the historical and scientific, both designations also protect the natural world. In fact, several national monuments have gone on to become national parks, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and the Grand Canyon. One of the primary differences between national parks and monuments is who creates them.

Congress decides what deserves national park status, but national monuments are generally declared by presidential proclamation. National forests often surround or neighbor national parks. Where national parks aim to preserve the natural landscape, national forests take a conservationist approach, allowing commercial activities like logging and mining, as well as fewer recreation restrictions.

For visitors, this generally means more relaxed rules at national forests, which may permit hunting or allow dogs on trails, for example. The NPS alone manages several types of naturally significant sites, including national rivers, trails, seashores, and lakeshores. Want to learn more about West Virginias forests or forestry in general?

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West Virginia Forestry crews respond to a new season of wildfires. Ginseng: The Appalachian root becomes an international star in the export market. Contact Us. Heres what you need to know about them both. State Forests in West Virginia State forests are public lands owned by the state and are used to manage West Virginias natural resources.

I want to know more about Great Otway NP. Hattah-Kulkyne NP. Mildura , Ouyen , Robinvale. Kara Kara NP. Langi Ghiran SP. Little Desert NP. Lower Glenelg NP. Mount Arapiles-Tooan SP. Mount Buangor SP. Mount Cole SF. Mount Eccles NP. Mount Napier SP. Mount Richmond NP. Murray-Sunset NP. Port Campbell NP. Pyrenees SF. Rocklands SF. St Arnaud SF. Wail SF. Wyperfeld NP. Barmah NP. Bendigo RP. Bendigo SF. Brisbane Ranges NP.

Broken-Boosey SP. Castlemaine SF. Castlemaine , Maldon , Newstead, Malmsbury, Taradale. Cathedral Range SP. Cobram RP. Craigie SF. Creswick RP. Enfield SP. Greater Bendigo NP. Gunbower NP. Gunbower Island SF. Heathcote-Graytown NP. Think of locations that are very well-known to the average American, such as Crater Lake or the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone.

These locations typically have a unique feature or landscape that draws people in from all sources. National Forests are open to a wide variety of activities: everything from fishing to hunting to ATV riding and so on.

You can also generally expect to pay less in fees when visiting a National Forest. If you are interested in simply being around forests and spending time in nature, National Forests are likely a great fit for you. You can do many things in a National Park, but almost all of the activities are centered around the idea of visiting that location.

Think of things like hiking, camping, or even visiting learning centers. Time spent in National Parks is better reserved for appreciating and admiring these amazing natural resources preserved by the National Park Service.

Simply put, National Forest covers a lot more land when compared to National Parks. This makes sense, as one of the main purposes of National Forests is to help protect forests in general, not just specific areas of beauty. The National Forests in the United States cover more than million acres of land, from designated locations. Most of that land is out West, but a fair amount of National Forest is distributed through the rest of the country.