Boise, ID: Willow Creek
Payoffs are big on this remote 7.8-miler in the Smoky Mountains: No crowds, beautiful mountain views, and steamy hot springs.
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Idaho
Hiking and Backpacking Trips
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Spokane: Lookout Mountain to Fish LakeHike into the Bitterroots' untamed backcountry, with its plentiful moose and berries, on this 11-mile out-and-back to an exquisite lakeside campsite. Spokane: Mica Peak and Shasta ButteBag two peaks on this 12-mile out-and-back, with breathtaking views of Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and the surrounding mountains, lakes, and prairies. McCall, ID: Rapid RiverThis year-round route runs 6.9 miles along the astonishingly clear Rapid River through evergreen forests to campsites in the Hells Canyon region.
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Coeur d'Alene, ID: Bernard PeakAmazing vistas, lake views, lush singletrack, and technical challenges make this one of the showcase rides of the Farragut State Park bike network. Kent Lake and WigwamsThis is an off-trail route that follows a high ridge to a remote alpine lake.
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Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Grab Steep ThrillsSki remote winter terrain—and have the most winter fun. 
Ultimate Adventure HandbookTired 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. 
Readers' Choice 2012: Top 3 - Mountain West HikesThis region's top contestant in our Be a Mapper contest reveals his favorite off-the-beaten-path routes through canyon country and mountain refuges. |
America's Best Backcountry Ski ToursUpgrade your winter fun at these 8 beginner-friendly, expert-ready spots. Online Exclusive: Readers' Choice 2012: Travis Lesicka's Wildlife Sighting TipsThis region's top contestant in our Be a Mapper contest reveals his wildlife sighting tips. 
A Piece of QuietAmerica’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. |
BACKPACKER: Live From The TetonsPhotographic evidence of our intrepid blogger getting out from under his desk to hike, bike, and flyfish in Grand Targhee on the west side of the Tetons. 
Most Remote Wilderness in the U.S.For September's "Destination Nowhere" Mark Jenkins explores the most remote wilderness location in the continental United States–a secret spot in Yellowstone. See his photos here. 
The CDT Project209 BACKPACKER readers were dispatched to GPS map the CDT & they sent along some amazing photographs. |
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 3On his third day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton finally finds a potential way home. But fear, exhaustion, and an incoming winter snowstorm threaten to derail his progress. 
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 2On his second day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton battles cold temperatures, conflicting routes, and the onset of genuine fear. 
The CDT Project: WildlifeBig and small, the Backpacker teams spotted a variety of wildlife along the CDT |
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Photos + Videos
Packing for a Backcountry Ski DayKristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing. |
Adjust Your Pack Straps on the TrailMaximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments. |
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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.
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.
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.
Green Guide
A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.
