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Adventures
Events Worth Training For
Want to set a big goal to give your training more focus and direction? Sign up for one of these mettle-testing trail events.Adventure Travel Skills
See more wildlife, climb more peaks, and hike more miles with these tips that'll help every adventure traveling backpacker raise their game.Wildlive Lover Skills
See more wildlife--and capture it better on film.Mileage Master Skills
Going the distance? Use these tips to ease big-mile trips.Family Traveler
Read these tips to make your kids more comfortable on the trail.Peakbagger Skills
Tips for overcoming jetlag, gathering beta, and getting your summit gear to foreign peaks in one piece.Limit Pusher Skills
Always looking for a way to go farther and faster? Get ready with these tips to take your hiking to the next level.Multisport Maniac Skills
Learn these skills for trips that involve more than just hiking.Heroes: Rue Mapp, 40
This culture activist is bringing diversity to the outdoors.Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Climb Big Trees
Discover a higher world.Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Make an Adventure Movie
Create a story-driven video that engages you on the trail and offers a fresh perspective on trip memories.Ultimate Adventure Handbook
Tired of the same old weekend loops? Looking to create memories your grandkids will talk about? In this how-and-where guide, we serve up 15 extraordinary escapes that will shatter your expectations of "normal." From adventure moviemaking to canyoneering, we'll take you places you've never been—but will long to visit again soon.Adventure Travel: New Zealand
Hiker heaven, redefined, is a month-long hike/paddle/camp in Adventureland.Secret Switzerland
Discover solitude on the Swiss border with this highlights tour of John Harlin's favorite trips—rope not required.Big Wild Empty: The Bob Marshall Wilderness
Think there's nothing wild left in the Lower 48? Don't tell the grizzlies on this traverse of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.Tough Guy Challenge 2011
Think you're a tough guy (or gal)? Take our five-week challenge and enter our video contest for a chance to prove it.Rip & Go: Turkey Creek Trail
Hike through three ecological zones in east Texas's carnivore country.Rip & Go: Pine Tree Loop
Paddle to shoreline solitude, then perch on dunes above the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland's Assateague Island National Seashore.Rip & Go: Goldmyer Hot Springs - Snoqualmie NF, WA
Track beneath waterfalls and icicle-hung trees to a soothing soak.Rip & Go: Thunderhead Loop
Hike from forest floor to a rocky ridge linking twin summits in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Readers' Choice: West
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the west.Readers' Choice 2011: America's Best Hikes
The undisputed local experts—you—chose the top parks, trails, campsites, and weekend getaways from Alaska to Alabama.Print & Go: Buckeye-Caney Creek Loop, Ouachita National Forest, AR
This 10.2-mile circuit through a forest of maple, oak, and sweet gum follows the 2,000-foot ridge of Buckeye Mountain, before dropping to peaceful Caney Creek (with plenty of camping options). Follow the flow and view multiple falls on your way back to the trailhead.Print & Go: Lost Creek Loop, Denver, CO
Skip Colorado's wildly popular Fourteeners and their buzzing crowds. Instead, explore Lost Creek Wilderness's granite domes, mansion-size boulders, and fingerlike spires on a rugged, 27.6-mile circuit packed with sweeping Continental Divide views and killer riverside campsites.Print & Go: Greenwater-Lost-Echo Lake Loop, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF
Mt. Rainier's snowy, 14,411-foot crown rises less than 20 miles southwest of this 3-day, 23.3-mile lasso loop-- and you'll get picture-perfect views of it at miles 9.8 and 10.4. Hike south along the Greenwater River before starting a 17.2-mile counterclockwise circuit that connects Lost, George, and Echo Lakes with ridgelines overlooking Rainier's glaciated slopes.Rip & Go: Approach Trail Loop, Chattahoochee National Forest, GA
Relax in a hiker-friendly lodge at the Appalachian Trail's southern tip.Rip & Go: McKittrick Canyon
Soak up high-desert views amid the Lone Star State's tallest peaks.Rip & Go: Big Piney Trail
Roll from dark hollows to dolomite ridges in the Ozark highlands of Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest.Rip & Go: Big Creek Loop
Hike from a wildlife-choked river valley to soaring mountain views.Rip & Go: McCargoe Cove to Rock Harbor
Hike among moose and wolves on this two-day escape to Isle Royale National Park.Trip Finder: Appalachians
Your favorite Appalachians hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.Rip & Go: Devil's Path
Conquer the rocks, ridges, and ravines on the East's toughest trail.Readers' Choice: Northeast
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the Northeast.Readers' Choice: Rockies
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the Rockies.Rip & Go: Four Pass Loop
Like peaks, lakes, and wildflowers? You'll love this Rockies classic in White River National Forest.Fall/Winter Gear Guide: Best Winter Trips
We traveled to Fjordland and discovered that nothing compares to skiing glacier-clad mountains above deep-water fjords. Plus: 20 winter adventures, from California to New York.Best Winter Trips: 10th Mountain Division Huts, Colorado
Get backcountry spoils--snorkel-deep pow on remote Rockies peaks--with frontcountry comforts (warm fire and hot toddies, anyone?) in this famed hut system. More than 350 miles of trails wind through prime winter terrain, connecting the 31 full-service cabins.Best Winter Trips: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Few places serve up fierce, unpredictable winter weather quite like Mt. Washington, the 6,288-foot capstone of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Battle hurricane-force winds--and 20-plus feet of annual snowfall--while tackling the East's best mountaineering, or choose from hundreds of miles of snowy trails for a lower elevation romp.Best Winter Trips: Teton Range, Wyoming
Towering 7,000-plus feet above Jackson Hole, the Tetons wrest more than 30 feet of snow from passing storms and pile it thick on road-accessible slopes.Best Winter Trips: Mt. Rainer National Park, Washington
The granddaddy of the Cascades looms above Seattle like a great white beacon for snow junkies. The mountain's 25 major glaciers hold enough ice to bury Manhattan 150 feet deep, and some of the planet's highest recorded snowfalls guarantee powder for all. Paradise, the park's winter epicenter, has year-round road access.Norway: Tested
Traverse a Glacier: On Norway's west coast, ancient ice scapes offer an otherworldly adventure.Best Hikes Ever: Willow Gulch, UT
Explore resurrected sandstone slots.Long Trail Hikes
Traverse the first long trail in Vermont.Best Hikes Ever: Southern Traverse, AK
Tackle an epic adventure in the far north.Best Hikes Ever: Wonderland Trail, WA
Circumnavigate the West's most majestic mountain.Best Hikes Ever: St. Mary to McDonald Lake, MT
Hike lake to lake through bear central in Glacier National Park.Best. Hikes. Ever.
We've covered 245,591 miles of trails in our 37-year history. Here are our 20 all-time favorite trips, plus—shocking!—20 routes we never covered.Best Hikes Ever: Grand Island Loop, MI
Hike along bluffs and fern forests in total solitude on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.Best Hikes Ever: Zion Narrows, UT
Sluice through towering walls of sandstone in Utah's Zion National Park.Best Hikes Ever: The Needles Traverse, CO
Forge your own route through the Rockies' most rugged corner.Best Hikes Ever: Appalachian Trail, GA-ME
Thru-hike America's most revered long trail: the Appalachian Trail.Best Hikes Ever: Denali, AK
Pick your pilgrimage through the backcountry Holy Land: Mt Eielson Loop or Kesugi Ridge.Best Hikes Ever: Teton Crest Trail, WY
Traverse the nation's most photogenic range on the Teton Crest Trail.Best Hikes Ever: John Muir Trail, CA
Step for scenery-packed step, nothing else compares to the John Muir Trail.Give a Sherpa a Lift: Apa Sherpa Summits Mt. Everest for the 20th Time
Sherpa's big year also includes an limited edition Suunto watch to benefit his foundation.Local Hikes: Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
The best hikes near Minneapolis-St. Paul.Local Hikes: Columbus, OH
The best hikes near Columbus, OH.Local Hikes: Austin, TX
The best hikes near Austin, TX.Local Hikes: Milwaukee, WI
The best hikes near Milwaukee.Local Hikes: Chicago, IL
The best hikes near Chicago.Local Hikes: St. Louis, MO
The best local hikes near St. Louis.Local Hikes: Dallas, TX
The best hikes near Dallas, TX.Local Hikes: Roanoke, VA
The best hikes near Roanoke, VA.Local Hikes: Asheville, NC
The best hikes near Asheville, NC.Local Hikes: Atlanta, GA
The best hikes near Atlanta, GA.Local Hikes: Knoxville, TN
The best hikes near Knoxville, TN.Local Hikes: Richmond, VA
The best hikes near Richmond, VA.Local Hikes: Charlotte, NC
The best hikes near Charlotte, NC.Local Hikes: Tallahassee, FL
The best hikes near Tallahassee, FL.Nashville Hiking
The best hikes near Nashville, TN.Local Hikes: Washington, DC
The best hikes near Washington, DC.Seattle Hikes
The best hikes near Seattle, WA.Local Hikes: Bozeman, MT
The best hikes near Bozeman, MT.Local Hikes: Laramie, WY
The best hikes near Laramie, WY.Salt Lake City Hiking
The best hikes near Salt Lake City, UT.Albuquerque Hiking
The best hikes near Albuquerque, NM.Local Hikes: Aspen, CO
The best hikes near Aspen, CO.Local Hikes: Flagstaff, AZ
The best hikes near Flagstaff, AZ.Phoenix Hikes
The best hikes near Phoenix, AZ.Local Hikes: Moab, UT
The best hikes near Moab, Utah.Local Hikes: Grand Junction, CO
The best hikes near Grand Junction, CO.Local Hikes: Denver/Boulder, CO
The best hikes near Denver/Boulder.Local Hikes: Santa Barbara/Ventura
The best local hikes near Santa Barbara/Ventura.Local Hikes: San Francisco
The best hikes near San Francisco.Local Hikes: Las Vegas, NV
The best hikes near Las Vegas.San Diego Hikes
The best hikes near San Diego.Sacramento Hiking
The best local hikes near Sacramento.Local Hikes: Redding
The best local hikes near Redding, CA.Local Hikes: Los Angeles
The best local hikes in LA.Local Hikes: Midwest
The best hikes in the Midwest, as recommended by the region's best hiking clubs.Local Hikes: Northwest
The best hikes in Northwest, as suggested by the best local hiking clubs.Local Hikes: Northeast
The best hikes, as recommended by the best hiking clubs in the Northeast.Local Hikes: Mountain West
The best local hikes in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana.Local Hikes: California
The best hikes within two hours of California's major cities.The Best Hikes Near You
Clear the schedule for next Saturday (and the rest of the year). We partnered with regional hiking clubs in 50 cities to bring you the country's top 121 local trails.The Peak: Triple Divide Peak, Glacier NP
In Glacier National Park, summit a mountain that feeds three oceans.Top 3 Waterslide Hikes: Meadow Run, PA
Pass between waterfalls and mossy boulders for this long, gentle slide.Print & Go: Ape Canyon, Mt. St. Helens National Monument
Traverse the eastern flanks of the most active volcano in the Cascades on this 11.3-mile (round-trip) dayhike in Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. You'll encounter tufts of vibrant wildflowers and postcard views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams.Print & Go: Heart Lake and Mt. Sheridan, Yellowstone NP
Experience the rugged side of Yellowstone on this two-day, 23.1-mile backpack. You'll track past steaming creeks and old-growth lodgepole on the way to a campsite near Heart Lake's rocky shoreline. On day two, rise early for the 2,800-foot climb to Mt. Sheridan's 10,308-foot crown.Print & Go: Enchanted Rock Loop, Enchanted Rock State Park, Austin, TX
Circumnavigate a 425-foot-tall pink granite monolith on this 4.9-miler, which crosses a sandy creek and cruises classic Texas Hill Country west of Austin. Spur trails to Moss Lake (backcountry campsites available) and the summit are short and worthwhile.Print & Go: Charlies Bunion Loop, Great Smoky Mountains NP
Pack a camera for this lollipop loop to one of the best mountain views in the park: a sit-awhile panorama, atop a 5,565-foot knob with thousand foot drop-offs on three sides, that stretches from Mt. LeConte to the jagged peaks of the Sawteeth Range.Print & Go Weekend Trip Planners
Free Print & Go PDFs give you turn-by-turn trail instructions and photos embedded on a usable topo map. Also: Gear checklists, driving directions, and geo-references for finding the nearest campground, restaurant, gas station, and grocery store.Rip & Go: Jockey Hollow
Explore quiet forests where George Washington wintered his troops.Natural Wonders: The Southeast's Living-Dead Plant
See ferns that play dead, then dramatically come back to life.Natural Wonders: Florida's Sea Turtle Capital
Witness the birthing of a species that shared the seas with dinosaurs.Natural Wonders: America's Deepest Lake
Gaze into a 2,000-foot-deep tub of snowmelt.The Peak: Mt. Mitchell
Enjoy solitude and fixed-rope scrambling on the East's highest mountain.Life's Short, Hike More!
