105+ Forest Tattoo Ideas to Bring Mother Nature to You

From simple designs to intricate forests, there are a variety of tattoo options for you to consider for the forest theme.

I grew up around the woods so forests are my safe space. And, even when I have lived in cities, I have always found the time to escape to the forest during the weekends. So, it is always a magical experience for me to tattoo a fellow nature lover and hear of their own adventures.

In this post, I shall show you the top forest tattoo ideas and give you some idea of what each design means!

The Best Forest Tattoo Ideas

Here are the top forest themed tattoos that you can get for yourself:

Minimalistic Forest Tattoos

When most people think of a forest tattoo, they are probably imagining something large and detailed. And, sure, your forest tattoo can be exactly like that if you wish.

At the same time, your forest tattoo can also be rather simplistic. It can consist of a tree tattoo, a leaf tattoo, or pine trees tattoo.

For such a forest theme, you can consider just getting the outline of a forest. Or, you can add more detail but have most of the forest or forest trees inked in black. This helps the tattoo to pop but still be subtle.

The reality is that just because you want a minimalistic forest tattoo doesn't mean that the tattoo design has to be basic or boring. There are lots of ways to still make such a tattoo stand out.

All you need is the right idea and tattoo artist. Well, here are some concepts that you can borrow from:

Detailed Forest Tattoos

Want to go all out with your forest tattoo, then you should consider adding more detail to the forest scenes. More than that, make sure that your forest tattoo is as realistic as possible.

This is the perfect tattoo for nature lovers. To make your tattoo even more meaningful, look up a scene of your favorite natural habitat. Then, have your tattoo artist recreate this scene. This way, you will be able to carry one of your favorite spots with you no matter where you go.

Go to experienced tattoo artists to ensure that you get the highest quality design for your tattoo.

Now, these kinds of forest tattoos can consist of a large tattoo design if you want. In this case, you can get a full or half forest sleeve tattoo. It works for an upper arm or lower leg.

This kind of forest tattoo also looks good on your chest, side, and back.

Interestingly enough, though, a detailed forest tattoo doesn't have to be a large affair. You can get a subtle tattoo if you want.

If you do want a smaller tattoo, then you have to think about distance and perspective. To make sure that you can fit in an additional amount of features, have them spaced in a way some elements are closer and others are far away.

This way, you will be able to ensure that you can include a greater amount of detail in the picture.

One of the most common forest tattoo FAQs is what kind of trees should you include in your tattoo.

Well, there are a couple of different ways to approach this. If you would like, you can include your favorite trees in your tattoo. Or, you can include trees that have meaning - oak for strength, evergreen trees for eternity, etc.

If you are more about the aesthetics, then consider which structure or outline will look best. This is especially important for upper arm and forearm tattoo ideas.

Under the Night Sky Forest Tattoos

Are you someone who loves to go camping? If so, then your favorite part of the trip is when you are lying in the forest, under the night sky. There is nothing so awe inspiring as gazing upon the vast, beautiful night sky.

So, naturally, this concept makes for the perfect forest tattoo design ideas! What I love about this kind of forest tattoo is that there are so many designs to choose from!

The easiest way to draw this kind of forest tattoo is to have a large moon as a background to the forest trees. These tattoos work really well in grey and black ink. Simply add the details in white and grey and use the black as a background. This will add to the effect of nighttime.

One of the things that you should consider for this kind of tattoo is the shape of the moon. You can choose a full moon, half moon, crescent moon, etc. To a certain degree, this does depend on the kind of effect that you want to create.

For instance, a full moon can seem a bit more magical and is also a great way to shine light on your tattoo. A crescent moon, on the other hand, can seem a little witchy and can help to spice up your tattoo.

If you would like to do something different, then you can certainly have the tattoo done up in color. In case you would like to take it one step further, make it look like the forest is bathed in moonlight.

Another cool idea is to have the phases of the moon above the forest scenery. This is actually a beautiful tattoo idea for women in particular. This is because the moon and the phases of the moon as associated with womanhood and fertility.

Therefore, this can be the perfect symbol of your divine femininity. However, this is a beautiful design for anyone of any gender to get.

This kind of forest tattoo also works well for anyone who is into paganism, astrology, and nature in general.

Banded Forest Tattoos

I have to say that this is one of my favorite forest tattoo designs. As the name suggests, this is a band tattoo. That is to say, the tattoo design circles the wrist, although this can work as an ankle tattoo as well.

