all hikes

Badlands National Park: Pinnacles Overlook

Although short, this popular 0.2-mile trail to Pinnacles Overlook offers big views of Badlands National Park's iconic rock formations.

Badlands National Park: Sage Creek Wilderness Area

This 22-mile backcountry route weaves through pinnacled formations, serpentine washes, and expansive grasslands in Badlands National Park's Sage Creek Wilderness Area.

Custer State Park, SD: Little Devils Tower

Scramble up Little Devils Tower on this 3-mile out-and-back that climbs 600 feet to otherworldly views of the Cathedral Spires and South Dakota’s highest peak.

Rapid City: Harney Peak

Backpack under tall Ponderosa pines to the highest peak east of the Rockies then continue to a landscape littered with needle-nose spires on this isolated 6.8-mile loop.

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Photos + Videos

Editors' Choice 2012: Feathered Friends Spoonbill Sleeping Bag A cozy bag for two	Editors' Choice 2012: Hungry Hikers Murray's Hurried Curry Beat the backcountry blahs with this aromatic curry dish

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.

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: Grand Canyon National Park

Surprise: This park's busy corridor trails offer a fast track to a private slice of heaven.

Secret Hikes: Grand Teton National Park

Rise above the crowds and earn solo views of elk, wildflowers, and summit sunsets.

International Travel

From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad. Powered by:

Navigation Center

Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.

BACKPACKER's Free Smartphone GPS App

Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.

Backpacker Expeditions

Backpacker Expeditions will challenge your outdoor fortitude and indulge your passion for discovery. Powered by:

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