What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.New Life List: Explore Patagonia
Experience the thrill of being a pioneer: Trek to a remote corner of the globe.New Life List: Summit a Himalayan Peak
The roof of the world is open to everyone, and your personal Mt. Everest is waiting.New Life List: See a Grizzly
Coming face to face with the biggest predator in North America might just alter your worldview.New Life List: Bag a Remote Peak
Stand alone atop Washington's Glacier Peak--a summit that others rarely see, let alone climb.New Life List: Traverse a Mountain Range
Walking a high ridge with countless views and no people is the stuff of dreams. Make it real in Olympic National Park's Bailey Range.New Life List: Tackle a Monster Dayhike in the Grand Canyon
See a week's worth of scenery in 24 hours, and redefine your idea of what's possible.New Life List: Shoot a Wall-Worthy Photo
The only thing equal to a life-list trip? An image that brings it back to life.New Life List: Ultimate Family Paddling Adventure
World-class scenery, luxe camping, and easy paddling await your family on the Green River in Canyonlands. Your kids will remember this forever.New Life List: Climb a Via Ferrata
Get a taste of the vertical alpine world--no experience required.New Life List: Thru-Hike the JMT
A lifetime of weekend trips is like trying to live on appetizers. Get real sustenance with a two-week trek through the best of the Sierras on California's John Muir Trail.Hiking Wales: Plan Your Trip
Use our guide to make your Wales hiking adventure a reality.Hiking Wales: Brecon Beacons National Park
Cross a sprawling preserve of broad mountains, lonely ridgelines, and lush river valleys.Hiking Wild Wales: Offa's Dyke Path
Follow a long-distance trail along the once-violent, now-bucolic border between England and Wales.Hiking Wild Wales: Snowdonia National Park
The highest peak. The wildest ridges. The largest lake. Find them all in Wales's alpine heart.Hiking Wild Wales: Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Tiptoe along oceanside bluffs with views across the Irish Sea.Secret Hikes: Yellowstone National Park
What crowds? Lose yourself in the Lamar Valley on this weeklong hike.Secret Hikes: Appalachian Trail
The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine.Secret Hikes: Glacier National Park
Score wildlife sightings daily, choice views hourly--and at least one juicy burger--on this weeklong circuit.Secret Hikes: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Explore a granite wonderland, cross two little-used passes, and score High Sierra solitude on this point-to-point hike.Secret Hikes: Zion National Park
Pack an extra memory card for what is, mile-for-mile, the most photogenic hike in the Southwest.Secret Hikes: North Cascades National Park
Dive into the heart of the Lower 48's wildest park.Secret Hikes: Badlands
Ever dreamed of exploring another planet? Hike here.Secret Hikes: Isle Royale National Park
Trek to shoreline campsites through woodlands rife with moose, birds, and wolves.Secret Hikes: Olympic National Park Hiking
Walk from lush rainforest to wide-open glacier views on this 43-mile sneak route.Secret Hikes: Hiking Grand Canyon National Park
Surprise: This park's busy corridor trails offer a fast track to a private slice of heaven.Secret Hikes: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Climb from sublime desert to pine forests and peaks with 100-mile views.Secret Hikes: Grand Teton National Park
Rise above the crowds and earn solo views of elk, wildflowers, and summit sunsets.Secret Hikes of the National Parks
The perfect dozen: Embark on one of these 12 treks, and turn America's most iconic preserves into your own private paradise.Hiking Wild Wales
Don't be fooled by the cozy pubs and low elevations. The birthplace of mountaineering overflows with challenges, from rugged peaks to history-laden coastal treks.The Peak: Humphreys Peak, Arizona
Discover aspens and alpine hiking, plus views of the Grand Canyon, on this trek up Arizona's 12,633-foot highpoint.Natural Wonders: World's Tallest Geyser, North America's Smallest Bird and Best Shade Tree
Discover the world's tallest geyser, North America's smallest bird, and the country's best shade tree on these three treks.Top 3: Ghost Town Hikes
Walk 100 or more years back into history--and deep into wilderness outposts now reclaimed by nature--with these routes to three abandoned frontier communities.Top 3 Ghost Town Hikes: Dogtown, MA
walk 10 miles of demise carved in stone.Top 3 Ghost Town Hikes: Boston Mine, CO
Visit a Wrecked alpine village.Top 3 Ghost Town Hikes: Glorietta Ghost Town, NM
Hike to a hotel with no visitors.Local Hikes: Southeast
Climb to two killer views, see the South's best flowers, and hike to secluded falls. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)Local Hikes: Northeast
Hike across a state, gain the country's best foliage view, and top alpine balds. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)Local Hikes: Mountain West
Spot a grizzly, basecamp amid Fourteeners, and relax in secluded hot springs. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)Local Hikes: Midwest
See moose, bag a high-desert peak, and sample a quiet long trail. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)Local Hikes: California/Nevada/Hawaii
Hike to the world's best tropical campsite, see elephant seals, and trek through poppies. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)3D Interactive Grand Canyon: Our Toughest Routes
Tackle our toughest and least-crowded routes in the Grand Canyon with this interactive map.Local Hikes: New Hikes Near You
Our army of reader-reader scouts mapped 59 local hikes from South Carolina to Northern California. See their favorites, then learn how to download tracklogs and waypoints.Local Hikes: Northwest
See five volcanoes, camp at secluded lakes, and hike through a swarm of butterflies. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)Life List: Colorado Trail
Bag a peak every day (and a view every step) on the country's highest-elevation footpath.Life List: Switzerland's Via Alpina
Devour the world's best scenery, chocolate, and cheese on the Via Alpina.Life List: Grand Canyon
Learn where solitude reigns--and why. Plus: Tackle the hardest Big Ditch route we've ever published.Colorado Trail: Find Solitude
How to beat the crowds and find solitude in the RockiesSwitzerland's Via Alpina: The Best 10 Miles
Turn-by-turn beta for highlights on its best 10 miles.Grand Canyon: Hardest Hike Ever
This epic trip is hard, dry, steep--and gorgeous. The Cranberry Route--the final leg of this challenging loop--is the boldest, hardest scramble our scouts have done in the Grand Canyon. Study the key steps of this eight-mile section and see more details at backpacker.com/hikes/637440. Warning: Don't attempt this route without advanced navigation skills.Grand Canyon Treasure Map: Hard
Find solitude and Adventure in the Big Ditch.Grand Canyon Treasure Map: Moderate
Find solitude and adventure in the big ditch.Grand Canyon Treasure Map: Easy
Find the best trail for your backcountry skills.Grand Canyon: Treasure Map
Score your own private paradise with this insider's guide to uncrowded areas in Grand Canyon National Park.Hike America's Long Trails
We know. You've always wanted to hike a long trail. Lucky for you, we've got the comprehensive guides to make your dreams a reality. Check out the best sections and dayhikes along the AT, PCT and CDT. PLUS: See how four hikers beat the recession...by hiking through it.Gear Review: American Hiking Society Membership
Join the American Hiking Society.The Basics of Backcountry Ski Touring
See more–and have more fun–this winter with these gear and technique trips.The Peak: Mt. Greylock
Take the 5.5 mile trek up Bellows Pipe Trail to the summit; while you're there, enjoy a local cocktail and a cup of chowder at Bascom Lodge.Gear Review: Fischer BCX 6 Rugged Nordic Touring Boot
NNN-compatible with exceptional side-to-side stability.Gear Review: Rottefella BC Magnum Rugged Nordic Touring Binding
These bindings are surprisingly sturdy, great for cruising on sturdy terrain.Gear Review: Fischer Snowbound Rugged Nordic Touring Ski
This all-around Nordic ski both glides and grips for awesome touring.Gear Review: Garmont Excursion Backcountry Touring Boot
This boot has the best of both worlds: The comfort of a Nordic boot, with the warmth of telemark boot.Gear Review: Voile HD Mountaineer 3-Pin Backcountry Touring Binding
Simple and user-friendly, these Voile skis are also built to weather the abuse of varied terrains.Gear Review: Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Touring Ski
Ideal for turning and climbing on rugged backcountry day trips.Gear Review: Dynafit Zzeus TF-X/Gaia Alpine Touring Boot
Stiff on the downhill, flexible when skinning up, this boot has it all.Gear Review: G3 Onyx Alpine Touring Binding
Adjustable and easy to use, traveling through varied terrain is a breeze.Gear Review: Black Diamond Justice Alpine Touring Ski
Whether it's touring, powder or inbounds, this ski does it all.Gear Review: Black Diamond Push/Stiletto Telemark Ski Boot
The perfect blend of comfort and performance, this boot is great in all conditions.Gear Review: Black Diamond 01 Telemark Bindings
Versatile and ready for anything, these bindings are super durable and won't ice up.Gear Review: G3 Tonic/Zest Telemark Ski
Great for powder, but still handles the bumps like a pro, these skis are super smooth.Gear Review: Ahnu Firetrail Winter Trail Shoe
Genuinely breathable winter running shoe, great for long slushy runs.Gear Review: Zamberlan 1009 Vioz Top GT RR Mountaineering Boot
Insulated backpacking boots with enough support to carry a 50-pound pack.Gear Review: La Sportiva Baruntse Mountaineering Boot
Made for big peaks, this boot is warm, and great for ice and snowRidge Runner: An Interview with Glenn Dunmire
Undeterred by injuries that would cripple most men, a Colorado hiker nears the halfway point in a pioneering attempt to thru-hike the true crest of the Continental Divide.Three Trips to Natural Wonders
Discover the world's oldest tree, America's biggest cavern, and Florida's largest herd of wild horses on these three treks.Ridge Runner
Undeterred by injuries that would cripple most men, a Colorado hiker nears the halfway point in a pioneering attempt to thru-hike the true crest of the Continental Divide. In this extended online interview, Dunmire talks about his gear essentials, near misses, and the challenges that lay ahead as he continues to trace North America's spine.Perfect day: Big Bend, Texas
Mike Long, a 20-year veteran, snares a primo big-water day on the Rio Grande.Top 3 Hot Springs Hikes
Native Americans consider hot springs sacred. Pioneer hucksters claimed they had magic healing powers. Hikers just think they feel awfully good after a long slog. The key, of course, is finding one far from beer-packing partiers. These wilderness springs require sturdy, crowd-discouraging journeys amid stunning scenery.
The Floating Frontier: Paddling Glacier Bay, Alaska
The Alaska Marine Highway is the world's most scenic floating campground.Rolwaling And Khumbu Valleys, Nepal
Experience the magic of the remote Himalaya.Higher Calling: Adventure in Valencia, Spain
Spain's little-known Valencia region beckons the mountain-minded adventurer with dramatic topography, sun-drenched hiking and biking, and sumptuous end-of-day feasts.Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc
Circumnavigate Europe's most iconic peak.Hike to Tibet's Everest Base Camp
Walk the World's Highest Trail.Stateside Adventures: Closer Than You Think
A veteran traveler discovers a world of adventure in his backyard.Hiking Tanzania's Mt. Kilimanjaro
Stand on the roof of Africa.Travel Like a Pro
Master every detail of far-flung adventure–from visas to vaccinations–with these time-tested tips from guides and veteran globetrotters.Hiking England's Pennine Way
Explore Great Britain's answer to the Appalachian Trail.Hiking New Zealand's Milford Track
Marvel at Middle Earth on this 33-mile, four-day Milford Track.Scotland Backpacking Trips
Brave the Old World's newest and wildest long-distance route.France Backpacking Trips
Hike locals-only trails in Europe's other Alps. This 500-mile track combines rugged hiking by day with luxe living by nightThe World's Best Unknown Treks
We've traveled to 10 countries and uncovered the best adventures you never knew existed.International Multisport Meccas: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Trek across the roof of the Andes, mix in some trail riding–on bike and horseback–and climb a 19,000-foot volcano.Hiking Italy's Alta Via 1
Weave through the Dolomite's limestone daggers.Hiking Peru's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hike to South America's acropolis.Hiking Corsica's GR 20
See azure seas from rocky peaks.Wilderness Wonders: Most Active Volcano
You better stand back if this Sicilian island volcano starts to spurt.Wilderness Wonders: Highest Peak
There is a reason the native's call it Sagarmatha, meaning "head of the sky."Wilderness Wonders: Largest Glacier
Trekker-friendly glacier is largest in the Alps.Hiking Chile's Torres del Paine Circuit
Trek through the earth's wildest mountain range.The Perfect Circle: Hiking the Annapurna Circuit
Nepal's Annapurna Circuit can't compete with the world's best treks for lavish huts, extreme solitude, and sumptuous cuisine. So why is it still number one? Let us count the reasons.February/March 2009 Table of Contents
Retro on the Ridge: Hiking the Grayson Highlands
For one soul-searching hiker, Grayson Highlands stirs powerful memories.Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.Mr. Haugen's Highpoints
Denver teacher Mike Haugen sets a new state summits speed record–fifty state highpoints in less than 50 days!I'm Hiking with Stupid - A Buddy Story
The last time our author took his buddy camping, they stopped speaking for a year. A decade later, they still haven't hit the trail together. Which means there's only one thing to do: Try again.Pack Man: The Appalachian Trail Guru
Thirty miles up the trail from Springer Mountain, Winton Porter shelters and feeds thru-hikers–and works tirelessly to slash their pack weight.Thoreau Slept Here: The Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail
Maine's newly minted Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail tracks the famous naturalist's 1800s expeditions. Good news: It's still wild.Diagnosis of Disaster
Experts dissect the missteps in five recent hiking tragediesAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Mist Trail, Half Dome, CA
Swallowed by Sierra sceneryAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Buckskin Gulch, UT
Gambling in the slotsAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Huckleberry Mtn., Apgar Range, MT
Fatten griz for winterAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - The Maze, UT
Lost in the labyrinthWho's the Ultimate Survivor?
We settle the debate with winner-takes-all smackdown: Meet history's true hard man.Man Versus Rock
A staged photo op in the Tetons results in a near-crushing.Fighting Death on Mt. Foraker
Stunned by the loss of his friends, a stranded climber struggles down one of Alaska's toughest peaks.Lost in the Olympics
A gym teacher's speed hike becomes a five-day bushwhack in Olympic National Park.Walking Bataan: The Hardest Miles
Survivors of the Bataan death march overcame one of history's most grueling walks. What kept them on their feet? and could you do the same? every year, more than 4,000 people hike through the New Mexico desert to find out.
