If you’ve made your New Year’s resolution to spend more time in the great outdoors this year, you may be planning a big forest recreation getaway or several small ones. Enjoying the outdoors is suitable for both your physical health and your mental health. No matter which activity you try—hiking, biking, birdwatching, or fishing, to name a few options—you can expect to feel refreshed and perhaps more mindful after a session in the woods.

Here are five tips to help you get started planning the best forest recreation trip:

1. Keep Safety in Mind

If you’re not used to hiking or walking in the middle of a forest, you might not know exactly what to expect. So be sure to take a few safety precautions, and your trip will be a lot more relaxing.

First, be sure someone knows where you are and when you plan to report in again. You can hike with a buddy or a group of friends, but at the very least, you should make sure to tell a friend where you’ll be and when you plan to return. That way, if something happens and you don’t return on time, your friend can contact local forest rangers or law enforcement in case there’s a need to search for you.

While you’re on your journey, be sure to stay on marked trails and wear proper hiking or walking gear. That means good shoes that are both sturdy and comfortable, long pants and layers of clothing based on the weather forecast.

Bring water with you, as it may not be safe to drink water you find in nature, and dehydration can be very bad when you’re on a hike. Dehydration can make hikers disoriented and confused, which could lead to even a capable hiker becoming lost. Snacks are also a good idea if you plan to expend a lot of energy.

2. Plan Your Activities Ahead of Time

There are so many activities to do in the woods, and it may be hard to choose how to spend your adventure. Start by deciding whether you’d like to do something you already know how to do, or whether you want to try something new. Maybe you only want to go for a walk or a hike in the woods. Not into exercise? Birdwatching, meditating or playing some kind of animal or tree bingo on a nature walk could suit you. This can be especially fun if you have kids with you.

If you want to see as much of the forest as possible, you might enjoy mountain biking or a horseback ride. If you don’t own a horse or haven’t ridden a horse before, look for guided trail rides. There are also a number of places to rent mountain bikes if you don’t have one of your own.

Fishing is a great way to enjoy forest recreation without moving around too much. If you’re an experienced fisherman, you might already know the spots you want to try out, but if you’re new to fishing, haven’t done it in a few years or don’t have the equipment, you can always find a local river outfitter and guide. Professional guides can provide equipment and skills to safely navigate the rivers.

3. Protect the Forest

Spending time in the forest means you might impact the trees and wildlife. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time in the woods, but there are some things you can do to help preserve the local ecosystem. One easy policy is to not litter: take all of your trash with you when you leave. Waste generated by visitors to national parks and forests can be ecologically damaging.

If you happen to encounter wildlife, please do not feed them. If you toss a few nuts to a squirrel on your hike, you might think that you’re helping it survive the winter. But that action might teach the squirrel that it’s safe to approach humans. Later, they could run up to a human that might harm them instead of giving them a snack. This is true not only of squirrels but of larger animals as well. Bears and elk, for example, can become very dangerous if they lose their wariness of humans and can cause problems for themselves and human communities. So if you see any wildlife when you’re in the forest, just leave them be.

Follow the rules and avoid restricted areas. If you come across roads or trails that have been closed or there are signs banning entry into an area of the forest, pay attention. The restriction is there for a reason. Maybe there’s potential danger ahead, such as a tree that’s fallen across the trail, or maybe it’s to protect that particular part of the woods, such as during wildfire recovery. By obeying the rules, you will avoid putting yourself at risk and can help preserve care for the woods.

4. Handle Campfires Safely

While it falls under the concept of protecting the forest, taking steps to prevent wildfires is a tip all on its own. While managed forests reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, it’s also up to each of us to maintain our campfires correctly so we don’t spark something we can’t stop.

Some campsites already have a barbecue pit or stand for you to use. If a pit is provided, use it, and don’t light a campfire anywhere else on your site. If there isn’t a designated area for your campfire, check whether you’re allowed to dig a fire pit—sometimes digging might be prohibited due to archeological significance or other concerns. Then choose the spot for your fire wisely. It should be at least fifteen feet from your tents and any shrubs, trees or low-hanging branches. And don’t build a fire at all if the conditions are dry, hazardous or if there is currently a fire ban.

5. Make Your Visit Dog-Friendly

Enjoy the outdoors with your favorite four-legged friend. Dogs are welcome in many public and private forest areas, but there are a few things you should keep in mind so you can keep your pal safe.

Keep your dog on a leash and make sure their identification is up to date in case they get loose. Bring a brush for after your walk. Not only is grooming a great way to bond, but it helps get any fleas and ticks out of their fur. And, above all, make sure you pick up after your dog. Pet waste is considered litter but can also contaminate water and spread disease to wildlife.

Want to visit some of the lushest forests in the country? Come to Oregon! Oregon has over 30 million acres of forests to explore. Learn more about forest recreation in Oregon on the Oregon Forever website.

Wherever you go for your forest recreation, be safe, have fun and enjoy your time outdoors!

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