The Large Hadron Collider forward (LHCf) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) measures neutral particle production in the very forward region of proton-proton and proton-ion collisions, aiming to improve hadronic interaction models (HIMs) used in ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) simulations. This paper presents recent experimental activities of LHCf. Results from Run II, where neutron energy spectra and forward $\eta$ meson production were measured at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, are discussed in detail. Discrepancies between the data and HIM predictions, particularly in neutron elasticity distributions and $\eta$ meson production rates, highlight the need for refinement of these models. In Run III, LHCf collected about ten times more data, enabling more precise measurements of neutral mesons, including $\pi^0$, $\eta$, $K_s^0$, and $\Lambda^0$. Collaborative operations with the ATLAS experiment permitted combined analyses, enhancing studies of diffractive processes and the one-pion exchange mechanism. Future prospects include proton-Oxygen collisions in 2025, providing direct insights into cosmic ray interactions with atmospheric nuclei and reducing uncertainties associated with previous extrapolations from proton-proton and proton-Lead data.