Thru-Hike The Roadless Sierra
Thru-hike the most remote miles in California's range of light
Canyon Connections: Link Grand Canyon To Zion
Trek empty terrain all the way from the Grand Canyon to Zion.Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.Washington Paddling: Operation Orca
See one of the sea's keenest hunters as you paddle San Juan Island.Bear Patrol in Glacier
Traverse the wildest part of the lower 48's last great grizzly hideaway.Alaskan Labyrinth: Bushwacking in Denali
Beat your own path through Denali National Park's confounding and little-traveled Wyoming Hills.Highpoint Montana
Get vertical on a tricky class IV route to the top of Granite peak.Hiking Hip Deep in Florida's Swamps
Get your feet (and more) wet on the Florida Trail's best section.Rocky Mountain (Extra) High: Lightning On The Colorado Trail
Dodge high wattage on the newest stretch of the Colorado Trail.Cold War: A Winter Traverse of New Hampshire's Presidential Range
Got guts? Good. Now learn what skills you'll need to bag America's Little Everest—a traverse of New Hampshire's Presidential Range in Winter.Start Smart: Properly Pack a Canoe or Kayak
Follow these guidelines to keep your gear dry, secure, and well balanced in a canoe or kayak.How to Rescue an Injured Hiker
Your partner can't go on. Should you stay–or go for help?Destination Nowhere
The most remote spot in the Lower 48 is inside Yellowstone National Park. It's also the goal of our correspondent. What he encounters–and what it says about the solitude backpackers treasure–will surprise you. PLUS: See more of his photos and read a Q&A.Bus Hiking: Don't Pay at the Pump
Gas prices are soaring. Glaciers are melting. What's a conscientious hiker to do? Take the bus, says Dan Koeppel, who did just that to escape downtown L.A.The Red Zone: Wyoming's Red Desert
As conservationists and energy developers fight over Wyoming's Red Desert, one thing is certain: There's no time like the present to hike through its unreal geography.The Works: Hike Vermont's Long Trail
Sample the best section of the country's first thru-hike.Trek Newfoundland's Long Range Traverse
Coastal views, mountains, and fjords await on the Long Range Traverse in Newfoundland's Gros Morne National Park.Secrets Of Saguaro National Park
The name doesn't say it all: Arizona's premier cactus preserve conceals a cool mountain escape.Canyon Confidential: Utah's Grand Gulch
To discover the best-kept secrets in Utah's Grand Gulch, you need to start at the bottom.Go Long In Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands
On this 70-miler, see rhododendrons by day and hike light by staying in shelters at night.Backpack Wyoming's Medicine Bow Mountains
Explore big skies and pristine lakes in the Medicine Bows.Trip Finder: Waterfall Hikes
Nine ways to get your cascade fix from Tennessee to Montana.Top 3 Fire Tower Hikes
Want a backcountry room with a view? Climb these lookouts from Vermont to Washington.Quick Fix: Apostle Islands
You don't need a boat to see this spectacular national lakeshore. Here's how to explore the best of its bluffs and beaches by foot (and paddle).25 Habits of Highly Effective Hikers
Guarantee yourself a great adventure– every time–by adopting these proven routines for planning and pulling off the perfect trip.Film Your Own Hike, Then Go Behind-the-Scenes
Want to make adventure films? Emmy Award-winning director Michael Brown shows you how. Plus, go behind the scenes as BACKPACKER staffers learn from the masters at Adventure Film School.Hike and Raft Oregon's Rogue River
A killer whitewater trip at the end of a stunning 40-mile canyon hike? That's the scenario on Oregon's Rogue River Trail.Trip Finder: Ridgewalks
From the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains to New England, we've got nine epic ridgewalks just for you.Top 3 Paddling Treks
These weekend float trips have side hikes that rival the paddling for scenery and solitude.The Grand Tetons: 5 Hikes, 7 Days (or so)
How to retrace each segment of the author's perfect week from "A Perfect Week in the Tetons."A Perfect Week in the Grand Tetons
You won't waste a minute with our only-the-highlights hiking and climbing guide to the West's archetypal range. From the loftiest summits to the loneliest cross-country routes, this seven-day sampler visits every type of Tetons treasure-and then some.Thru-Hike the Tahoe Rim Trail
Spectacular lake views, granite-edged trails, and surprising solitude will make you want to go in circles on the Tahoe Rim Trail.Where Can I Find the Quietest Campsite in America?
Shhh! Find silent shores in this isolated Boundary Waters hideawayReturn of the Natives: Paddling and Hiking Channel Islands' Lost Gem
After nearly two centuries of ecological havoc wreaked by invasive species, the gem of Channel Islands National Park is becoming a paradise again. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Watch a video and see two photo galleries from the island.Best Damn Weekend Ever: Vermont's Bourn Pond-Stratton Pond Loop
Hike this burly wonder to find out what inspired the Appalachian and Long Trail's founders.Quick Fix: South Dakota's Black Hills
Learn where to bag peaks, visit hidden cold water lakes, and trek through the eroded wonder of Badlands National Park in our Black Hills primer.The CDT Project
We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. These are their stories–and their favorite sections.Climb Higher
With the right preparation–and a little help from a half-dozen friends, two exotic techno-gadgets, and one very sweaty hypoxic chamber–can a sea-level-dwelling rookie climb the highest peak in Colorado?Hiking The Sierra High Route
On this burly, 210-mile traverse, which crosses 33 passes and barely touches established trails, you can find Alaska-sized scenery, complete solitude, and just enough risk to keep things interesting.Trace Canada's Spine
Hike the best section of the Great Divide Trail.Paddle and Hike Voyageurs National Park
With a thousand islands and countless passages, this little-visited treasure is a watery maze. Here's the way in–and out.Best Damn Weekend Ever: Washington's Kaleetan Lake Loop
Only an hour from Seattle, this Cascades gem offers killer Rainier views.Trip Finder: Wildflowers
Trek the best spring blooms from the Ozarks to the Olympics with these two, three, and four day treks.Top 3 White Mountain Treks
No, not the famously wind-whipped peaks in New Hampshire. Explore some of the country's lesser-known Whites with these accessible spring summits in Arizona, New Mexico, and Alaska.Quick Fix: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Check out the steepest trail, the best swimming hole, and the wildest vista in America's most popular national park.Land of the Lost: Native American Artifacts in Utah's Range Creek
Utah's Range Creek hides the most intact Native American artifacts in the United States. Get there now–while you can still play archaeologist.Carbon-Neutral Costa Rica: How I Lost 5,400 lbs While Packing for the Trip of a Lifetime
In search of a guilt-free adventure in the tropics, Jason Daley discovers the line between saving the world–and seeing it.Iceland: Live Earth
The planet's most dynamic landscape is full of bubbling hot springs, steaming geysers, and kaleidoscopic lava flows. Hike Iceland's epic Laugevegur Trail, and join the action.Hot Springs: Soak Here Now
6 more must-dip pools from Alaska to HawaiiHot Springs: The Perfect Pool
Here are the top wilderness soaks on the continent. Can you keep a secret?Trip Finder: Stay-Dry Spring Hikes
Stay dry on spring treks in Minnesota, New Mexico, and more.Highpoint Texas
Traverse Guadalupe Mountains National Park to the state's airiest perch.Backpack West Virginia's Cranberry Wilderness
Discover a slice of rare Eastern wild country in West Virginia, where Canadian taiga meets Southern forests.Best Damn Weekend Ever: Acadia National Park
Avoid the crowds in Maine's Acadia National Park by skipping getting a jump on the season and hiking the park in the Spring. Stephen King country never looked so good.Top 3 Trail-Building Trips
Want to boost your backcountry karma? Here are three places to hike–and give back.Time 2 Go: See Newborn Animals
Looking to catch baby animals taking their first step? You can't go wrong with these picks.Top 3 Waterfall Hikes
There's a science to why we love waterfalls: When water crashes earthward, it releases negatively charged ions that--you can't make this stuff up--some researchers think can reduce anxiety. Spring is when cascades' spigots open full bore, so head off on these three beguiling treks for a dose of nature's backcountry Rx.60 Minute Fixes: Minneapolis
Three ways to hike, bike, and paddle your way to freedom in the Twin Cities.Make Your Own Hikes
Invent your own hike, and go where no one (well, almost no one) has gone before.Quick Fix: Death Valley National Park
Badlands, peaks, wildflowers: Catch the best of the California desert with this trio of hikes.Quick Fix: Death Valley National Park
North America's Highest Sandbox: Great Sand Dunes National Park
The most exotic hike in the United States is smack in the middle of the country: Welcome to Great Sand Dunes National Park.ESCALANTE: A Complete Adventure Guide
When Utahans really wants to disappear, they head to the magnificent canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante.Trip Doctor: Shopping For Guided Alaskan Treks
How can I comparison-shop for a guided trek in Alaska?The Works: Trek Tasmania
Half a world away, you'll find exotic highs while hiking in Tasmania.Hike Glacier National Park
Visitors to Montana's Glacier National Park can visit on the cheap or pay an arm and a leg -- but each way has its unique charms.Time 2 Go: Hike With Birds
Whether you've got hours or weeks, here's where to go for the birds.60 Minute Fixes: Detroit
Adventurous types can still find magic in the rivers, lakes, and paths of Detroit.Survive This: Caught in an Avalanche
When you're trekking into a backcountry bowl, avalanches are almost always a threat. Learn how to protect yourself when the worst happens.Survive This: Stuck on a Scree Slope
When you're slipping and sliding, don't let your partners help you. Learn how to climb yourself to safety.Survive This: Volcanic Eruption
Don't worry about lava. Worry about rocks and mud and ash.Welcome to the New Backpacker.com!
With more features, a new look, and the most informative content this side of the trail, the new Backpacker.com is amped up with the best in adventure, gear, travel, skills, and survival on the web.Packing List: Toilet Kit
Stay sanitary, and for your travel companion's sake, pack what's on this list.How to Organize a Backpack
By loading your backpack properly you protect your gear and prevent back issues--plus it's easy to find the gear you need.Calculate Trouble
Time is of the essence in the backcountry. Learn how long it will take an impending thunderstorm or avalanche to find you.Reading Topo Maps: Understanding Map Symbols and Colors
Dotted, dashed, and curvy. Red, blue, and brown. All these colors and styles criss-cross a topo map. Learn what they mean.Learn How to Stay On Course
By understanding your terrain, knowing your pace, and reading the map regularly you can stay on course wherever you are.Pretrip Planning
A successful hike often starts with a bit of research.How to Hang a Bear Bag
Learn the easiest way to hang a bear bag and keep your camping snacks safe from rummaging paws.High Sierra Donates To Breast Cancer Research
High Sierra Sport Company Donates to A Silver Lining Foundation and Susan G. Komen For the Cure Chicagoland Affilitiate: The Company to Support The Third Annual "Dancing With Chicago Celebrities" Benefit.South America, Europe To Host ATTA 2008 Adventure Travel World Summits
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) today announced it will host two distinct Adventure Travel World Summits in 2008 on two continents.SOLE Signs On As Title Sponsor of Baja Travesia Adventure Race
SOLE, makers of performance custom footbeds, socks and sandals, has inked a deal to be the title sponsor of the third annual Baja Travesia Adventure Race.3 Ways to See Mexico's Pacific Coast
Secluded coastline and bikable rain forests are just two things waiting for you in MexicoBackpacker's Readers' Choice Awards 2008
America's 100 Best Hikes–chosen by you.Through the Kaleidoscope: A Family Fall Trek Through New Hampshire's White Mountains
Cozy huts, five-course meals, and world-class foliage highlight one family's fall trek.Hike Montana's Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness
This wilderness area houses a classic section of the CDT but is a little off the beaten path.Explore the Grand Canyon In Under 10 Hours
The Grand Canyon is steep and deep, but besides rock you can take in lush springs and junipers.How to Thru-Hike L.A. County
Thru-hike L.A. County? It can be done with Southern California's Backbone Trail.Plan the Perfect Trip
Smart ways to foolproof your next hike.Backpack Rocky Mountain National Park
Try this 30-mile lollipop loop that is almost entirely above 9,000 feet.Trip Doctor: How Can I Get My Spouse to Go Hiking With Me?
Pretty pictures and promises of a trade might get unenthusiastic spouses out the door.Find the Tallest Waterfall in the U.S.
Head to Hawaii for three of the tallestPerfect Day: Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
Take a winter hike to the steaming pools of Melanie Hot Springs in Gila Wilderness, New Mexico.60 Minute Fixes: Boise
Idaho's capital offers hiking, kayaking, and climbing close to downtownBackpacker Adventure Guide: Weminuche Wilderness
Try a stunning new hike–or two thrilling classics–in the Colorado Rockies' top spot for big backpacking adventures.Best Damn Weekend Ever: Kayak a Superior Archipelago
Try this black diamond, three-day kayak trip that navigates Lake Superior's piney islands.365 Days of Adventure
Traverse the Yukon Territory's Tombstone Range, sea kayak Baja, trek Torres del Paine, Patagnoia–all in 2008. Plus, monthly adventures closer to home.Top 3 Easy Canyoneering Hikes
If you've always dreamed of descending into the center of the earth, try one of these creekbed hikes.60-Minute Fixes: Pittsburgh
Hike, paddle, or ride in America's favorite steel town.The Backpacker Interview: From Jail to Trail
Inspired by a mountain view, Don Moseman walked out of prison and hiked his way to a better life.Over the Rainbow: Finding Red Rock In the Navajo Nation
A rarely-attempted traverse reveals the Navajo Nation's vast red-rock wilderness.3 Ways to See North Georgia
By foot, kayak, or on top of a Boulder, North Georgia has plenty of outside activities.Life List: Climb New York's Highest Peak
Add Adirondack State Park's Mt. Marcy to your life list.Quiz: Would You Survive?