The most common design used here are tree tattoos. They encircle the wrist - you can choose to get this kind of forest tattoo on just one side of your wrist. Or, you can have it as a 360 forearm tattoo.

I absolutely love the aesthetic of this kind of forest tattoo. It consists of beautiful imagery that is equal parts eerie and timeless.

Now, the most popular tree for this kind of tree tattoo is the pine tree. The reason for this is that they stand tall, making them the perfect design for a forest forearm tattoo.

At the same time, pine trees and evergreen trees in general can be quite significant. This is because these trees are green and alive, regardless of the weather.

This can be symbolism for you or your life. It can be a reminder that you should remain strong and resolute in spite of what is happening around you.

This forest tattoo can also be a good reminder of how you shouldn't change who you are for anyone and that you should always be true to yourself.

Of course, if you would like to convey a different meaning, then you should use a different tree for your tree tattoo.

Wildlife and Forest Tattoos

Of course, one of the main reasons that people go into the forest is because of the wildlife. If you love animals, then you absolutely have to capture the creatures that you find in the forest.

Since this is a personalized tattoo, it is up to you to choose which animals you would like to include in your design. Most people like to choose deer, a wolf, bears, etc. Of course, you can do something a little different and opt for foxes, beavers, bunnies and other adorable animals instead.

For this kind of tattoo, you may want to think about the meanings associated with various animals. For instance, deer are linked to innocence, wolves to leadership and family, bears are known for their wildness and loyalty to family.

You can then choose animals that you associate with yourself or others. This can act as a reminder to you to help you always express your best traits.

Whimsical Forest Tattoos

You probably first heard about forests before you ever saw one. And, you likely read it in a storybook.

Back then, forests were likely magical places to you, filled with wonder and adventure. And, when you got to experience them when you got older, you discovered that those stories were right along and that these were beautiful places.

If you would like to recapture that wonder in your tattoo, then you can! Simply consider getting a whimsical tattoo.

So, what does a whimsical tattoo entail? Well, this kind of forest tattoo can look very similar to the pictures that you saw in storybooks. So, this is a good place to start with for your inspiration.

Also, you may want to include different elements in your whimsical tattoo. Rather than large and foreboding trees, look for smaller, more rounded trees. Also add smaller plants, flowers, and even mushrooms and toadstools.

In addition to cute, furry animals, you may also want to include insects like dragonflies, butterflies, etc.

Now, these tattoos do work well in black ink. At the same time, if you would like your tattoo to give you a sense of inner peace, then you may want to consider soft colors.

Geometric Framed Forest Tattoos

This is another really cool forest tattoo design. Here, the forest is framed within a geometric shape - circle, diamond, etc.

This works well if you love forest tattoo designs but still want to keep your tattoo on the smaller side. Such a forest tattoo also works well if you like neater outline to your tattoos.

I also find that there is a meaningful contrast between these two sets of imagery. When most people think of forests, they think of wild and untamed places. However, by setting your forest tattoo or trees tattoo inside of a shape, you are confining and taming it.

Another way that you can see this kind of forest tattoo is that you are containing the essence of the forest within something that you can carry with you everywhere. This is a nice way to remind you of the beauty and wilderness of nature as you go about your everyday life.

Animal Framed Forest Tattoos

Do you want your forest tattoo to be within a confined space but you don't want to take the wildness out of it? Then, this is definitely a tattoo concept that you should consider for yourself.

Here, the outline of a wild animal is the frame. This creates less of a contrast between the frame and the natural elements of your forest tattoo.

Such forest tattoo design ideas can have also have a beautiful meaning of their own. It can show how the animals are a part of the forest and the forest is a part of animals. It is all linked and intertwined with one another.

Autumn Forest Tattoos

Autumn or fall is one of my favorite times of the year to visit forests. This is because the forests impossibly beautiful during this season. The leaves are fiery shades of gold, red, and yellow.

They are either floating around you or amassed in large piles. And, there is also something about the smell in the air. Everything smells so crispy and fresh.

Autumn forest tattoos are such a gorgeous concept because you can bring your tattoo to life so vividly. And, in doing so, you can guarantee that your tattoo will invoke emotion every time that you look at it.

I have also found that this kind of tattoo can also be quite meaningful. This is because despite the beauty of this season, it is a period of time where most trees and plants begin to die.

