The quest for this wayƒarer is to go deep into the forest, taking steps and waxing on the mountain so that he may be far away from the developed campgrounds, far beyond the reach of the modern day campers in their recreational vehicles, (RVs) and even further beyond the limits of any weekend warriors.

It is here where he may quest for the lofty, lonely and silent high place which will allow him to absorb the simplicity, solace and solitude that is to be found thereat.

The modern day camper drives his forty foot long RVs loaded with literally a ton of his possessions into a forest campground. He then locates a parking spot, pulls his rig through the paved space, parks, plugs in the cable, electric, sewer and water connections, or if there is no electrical hookup, he starts his generator, climbs up into the vehicle and then turn on the TV to watch a movie while his supper is cooking in the oven. When his supper is done, he opens a bottle of alcohol and spends the evening in the great outdoors, while inside his camper watching the movie.

He is here for the night or even for the weekend with the noisy generator constantly running and normally doesn′t comes out of his vehicle until he has to disconnect and drive out of the campground.

Yes, this is modern camping at it′s best for these weekend warrior?

After lifting a backpack, one composed by simplicity, the wayƒarer next straps it over his shoulders and then takes steps into the forest. As he travels along the path of choice, he will go through many biomes in which he will see not only massive trees but also wildlife in a large variety. Often, the path will come to a clearing which will allow for him to pause, prepare a meal and then enjoy his repast. Or, the clearing will be at a high point which will provide a location to espy the surrounding area into the distance.

Then, when the days begins to wane, the wayƒarer will keep on the watch for a place for camping overnight and upon coming to such a place, set up the camp for the evening, use a small fire to heat water and prepare a cup of repast, after which he will retire to his tent and get into the horizontal for rest. On the next day, during the early morning twilight, the wayƒarer rises, dons his attire, removes the cookpot from his pack, puts a flame to the stove and again boils water for his morning daystart and hot drink. Then, after the meal is done, the gear is stowed, the pack donned, another day afoot across the trail is inaugurated.

Days, or weeks are spent here in solitude within this wilderness during which the wayƒarer will always be on the quest for solace. All along this time afoot, the wayƒarer continuously gives thanks to the Most High God for the many steps provided through His wondrous architecture of creation. (Psalms 83:18)

In the following lists that include state forest, currently, only those forests with 10 square miles or more will be listed.

