183 Best Words to Describe a Forest (Curated & Ranked)
Forests are not only beautiful but an essential part of life on Earth. They serve as home to more than 80% of land animals[1] and cover nearly a third of the world.[2]
Trees can reduce air pollution, cool the air, and provide renewable energy.[3][4]
Many life-saving medications even come from rainforest trees and plants.[5]
Finding the right words to describe a forest can really bring your story to life, whether you’re writing a novel or sharing an anecdote about a recent hiking trip.
We have the list of words to describe the forest below, plus an activity to help you discover more about the forest.
Words to Describe a Forest
Overgrown
Lively
Dense
Flourishing
Moonlit
Untrodden
Gorgeous
Ethereal
Blossoming
Picturesque
Lush
Beautiful
Magnificent
Foreboding
Fragrant
Diverse
Calm
Damp
Evergreen
Majestic
Hushed
Vivid
Sun-dappled
Mysterious
Tropical
Boreal
Peaceful
Enchanted
Misty
Ominous
Colorful
Noble
Pure
Shadowy
Dusky
Uninterrupted
Stunning
Wild
Grand
Isolated
Shady
Captivating
Pathless
Quiet
Silent
Enormous
Wooded
Open
Dynamic
Earthy
Breathtaking
Devastated
Mystical
Verdant
Green
Secluded
Ancient
Romantic
Mangrove
Temperate
Enchanting
Primitive
Snow-covered
Nocturnal
Desolate
Dark
Primeval
Daunting
Hostile
Sprawling
Tangled
Bewildering
Formidable
Giant
Dazzling
Sodden
Northern
Dewed
Vegetated
Shaded
Huge
Dormant
Undisturbed
Vast
Solemn
Moist
Spooky
Eerie
Thick
Heavenly
Pristine
Dry
Pristine
Stately
Humid
Remarkable
Old-growth
Lonely
Distant
Untouched
Bustling
Luxuriant
Coniferous
Lofty
Mighty
Primal
Leafy
Sacred
Abundant
Foggy
Terrible
Equatorial
Wind-blown
Decayed
Bleak
Glorious
Amazonian
Wondrous
Celestial
Splendid
Murky
Dreary
Gloomy
Leafless
Cold
Humming
Haunted
Scary
Coastal
Willowy
Solitary
Immense
Prehistoric
Grassy
Warm
Strange
Shaggy
Sturdy
Inland
Chilly
Somber
Large
Barren
Alpine
Autumnal
Jagged
Idyllic
Bushy
Crowded
Western
Eastern
Brown
Grim
Rolling
Wide
Alive
Brittle
Sweltering
Deserted
Native
Powerful
Wildlife-filled
Deep
Rough
Swampy
Deciduous
Unending
Spectacular
Arboraceous
Southern
Undeveloped
Cool
Petrified
Inaccessible
Bare
Wet
Unspoiled
Natural
Mature
Young
Subtropical
Valuable
Inhospitable
Activity: Forest Discovery Scavenger Hunt
Knowing how to describe a forest is great, but genuinely discovering and understanding the forest is even better!
You can visit a local wooded park or nearby national forest to complete this activity.
Look for and take photos of the following things:
- A fallen leaf
- A fallen branch
- The bark of a tree
- Three plants other than trees
- A bird that lives in the forest
- A mammal that lives in the forest
- A bug that lives in the forest
After finding and collecting photos of all of the items on the list, research them. Write captions for your photos that explain the plant or animal species and how/why it thrives in a forest environment.
You can use simple identification if completing this activity with children or create in-depth captions explaining the forest ecosystem.
Be sure to bring water and snacks, choose a trail suitable to your fitness and experience levels, and wear appropriate clothes when visiting the woods!