# National Forest Explorer — USFS Forests & Grasslands > Official U.S. Forest Service app for exploring forests, grasslands, and heritage sites. (iPhone/iPad app by Toby Bloom.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/national-forest-explorer/id1207062438 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Toby Bloom](https://appshunter.io/developer/1396540802) - Category: Education, Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 4.50/5 from 728 App Store ratings · 62 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13 · 109 MB - Languages: American English, European Spanish - Released: 2017-02-20 - Data updated: 2026-08-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/national-forest-explorer/id1207062438/reviews.md ## What is National Forest Explorer? This official app is a portal for exploring the diverse lands and heritage sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service. A powerful exploration tool, this app allows you to discover forests near you and can help you explore each destination's points of interest. Use this app for easy access to forest facts, natural, cultural, and historic information, offline and GPS maps, recreational opportunities, and other essential visitor information to enjoy our National Forests and Grasslands. The perfect companion for your next forest adventure or armchair travels, each app was developed by the forest unit’s rangers and interpretive staff and features a variety of content, including educational audio tours and natural and historic imagery. Plan your itinerary of things to see and do with easy access to information regarding recreational opportunities, trails, maps, and visitor centers. Each forest destination can be downloaded individually from the portal, allowing you to stay up to date with your favorite destinations through push notifications alerts for closures and events. Connect with Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations using one-tap calling and submit valuable feedback or report concerns with surveys. OnCell has worked closely with each forest as the official provider of their mobile apps. You can expect additional forests to be added to this app over time, as the U.S. Forest Service continues it's commitment to provide exciting and relevant visitor information in easy to access formats. ## Key features - Discover nearby forests and grasslands - Explore points of interest - Access forest facts and heritage information - Offline and GPS maps - Information on recreational opportunities - Educational audio tours - Push notifications for alerts ## What do users think of National Forest Explorer? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Great information - 🗺️ Helpful maps and GPS - ⭐ Wonderful experience **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and freezes - 🤔 Incomplete and inaccurate information - 📥 Difficult to download and access content - 🤯 Confusing and cumbersome user interface **Commonly reported bugs** - Login issues - Compatibility problems with older devices - Broken links and missing content **Most requested features** - More national forests and recreation areas - Offline maps and content - Better search and filtering options - Integration with other outdoor apps ## Recent user reviews (10 of 62) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/national-forest-explorer/id1207062438/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Useless app *2026-06-30, version 9.0.273* Why is this fake app allowed? Just uses mapbox to show you a map with trails and most points of interest not labeled. Just use Google Maps and you’ll be far better off. ### 1/5 — As far as I can tell this app does nothing *2026-06-23, version 9.0.273* The app just lists out the different forests and links to more information on their website. If you’re looking for maps with campgrounds and trailheads, download their new National Forests and Grasslands app instead. ### 2/5 — Not Very Helpful *2025-10-30, version 9.0.273* Tried this app a couple times in past year but doesn't seem to change. Very disappointing. It does show all the national forest on the map, but hard to drill down for information. No help menu, not instructions on how to.use or navigate the app. I downloaded a map but could figure out where it or how to call it up on screen. I'd say it's a waste time to use. ### 1/5 — Useless *2025-10-29, version 9.0.273* The previous version was great, this one not so much. Must have been Musked. ### 1/5 — Broken app or no content? *2025-08-19, version 9.0.273* Tried the finger lakes. No details other than download content. Download content does nothing. Theres no trail guides, maps, or anything. The feedback link goes to a locked google apps form? As is, there is zero value to the app. ### 1/5 — Useless - no real info *2025-07-07, version 9.0.273* I tried multiple national forests but there is no useful information. This app just shows free ‘mapbox’ maps and no detailed maps of national forests nor the official USFS maps. Seems like the description of this app is incorrect, especially for the forests I use. ### 1/5 — WARNING! Not an official USDA/USFS App! *2025-07-02, version 9.0.273* This is not an official US Department of Agriculture or US Forest Service app regardless of the false claims by the developer in the description. The misleading use of the official USFS logo and claims of being official are patently false. Given this deception by the developer, you should also assume the developers claims of privacy are also false. I highly suggest you delete this application and all associated application data from your device. ### 1/5 — Pointless App *2025-06-27, version 9.0.273* This app does almost nothing. I was able to locate a forest and select it, but all information links are broken and there is no map available. ### 2/5 — Bad mapping *2025-06-27, version 9.0.273* Not impressed with the mapping ### 1/5 — Why *2025-05-13, version 9.0.273* Why have an app that does next to nothing? ## Frequently asked questions about National Forest Explorer ### What does the National Forest Explorer app do? The National Forest Explorer app serves as an official portal to explore lands and heritage sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It allows users to discover forests, access information on points of interest, and plan their visits with details on recreation, trails, and visitor centers. ### What kind of information can I find in the app? You can find forest facts, natural, cultural, and historic information, offline and GPS maps, details on recreational opportunities, and essential visitor information. Some destinations also feature educational audio tours and imagery. ### Is the National Forest Explorer app free to use? Yes, the National Forest Explorer app is free to download and use. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, making it a completely free resource for exploring National Forests and Grasslands. ### Can I use the maps offline? Yes, the app provides offline and GPS maps, allowing you to navigate and explore National Forests and Grasslands even without an internet connection. This is particularly useful for remote areas. ### How do I get updates about closures or events? Each forest destination can be downloaded individually from the portal. Once downloaded, you can stay up to date with your favorite destinations through push notification alerts for closures and events. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 9.0.273 — 2024-10-29 Minor Bug Fixes and Improvement ### 9.0.258 — 2024-10-04 ui/ux updates ### 9.0.257 — 2024-10-03 ui/ux updates ### 9.0.201 — 2024-06-29 Minor Bug Fixes and Improvement ### 9.0.143 — 2024-04-03 Minor Bug Fixes and Improvement ## Apps similar to National Forest Explorer | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Mission Inventions](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mission-inventions/id1600242260) | — | Free | Education | | [ATPL POF Flashcards](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atpl-pof-flashcards/id1560490420) | 5.0 (1) | $1.99 | Education | | [Natural History Explorer Corps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/natural-history-explorer-corps/id1566010820) | 2.8 (5) | Free | Education | | [Ulvhälls Hällar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ulvhalls-hallar/id1565785440) | — | Free | Education | | [教聯國際 ICEC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icec/id1565106640) | — | Free | Education | | [MMDH App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mmdh-app/id1599154040) | — | Free | Education | ## More apps by Toby Bloom - [Daniel Boone National Forest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/daniel-boone-national-forest/id1185933708) - [Wayne National Forest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wayne-national-forest/id1198314820) - [Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midewin-national-tallgrass-prairie/id1198667735) - [Coconino National Forest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coconino-national-forest/id1209500970) - [Shawnee National Forest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shawnee-national-forest/id1226082934) All apps by Toby Bloom: https://appshunter.io/developer/1396540802 ## Related topics [explorer forest](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/explorer-forest) · [us national forest service map](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/us-national-forest-service-map) · [us forest service](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/us-forest-service) · [el yunque](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/el-yunque) · [el yunque nf](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/el-yunque-nf) · [pacific northwest forests](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pacific-northwest-forests) · [national forest service](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/national-forest-service) · [toby bloom](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/toby-bloom) · [forest service](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/forest-service) · [forest service camp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/forest-service-camp) · [woodsong forest school](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/woodsong-forest-school) · [forest arena](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/forest-arena) · [florida forest service](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/florida-forest-service) · [pine cove camp life](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pine-cove-camp-life) · [us public lands](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/us-public-lands) · [usfs & blm camping information app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/usfs-blm-camping-information-app) · [bureau of land management](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bureau-of-land-management) · [fawn lake forest association](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/fawn-lake-forest-association) · [biltmore forest connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/biltmore-forest-connect) · [public lands](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/public-lands) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-01.*