Conecuh National Forest

Talladega National Forest

Tuskegee National Forest

Geneva State Forest 11.2 square miles

Chugach National Forest

Tongass National Forest

Haines State Forest

Southeast State Forest

Tanana Valley State Forest

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Caconino National Forest

Coronado National Forest

Kaibab National Forest

Prescot National Forest

Tonto National Forest

Ouachita National Forest

Ozark-St. Francis National Forest

Poison Springs State Forest, Quachita County, 36 square miles

Angeles National Forest

Cleveland National Forest

Eldorado National Forest

Klamath National Forest

Lake Tahoe National Forest

Lassen National Forest

Low Padres National Forest

Mendocino National Forest

Modoc National Forest

Pluman National Forest

Redwood National Park Forest

San Bernadino National Forest

Sequioa National Forest

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Sierra National Forest

Six Rivers National Forest

Stanislaus National Forest

Tahoe National Forest

Jackson State Forest, Mendocino County, 76 square miles

LaTour State Forest, Shasta County, 14 square miles

Arapaho National Forest

Grand Mesa National Forest

Gunnison National Forest

Pike National Forest

Rio Grande National Forest

Rooseelt National Forest

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

San Isabel National Forest

San Juan National Forest

Uncompahgre National Forest

White River National Forest

Colorado State Forest, Jackson County, 100 square miles

Algonquin State Forest, Litchfield county, 4.7 square miles

Centennial Watershed State Forest, Fairfield, 24 square miles

Cockaponset State Forest, Middlesex county, 26 square miles

Housatonic State Forest, Litchfield county 16 square miles

Meshomasic State Forest, Middlesex county, 14 square miles

Natchaug State Forest, Windham county, 21 square miles

Nipmuck State Forest, Tolland county, 14 square miles

Pachaug State Forest, New London county, 45 square miles

Salmon River State Forest, Middlesex county, 11 square miles

Shenipsit State Forest, Tolland, 11 square miles

Blackbird State Forest, Kent-New Castle county, 8.4 square miles

Redden State Forest, Sussex county, 19 square miles

Taber State Forest, Kent county, 1.9 square miles

Apalachicola National Forest

Ocala National Forest

Osceola National Forest

Belmore State Forest, Clay county, 19 square miles

Cary State Forest, Duval county, 21 square miles

Charles Bronson State Forest, Christmas county, 18 square miles

Etoniah Creek State Forest, Putnam County, 14 square miles

Four Creeks State Forest, Nassau county, 21 square miles

Goethe State Forest, Marion County, 83 square miles

Jennings State Forest, Clay county, 24 square miles

John Bethea State Forest, Baker county, 59 square miles

Lake George State Forest, Volusia county 33 square miles

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, Leon county, 41 square miles

Myakka State Forest, Manatee county, 13 square miles

Okaloachoochee Slough State Forest, Hendrey county, 26 square miles

Picayune Strand State Forest, Collier county, 121 square miles

Pine Log State Forest, Washington county, 10 square miles

Point Washington State Forest, Walton county, 24 square miles

Seminole State Forest, Lake county, 40 square miles

Tate′s Hell State Forest, Franklin county, 315 square miles

Tiger Bay State Forest, Volusia county, 43 square miles

Twin Rivers State Forest, Suwannee, 23 square miles

Withlavoochree State Forest, Hernando county, 246 square miles

Chatahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Dawson State Forest, Dawson County, 16 square miles

Dixon Memorial State Forest, Ware county, 54 square miles

Paulding State Forest, Paulding county, 55 square miles

Hau′ula Forest Reserve, Oahu island, 18 square miles

Hilo Forest Reserve, Hawaii island, 100 square miles

Kealia-Moloa′s Forest Reserve, Kauai island, 16 square miles

Kohala Forest Reserve, Hawaii island, 29 square miles

Koolau Forest Reserve, Maui island, 49 square miles

Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve, Kauai island, 20 square miles

Molokai Forest Reserve, Molokai island, 18 square miles

Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve, Kauai island, 36 square miles

West Maui Forest Reserve, Maui island, 18 square miles

Hoosier National Forest

Clark State Forest, Henryville county, 37.5 square miles

Ferdinand State Forest, Dubois county, 12 square miles

Green-Sullivan State Forest, Sullivan county, 14 square miles

Harrison-Crawford State Forest, Harrison county, 38 square miles

Jackson-Washington State Forest, Washington county, 28 square miles

Martin State Forest, Martin county, 11 square miles

Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Monroe county, 38 square miles

Yellowwood State Forest, Brown county, 36 square miles

Corn National Forest

Backbone State Forest

Loess Hills State Forest, Harrison county, 17 square miles

Shimek State Forest, Lee county, 14 square miles

Stephens State Forest, Lucas county, 22 square miles

Yellow River State Forest, Allamakee county, 13 square miles

Baldwin Woods, Wood county, less than 1 square miles

Daniel Boone National Forest

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest

Land Between the Lakes National Forest

Dewey Lake State Forest, Floyd county, 12 square miles

Kentenia State Forest, county, square miles

Kentucky Ridge State Forest, Bell county, 24 square miles

Pennyrile State Forest, Christian county, 24 square miles

Kisatchie National Forest

Alexander State Forest, Rapides parish, 13 square miles

White Mountain National Forest

Durham State Forest, Waldo county

Garret State Forest, Garret county, 13 square miles

Green Ridge State Forest, Allegany county, 72 square miles

Pocomoke State Forest, Worchester county, 28 square miles

Potamac State Forest, Garrett county, 18 square miles

Savage River State Forest, Garrett county, 84 square miles

Beartown State Forest, Berkshire county, 15 square miles. AT crosses this forest.

Freetown-Fall River State Forest, Bristol county, 9.5 square miles

Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, Franklin county, 12 square miles

Mohawk Trail State Forest, Franklin county, 11 square miles

Mount Washington State Forest, Berkshire county, 10 square miles. AT crosses this forest

