Mt
Whether you want an uncrowded hike in Zion National Park or a five-miler through a gypsum dune field in New Mexico, our scouts have paved the way.
Our trail scouts' top local hikes
Our trail scouts' top local hikes
Our trail scouts' top local hikes
Our trail scouts' top local hikes
Our trail scouts' top local hikes
Our trail scouts' top local hikes
Bookmark this page for ongoing updates about our 2013 expedition benefiting at-risk urban teens.
Explore the west coast in a whole new way with these five summer hikes.
Experience the east in a new way this summer with hikes that each offer a special glimpse of what the east coast has to offer.
Looking to relax this summer? These central hikes offer beautiful lakes, great views, and a breath of fresh air.
The following is adapted from Northwest editor Michael Lanzas new book, Before Theyre Gone: A Familys Year-Long Quest to Explore Americas Most Endangered National Parks ($24.95, beacon.org, TheBigOutside.com).
Empty White Mountain summits. Tourist-free Yellowstone geysers. Rarely hiked Yosemite ridges. Rangers, guidebook writers, outfitters, and ultra-hikers dish their favorite routes for the first time.
Trek to a lofty, iconic basecamp on Rainier's snowy slopes.
See scores of wildflowers, waterfalls, and peaks.
Explore Mt. Rainier from nearly every angle on this hike from Fryingpan Creek to Mowich Lake. The classic route tags the subalpine meadows of Summerland, crests 5,000-foot Cowlitz Divide, and links dozens of crystalline lakes and waterfalls.
We mapped nearly 300 miles of trail to bring you the only resource you'll need to jump-start your adventures in this premier park.
Upgrade your winter fun at these 8 beginner-friendly, expert-ready spots.
Our prolific map contributor has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and notched more than 90 bag nights while scouting routes for BACKPACKER.
America’s leading advocate of wilderness silence shows the way to Mt. Rainier National Park’s quietest corner. Plus: 9 more campsites with life-list listening.
Tryout tips from a Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. Veteran
Can you ever really have too much of a good thing? Once you've seen the biggest tree, largest glacier, and deepest canyon, nothing else compares.
Discover real wilderness just two hours from Portland.
See scores of stunning images from the Grand Canyon, Denali, Yosemite, and more.
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.
Find the best skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter camping trips in the U.S.
Circumnavigate the West's most majestic mountain.
Bag a little-known triple crown in New England's northern woods.
This challenging climb on Mt. Rainier gains almost 2,000 feet per mile.
Catch the best views in the nation's marquee parks from the comfort of your computer. Prepare to drool...now.
Fly these classic hikes in 3D with our guided tours.
It's not the smallest peak in the Smokies, but spend a night on its summit (no tent required), and you'll agree it's the finest.
From secret spots to the perfect campsites, this insider's guide has the goods on the Smokies.
A unique route linking historic homesteads yields an exciting Smokies adventure for hikers and history buffs alike.
From the best guiding service to ultimate summit routes, Washington's highest peak is still the greatest.
Marcus Woolf explores history and wilderness during a six-day trip through the Smokies.
Three generations of American mountaineering royalty discuss their sport, their fears, and their new mission: design great gear.
Climb the Lower 48's highest peak on a route with all of the thrills but none of the crowds.
Denver teacher Mike Haugen sets a new state summits speed record–fifty state highpoints in less than 50 days!
Drowning in beauty
Will my vacation to a national park help them?
Only an hour from Seattle, this Cascades gem offers killer Rainier views.
Trek the best spring blooms from the Ozarks to the Olympics with these two, three, and four day treks.
Check out the steepest trail, the best swimming hole, and the wildest vista in America's most popular national park.
Our map team has been hard at work plotting the coolest hikes. Check out May's selections here.
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in North Carolina.
Waterfalls and swimming holes aplenty.
There are scads of bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- so don't forget these tips.
Here's your insider's guide to The Great Smokies, probably the epitome of a true backpacker's national park.
In a park full of natural wonder, the route to Maddron Bald hits the high points.
It's not complete, but North Carolina's Mountains To Sea trail rivals Inman's journey in "Cold Mountain."