However, as we know, this is not the end. Instead, it is simply a way to shed the old so that you can make way for the new.

This can be something that you need to remind yourself of. It can be hard to give up or to change what you currently are. However, if you take this difficult step, you are one step closer to the future and a new you.

Snowy Forest Tattoos

For a lot of people, winter is their favorite time of year and I have to say that there is something special about being in the forest during the winter. In fact, it is quite beautiful too!

For one thing, despite there being little greenery or leaves, everything is topped with a dusting of snow. This can make it all seem so clean and lovely.

There is also a certain quietness in the forest during the winter. Many animals have either deserted the area for warmer climes or are hibernating. In any case, this makes the forest one of the most peaceful areas to be.

It can seem like a lovely winter wonderland. If this is what you would like to recreate for your tattoo, then there are plenty of ideas to consider.

While you could stick with the traditional black ink, you can dress up your tattoo with color if you want. Shades of black, blue, grey, and white can help to create a balance and add a certain lightness and brightness to the scene.

Hiking Forest Tattoos

Hiking through a forest can be a spiritual experience. It is a wonderful way to escape the trappings and demands of your daily lifestyle. And, if you are someone who lives in the city, then going on a hike is the best way for you to commune with nature.

So, getting a hiking forest tattoo is an excellent choice. Here, you can have the image of someone traipsing through the forest as your tattoo design.

This kind of tattoo is a great way to remind you to stop and smell the roses. It can also be a source of comfort when you are going through your grueling daily routine.

To make this tattoo extra special, take a photo of your favorite hiking trail and get a tattoo of this. You can then escape to that spot in your mind whenever you want.

Camping Forest Tattoos

If you went camping in the forest, then you undoubtedly have some beautiful memories. Hiking through the woods, setting up camp, cooking that delicious food - it is a such a wonderful experience.

Needless to say, you are going to want to commemorate or immortalize these experiences. And, the best way to do this is to get a camping tattoo.

Of course, the forest will take center stage here. However, you can incorporate a camping tent, fire, and other different elements that make up a campsite. This can actually be a really cozy scene if you do it right.

Memorial Forest Tattoos

If you are like a lot of people, then you don't go hiking or camping in the forest by yourself. Instead, there is a good chance that there is someone who always went along with you. In fact, it is likely that this person introduced you to the joys of forests.

They could be a parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, or another loved one. If you have recently lost this person, then a beautiful way to commemorate them would be to get a memorial tattoo of you and this other person in the woods.

This can be such a meaningful tattoo for you. Not only are you carrying your loved one with you wherever you go, but you are also keeping them in one of their favorite places. This can spawn such beautiful memories for you.

Spooky Forest Tattoos

The woods are a beautiful place but at the same time, they can be pretty spooky too. After all, many of your favorite horror stories and urban legends take place in forests.

So, if you love these stories or simply love gothic tattoos, then you should consider getting a spooky tattoo.

There are lots of ways to bring these tattoo ideas to life. If you want, you simply make the trees look bare and ragged.

You can have the trees arranged in a spooky manner. You could also have a winding road in between the trees to take this idea to the next level.

You can also choose to go all out with your tattoo. You can make spooky shapes like skulls out of the trees.

Of course, you should feel free to add other elements as well - bats, eerie clouds, scary looking animals - there are so many different ways for you to get creative here! In fact, just a few details here and there is enough to make this is a truly eerie forest tattoo!

Magical Forest Tattoos

As someone who loves stories about fae and magical creatures, I do have to admit that this is one of my top options for forest tattoo designs.

This is also a great tattoo if you want to get creative and add lots of color or detail to your tattoo.

For this kind of tattoo, you are free to push the boundaries of what is real and possible. You can add almost any magical concept that you can think of.

Toadstools, fairies, magical trees, gigantic flowers, odd creatures, the options really are endless here and you are free to let your imagination run wild!

What I like about this tattoo idea is that you can make it work regardless of whether you are looking for a small or a large tattoo. It is all about deciding which element to include in the tattoo and to size each component properly.

In doing so, you can have a small tattoo with a great deal of detail if you wish.

Well, there you have it - here are all the forest tattoo designs that you could possibly hope for. From basic designs to detailed images, there are so many different options available to you. All that you need to do is to find one that really speaks to you. Good luck finding the right image for you!