Myles Standis State Forest, Plymoth county, 20 square miles

October Mountain State Forest, Berkshire county, 25 square miles

Pittsfield State Forest, Berkshire county, 16 square miles

Sandisfield State Forest, Berkshire county, 10 square miles

Savory Mountain State Forest, Berkshire county, 16 square miles

Tolland State Forest, Hampden county, 11 square miles

Warwick State Forest, Franklin county, 18 square miles

Wendell State Forest, Franklin county, 11 square miles

Hiwatha National Forest

Huron-Manistee National Forest

Ottawa National Forest

Au Sable State Forest

Copper Country State Forest

Escanaba River State Forest

Lake Superior State Forest

Mackinaw State Forest

Pere Marquette State Forest

Chippewa National Forest

Superior National Forest

Battleground State Forest, Cass county, 28 square miles

Bear Island State Forest, Lake county, 247 square miles

Beltrami State Forest, Beltrami county, 1099 square miles

Big Fork State Forest, Itasca county, 200 square miles

Blackduck State Forest, Beltrami county, 196 square miles

Bowstring State Forest, Cass county, 822 square miles

Buena Vista State Forest, Beltrami county, 162 square miles

Burntside State Forest, Lake county, 116 square miles

Chengwatana State Forest, Chisago county, 46 square miles

Cloquet Valley State Forest, St Louis county, 511 square miles

Finland State Forest, Cook county, 487 square miles

Fond du Lac State Forest, Carlton county, 101 square miles

Foot Hills State Forest, Cass county, 73 square miles

George Washington State Forest, Itasca county, 515 square miles

Grand Portage State Forest, Cook county, 155 square miles

Hill River State Forest, Aitkin county, 194 square miles

Huntersville State Forest, Wadena county, 53 square miles

Jeanette State Forest, St. Louis county, 18 square miles

Kabetogama State Forest, Koochiching county, 968 square miles

Koochiching State Forest, Itasca county, 887 square miles

Lake of the Woods State Forest, Beltrami county, 222 square miles

Land O′Lakes State Forest, Aitkin county, 80 square miles

Lost River State Forest, Roseau county, 86 square miles

Lyons State Forest, Wadena county, 23 square miles

Mississippi Headwaters State Forest, Beltrami county, 71 square miles

Nemadji State Forest, Carlton county, 145 square miles

Northwest Angle State Forest, Lake of the Woods county, 225 square miles

Pat Bayle State Forest, Cook county, 282 square miles

Paul Bunyan State Forest, Cass county, 235 square miles

Bienville National Forest

Delta National Forest

De Soto National Forest

Holly Springs National Forest

Homochitto National Forest

Tombigbee National Forest

Mark Twain National Forest

Beal State Forest, Shannon county

Bear Creek State Forest, Laclede county

Wilhelmina State Forest, Dunklin county

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Bitteroot National Forest

Custer National Forest

Flathean National Forest

Gallatin National Forest

Glacier National Park Forest

Helena National Forest

Kootenai National Forest

Lewis and Clark National Forest

Lolo National Forest

Clearwater State Forest, Missoula county, 28.2 square miles

Coal Creek State Forest, Flathead county, 31.3 square miles

Lincoln State Forest, Lewis and Clark county, 12.9 square miles

Stillwater State Forest, Flathead county, 140 square miles

Sula State Forest, Ravalli county, 15.6 square miles

Swan River State Forest, Lake county, 61 square miles

Thompson River State Forest, Sanders county, 22.9 square miles

Nebraska National Forest

Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

White Mountain National Forest

This state has a long list of small state forests less than 1.5 square mile in size.

Cape Horn State Forest, Northumberland county, 3.4 square miles

Gile State Forest, Springfield county, 10 square miles

Kearsarge Mountain State Forest, Concord county, 7.8 square miles

Nash Stream State Forest, Odell county, 57.2 square miles

Pine River State Forest, Effingham county, 5 square miles

Abram Hewit State Forest, Passaic county, 3.1 square miles (Appalachian Trail)

Bass River State Forest, Buington county, 45.5 square miles

Belleplain State Forest, Cape May county, 33.3 square miles

Brendan Byrne State Forest, Ocean county, 58.2 square miles

Jenny Jump State Forest, Warren county, 6.9 square miles

Norvin Green State Forest, Passaic county, 8.5 square miles

Penn State Forest, Burlington county, 5.2 square miles

Ramapo Mountain State Forest, Passaic-Bergen county, 6.7 square miles

Stokes State Forest, Susex county, 25 square miles

Wharton State Forest, Atlantic county and others, 180 square miles

Worthington State Forest, Warren county, 10 square miles

Carson National Forest

Cibola National Forest

Gila National Forest

Lincoln National Forest

Santa Fe National Forest

Finger Lakes National Forest

New York has a large number of state forests under 1.5 square miles

Beartown State Forest, Lewis county, 11.3 square miles

Beaver Creek State Forest, Madison-St Lawrence county, 11.2 square miles

Brasher State Forest, St. Lawrence county, 30.9 square miles

Burtn-Rossman State Forest, Schoharie county, 15.3 square miles

Danby State Forest, Tompkins county, 11.5 square miles

Five Streams State Forest, Chenango county, 10.1 square miles

Frank E. Jadwin State Forest, Lewis county, 31.9 square miles

Grant Powell State Forest, Lewis county, 12.6 square miles

Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, Livingston-Ontario county, 10.7 square miles