The wilderness can be deadly if you don't know what you're doing. Take our test to rate your survival IQ—and learn a few skills that might save your hide.4 Top Daypacks
Load haulers for light and fast adventuresTop 3 Winter Hut Treks
Trek into the wilderness but sleep in comfort with these hut treksBlue John Canyon: Feeling Gravity's Pull
A pilgrim heads into the canyon where Aron Ralston lost his arm to pin down the meaning of survival.60 Minute Fixes: Atlanta Adventures
Hiking, climbing, and fishing in this New South boomtown.Dogsledding in Minnesota: Born to Run
Head out with six hard-charging huskies, and winter will never feel more alive.Weekend Adventures: Big Tree Hikes
Get ready to feel puny--and profoundly grateful--on three hikes through ancient forests.60-Minute Fixes: Salt Lake City
Hike, bike, and climb in this Utah gem--much more than a skier's paradise3 Ways To See: Yellowstone
Pick your poison with three epic adventures in Yellowstone: camping, canoeing, and ski touringBest Damn Weekend Ever: Paddle Around St. John, Virgin Islands NP
Kayak amid the reefs and sand of Virgin Islands National ParkFrom the Grand Canyon to Canyonlands: Hiking At The Speed Of Sound
Seven national parks in 7 days--starring a ragtop, Red Bull, and one scary rabbit.Save or Splurge: Kayak Southeast Alaska
Tour the wildlife menagerie that is southeast Alaska on two kayak tripsThe Works: Trans-Yosemite Ski Tour
Start packing now for a once-in-a-lifetime ski tour through silent, snow-draped Yosemite.Utah Hikes: The Case For Glen Canyon
Drought is giving Glen Canyon--and those who love it--a second chance. Here are four spectacular reasons why we should protect this Southwest wilderness by making it America's next national park.The Works: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Stand on the roof of Africa this winter with our all-you-need-to-know guide.Backpacking, Paddling, and Biking at the Delaware Water Gap
Foliage, lazy canoe waters, and high-ride hiking make the Delaware Water Gap a prime fall destination.Climbing, Hiking, and Paddling in Los Angeles
Forget Sunset Boulevard. The City of Angels' abundant coastline and steep canyons will have you creating your own walk of fame.Best Damn Weekend Ever: Hike & Paddle the Benton MacKaye
Link two classic Southern rivers on a trek along the newly completed Benton MacKaye Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina.Top 3: Ridge Hikes
Live life on the edge as your dayhike three vertiginous ridges in Arizona, Vermont, and Colorado.Adventure Guide: Big Bend National Park
Texas-sized solitude is practically guaranteed when you explore the high peaks and striking river canyons of this lightly visited wilderness.Adventure Weekend: Hike Big Sur, California
Scratch the picturesque postcard surface of Big Sur...and there's far more than you imagined, including hot springs and high-rise trails.Backpack, Raft, and Sea Kayak Wild Quebec
Canada's outdoor playground par excellenceThe Works: Trek Tasmania
Up high and down under--Tasmania's wildest hiking route.The Trip: Swamp-Whacking
Pioneer a brand-new trail in Louisiana's Atchafalaya swamp, where the gators are friendly. Really.The Works: Paddling The Maine Island Trail
Kayak island-to-island on the Maine coastBackpacking, Kayaking, and Mountain Biking in the Upper Peninsula
Michigan's Upper Peninsula has way more than big lakes. Explore it all by foot, paddle, or pedal.Epicenter: The Scene In Skagway, Alaska
The stampede is over--but not the fun--in this trailhead town.Hike, Paddle, and Fish in Seattle
Appreciate Seattle's fresh and saltwater beaches, plentiful forests, and the 27-mile urban path as much as locals after a long, wet winter.Backpack, Paddle, and Climb in Idaho
Idaho is full of surprises--whitewater in the country's deepest canyon, endless climbing at City of Rocks, and high, wild scrambles in the Sawtooths.Hike, Bike, and Row in Phoenix
Prolong summer weather by planning a vacation to the mountains and waters of heat-blessed Arizona. You'll soon understand what makes Phoenicians so proud.Epicenter: The Scene In Grand Lake, Colorado
Slide through Rocky Mountain National Park's mellower back door.The Lost Trail: Chasing Yellowstone's Nez Perce Path
Hike a historic long path through Yellowstone--if you're lucky enough to find it.The Works: Climb Mt. McKinley
Experience the nighttime sky from 20,320 feet up majestic Mt. McKinley -- but first read our guide to the trip.Top 3: Fishing-Hole Hikes
Classic hike-in spots in Wyoming, South Carolina, and Oregon let you ditch the trail mix for pan-fried fish.Boston: Hike, Bike, and Paddle
Beantowners are seeing the light at the end of the Big Dig tunnel, and it's a beautiful shade of green.Top 3: Native Art Hikes
Explore burial effigies, seven-foot petroglyphs, and images etched in lava as you discover the ultimate mix of manmade and natural beauty.Epicenter: The Scene In North Creek, New York
Hike, climb and fish the wild AdirondacksHomeland Insecurity: Vermont's Long Trail
The Long Trail offers steep climbs and solitude-and a whiff of border intrigue.Hike, Paddle, and Bike in Denver
Feel mile-high by hiking foothills, paddling downtown, and pedaling Mt. Falcon Park.Magellan, Muir, And Me: Backpacking the Pecos Wilderness
Invent your own hike, and go where no one (well, almost no one) has gone before.Hike, Bike, and Paddle in Minneapolis
Big currents flowing down the Mississippi, recently-blazed trails, and howling coyotes make up only a few of the many attractions that draw crowds to this city's outskirts.The Works: Paddling Florida's Wilderness Waterway
Learn everything you'll ever need to know about swamps while canoeing the Everglades.Epicenter: The Scene In Monson, Maine
Jump off into the North Woods' best wildernessBackpack, Bike, and Climb in the Dakotas
You'll never confused Plains with plain after exploring these hard-changing hiking, biking, and climbing routes.The Floating Frontier: Cruising and Paddling Alaska
The slow boat to Alaska requires duct tape, an elastic itinerary, and a hunger for in-your-face adventure.The Works: Mt. Washington In Winter
Hurricane-force winds and a snowfall average of 246 inches per year? Cake, compared to the challenge the mountain poses in summer.Epicenter: The Scene In Bishop, California
Hike and climb-and then kick back-in a High Sierra sweet spot.Backpack, Paddle, and Hike in the Deep South
Discover the beauty of our most southern states by paddling down Carolina rivers, camping out beside Alabama waterfalls, and climbing a 3,792-foot summit in Georgia.Top 3: Hot Springs Hikes
Relax after a long day of hiking at scenic hot soaks in Idaho, Arizona, and ColoradoDeath Valley Adventure Guide
Lose the sun-baked stereotype and bring thoughts of shady canyons and breezy passes.Want to Climb a Tree?
Here are tons of tree-climbing resources to get you started.The Village: Tioga State Forest, Pennsylvania
Visit this scary state forest and let your imagination run wild.Shenandoah Adventure Guide
Here's your chance to uncover secret paths in this popular park.Expedition Tips: Canadian Rockies
Helpful tips for scrambling Canada's Rocky Mountain parksUp High Down Below: 3 Top Peaks in the Lower 48
Can't make it to Canada? Try Glacier Peak, Baker Peak, or Catamount MountainFloat the Colorado River through Topock Gorge
Paddle through a timeless Mojave Desert landscape in ArizonaPaddle Florida's Wilderness Waterway
Canoe the wildlife-filled waters of Everglades National ParkWhale-watching and Hiking on Maui
See Hawaii's humpbacks in late winterHike Arizona's Atascosa Lookout
Explore classic views in the Coronado National ForestArizona's Eagletail Mountain Wilderness
Springtime in the Sonoran DesertBackpack the Florida Trail's Alaqua Section
Clear-running creeks, longleaf pines and wildlife in Florida's outbackHike Death Valley's Cottowood and Marble canyons
Flowing water means a lighter load and an easier time exploringHike Nevada's Moapa Peak
Scrambling this 6,471-foot mountain is a trip, even mid-winterWinter Camping at Mount Rainier National Park
Snowshoe to a scenic high balconyCamping at the Grand Canyon
Spend New Year's in the Big Ditch, where fishing, camping, and hiking awaitHike New Mexico's Big Hatchet Peak
A seldom-visited peak on the Continental Divide TrailWinter Camping in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains
Lake effect snow and a vast virgin forest make this a spectacular winter getaway for skiing and snowshoeingHiking at Lake Mead
Explore wild canyons just an hour from Las VegasHike Buckskin Gulch
This famous slot canyon hike in Utah and Arizona delivers broad views of the Colorado PlateauBackpack Oregon's Alvord playa
A hike with an otherworldly desert, a striking escarpment, and hot springsFall Hiking in New Hampshire's Baldface Range
Vibrant colors and a ridge walk you'll never forgetHike New Mexico's Alamo Mountain
Explore the past on Otero MesaFall Hiking on Minnesota's Superior Trail
Blazing foliage and broad Lake Superior viewsFall Hiking at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Mellow temperatures, low water and autumn colors make for a perfect time in the SmokiesHike Arkansas's Buffalo River Trail
A meandering river and towering cliffs make this the perfect early winter spotPaddle Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp
Only in 400,000 acres of wet backcountry will you find the oldest birdHike Texas's McKittrick Canyon
This canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains offers an endless cluster of colors mixed together with some famous geologyBackpack Nevada's Table Mountain Wilderness
Autumn solitude on a well-watered, 10,000-foot plateauBackpack Alaska's Round Island
Wildlife aplenty at Walrus Islands State Game SanctuaryHike to Copper Mountain Fire Lookout in the North Cascades
Take a stunning ridge walk in this glacier-clad wilderness parkHike Baker Creek in Great Basin National Park
A peerless art gallery of bristlecone pines, wildflowers and a ridge walkSummer Hiking on the John Muir Trail
A backpacker's go light heaven: thru-hiking California's High SierraExplore Nunavut's Auyuittuq National Park
A glacial sculpture of incredible symmetry in northern CanadaExplore Wyoming's Cirque of the Towers
Delve into the Shoshone National Forest on the North Fork TrailHike Glacier National Park's Triple Divide Peak
The ultimate continental divide and a legendary mountaineering traverseBackpack Alberta's Carthew Summit
Memorable panoramas of Glacier National Park's high peaksHike New York's Great Range of the Adirondacks
Conquer the East's hardest dayhikePaddle the Yukon's Ivvavik National Park
An Arctic wildlife extravaganzaBackpack New Mexico's Gila Wilderness
Celebrating wilderness protection where the idea began: the Gila WildernessMountain Bike from Telluride to Moab
Prime time in the Rockies to explore the San Juan Hut SystemGuide's Choice: Hiking, Biking, Paddling, and Sledding Adventures
From paddling Lake Superior to glacier-hopping in Alaska: 6 hair-raising, lung-busting adventures from America's top outfittersGlen Canyon Adventure Guide
An exclusive guide to five hikes that have been under water for 40 yearsSecrets of Yosemite National Park
Sneak in the side door for a private viewing of the finest in California's High Sierra real estate.A Hiker's Guide To Surfing and Snorkeling
Use your backpacking skills at the best surfing, climbing, trail running, and even paragliding spotsWashington: Grand Valley, Olympic National Park
On this trip you'll find everything from alpine meadows to ancient rainforestsMissouri, Current River and Ozark Trail
Hike and canoe through the pristine springs of Missouri's Ozarks.Boundary Waters
Get lost in the land o' lakes with 3 quiet, crowd-free trailsUtah: Choprock Canyon, Escalante River
Enjoy a slickrock playground of your very ownGo Fish
If you can't hook a monster in one of these fishing holes, you better hang up your rod.Hawaii: Waimanu Valley
Come to this tropical oasis for great weather, an array of fruit and some great swimming.Alaska, Colville River
Visit this remote section of the Arctic before climate change alters it foreverGrandview Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Here's a challenging hike with constant Grand Canyon views.The Needles, Canyonlands National Park
Don't miss these 200 foot candles carved from sandstone towers.Cascade Pass, North Cascades National Park
The Cascade scenery on this hike can only be compared to those of the Alps.British Columbia, Mt. Robson
Explore a glacier-covered forest near the Canadian Rockies' highest peakMontana, Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park
The most-studied glacier in the park lets you see global warming in action.Handies Peak, San Juan Mountains
This summit will put you high above what many consider to be Colorado's finest mountain range.Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Paddle blue inlets too new for any topo.Massachusetts, High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary
Beantowners love the sights the High Ledges area has to offer.Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park
Giant cliffs and numerous waterfalls are among the stunning sites that can be viewed along this Colorado hike.Colorado: West Elk Range
Spring comes earlier to this mountain paradise.Expedition Planner: Glacier National Park, MT
Get more Glacier hiking ideas in our online exclusiveProud Lake Recreation Area
Michigan's Proud Lake has many flavors of wilderness to offer.Table Mountain, Teton Range
This summit offers the finest view anywhere of the Grand and surrouding peaks.Spray Park, Mt. Rainier National Park
You'll never get a bad view of Rainier's glacier-clad slopes.California; Death Valley National Park
Camping in Death Valley might give you the hottest day of your life.New York, Indian Head Mountain, Catskills
Abandon the Big Apple for a visit to this great wilderness.Mt. Jefferson, Presidential Range
Scenic ridges and some high White Mountain peaks abound on this great hike.Beach Trail
This Indiana Dunes trail offers visitors views of the lake, the Chicago skyline, wildflowers and some of the tallest trees in the region.Cloudland Canyon State Park
A thousand-foot-deep gorge is the centerpiece of this tri-state park.Guana River State Park
Who wouldn't want to be marooned on this Florida barrier island?Arizona, McDowell Sonoran Preserve
If you are in search of southwestern wildlife, this is the place to be.Dinosaur Valley State Park
This Texas park holds true to its name with some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.Glacier National Park
3 hidden hikes in our readers' favorite backpacking parkChannel Islands National Park
This wild paradise is the Galapagos of California.Maryland, Blackwater River
Utah, Glen Canyon
Receding water levels mean more miles of choice desert hiking and kayaking.The Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park
Some of Arches' best sites come in short hikes.Virginia, White Oak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park
Waterfalls abound on this great 8.2 mile loop.Balloon Dome, Ansel Adams Wilderness
Don't let well-known Sierra neighbors like Yosemite overshadow this stunning wilderness.The Global Warming Tour 2003
The ultimate guide to greenhouse adventure, featuring 8 surprising new trips, acres of virgin terrain, and a peek at the future of North American wilderness.Ricketts Glen State Park
This favorite Pennsylvania destination of our editors is filled with old trees, shale cliffs, wildlife and stunning wildflowers.Alaska Made Easy
Just minutes from Anchorage lie dozens of world-class hiking and paddling trips. This guide gives you the best, plus gear and travel tips to smooth the way.Wisconsin, Devil's Lake State Park
Hike to see arty rock sculptures left by the last Ice Age into the Wisconsin rock.North Carolina's Hungry Forests
Visit Croatan National Forest, a place so wild it has more flesh-eating plants than people.Hike Missouri's Bruford Mountain Trail
This wild Ozark gem is close to St. Louis, but still waiting to be discovered.Three Quiet Grand Canyon Hikes
You'd never guess it: Three quiet trails in such a busy, beautiful place.Hike Idaho's Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
River rats wait years to ride the wild Selway River. Hikers can taste its raw beauty right now.The Wild List: A Guide To The Best Outdoor Spots
A definitive guide to the hottest, sweetest, looniest, and most colorful spots in the great outdoors.10 Best Bird Watching Hikes In America
Spring is for the birds. Here's where to find a flock near you.Bonus dayhike: Missouri's Cuivre River State Park
Hike through the limestone caves, sinkholes, and springs of Missouri's Cuivre River State Park.Secrets Hikes Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Can a place that sees 9 million visitors a year really have any surprises? You bet. We found three hikes full of unexpected history, scenery, and solitude.Bonus Dayhike: British Columbia's Garibaldi Lake
This gorgeous alpine lake hike sports huge glacier views just an hour outside of Vancouver.This Winter, Book A Yurt
