# National Forest Explorer — user reviews > 62 indexed App Store user reviews of National Forest Explorer by Toby Bloom, rated 4.50/5 from 728 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/national-forest-explorer/id1207062438/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/national-forest-explorer/id1207062438.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 549 · 4★ 98 · 3★ 27 · 2★ 15 · 1★ 39 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (16 of 62) ### 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. ### 2/5 — Bad mapping *2025-06-27, version 9.0.273* Not impressed with the mapping ### 2/5 — Couldn’t figure it out *2025-01-31, version 9.0.273* I tried in vain to figure out how to use this app to be useful when exploring El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. I tried downloading for off-line access, but could never get any maps to work. ### 1/5 — Useless *2024-10-15, version 9.0.258* This is just a poor excuse for an app in general. Many parks are missing maps. The user interface is poorly organized. Apparently content can be downloaded, but not sure what content is actually downloaded. And one downloaded doesn’t seem to be a way to remove downloaded content either. In general other apps like Gaia and AllTrails have about 10x the amount of information than this app does. If the NPS app can be decent, I’m not sure why USFS cannot have even a basic app that is even somewhat useful. If negative stars were available this would be a -5. ### 3/5 — Missing my local National Forest *2024-09-28, version 9.0.201* Please add Natahala national Forest to the application ### 1/5 — Nothing Works *2024-09-13, version 9.0.201* What is this app supposed to even accomplish? It literally doesn’t do anything.. ### 2/5 — Love NFS but App could use work *2024-08-30, version 9.0.201* I’m in CO right now, trying to use this app’s gps map feature to identify where national forest boundaries are in relation to me. I’m just seeing a lot of light green to slightly darker green overlap, boundaries and territories aren’t well labeled and clear, even with the forest I’m near downloaded. This is the main feature of the app too / it doesn’t Offer much other than this. If you click on “forest information” it takes you to NFS’s website, and the website has a much better gps map feature with clearer boundaries. This “interactive” map on the website offers a lot more in terms of locating trails/campgrounds etc. , but you of course need to be hooked up to the web to access it. GPS itself though is separate from the web/cell service, and is accessible from way more remote areas than cell service. SO, if the app had downloadable maps for forests, that populated all of the recreation sites (trailheads campground etc.) into a local file on your phone that GPS could access when you open it and select that map, that would be amazing. Also too though, even if that is not ever accomplished - boundaries and labeling of territories in the app’s map as is, could use some work. Love you guys though, thank you! ### 1/5 — Sry it doesn’t do anything *2024-07-26, version 9.0.201* Choose language and then only an FS USDA badge screen. There is nothing. Nothing to click. Nothing. I deleted and redownloaded and tried again. Nothing. ### 1/5 — Useless *2024-07-24, version 9.0.201* The whole app is useless. When you select to download a map to use offline it only makes the app available offline, but does not provide any additional information, map details, or forest details. It doesn’t say where the information is downloaded or stored. If negative stars were an option that would be the way to go. ### 3/5 — Location Data Info Doesn’t Scroll *2024-07-06, version 9.0.201* I can't use this app. I went to settings and turned location data on for the app but when I try to use the downloaded map of my forest a location data information pop up shows up and will not let me scroll down no matter how i turn my phone. So i can't use it at all. Please fix the app from doing this and i will changing the rating from 3 ( which is good considering I can't use the app at all. ### 1/5 — No Landscape Mode *2023-09-22, version 2.3* This looked promising, but it’s not designed for use on an iPad, since it will only appear in portrait mode. I haven’t actually tried to use the app, so maybe if you’re using it on an iPhone or you like to hold your iPad upright, it might work for you, but to me it’s very annoying when apps will only orient in portrait mode. ### 1/5 — Need multiple national forest maps *2023-08-26, version 2.3* I downloaded the app and then wanted to download all the national forest maps that I expect to visit in the next year. Unfortunately, as soon as I downloaded the first one (chosen at random and not the most important one for me to have) all the options to download others disappeared. Does the app only support one at a time or is it just a poor interface that is hiding all the others? I’m not sure, but either way this app has problems. ### 4/5 — Great info! *2023-07-12, version 2.3* This app has great info. But I was hoping to have more access to the free maps one would receive when visiting these forests. ### 2/5 — Cumbersome app *2023-06-17, version 2.3* If you choose a forest from the list of forest, it basically downloads a whole new app, and it can be difficult to get back to the main app menu. If you choose a forest from the map, it may end up spinning and spinning while not letting you cancel and look at something else. ### 2/5 — Most forests have no info available in the app *2022-05-03, version 2.3* Like many of the USFS websites, many are lacking up to date details. Same for this app but even worse as vast majority of the Forests have no data for this app. ### 1/5 — Not a great User Experience *2022-04-01, version 2.3* Not easy to use. I didn’t find useful info - maybe it’s in there but couldn’t access it. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ### 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. ### 1/5 — Why *2025-05-13, version 9.0.273* Why have an app that does next to nothing? ### 1/5 — Download doesn’t work *2025-04-21, version 9.0.273* I have tried to find the maps after downloading and there isn’t a map to be found. I am sure it is something simple. Other people who have tried to use this app have written reviews about this issue. ### 1/5 — Does not work *2024-11-29, version 9.0.273* Does not work. Can’t view the map that is downloaded. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — USFS App review. *2024-01-21, version 2.3* I like the USFS app, as it is very informative and extremely easy to use! ### 5/5 — Updated app *2023-10-06, version 2.3* Since I’ve updated the app, nothing is working. Can’t pick a forest or maps. 06oct23 ### 5/5 — Great application. *2023-09-19, version 2.3* Offer very good information for your awareness. ### 5/5 — Fun way to explore the National Forests *2022-04-02, version 2.3* Very user friendly and fun to use. Great information with nice maps and pictures. ### 5/5 — Love the forest *2022-03-17, version 2.3* Adventure awaits ,enjoy the beautiful places our country offers. My wife and I have seen many national forest,as we have been afforded time in our lives. Now we boondock and plan revisiting. ### 5/5 — Review *2022-02-17, version 2.3* I’ve camped in USFS campgrounds for over 50 years in many states in all kinds of campers and tents. I’ve never had a bad experience. I’ve also rented a lookout tower and had a very memorable experience with my children who now have kids of their own. I wish the Forest Service was better funded. They could do an even better job. Theoleman ### 5/5 — Map View Locator *2021-07-11, version 2.3* Nice to have a compact on-the-go guide to locating Nat’l Forest lands. Alphabetical or map view makes easy to find w/o draining battery with “location” usage in app. Only way to make better is if NPS & NF could partner up on ONE consolidated app to locate all lands to access with annual/senior pass. ### 5/5 — USNFP app *2020-11-29, version 2.1* This is a very easy to use app with lots of good information about the National forests. Good maps and safety information. ### 5/5 — Bill *2020-10-24, version 2.1* I really appreciate having our National Parks to enjoy and the beauty of them .I have been fortunate enough to visit quite a few of them in my life . Thanks for this opportunity Hobblehorse ### 5/5 — Super Helpful so Far!! *2020-09-17, version 2.1* Been looking around in the app and like it so far! --- *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 2026-09-01.*