RAPID CITY, S.D. – Outdoor enthusiasts now have a new way to track their adventures on public lands.
The U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation have launched a digital passport program that allows visitors to check in at national forests and grasslands and earn digital badges for each location they visit.
The program is available through the OuterSpatial mobile app and includes all 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands across the country. Each badge features artwork inspired by the local landscape, wildlife, and unique characteristics of that site.
Users can also log past visits and compare their progress with others on a leaderboard. Verified check-ins, however, can only be earned while physically located within the boundaries of a forest or grassland.
The program could be especially popular in western South Dakota, where visitors to the Black Hills National Forest can earn a badge while exploring one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations.
The Forest Service says the new passport is designed to encourage exploration of America’s public lands while helping visitors keep track of their travels.
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