Stay cozy this winter by bedding down in a heated cabin or yurt.Powder Hungry? Hike These Snowshoe Trails
Bust out of winter doldrums on one of these stellar snowshoe routes.Hike The Hidden Trails of Rocky Mountain National Park
Here's a detailed hiking planner that will take you to the hidden corners of Colorado's most scenic park.Wild Weddings
Want a ceremony that reflects your passion for the outdoors? Here's everything you need to know to pull off a wilderness wedding.Dreams Of Tibet: Exploring Lost Himalayan Mountains And Cultures
Deep in the heart of the forbidden Tibetan kingdom, a long-awaited adventure inherited from the author's father takes an unexpected twist.Best Dayhikes In America
With strong legs and an ambitious plan, you can see more wild country in 12 hours than some backpackers see in a week, and still make it home in time for dinner.Best Waterfall Hikes
Learn the weird science behind our addiction to waterfalls, and the location of the best trails in North America.Climbing Alaska's 'Great One': Denali National Park
Do you have what it takes to climb Alaska's Denali? Find out with our mountaineer's guide.Climbing Jasper National Park: Mount Sarbach
Jasper National Park, AlbertaClimbing The Wind River Range: Haystack Mountain
Haystack Mountain offers a sweet climb in Wyoming's remote Wind River Range.Climbing Aconcagua's West/Southwest Face
Aconcagua's West/Southwest Face offers climbers more challenge on the Western Hemisphere's highest peak.Climbing The Scenic Route On El Pico de Orizaba
Try this ultra-scenic route if you attempt North America's third highest peak.Climbing Kings Canyon: The Obelisk
The Obelisk offers a remote climbing challenge far removed from other Sierra hotspots.Climbing Yosemite: Mount Conness
Tuolomne Meadows monarch Mount Conness has been a classic Yosemite climb for years -- and for good reason.Hiking Italy's Via delle Bocchette
Dolomites, ItalyClimbing The Sierras: Banner Peak
Try climbing the standout Banner Peak, just around the corner from Mammoth Lakes.Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro National Park, TanzaniaClimbing Yoho National Park: Mount Carnarvon
Yoho National Park, British ColumbiaClimbing Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya offers classic climbing to all backpackersClimbing Mexico's Iztaccíhuatl
Planning to climb Mexico's famous volcano Iztaccíhuatl? Start with our online guide.Climbing Denali: The West Buttress Route
Denali National Park and Preserve, AlaskaClimbing Yosemite: Matthes Crest
Matthes Crest features superb climbing deep in Yosemite's backcountry.Hiking Montana's Lonely Mountains
Hidden deep in Montana's high country lies the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, a seldom-visited range of cool forests and skyscraping peaks.Hiking The Mahoosuc Range
The short but stunning Mahoosuc Range has major-league attractions, like the toughest mile on the Appalachian Trail and conditions that discourage the faint of heart.Hike Nevada's Sagebrush Oasis
Hiding in the arid plains of Nevada you'll find a cool refuge from the desert heat and room to let your imagination soar.Out Of Sight: Hiking Michigan's Trap Hills
In Michigan's Trap Hills, you'll find space to wonder and wonder, and quiet rock outcrops with panoramas so wide you'll be blinking in disbelief.Wolves And Water: Arizona's Blue Range
With an abundance of wolves and water--two rarities in the desert--Arizona's remote Blue Range may be the Southwest's best kept secret.Hike Through Washington's Blue Mountains
City life got you down? Head for the quiet hills of southeastern Washington, where the air is clean, the water clear, and bighorn sheep outnumber hikers.Climbing Wyoming's Wind River Range: Pingora
This spire deep in Wyoming's Wind River Range serves as the climbing pinnacle of the Cirque of the Towers.Fire And Rain On Costa Rica's Volcanoes
Deep in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, you'll learn to dodge fireballs and poisonous frogs while tracing a circuit around a living volcano.Kayaking Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula
Endless varieties of coral and birds await when you kayak the blue waters of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.A Hermit's Heaven: Arizona's Wabayuma Peak Wilderness
If you've never heard of Arizona's 40,000-acre Wabayuma Peak Wilderness, take heart--most people haven't. That's why the silence is deafening.Hiking And Kayaking Russia's Lake Baikal
Visitors to Siberia's Lake Baikal encounter endless coastline, brown bears, and exotic hiking to last a lifetime.Hiking Tahiti's Rugged East Coast
Jungles, coral-reef wading and rocky scrambling await Tahitian adventure hikers.Hiking China's Wonder Wall
Rather than simply stare at the Great Wall, a determined hiker decided to get a different perspective.Australia's Aboriginal Walk In The Park
Face your fear of snakes and spiders in Australia's Royal National Park, and the bush will reward you with the journey of a lifetime.Backpacking France's Grand Canyon: Gorges du Verdon
Southeast France's Gorge Du Verdon provides backpackers with miles of narrow canyon walls, river wading, and strenuous hiking.Holing Up In A Matterhorn Hut
The Bossi Bivouac Hut offers culture and comfort at the base of the Matterhorn.Tips For Safe Travel
Planning an overseas backpacking trip? Here's a few tips to prepare you before you go.Snow Leopards: Gray Ghosts Of The Himalaya
When you hike the world's highest peaks in search of the legendary snow leopard, be prepared for the unexpected.Challenge The Backpacker Editor: The Ultralight Report
Torrential rain and wind expose chinks in our author's ultralight armor, but don't dampen his enthusiasm for the pleasures of unencumbered trekking.McKinley: Backpack Around "The Big One"
Let rivers and ridgelines be your compass as you hike in the shadow of Alaska's Mt. McKinley.Ply A Backwoods Water Trail In The Boundary Waters
In Minnesota's Boundary Waters, thousands of blue routes await those willing to dip a paddle.Hike Through The Grand Canyon's Geologic History
A trek from rim to river reveals the Grand Canyon's ancient, storied history.Desert Miracle: Hiking Arizona's San Pedro River
Shady hiking and cool waters make the San Pedro River an oasis for desert trekkers.Hike Florida's Prairie On The Myakka Trail
Hike the Myakka Trail for a glimpse of the Sunshine State's wild and grassy past.Trek Across Nepal On The Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is your path to the rooftop of the world.Wander Along The Wild Olympic Coast
A trip along Washington's Olympic Coast is one whale of a day at the beach.Walk Through The Pacific Crest Trail's Alpine Wonderland
Follow the Pacific Crest Trail through Washington's volcano country and discover the high life.Wild As A Feral Hog On Mississippi's Black Creek Trail
You'll have a hard time keeping track of all the critters along Mississippi's Black Creek Trail.Explore Utah's Paria River Slot Canyon
In the Paria River canyon, adventure and breathtaking views await around every narrow bend.Death Valley Warmed Over
Time spent in California's Death Valley can be a life-enhancing experience.Best Backpacking In Montana
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Montana.Best Backpacking In Washington
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Washington.Best Backpacking In North Dakota
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in North Dakota.Best Backpacking In Tennessee
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Tennessee.Best Backpacking In New Hampshire
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New Hampshire.Best Backpacking In Nevada
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Nevada.Best Backpacking In Ohio
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Ohio.Top 5 Fossil Trails
With fossils present in all states (although New England tends to be fossil poor), you can get a glimpse of the past almost anywhere you backpack.Set In Stone: Finding Fossils On The Trail
You could be walking on an ancient seabed or a swamp where dinosaurs played. Look closely and you'll see history in the rocks.Best Backpacking In Wisconsin
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Wisconsin.Best Backpacking In California
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in California.Best Backpacking In Maine
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Maine.Best Backpacking In South Dakota
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in South Dakota.Best Backpacking In Massachussetts
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Massachusetts.Best Backpacking In Alabama
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Alabama.Best Backpacking In Oregon
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Oregon.Best Backpacking In Minnesota
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Minnesota.Best Backpacking In Arkansas
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Arkansas.The Urge To Fly
Do you ever have the urge to step off the edge and fly like a bird?Best Backpacking In Indiana
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Indiana.Best Backpacking In Arizona
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Arizona.Best Backpacking In Michigan
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Michigan.Best Backpacking In Nebraska
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Nebraska.Best Backpacking In Mississippi
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Mississippi.Best Backpacking In Rhode Island
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Rhode Island.Best Backpacking In Wyoming
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Wyoming.Best Backpacking In Utah
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Utah.The Best Backpacking In America
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in America.Best Backpacking In Georgia
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Georgia.Best Backpacking In Connecticut
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Connecticut.Best Backpacking In Florida
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Florida.Best Backpacking In South Carolina
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in South Carolina.Best Backpacking In Colorado
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Colorado.Best Backpacking In New Mexico
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New Mexico.Best Backpacking In Kentucky
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Kentucky.Best Backpacking In New York
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New York.Best Backpacking In Idaho
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Idaho.Best Backpacking In New Jersey
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New Jersey.Best Backpacking In West Virginia
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in West Virginia.Best Backpacking In Louisiana
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Louisiana.Best Backpacking In Maryland
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Maryland.Best Backpacking In Iowa
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Iowa.Best Backpacking In Virginia
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Virginia.Best Backpacking In Hawaii
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Hawaii.Best Backpacking In Oklahoma
Best Backpacking In Texas
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Texas.Best Backpacking In Vermont
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Vermont.Best Backpacking In Pennsylvania
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Pennsylvania.Best Backpacking In Alaska
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Alaska.Hiking The Eastern Continental Trail
Say hello to North America's newest long trail.Best Backpacking In Delaware
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Delaware.Best Backpacking In Kansas
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Kansas.Best Backpacking In Missouri
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Missouri.Best Backpacking In North Carolina
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in North Carolina.Best Backpacking In Illinois
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Illinois.Backpacking On Maine's Wild Cutler Coast
Thanks to the Cutler Coast Public Reserve, Maine's rocky, wild coastline is now open to backpackers who like solitude as much as scenery.Tips For Camping With Kids
Nuggets of knowledge from those who have brought their youngsters into the backcountry.Hiking Idaho's White Cloud Mountains
Head to the White Cloud Mountains for a crowd-free taste of Idaho high country.Tahoe Rim Trail: A Heavenly Hike
Twenty years of hard work near Tahoe yields a 150-mile path so high, you'll breathe "angel air."HIking British Columbia's Savage Coast
Hike a rugged, historically rich trail for 21 miles along a nearly deserted island off British Columbia's coast.Loomis State Forest: Hike Washington's Cascade Secret
Hike to the edge of the Cascade Range in this forgotten corner of the Washington wilderness.Healing The Badlands
How can we conserve South Dakota's Badlands?Hiking North Dakota's Badlands
You won't have a lot of company in North Dakota's badlands, which is why hiking the Maah Daah Hey Trail is so good.Take Your Family Outdoors
Camping with kids can plant a wild seed in them that will grow as they do-but only if you get them Out There.Wild Island Hiking
Hear wild horses thunder through camp. Look for wolf tracks in the mud or eagles' nests in the cliffs high above. Cast off the workaday world and go hike an island paradise.Keeping Utah's Outdoor Secret
Should secret wildernesses be revealed? Utah's Anasazi artifact hotbed Cedar Mesa begs the question.Utah's Best Wildflower Blooms
Follow the hummingbirds in the Mt. Naomi Wilderness to the best high-country wildflower show in all of Utah.Hiking Oregon's Bull Of The Woods Wilderness
If overpowering stillness is your thing, try the old-growth forests in Oregon's Bull of the Woods Wilderness.Hiking North Carolina's Valley River Mountains
Sniff the rhododendrons and enjoy hiking the Valley Rim Trail in North Carolina's Valley River Mountains.Hiking With Wisconsin's Wolves
Feeling people-shy? Follow Wisconsin's wolves to this lonely section of the Ice Age Trail.Hike To Protect Wilderness From Drilling
How many miles of trail or acres of wilderness will we sacrifice for a tank of gas? Here's a look at eight threatened wildernesses and what you can do to stop the drilling.Spotting The Elusive Wolf
Our guide to spotting wolves on Michigan's Isle Royale.Hot Hikes After A Wildfire
Seven places where you can walk through a whole new landscape, plus opportunities to help rebuild charred trails.Raptors Rule Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau Waterway
Paddle Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau waterway, watch the aerial show, and lay claim to your own island.Hike Higher In Colorado's Collegiate Peaks
Hike into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and you'll enjoy Colorado's best summer school.Prayers Answered In Virginia's Priest Wilderness
In Virginia, a miracle occurs and hikers get some new wilderness, thanks to The Priest.Prairie Hiking: Wide-Open Spaces
It's the easiest hiking on Earth, and you get to sleep with buffalo, listen to coyotes sing, and bask in quiet so deep you can hear the grasslands growing. Welcome to the prairie.Splendor Hiking The High Sierra
Take the finest mountains in the world, add high-country meadows, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, pine-and-hemlock forests, and what do you have? A recipe for backcountry bliss.Hiking Washington's Elwha Trail Rainforest
Washington's Elwha Trail is a rain-forest classic: green, primeval, spongy soft, and wonderfully wet.Mountains: The World At Your Feet
High above the trees you'll find the hike of your dreams: a ridgeline trail where your only companion is an occasional mountain goat.Skills For The Upwardly Mobile
Everything you need to know about hiking in the high country, from talus hopping to finding the right gear to dealing with wind and glaciers.Canada's Great Divide Trail
For 30 years, some wide-eyed dreamers have been chiseling a 745-mile route through the Canadian Rockies. The result is a labor of love set to become one of North America's most magnificent long trails.Make The Big Jump
Are you a dayhiker who's ready for an all-nighter? A weekender longing to try a 5-day trek? Or are you ready for a thru-hike? Regardless of your skill level, here's the information you'll need to go that extra mile.Walking On Water
Face it: you aren't Moses and the waters won't part, so here are ways to cross wild rivers safely.Going Tribal
We know the strength that courses through flesh and bone when standing at a trailhead, ready to set out and practice our primitive art.Hiking Utah's Hayduke Trail
You won't find Utah's 725-mile rogue route on any map. But thanks to two passionate Utah hikers, you'll soon be able to search it out with your boots.Discover California's Point Reyes National Seashore
