SURVIVAL CODEX LIBRARY
Know Before You Go
Source: U.S. Forest Service

Forest Service trip-planning page for national forests and grasslands. It points visitors to safety tips on getting lost, weather, water, ticks, fire smoke and wildlife such as bears, snakes and mountain lions.

READ WITH CARE:
We copied this page on 2 October 2026. Agencies revise this guidance, so check the original for the current version, and in a real emergency follow instructions from local officials.

ABOUT THIS COPY:
Made by Survival Codex on 2 October 2026 from the agency's own page. The agency's text that follows is unchanged; only this cover and the closing page are ours. It is a work of the U.S. federal government, in the public domain in the United States (17 U.S.C. §105).

FREE AT THE SOURCE:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go

NO ENDORSEMENT:
Our use of this material does not imply endorsement by U.S. Forest Service or the U.S. Government of Survival Codex, its products or services.

https://survivalcodex.com/pages/library/usfs-know-before-you-go

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
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Your national forests and grasslands provide a natural arena for a wide variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities. Some sites require a modest recreation fee to help provide the services and facilities at the site. To help you get the most of our your experience, read these helpful tips:

- Camping
- Driving
- Electric Bicycle Use
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain biking
- Off-highway vehicle touring
- Recreation Fees and Passes
- Responsible recreation
- Shooting
- Tree-cutting
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or Drones
- Wildflowers
- Wildlife photography

STAY SAFE
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The beauty and peacefulness of the forest may make you feel carefree, but you must remain vigilant for potentially dangerous situations.

- Caves
- Crime
- Food
- If you get lost
- Mines
- Safety
- Smoke/fire
- Sun Safety
- Ticks
- Trees
- Water safety

BRAVE THE ELEMENTS
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The weather can change suddenly and dramatically. Be prepared by monitoring weather conditions before you set out for the day.

- Avalanches
- Floods
- Hail
- Heat
- Heat.gov - National Integrated Heat Health Information System
- Hurricanes
- Hypothermia
- Lightning
- Tornadoes
- Wind

RESPECT WILDLIFE
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We share the outdoors with a variety of animals who make the forest their home. Remember, these are not pets. Keep a safe distance from them and be careful not to disturb their habitat.

- Bats
- Bears
- Mountain lions
- Snakes

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SURVIVAL CODEX LIBRARY
End of the agency text.

The current version of this guidance is always at https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go. Agencies revise their advice; check the original, and in an emergency follow instructions from local officials.

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