Lesser Wilderness State Forest, Lewis county, 21.6 square miles

McDonough State Forest, Chenango county, 10.6 square miles

Neversink River State Forest, Sullivan county, 10 square miles

Pharsalia Woods State Forest, Chenango county, 14.3 square miles

Stewart State Forest, Orange county, 10.5 square miles

Sugar Hill State Forest, Schuyler county, 14.2 square miles

Tug Hill State Forest, Jefferson-Lewis county, 19.1 square miles

Winona State Forest, Jefferson-Oswego county, 14.4 square miles

Cherokee National Forest

Croatan National Forest

Nantahala National Forest

Pisgah National Forest

Uwharrie National Forest

Bladen Lakes State Forest, Bladen county, 51 square miles

Dupont State Forest, Henderson-Trasylvania county, 16.4 square miles

Headwaters State Forest, Transylvania county, 10.5 square miles

Wayne National Forest

Blue Rock State Forest, Muskingum county, 7.2 square miles

Brush Creek State Forest, Readen, 21.1 square miles

Hocking State Forest, Laurelville, 15 square miles

Pike State Forest, Pike-Highland county, 19 square miles

Scioto Trail State Forest, chillicothe, 15 square miles

Shawnee State Forest, West Portsmount, 102 square miles

Tar Hollow State Forest, Chillicothe, 25.7 square miles

Vinton Furnace State Forest, Vinton county, 18.9 square miles

Zaleski State Forest, Zaleski, 43.5 square miles

Ouachita National Forest

Dechutes National Forest

Fremont-Winema National Forest

Klamath National Forest

Malheur National Forest

Mount Hood National Forest

Ochoco National Forest

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Siusslaw National Forest

Umatilla National Forest

Umpqua National Forest

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Willamett National Forest

Clatsop State Forest, Clatsop-Columbia county, 215 square miles

Elliott State Forest, Coos county, 145 square miles

Gilchrist State Forest, Klamatn county, 110 square miles

Santiam State Forest, Linn county, 75 square miles

Sun Pass State Forest, Klamath county, 33,3 square miles

Tilamook State Forest, Washington county, 569 square miles

Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor, Tilamook-Polk counties,

Allegheny National Forest

Bald Eagle State Forest, Centre county and others, 302 square miles

Buchanan State Forest, Bedford county and others, 117.2 square miles

Clear Creek State Forest, Forest county and others, 20.7 square miles

Delaware State Forest, Pike-Monroe county, 130.5 square miles

Elk State Forest, Elk county and others, 312 square miles

Forbes State Forest, Fayette county and others, 78.1 square miles

Gallitzin State Forest, Bedford county and others, 21.2 square miles

Loyalsock State Forest, Bradford county, 179 square miles

Michaux State Forest, Adams county and others, 133 square miles

Moshannon State Forest, Cameron county and others, 297 square miles

Pinchot State Forest, Lackawanna county and others, 70 square miles

Rothrock State Forest, Mifflin county and others, 335 square miles

Sproul State Forest, Potter county and others, 437 square miles

Susquehannock State Forest, McKean county and others, 414 square miles

Tiadaghton State Forest, Tioga county, 250 square miles

Tuscarora State Forest, Perry county and others, 142.4 square miles

Weiser State Forest, Schuylkill county and others, 28 square miles

Lincoln Woods State Forest, Providence county, .97 square miles

George Washington M. State Forest, Providence county, 6.5 square miles

Wickaboxet State Forest, Kent county, 1 square mile

Francis Marion National Forest

Harbison State Forest, Columbia county, 3.4 square miles

Manchester State Forest, Wedgefield county, 44.8 square miles

Pole Creek State Forest, Pickens county

Sand Hils State Forest, Chesterfield county

Wee Tee State Forest, Georgetown county, 21 square miles

Black Hills National Forest

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

Cherokee National Forest

State Forest, county, square miles

State Forest, county, square miles

Bledsoe State Forest, county, Bledsoe square miles

Cedars of Lebanon State Forest, Wilson county, 14.7 square miles

Chickasaw State Forest, Hardeman county, square miles

Chuck Swan State Forest, Union county, square miles