In Point Reyes National Seashore, you'll find peace and quiet in the heart of California's earthquake zone.Grand Canyon Magic
"With some eagerness, and some anxiety, and some misgiving, we enter the canyon below?." -John Wesley Powell, August 13, 1869Backpacking Colorado's Elk Mountains
When it pours, good rain gear and a great sense of humor help you find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.Backpacking Tennessee's Cumberland Trail
If you're a backpacking purist, Tennessee's new Cumberland Trail was made for you.Hiking Minnesota's Jay Cooke State Park
Can't wait for the snow to melt? Get warmed up at Minnesota's Jay Cooke State Park.Identifying Wildlife Holes
There's a fascinating world of fur and claws underfoot. Here's how to tell who's down there.Albuquerque's Magic Mountain
Albuquerque's backyard wilderness lets hikers perform a disappearing trick.Hiking Dreams Really Do Come True
Easily said and done, when you have a constant reminder at bedtime.Arkansas' Waterfall Paradise
If you're a fan of waterfalls, then Arkansas's Richland Creek Wilderness is your dream trip.Just Go
Sometimes, despite all the commitments and obligations, you know what you have to do.Florida's Big Cypress: Wade This Way
In Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve, you'll walk on water -- almost.Organize Your Backpacking Trip
Meet Jamie and Joe, who need help with everything from planning to packing to eating well. Enter our team of experts, with a few simple tricks designed to turn them-and you!-into well-oiled backpacking machines.Hiking Arizona's Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness
Arizona's Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness is so incredible, you'll want to tell the whole world.Oregon's Badlands: Only The Lonely
You'd better like your own company, because that's all you'll have in Oregon's Badlands Wilderness Study Area.Sonoran Desert: The Big Empty
Ed Abbey said the Sonoran Desert "leaves a golden glow on the mind," which is one of many good reasons why this cactus-spiked paradise should be the next national park.Utah's Grand Gulch: Along Ancient Trails
Cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, ancient pottery -- Utah's Grand Gulch is thick with history.Hiking Vermont's Long Trail
The challenge of Vermont's Long Trail will cure what ails you.Colorado Trail
If any long trail is likely to induce a headache, it's the Colorado Trail.Hiking The Continental DivideTrail
Can you tackle our readers' favorite long trail? Test your hiking mettle against the Continental Divide Trail.Washington's Wonderland Trail
Mind-bending views, close-up wildlife encounters.Hiking The Appalachian Trail
The famed peaks of the Appalachian chain entice some 2,500 people to attempt the thru-hike each year.Hiking California's John Muir Trail
This magnificent trail travels through three California parks while showcasing the natural wonders Muir worked to preserve.Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail
Everything you'd want in a long trail.Oklahoma/Arkansas's Ouachita Trail
The little-known Ouachita Trail ranked third among the long trails for solitude.Washington's Olympic Coast
It's the longest stretch of virgin coastline left in the Lower 48. But that's just one of many reasons to hike it.Hiking Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail
A whale of a Minnesota trail beside a Great Lake.California's Chumash Wilderness: Spritual Salvation
The condors know all about Chumash Wilderness, but luckily, the masses in Los Angeles don't.Ozarks: Ridge Runner Trail
You may have the Ozarks' wildlife-rich Ridge Runner Trail to yourself, but that doesn't mean you're alone.North Carolina/Georgia's Bartram Trail
Take along your plant guidebooks for this flora-filled treasure.Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail: Land Of Cool Cliffs
Carved limestone cliffs add even more to love on Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail.Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
In the 1800s, cowboys didn't think much of the Grand Canyon's Parashant National Monument. Luckily, times and attitudes have changed.Alaska Lands Act: 20 Years Later
In the 20 years since the passage of the Alaska Lands Act, nothing has changed in many of the state's wild places. And that's reason to celebrate.Giant Sequoia National Monument
How do you protect the largest trees on Earth? Don't harm them in the first place.Alabama's Conecuh Trail: Southern Comfort
For Deep South scenery, try Alabama's Conecuh Trail, where the gopher frogs and armadillos outnumber the people.North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The best trips are littered with mistakes, frustration, and, if a river called the "Little Misery" runs through it, boot-sucking mud.Adirondacks High Peaks: Timing Is Everything
When leaves turn the colors on a painter's palette, head to the Adirondack's High Peaks Wilderness.National Parks: Best Wildlife
Where the words "wild" and "life" take on new meaningGiving Thanks At Washington's Jackson Wilderness
The best way to honor a wilderness-minded senator is to hike the Jackson Wilderness.Horsepacking: A New Breed?
Some well-meaning, leave-no-trace horsepackers are trying to rein in their environmentally uncouth brethren. The question is: can they change practices and attitudes that date back to the wild west days?National Parks: Best Solitude
More than ever, these empty parks offer medicine for the soul.All Quiet In Colorado's Indian Peaks
When summer ends, crowd-free hiking begins in Colorado's Indian Peaks.National Parks: Best Overall Park
Glacier National Park possesses scenery that'll suck the breath out of your lungs, quiet so intense you'll wonder if your ears still work, and enough wildlife to make a zookeeper drool with envy.Vermont's Many-Faced Long Trail
If land has a personality, then Vermont's 270-mile Long Trail is one moody, unpredictable way to hike through New England.Hiking With Michigan's Elk Herd
What's good for elk is good for backpackers on Michigan's High Country Pathway.A Hiker In Mt. Rainier's Wonderland
Sure, you can summit Mt. Rainier, but the real treasure isn't on top. It's the Wonderland Trail down below.Hiking Montana's Cabinet Mountains
The French-Canadian trappers are long gone, but the grizzlies and waterfalls remain in this alpine nirvana.Robbers Cave: A Bandit's Oasis In Oklahoma
Follow Jesse James's footprints to a land of shady valleys and cool, clear lakes.Ellicott Rock Wilderness: Rock And Stroll
History is carved in stone in this wild and scenic southern river corridor in North Carolina and Georgia.Hiking Washington's Kettle River Mountains
Washington's gentle "forgotten mountains" -- The Kettle River Range -- are ignored by those in a hurry to reach the Cascades.Wyoming's Absaroka: Wild At Heart
If you think the last truly wild, unexplored land is in Canada or Alaska, you haven't been to Wyoming's Absaroka range.Robert Taylor: A True Trailblazer
Robert Taylor wants African-Americans to know "there's something great out there."River Floating: A Current Affair
Why huff and puff to get to an isolated campsite? Simply grab a paddle, then let the current carry you to a secluded riverside trailhead.Wilderness Of Hope
Five troubled teens and three well-meaning volunteers head into the Colorado mountains, hoping the wilds will help heal the youngsters. But in the end, it's hard to tell whose lives were forever shaped by the experience, the youths or the adults.Indiana's Shades State Park
Rare stands of virgin hardwood and creekside camping beckon sunburned hikers.New York's Tongue Range
Are you antsy? Need to get away? Try New York's Tongue Range.Grand Teton's High Adventure Trail
Some people head to Wyoming to summit the Tetons. But outdoor legend Paul Petzoldt had a better idea: Create a route for foot travelers along the spine of the great range.Wyoming's Medicine Bow: A Cure For Hikers
Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest is just what the hiker ordered.Icebergs In Oregon: Chambers Lakes
Chambers Lakes are too cold for swimming, but a great place to watch 'bergs drift by.New York's Long Path: Winning The Rat Race
Even when you're trapped in the nation's most crowded metropolis, backwoods relief is only a short hike down a Long Path.Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Myths and cactus in California: A life-filled land of sand and mountains.Golden Trout Wilderness, Sequoia & Inyo National Forests, California
Catch rainbows -- trout, that is -- in Rockhouse Basin's rivers, where you're more likely to see a wildcat than another human.Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado
A primordial oasis of rivers, bighorn sheep, and canyons.Alabama's Talladega National Forest
A high point offering a year-round getaway for lovers of southern wildlife, lush forests, and redeye bass.Hiking Henry W. Coe State Park, California
California's second largest park has an impressive trail system.Santa Catalina Island, California
Porpoises escort you to a rugged island where buffalo really do roam.Biking The Colorado Trail
Mountain vistas: the ups and downs of a mountain-biking/hiking paradise.Arizona's Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
Cool your feet and warm your brow in this Arizona desert wilderness.Hoover Wilderness, California
Lay claim to your own California mountain valley and bask in utter solitude.California's Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park
In the shadow of magnificent Mt. Shasta lies a relic of ancient times.Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Alaska's premier area for fish and wildlife.Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Roads end in Arizona with tall tales, natural gardens, cacti forests, and shoe scorpions.Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Just beyond the neon and greenbacks of Vegas lies a priceless wilderness gem.Kentucky And Tennessee's Land Between the Lakes
Hike from Kentucky to Tennessee along an inland peninsula.Maryland's Big Savage Mountain
Heavy forests and the roar of whitewater wait in this section of the Appalachian Mountains.West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest
Classic eastern mountain scenery along West Virginia's skyline pathway.Bruneau River, Idaho
Raft or hike this desert paradise's secretive canyons -- but don't pass up the hot springs.Wisconsin's Brule River State Forest
Wisconsin's Brule River has great rivers galore -- just don't lose your uncle's canoe.New York's Five Ponds Wilderness
Echoes of the ice age resonate throughout this Adirondack wilderness.North Carolina's Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area
A rugged land of sweet-smelling wildflowers, bald mountains, and stone Indians.New York's Catskill Park
Old, haunted New York mountains, thick with legend.South Carolina's Edisto River
Not much company along this stretch of Deep South blackwater -- and that's just fine.Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey & Pennsylvania
A peaceful rest stop in the shadow of the nation's largest city.Louisiana's Kisatchie Hills Wilderness
There's more to the Louisiana's deep South than swamps and Cajun food.Pine Barrens, New Jersey
Wooded trails, tea-colored waters -- and the Jersey Devil.Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park is pristine and isolated -- rare commodities these days.El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico
Frozen fire shaped by cataclysmic forces and the footsteps of the ancient ones.Texas' Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Hike or climb this pristine pink-granite wonderland just outside Austin.Tennessee: Savage Gulf State Natural Area
Waterfalls and swimming holes aplenty.Georgia's Providence Canyon State Park
A slice of Utah canyon in the heart of Dixie.Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Oklahoma
Western prairie meets eastern forest in the land of healing waters.North Carolina's Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Trade your flip-flops for hiking boots and explore a seaside trail.Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
A watery paradise, a hiker's secret.North Carolina's Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area
Wind through what remains of a lost Carolina world.Bisti Wilderness, New Mexico
Watch for ghosts among the mushroom-shaped rocks in this weird, lovely landscape.Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska
Where you can look down on soaring eagles and feel the power of the Missouri River.Tiffany Wildlife Area, Wisconsin
A water-lover's Wisconsin wonderland with forests, prairies, and the occasional eagle.Kentucky's Red River Gorge
Gorgeous gorge: Where the arches outnumber the footprints.Massachusetts' Monroe State Forest
Tucked away in a New England corner is an old-growth paradise.Wolf River, Tennesee
Once an impassable, swampy "ghost river," now a paddler's dream.Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest
If you're a fan of eskers, moraines, kettles, and kames, Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest is the right place for you.Illinois' Vermilion River, Kickapoo State Park
A pristine prairie river winds through a sea of corn and beans in the shadow of Chicago.Skiing Utah's Tushar Mountains
Strap on the skis and glide across wind-sculpted snow into alpine solitude.Utah: The White Rim, Canyonlands
A bit of nerve opens up the stunning canyonlands made famous by Wile E. Coyote.Kayaking Lake Powell's Glen Canyon
The hidden side of a watery Utah playground.Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness
All trails lead to the top in this lake-lover's paradise.Texas' Hill Country State Natural Area
It's amazing what nature can do with pasture a decade after the cows go home.Boulder River Wilderness, Washington
Majestic peaks rise in all directions in Washington's Boulder River Wilderness -- elegant, jagged, draped in snow.Maine's Bigelow Preserve
Follow the Appalachian Trail to new heights in the rugged New England high country.Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Lose yourself in the past on part of the Buckeye, America's longest loop trail.Michigan's Sylvania Wilderness
Hike up and down oak- and hickory-covered ridgetops, or explore underground.Illinois' Shawnee National Forest
Exploring hills and "hollers" in the Land of Lincoln.Niobrara National Scenic River, Nebraska
The current carries you through the Great Plains, where buffalo, elk -- and snapping turtles -- roam.Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
A big Midwestern sandpile turned into an otherworldly escape by pounding surf and forests.Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park
Hike up and down oak- and hickory-covered ridgetops, or explore underground.Pennsylvania: Roaring Run Natural Area
A precious backcountry jewel amid the hardwood forests.Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve
In Big Cypress' land of exotic plants and lurking alligators, swamps aren't such bad places after all.Cache River State Natural Area
Not your laid-back summer holiday -- canoeing and hiking galore.Cloudland Canyon State Park
Seven Devils of Hells Canyon
Where you'll share the mountain with curious goats and mysteries of the past.Horseshoe Canyon, Canyonlands National Park
Where the shadows on the sandstone offer lessons from the past and there's not a soul to be found.Florida's Oklawaha River
Take a lazy cruise through exotic scenery, where monkeys swing and eagles soar.North Carolina's Bear Island
Hike with sea turtles, watch the dolphins play, and share the beach with ghost crabs.Rock Island State Park
Too small to get much attention and a pain in the neck to reach: The perfect Wisconsin escape.Hoosier National Forest
A hiker's oasis in the hills and valleys of the Midwest.Virginia's False Cape State Park
Near-complete isolation just a few miles from Virginia Beach.Michigan's Nordhouse Dunes
Sunny beaches, cool forests, and a birder's paradise along the shores of Lake Michigan.South Taconic Mountains, Connecticut
Connecticut's South Taconic Mountains have bald peaks, deep, forested gorges, and trees as old as the Mayflower.Colorado: Gibson Lake, Pike National Forest
Tiny Gibson Lake will take you out of Denver in a hurry with its big-wilderness feel and smirking brook trout.Desolation Wilderness, Eldorado National Forest
Behind the forbidding name lies California's glacier-polished playground.California's Smith River National Recreation Area
You're as likely to bump into Sasquatch as another human.Lake Pillsbury, Mendocino National Forest, California
Hiking and backpacking at its finest, through pastoral grasslands and forests of pine and fur.California's Ishi Wilderness
Ishi Wilderness trails run through stream-carved canyons, past stunning vistas, back to gold rush days.Northern Lights Viewer's Guide
Follow these tips to make the most out of the northern night skies.Polar Bears: Big, White... And Harmless?
