| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
all hikes
Grand Rapids, MI: Hall Lake Trail
Inspire your inner thru-hiker on this easy 2-miler in Yankee Springs Recreation Area that samples the North Country Trail with a climb to a glacier-formed depression.
Grand Rapids, MI: Manistee River Loop
Explore the cedar groves and 100-year-old white pines in the Manistee River Valley on this 22-mile overnight.
Manistee River loop w/NCT
This is a scenic but suprisingly easy hike that skirts the river in the Manistee National Forest. A new footbridge across the river allows hikers to combine the trail with a segment of the North Country Trail to form a 20-mile loop and one of the best backpacking adventures in the Lower Peninsula.
Minneapolis: North Country Trail Marengo Section
Spot bald eagles from the overlooks along this rarely crowded 5.2-mile stretch of the North Country Trail in northern Wisconsin's Marengo Semi-Primitive Area. The route also makes a great snowshoe hike.
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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.
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.
