By Michelle Werts
This week in history, five of our states officially joined the United States:
- Georgia (1/2/1788)
- Connecticut (1/9/1788)
- Utah (1/4/1896)
- New Mexico (1/6/1912)
- Alaska (1/3/1959).
In celebration, I wanted to share some of the forested beauty that you can experience in each.
Georgia
Our fourth state contains two national forests: Oconee and Chattahoochee National Forests, which includes the popular Anna Ruby Falls.
![Dockery Lake - Loose Leaf January 2012 Dockery Lake in Chattahoochee National Forest](https://d3f9k0n15ckvhe.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Dockery-Lake.jpg)
Connecticut
Our fifth state isn’t home to any national forests, but the famous Appalachian Trail crosses its boundaries, and dozens of state parks contain breathtaking vistas.
![Kent Falls State Park Kent Falls State Park](https://d3f9k0n15ckvhe.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Kent-Falls-State-Park.jpg)
Utah
Our 45th state boasts five national forests — Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La Sal and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests — in addition to its five national parks, which contrast the stark beauty of the state’s rock formations and desert climate with lush flora.
![Manti-La Sal National Forest - Loose Leaf January 2012 Manti-La Sal National Forest](https://d3f9k0n15ckvhe.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Manti-La-Sal-National-Forest.jpg)
New Mexico
Our 47th state finds itself with five national forests — Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe National Forests — and three national grasslands, representing the state’s diverse landscape.
Alaska
Our 49th state may only have two national forests in quantity — Chugach and Tongass National Forests — but when it comes to sheer land mass, they’re huge: Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the U.S. at 17 million acres.
![Mendenhall Glacier Aerial view of the Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Forest](https://d3f9k0n15ckvhe.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mendenhall-Glacier.jpg)
What are your favorite forestlands in each of these states?