Hawaii
Go ahead, look again. And again. These images are worth a third, fourth, and then a tenth gaze.
See Yosemite's river of ice, witness there-and-gone meteor showers in Hawaii, and mark your calendar for eight more fleeting natural wonders.
See shooting stars from a five-star backcountry observatory.
Your favorite western hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the west.
Hike to the world's best tropical campsite, see elephant seals, and trek through poppies. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
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.
The world's prettiest shoreline, giant pines, and Yosemite's premier view.
Hike Hawaii's all-world coast to a secluded beach.
Explore lonely alpine scenery in this off-the-radar wilderness.
Trek 211 miles through hiker heaven.
Take a lightly trafficked trail into the word's biggest grove.
Bag a granite peak with big views and small crowds.
Get a highlights tour of the High Sierra backcountry.
Hawaii's Nakalele blowhole rivals Old Faithful. Plus: Trek to Oregon's salmon run and California's wine country.
Get sprayed by an oceanic geyser. Erupting every few minutes under perfect conditions, this is a natural wonder you can't miss.
Time to cool down. Hike to these refreshing swimming holes and settle right into summer.
Take your pick of mountains, rainforests, deserts, or the ocean–or experience all four zones in a single day–one advantage of living the outdoor dream along the west coast of America.
Discover the best hike in every state, as voted by BACKPACKER readers. Plus: your essential gear, most desirable tentmate, worst-ever adventure movie, and our picks for the best reader-submitted photos.
Plunge from rainforest to caldera in Hawaii's famously explosive national park
Like your life and limbs intact? Then you'd better get skilled before visiting these trails.
Killer coastline
Head to Hawaii for three of the tallest
Track the sun on these 2-4 day trips in the Southeast, Southwest, and Hawaii
Whether you are after fishing holes or skinny-dipping, Backpacker tracked down the best campsites in the country
Explore burial effigies, seven-foot petroglyphs, and images etched in lava as you discover the ultimate mix of manmade and natural beauty.
Your car does all the climbing here.
See Hawaii's humpbacks in late winter
Use your backpacking skills at the best surfing, climbing, trail running, and even paragliding spots
Come to this tropical oasis for great weather, an array of fruit and some great swimming.
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Hawaii.
