Columbus Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Trips

Columbus, OH: Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Roam wild hollows and hills to cozy campsites strewn with pine needles on this little-known 15.2-mile loop in Wayne National Forest.

Columbus, OH: Old Mans Cave Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This beautiful 5.1-mile loop in Hocking Hills State Park runs along a tight sandstone gorge to waterfalls, caves, and funky rock formations.

Columbus: Scioto Trail State Forest Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This 11.2-mile loop traces an old Shawnee trail over ragged foothills, across view-laden ridges, and into quiet, wooded hollows with darting streams.

Columbus, OH: North Zaleski Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Dare to hike here: On his 18.4-mile overnight, you'll pass vacant mines and farms to enter land allegedly guarded by a ghostly brakeman.

Columbus: Clifton Gorge

BACKPACKER Review
Watch the Little Miami River transform from calm to violent in a deep limestone chasm on this 5.2-mile dayhike in John Bryan State Park.

Columbus: Scioto Trail State Forest Loop

BACKPACKER Review
This 11.2-mile loop traces an old Shawnee trail over ragged foothills, across view-laden ridges, and into quiet, wooded hollows with darting streams.

Columbus, OH: Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail

Roam wild hollows and hills to cozy campsites strewn with pine needles on this little-known 15.2-mile loop in Wayne National Forest.

Columbus, OH: Scioto River Valley

Running 105-miles across Ohio’s central plateau, the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) is one of America’s longest running cycling tours--and one of the flattest.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

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.