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.
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South Dakota
Hiking and Backpacking Trips
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Rapid City: Harney PeakBackpack 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. Badlands National Park: Sage Creek Wilderness AreaThis 22-mile backcountry route weaves through pinnacled formations, serpentine washes, and expansive grasslands in Badlands National Park's Sage Creek Wilderness Area.
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Readers' Choice: SoutheastYour favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the southeast. 
Trip Finder: Great PlainsYour favorite Great Plains hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips. Our Backyard: Black Hills National ForestExplore the wildest corner of the Great Plains. |
Readers' Choice: Great PlainsYour favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the Great Plains states. Secret Hikes: BadlandsEver dreamed of exploring another planet? Hike here. 
Secret Hikes of the National ParksThe perfect dozen: Embark on one of these 12 treks, and turn America's most iconic preserves into your own private paradise. |
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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.
South Dakota
Courtesy of South Dakota Tourism
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Badlands National Park: Castle-Medicine Root Loop Rapid City: Harney Peak Badlands National Park: Sage Creek Wilderness Area |
International Travel
From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.
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A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.