If you run into the big white bears, should you be scared?Alpine Hiking, Euro-Style: A First-Timer's Guide
If you plan on hiking the European Alps, get ready for some differences across the pond.Short Hikes On The Pacific Northwest Trail
Only have a short time to tackle the Pacific Northwest Trail? Our guide will give you the best the PNT has to offer.Ansel Adams Wilderness: Witness To Magic
With the click of a shutter, Ansel Adams captured the beauty and soul of wild places and showed us that in nature, there is magic.Splendor In New Mexico's Mills Canyon
Mills Canyon is a hidden treasure where you can bushwhack through history.Washington's Juniper Dunes: Not So High, But Dry
In a region known for soggy times, Juniper Dunes is a warm sandbox where you can dry out.Wind Rivers Reunion
In the Wind Rivers range, you can hike for days without seeing another soul, which is why it brings a pair of brothers back again and again.Maine's Seals In The Surf
Maine's seal pups are usually born in May, making early summer an ideal time to witness the youngsters learning to swim and fish.Muddy Love In Shenandoah
All along the 23-mile Shenandoah Mountain trail and in the forested areas throughout the Appalachian Mountains, vernal pools are rich aquatic breeding grounds.Hiking At A Berry Slow Pace
Figure on 9 days to do the entire 100-mile hike—unless you're slowed drastically by all the blueberries.Virginia's Berrypicking Paradise
When hiking on Virginia's high, exposed heath balds in late summer, leave gorp and other snacks at home.Pennsylvania's Mid State Trail: Bears And Blueberries
Pennsylvania: You'll get wet and you may even stand in line behind a black bear or two.New Hampshire's Chorus Of Loons
A chaotic chorus of loon calls penetrate the darkness, the warbling sounds echoing off the wooded hills around the New Hampshire lake.Tennessee: Ice As Art
In winter, the glasslike menagerie of icicles in the Cumberland Plateau will send a chill down your spine.Big Cypress: Woodpeckers And Old Growth
Consider trying to spot a red-cockaded wood-pecker in Florida's Big Cypress Preserve a form of treasure hunting.Owls In Merchants Millpond State Park
The bawling in the black night is the spring chorus of hooting barred owls.California's Trinity Alps: Dr. Seuss Hiked Here
Observe the uncanny resemblance between the good doctor's famous Truffula Trees and a field of fuzz-topped flowers 5 miles up Long Canyon.Stargazing In New Mexico's White Sands
The lunarlike landscape and dark skies of this preserve make White Sands one of the best places for star watching.Staying Cool In Missouri's Caves
In Whites Creek Cave you can explore in nature's own cooling system, and observe its grateful inhabitants.Big Bend Birding In Texas
The best bird window coincides with the best hiking season in the Chihuahuan Desert.Colorado's San Juans Wildflower Explosion
The majestic San Juan Mountain range is often called America's Switzerland. -- and the wildflowers match.Arizona's Sky Islands: Harmonic Convergence
Arizona: Every year millions of ladybugs head to Arizona and coat trees, rocks, and brush like a layer of living paint.Snowbirds Of Okefenokee Swamp
The Purple Trail through Chase Prairie or the Green or Red Trails through Floyd's Prairie are good routes for viewing Sandhill cranes.Birds In Utah's Canyonlands
Life in the high desert in autumn is sweeter and more irresistible than any place on Earth.Kenucky's Land Of Painted Leaves
"October is the month for painted leaves," Thoreau mused. He could have been talking about Kentucky's Red River Gorge.Virginia's Crest Zone: Basking In Moonshine
Pine Mountain and Wilson Ridge command high-country vistas stretching across rock-strewn meadows.Maryland's Savage River State Forest
hen it comes to sheer ability to alter a landscape and shock the human senses, you can't beat the May blooms of a mountain laurel thicket.Joshua Tree's Bloomin' Good Hike
California: Journey through a desert to bear witness to some of the loveliest wildflowers you'll ever see.The Otters Of Michigan's Sylvania Wilderness
You'll emerge from a forested hallway into a wilderness playroom, and there before you will be skidmarks in the snow.New York's Shower Of Color
Have your camera ready near dusk, when sunlight warms the landscape with intense color.Wisconsin's Rock Island: Camp Moonbeam
Combine a full harvest moon with a remote island trail for the greatest show on Earth.Apostle Islands: Lake Superior's Icy Magic
Wisconsin: Explore 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline where strings of cliffs and caves are bejeweled in ice.Theodore Roosevelt's Bison Trails
North Dakota: America's own Serengeti.Running With Mustangs In Montana's Pryor Mountains
Montana: The Pryor Mountains harbor the nation's last free-roaming wild mustangs, not to mention wilderness that is as wild as the horses.Aspen's Avalanche Of Gold
No color in nature comes close to matching the heart-stirring golden aspen found in the Rockies in autumn.Maine's Frisky Season For Moose
Even if you don't see a moose, you'll hear the bulls' low grunts echoing off the hillside.Arkansas' Buffalo National River
Arkansas Buffalo National River features challenging trails and a river-laced wilderness.Pretty As A Picture
The blaze of fall color in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is unequaled.Splendor In Vermont's Green Mountains
Enjoy Vermont's autumn colors while you can -- they disappear all too quickly, and the Green Mountains recover their namesake hue in the spring.Eye To Eye With Raptors
Eyeball to beak with impressively taloned hawks in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.Oregon's Volcanoes In Full Bloom
Vast meadows of wildflowers sprawl across the ridgetops and valley bottoms of the Three Sisters.Treasure In San Francisco's Backyard
More than 200 preserves, parks, and other protected wildlands lie within 40 miles of San Francisco, exceeding Yosemite National Park in size, biodiversity, and visitation.The Smokies: Backwoods-Style
Here's your insider's guide to The Great Smokies, probably the epitome of a true backpacker's national park.Alabama's Cheaha Wilderness: A Southern Secret
The little-known Cheaha Wilderness Area is the gateway to Alabama's largest trail system.Ohio's Shawnee Backpack Trail
When the footpath is named the Backpack Trail, you know what to do.Hike All Year
Okay, so the weather stinks and so does the hiking. Change both by heading down the road to where the sun shines and the trail beckons.Oregon's Steens Mountain: An Airborne Oasis
Steens looks like your average mountain, but hike up high and you'll find a hidden paradise.Texas' Guadalupe Range
If you think west Texas is nothing but tumbleweeds and cattle, you haven't walked 62 miles across one of the world's most famous geological formations.Colorado's Lizard Head Wilderness
Besides being home to a mythical reptile, Colorado's Lizard Head Wilderness is the site of some great hiking.Once Upon The Alps
In the European high-country Alps you can wander through the most stunning mountains in the world. Vive la difference!Lion's Tale Trail: Explore With Your Fingertips
Trail goers can experience a whole new world by hiking Virginia's newly renovated Lion's Tale Trail.Snowshoeing New York's Five Ponds
When the rest of the East is bare, snowshoers can find plenty of powder in New York's Five Ponds Wilderness.Northern Lights: The Sky Will Dance
Like shimmering rainbows in the night, the northern lights electrify the sky with color.Hiking The U.S.-Canada Coho Trail
In mountains most hikers don't even know exist, the 150-mile Cohos Trail just waiting to carry you far from the crowds and on to Canada.Baja Mexico: South To The Sun
Combine white sand beaches and gin-clear water with snow-free highland hiking, and you've got Baja, the perfect midwinter escape.Holiday On Arkansas' Ouachita River
Let the masses shop till they drop: On Arkansas's Ouachita River the pace is slow and easy.Earthquakes in California's Fish Valley
When hiking California's Fish Valley, don't forget to pack your Richter scale.Soar In Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness
Gain a raptor's-eye view of the world in Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness.Great Smokies Showcase: Maddron Bald
In a park full of natural wonder, the route to Maddron Bald hits the high points.Penokee Mountains: The Alps Of Wisconsin
What they've lost in height, the Penokee Mountains make up for in big views and solitude.The Faces Of Fall
If you think autumn is simply a time to rake leaves, then you need to read our guide to the best of the fall season.Whispering Pine Trail, Missouri
Relax and sniff the azaleas among Missouri's Whispering Pines.Twelve Toughest Trails
Twelve trails that'll chew you up, spit you out, and have you begging for more.Oregon's Tillamook Forest: A Craggy Option
Everyone's heard of the Cascades, but no one seems to know about Tillamook State Forest.High Pointers Takes Climbers To The Top
Jim Lockart of Pughtown, Pennsylvania is part of a unique group who have scaled all 50 states' highest peaks.Wild As It Ever Was
For almost half a century, California's rugged Ishi Wilderness hid "the last wild Indian." Even today, it is a place that can keep a secret.Arizona's Galiuro Mountains
Don't expect the red-carpet treatment in Arizona's Galiuro Mountains, just wilderness on its own terms.California's Cucamonga Wilderness
As ice-cream makers in Los Angeles once knew, the Cucamonga Wilderness is the essence of cool.Arkansas's Butterfield Trail
Once a bumpy stagecoache route, Arkansas's Butterfield Trail now jostles hikers.New York's Catskill Escarpment Trail
Where artists once found inspiration, the Catskills' Escarpment Trail now challenges hikers.The Best U.S. Summits: Top Of The World
Who needs Everest when you can have these eight summits, all hikeable, all close to home, no sherpas or yaks required.Fighting Altitude Sickness
What happens when you go from sea level to altitude too fast? One brave editor found out the hard way, and offers her blow-by-blow findings in hopes that you don't suffer a similar fate.Indiana's Hiker's Sandbox
Play out your Lawrence of Suburbia fantasies at Indiana Dunes.Nevada's East Humboldt Wilderness
Way up in Nevada's East Humboldt Wilderness, finding solitude and water are sure bets.Mokelumne Wilderness Loop, CA
Where 100 unknown Sierra miles wait.Washington's Supreme William O. Douglas Wilderness
The William O. Douglas Wilderness is a monument worthy of a great man.Tennessee/Georgia's Big Frog Wilderness
Why choose between breezy peaks and cool streams when you can have both at Big Frog Wilderness?Wisconsin River: Going With The Flow
The ambling Wisconsin River has only one speed: full-out relaxed.Find Wildlife At Night
Leave the book in the tent and make a date to chat with some owls and sing with the frogs.Pinup Perfect: Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho
While Sawtooth Lake grabs the limelight, behind the scenes lie crowd-free peace and splendor.Arkansas: Caney Creek Wilderness
An Ozark oasis loaded with wildlife and fall colors.Texas' Palo Duro Canyon
The colorful walls of Palo Duro Canyon will delight hikers with masterpiece washes of color.Yellow River State Forest
Think Iowa is nothing but flat? You haven't visited the Yellow River State Forest.Kentucky's Cumberland Falls
Kentucky's Cumberland Falls provide spectacular waterworks, day or night.Editor's Choice: Columbia River Gorge
Waterfalls and wonder: Both are plentiful in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge.California's Trinity Alps
Secret scrambles and lakes abound in this northern California wilderness.South Dakota: Black Hills Gold
History and nature intertwine when you hike South Dakota's stunning Black Hills.Colorado's South San Juan Wilderness
Crowd-free, rocky mountain highs -- you'll find this and more in Colorado's South San Juan Wilderness.Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness
A hidden spot in Washington's popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness.Long Trail Haute Route
Burnt Rock Mountain provides great views along Vermont's Long Trail.Arkansas' Petit Jean Mountain State Park
Boy Scouts paved an excellent trail in this Ozark gem.Maine's Saddleback Range Traverse
Get above treeline in Maine's wild Saddleback Range.Colorado's James Peak
James Peak is a gem just 50 miles west of Denver.California's Great Western Divide
Can you find solitude in Sequoia National Park? You can if you go off trail.Olympic National Park's Grand Valley Loop
The best way to see all Olympic has to offer is on the grand Valley Loop.Georgia's Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island's south shore provides remarkably pristine beaches and mossy forests.Washington's North Cascade's Copper Ridge Loop
Hike this crown of North Cascades National Park, Washington.Buffalo National River Trail, Arkansas
Visit Arkansas' Buffalo National River Trail, where the huckleberries are plentiful and the views are wondrous.Santa Catalina Island
Find a new kind of California beach on the undeveloped shores of Santa Catalina Island.New Hampshire's Carter Dome
A hike up New Hampshire's Carter Dome has it all -- mountains, forests, water, views, solitude, and even a little challenge.Wisconsin's Governor Knowles State Forest
Escape from the urban at Wisconsin's Governor Knowles State Forest.Riga Plateau, Appalachian Trail
Get spectacular Appalachian Trail mountain views without much effort on the Riga Plateau.California's Redwood National Park
Walk among giants in Redwood National Park.Nevada's Mt. Moriah Wilderness
Great Basin's Mt. Moriah is a big mountain of solitude.Utah's Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness
Wilderness worthy enough to inspire any classical landscape painter.North Carolina's Gregory Bald
Great Smoky's Gregory Bald features an amazing crown of wild azaleas.New Mexico's Latir Peak Wilderness
Hikers often overlook the the quiet meadows, wildflowers, and mountaintops of New Mexico's Latir Wilderness. Their loss is your gain.Caprock Canyons State Park
History and landscape meet at Caprock Canyos State Park.Ohio's River Ramble
The Marietta Unit provides some of the greatest river trails in Ohio.Michigan Riding and Hiking Trail
Break the long Michigan winter with a lengthy hike on Michigan's Riding and Hiking Trail.North Carolina's Mountains To Sea Trail
It's not complete, but North Carolina's Mountains To Sea trail rivals Inman's journey in "Cold Mountain."North Carolina's Joyce Kilmer Wilderness
The most old-growth forest in the east resides in North Carolina's Joyce Kilmer Wilderness.Wyoming: Best Of The Bighorns
Here's how to find the best of Wyoming's expansive Bighorn range.Weminuche Wilderness: Top Of The Rockies