Franklin State Forest, Marion county, square miles

John Tully State Forest, Lauderdale county, square miles

Lewis State Forest, Lewis county, square miles

Lone Mountain State Forest, Morgan county, 5.7 square miles

Martha Sundquist State Forest, Cocke county, 3.2 square miles

Natchez Trace State Forest, Henderson county, square miles

Picket State Forest, Picket county, square miles

Prentice Cooper State Forest, Marion county, square miles

Scott State Forest, Scott county, square miles

Standing Stone State Forest, Overton county, 1.4 square miles

Stewart State Forest, Stewart county, square miles

Angelina National Forest

Big Thicket National Forest Preserve

Davy Crockett National Forest

Sabine National Forest

Sam Houston National Forest

E. O. Siecke State Forest, Newton county, 2.7 square miles

I. D. Fairchild State Forest, Cherokee county, 4.3 square miles

John Henry Kirby State Forest, Tyler county, 1 square mile

Masterson State Forest, Jaaper county

W. Goodrich Jones State Forest, Montgomery county

Ruth Bowling Nichols Arboretum, Cherokee county

Olive Scott Petty Arboretum, Hardin county

Ashley National Forest

Dixie National Forest

Fishlake National Forest

Manti-LaSal National Forest

Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Green Mountains National Forest

Calvin Coolidge State Forest, Rutland county, 35.2 square miles

Groton State Forest, Caledonia county and others, 40.8 square miles

Jay State Forest, Orleans county, 12.4 square miles

Long Trail State Forest, Franklin county and others, 14.9 square miles

Mount Mansfield State Forest, Lamoille county, 69.4 square miles

Okemo State Forest, Rutland county, 11.7 square miles

Roxbury State Forest, Washington county, 8.6 square miles

Victory State Forest, Essex county, 25.4 square miles

Willoughby State Forest, Caledonia county, 12 square miles

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest

Appromattox-Buckingham State Forest, (See Name) county, 31 square miles

Cumberland State Forest, Cumberland county, 25.3 square miles

Dragon Run State Forest, King-Queen county, 15 square miles

Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest, Prince Edsard county, 10 square miles

Colville National Forest

Gifford Pinchott National Forest

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Olympic National Forest

Ahtanum State Forest, Yakima county, square miles

Blanchard State Forest, Skagit-Snohomish county

Capitol State Forest, Grays Harbor county, 143.2 square miles

Elbe Hills-Tahoma State Forest, Lewis-Pierce county

Green Mountain-Tahuya State Forest, Kitsap-Mason county

Little Pren Oreille State Forest, Pend Oreille county

Loomis-Loup Loup State Forest, Okanogan county

Teanaway Community State Forest, Kittitas county. 78.5 square miles

Tiger Mountain State Forest, King county, 21 square miles

Yacolt Burn State Forest, Clark county, 140.6 square miles

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest

Monogahela National Forest

Cabwaylingo State Forest, Wayne county, 112.7 square miles

Calvin Price State Forest, Pocahontas county, 14.9 square miles

Coopers Rock State Forest, Preston county, 19.9 square miles

Kanawha State Forest, Kanawha county, 14.2 square miles

Seneca State Forest, Pocahontas county, 18.3 square miles

Panther Wildlife Area, McDowell county, 12.2 square miles

Watoga State Park, Pocahontas, 15.8 square miles

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Black River State Forest, Jackson county, 104.8 square miles

Flambeau River State Forest, Sawyer and Price county, 140.9 square miles

Governor Knowles State Forest, Burnett and Polk county, 30.9 square miles

Kettle Moraine State Forest, Sheboygan county and others, 85.1 square miles

Northern Highland AL State Forest, Iron county and others, 348.9 square miles

Peshitgo State Forest, Marinette and Oconto county, 14.4 square miles

Ashley National Forest

Bighorn National Forest

Black Hills National Forest

Bridger-Teton National Forest

Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

Shoshone National Forest

Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

El Yungue National Forest