Highest, biggest, wildest: Colorado's Weminuche Wilderness is a land of superlatives.A New Utah Adventure
Never heard of Utah's George Washington Hayduke Route, have you? That's because it's brand new.Missouri Ozarks' Berryman Trail
Get away from the Ozarks crowd on the Berryman Trail.New Mexico's White Mountain Wilderness
High, cool peaks rise over 7,000 feet above the desert flats in New Mexico's White Mountain Wilderness.Beech Creek Natural Area
Oklahoma's own Tennessee awaits intrepid hikers.New York's Dix Mountain
These quiet summits feature the best views of New York's high Adirondacks.Texas: Lost Maples State Natural Area
Texas' Lost Maples has beautiful desert vistas -- and mountain lions.Virginia's Three Ridges
Hike this gorgeous, mountainous section of Virginia's Appalachian Trail.Landscapes of the Soul: Canada's Arctic
Like your first love, you never forget your initial visit to the Arctic.California's Carson-Iceberg Wilderness
Dark, volcanic mountains soaring along the Pacific Crest make for a forbidding wilderness perfect for U.S. Marines in training -- or solitude-seeking hikers.Editor's Choice: Wisconsin's Apostle Islands
Lake Superior's best coast lies on Wisconsin's Apostle Islands.Pennsylvania's Hickory Creek Wilderness
Hickory Creek Wilderness in the Allegheny National Forest remains a great hiking destination all year -- even in winter.Texas' Big Slough Wilderness
Texas' Big Slough is as wet as the Big Bend is dry.Utah' s Coyote Gulch
Go through the looking glass in Utah's canyon country.Oklahoma's Charons Gardens Wilderness
The bare rocks of Oklahoma's Charons Gardens will haunt and delight hikers.Editor's Choice: Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park
Bears electrify an already incredible experience at Glacier National Park's Bowman Lake.Pennsylvania's Thunder Swamp Trail
Hiking through wetlands in Pennsylvania? Believe it.Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness
Hiking Where The Tide Pools
To understand what goes on beneath the sea, find a rocky shoreline and explore awayNew Mexico's Pecos Wilderness
In New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness, it's just you and the bighorn sheep looking down on the world.Bay Area Spring Flings
Three Bay Area hikes that'll quickly make winter a distant memoryHoosier High Country's Uplifting Experience
You won't get a nosebleed on the Knobstone Trail, but you will get a taste of Hoosier high country.Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest
With all of the trail options in Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest, it's hard to pick just one.Alaska's Tongass: Take A Deep Breath
In Alaska's Tongass, the ancient trees have something to say...if you're willing to listen.Minnesota's Wild River State Park
Stomp and glide at Wild River State Park, where no snow monsters are allowed.Alaska's Tordrillo Mountains: High, Wild, and Unknown
The Tordrillo Mountains are so rugged, you'd swear you're the first human to set foot there.Solo Hiking Alaska: Fear Walked With Me
A once-in-a-lifetime solo hike through Lake Clark National Park, where the midnight sun shines like candlelight on the mountains.The Colors Of Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias
Wrangell-St. Elias National park is known for its jaw-dropping scenery, but there's just as much beauty at your feet.Alaska's Glaciers: Going With The Floes
When gently paddling amidst the mini-icebergs that grace Prince William Sound, you ponder one question: why walk?ANWR: Postcards From The Edge
Journey to Alaska's far northern edge, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where the midnight sun shines like candlelight on the mountains.Winter Hiking For Beginners
Extend the hiking season at these three destinations, all perfect for winter newbies.Winter Utah: Canyon Solitude
Think slickrock in July and your throat clenches, your skin shrivels, and parched bones rattle in your subconscious. But in winter, the snow sends the tourists and dry desert demons packing, and the frosted wonderland is all yours.Soar To New Hampshire's Pilot Range
When the White Mountains' hot spots get too hot, there's always the Pilot Range.Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail, Ohio
An Ohio trail that reclaimed land from the ore era.Afoot In Arizona's Apache Country
In the fortress-like Mazatzal Wilderness, you can barricade yourself in solitude.Katahdin In One Day
For some, reaching Maine's Mt. Katahdin is the end of a life-altering 2,100-mile pilgrimage. For others it's a lark. We captured the extremes, and a little bit of everything in between, one day atop Maine's "greatest mountain."Everglades: Hike Florida's River Of Grass
You don't need a canoe to reach some of the Everglades' best beachfront campsites.A Trail Of True Grit
The Ouachita Mountains sheltered outlaws and gave John Wayne something to crow about. But it's not until you hike the 223-mile Ouachita Trail that you realize this country is the stuff of legend.Canada's Appalachian Trail
Who says the Appalachian Trail has to stop in Maine? Certainly not some plucky Canadians, who're extending the long-trail concept 600 more miles into their homeland.A Walk In Oregon's Volcanic Park
Hiking through Oregon's Jefferson Park puts you in the heart of what was once some pretty hot country.Sheer Beauty: North Carolina's Linville Gorge
Drop off the lip of Linville Gorge into a world of rock escarpments, deep forests, and whitewater.Canada: The Land Of Plenty
Looking for a really wild time? Grab your passport and head to Canada, where the mountains are big, the views stretch beyond your imagination, and you can't fling a moose pellet without hitting some kind of wildlife.New England's Metacomet-Monadnock Trail
Panoramic ridge-hiking through New England.Juan Of A Kind: Vancouver's Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Vancouver's Juan de Fuca Marine Trail offers the best of both worlds in a challenging and surprising 29-mile ramble.Utah's Lonely Deseret Peak Wilderness
Deseret Peak Wilderness has everything the popular Wasatch Range does, except the crowds.California's Land Of "Thoughtful" Giants
Redwood Meadow's massive trees and wild countryside have changed little since Muir passed through 100 years ago.Colorado's Willow Creek Trail
Hike like a conquistador through Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains.Theodore Roosevelt's Badlands
Theodore Roosevelt ventured into the North Dakota Badlands an East Coast city Boy. After the land got through with him, he had the fortitude to run a nation and the insight to preserve more wildlands than anyone in history.Not Exactly Roughing It On Idaho's Salmon River Trail
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River Trail is a 100-mile-long backpacker's dream that comes complete with muscle-soothing waters and the occasional glass of wine with your four-course dinner.Elk On Pennsylvania's Quehanna Trail
There are plenty of Bambi's brethren along the Quehanna Trail-if you know where to look.Wisconsin's Blue Hills
Thank the Ice Age for the challenging hiking and incredible views you'll find in the Blue Hills.The Trail Less Traveled
Sometimes you have to go where the guidebooks haven't been, but watch your step.Yosemite: Treasure Of The Sierra
Forget what CNN and Your Daily News say about Yosemite's crowds and crime and traffic. the "treasure of the Sierra" is still a golden place for backpackers to escape.Be A Night Hiker
Tune up your senses and turn off the lights for a wild walk on the dark side.West Virginia Mountain Hobnobbing
Birds and deer are your only companions on this stretch of the Allegheny Trail.Washington's Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness
You'll find North Cascades beauty minus the rain in Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness.Hiker's Paradise: New Zealand
If you like stunning mountains, challenging trails, breathtaking scenery and warm temperatures in winter, New Zealand is your ticket to paradise. Just watch out for the thieving parrots.Yosemite On A Bad Day Is Still Good
Sometimes a place is so magnificent that it burns itself into your soul and overrides all sensation-even the urge to heave up your guts.Mt. Charleston Loop Trail, Nevada
Keep your cool on Nevada's Mt. Charleston Loop Trail.New Hampshire's Baldface Range
Baldface Range's icy swimming holes and heights will get any hiker worked up.South Carolina's Blue Ridge Scene Stealer
The 76-mile Foothills Trail takes in all of the Blue Ridge's scenic wonders.Life's Great (Continental) Divide
The Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park is a place of reckoning and, given its trackless nature, a place of choices. To a young man who came of age here, it offers perspective on paths not taken.Michigan's Manistee River Trail
Two trails, same river, two different worlds.Mt. Rainier National Park
A small taste of Washington's mighty mountain.Oregon's Columbia Wilderness Area
Waterfalls and old growth in this gorge-ous Oregon hideaway.Nine Wilderness Hero Hikes
Nine hikes as big as the hearts of their namesake wilderness visionaries.California's Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness
The best wildlife stronghold in California.California's Cottonwood Lakes
The trails are lonely and the trout are always biting in this Inyo National Forest hideaway.Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail
Great lake views in Minnesota's land of moose and wolves.Washington's Olympic Coast
Washington's rocky, log-strewn shore is no place for beach bums.A Blank Spot On The Map
We travel to New Mexico's Aldo Leopold Wilderness to understand the roots of the preservation movement and see just how far we've come.California's Sespe Wilderness
A roadless wonder in California's Los Padres Wilderness.Lassen Volcanic National Park
All the park is a stage for nature's steamy performance in Lassen Volcanic National Park.Go Now! The Wilderness Life List
The 10 once-in-a-lifetime adventures any backwoods fanatic should have under his hipbelt before hanging up the ol' pack.Colorado's West Elk Wilderness
There's elbow room to spare in this lofty hiker's haven.Colorado's Rawah Wilderness
A high country stunner that defines Colorado wilderness.Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Hiking Wisconsin's glacier-carved trail will set you back 12,000 years.Glacier Peak Wilderness
Tundra hiking in the shadow of Washington's ice-cloaked behemoth.Sangre De Cristo Wilderness
If the beauty of the Colorado Sangres doesn't leave you breathless, the altitude will.Utah's High Uintas Wilderness
Head south to find the quiet side of the King.California's Dardanelles
Wondrous lava formations in the Sierra's granite kingdom.Black Forest Trail, PA
A 42-mile loop through America's version of the Black Forest.Virginia's Massanutten Range
The 50-mile-long Massanutten range in Virginia may be D.C.'s top-secret hiking getaway.Desert Rat's Delight In Arizona
The East Cactus Plain Wilderness brims with life and solitude. Just don't forget the water.Illinois' Trail Of Two Rivers
On its way from the Ohio to the Mississippi, Illinois' new River to River Trail takes you through a surprisingly wild side of the Corn Belt.International Hikes: The World Awaits
Grab your passport and follow these 25 hikes where wild winds Blow, strange animals roam, and even the alpenglow adds to the adventure.Bear Mountain: NYC's Urban Antidote
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park is only an hour from Manhattan, but you'll feel like you're worlds away.Big Sur's Redwood Trees
If the redwoods don't wow you, there's always the world-class California coastline.North Carolina's Uwharrie Mountains
The ancient Uwharries have baffled geologists, but hikers know a good thing when they see it.Lone Star Hiking Trail, Texas
Smooth and easy hiking deep in the heart of Texas.Columbine Canyon Trail, New Mexico
Thirteen miles in the spectacular Sangre De Cristos.Grand Staircase-Escalante: The Last Best Place
Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante is huge, remote, controversial, and one of the finest destinations for backpackers in the Lower 48.New Hampshire's Kinsman Ridge Trail
Thrills and views by the minute on the Kinsman Ridge Trail.Colorado's Heavenly Holy Cross Wilderness
Wilderness doesn't get much better, or higher, than Holy Cross.No Excuse For Winter Hiking
It may be winter, but that's no reason to stop hiking.Goat Rocks Wilderness: A Real Eye-Popper
Some say Goat Rocks Wilderness has the best scenery along the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Decide for yourself.Canada's Wood Buffalo National Park
The bison are relics from the past, and the wolves know no fear. Welcome to Wood Buffalo National Park, where time stands still and the land shrugs off man's attempts to alter its primitive spirit.South Carolina's Blue Wall
South Carolina: A wealth of waterfalls and world-class swimming.Algonquin Provincial Park: Where The Wild Things Are
At the edge of the world, Canada's Algonquin Provincial Park offers a window to the past.Missouri's Hercules Glade
Quirky geology leads to even quirkier residents at Missouri's Hercules Glades.Resurrection Pass Trail, Alaska
In a land with few trails, Alaska's Resurrection Pass stands above them all.Twin Lakes Trail, Washington
Explore Washington's storied old-growth forests plus an authentic ghost town.Rocky Mountains, Defined
Exploring the wilder, uncrowded reaches of our highest national park.Heat Relief Up High
While the desert sizzles, Arizona's Kachina Peaks are cool and comfortable.Massachusetts' Mt. Greylock
A mysterious ravine, old-growth forest, and big climbs -- only at Mt. Greylock Reservation.Utah's High Uintas: 600 Miles Of Trail
Tackling the High Uintas Wilderness from the east offers big paybacks.Duncan Ridge Trail, Georgia
Get lost on Georgia's Duncan Ridge Trail.Virginia's Ramseys Draft Wilderness: Rugged And Remote
Challenge and a hint of risk are part and parcel in Ramseys Draft Wilderness.Hiking Forests Primeval
Fifteen trails that'll take you from flaming maples to towering redwoods, with plenty of shimmering aspen in between.San Gorgonio Wilderness: 2 Miles Above L.A.
Sierra scenery at L.A.'s backdoor.Mt. St. Helens: The Cataclysm and Beyond
A trek through the blast zone of a restless volcano raises questions about a father's legacy and a child's future.Night In A Whole New Light
Go out at night for a whole new look into wilderness.Tennessee's Arches
Big South Fork provides Utah-quality arches in Tennessee.Canada's Lewis and Clark: Alexander Mackenzie
When it came to continent crossing, the noted U.S. explorers were a step behind Canada's Alexander Mackenzie. And until you hike his namesake trail, you can't truly appreciate the toughness of his journey or the magnitude of his accomplishment.
