| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
all hikes
A Day in the Jug up Salome Creek
The Jug is a neat little canyon carved into granite by Salome Creek. This one is hardly a hike, it's much more of a swim. :) Be warned, you will either need to do a 40 foot rappel or you will need to do a 40 foot jump.
Acadia National Park: Cadillac Mountain Loop
Take in craggy seaside views from the summit of 1,532-foot Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic coast, on this 4.4-mile loop.
Acadia National Park: Sargent Mountain
Ascend Acadia's second tallest peak on this 4-miler, which features panoramas that stretch from rocky coastal shores to a distant blue Atlantic horizon.
Adirondack Park: St. Regis Mountain
Avoid hiking crowds by paddling to a secret trailhead, where you'll also admire old Adirondack camps on this 8.6-mile paddle-hike combo in Adirondack Park.
Albany: Tongue Mountain Loop
This strenuous 11.7-mile loop hops three peaks to outstanding views in the Tongue Mountain Range, then returns along the gorgeous shoreline of Northwest Bay.
Albuquerque: Gila Loop
Lush river canyons meet high desert mesas on this 23.7-mile, 3-day loop in the Gila Wilderness.
Anchorage: Little Coal Creek
Taste Alaskan wilderness without the national park crowds on this 4.2-mile dayhike. Or continue hiking up to 36 additional miles for an extra-long day, an overnight, or a weekend.
Anchorage: Primrose Trail
This old mining trail offers a 6-mile out-and-back on the shaggy, rugged Kenai Peninsula.
Arches National Park: Eye of the Whale Loop
Find solitude in a geological playground of narrow canyons and pristine red sandstone arches on this rarely visited 4.5-mile loop.
Assateague National Seashore: Park Loop
Watch wild ponies trot by the seashore on this 11.1-mile loop along a unique barrier island. Bring a bucket and hunt for clams on the isle's massive, undeveloped beaches.
Atlanta: AT-Benton MacKaye Loop
Sample two long paths on a 5.8-mile figure-8 loop through hemlock groves and along churning creeks to an AT shelter in Chattahoochee National Forest.
Atlanta: Dockery Lake Trail
Walk 6.8 miles out and back on a rocky singletrack path into an intimate ravine streaming with cold, blue mountain waters. The hike ends at a quiet Appalachian high point.
Atlanta: Gahuti Backcountry Trail
This moderate 7.9-mile loop descends into lush tunnels of rhododendron, then rises to lofty views of endless forest in Fort Mountain State Park.
Atlanta: Keys Branch (kids' hike)
Go ahead, kids: Skip over creeks. Play in the mud. Catch bugs. This easy hike crams lots of wild fun into 3.4 miles.
Atlanta: Miller Trek Trail
This moderate 6.5-mile loop climbs through an open oak forest, reaches nearly 3,000 feet, and pays off with expansive views of distant ridgelines.
Atlanta: Mountaintown Creek Trail
Camp near an idyllic mountain stream on this 11-mile out-and-back into a deep, remote gorge scoured by small waterfalls in Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness.
Atlanta: Red & White Blaze Loop
Visit Georgia's Little Grand Canyon on this 6.7-mile loop to backcountry shelters and geologic wonders in Providence Canyon State Park.
Atlanta: Tesnatee Gap
Traverse a dramatic high ridge via 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail, ending at thru-hiker hangout Walasi-Yi Center.
Austin: Enchanted Rock
This 6.4-mile loop circles the best scenery in Texas Hill Country: amazing pink rock formations, picturesque ponds, and a giant granite dome.
Austin: Lost Pines Hiking Trail
This 7-mile circuit offers a Texas treasure: a chance to hike and camp under an isolated stand of loblolly pines where countless birds nest and sing. Bring a bird ID book.
Ballona Creek
The Ballona Wetlands Ecosystem is the last open space of nature in the Los Angeles basin. Ballona (and Centinela creek) before they reach the preserved 600-acre Ballona Ecological Reserve and the Santa Monica Bay are not only ecologically important; but it is financially viable for local government to maintain.
Baltimore: Cascade Falls
Hike, bike, or snowshoe this 3.1-mile loop to pioneer ruins and a relaxing waterfall in Patapsco State Park, a short drive from downtown.
Big Bend National Park: Outer Loop Trail
From the Chisos Mountains to the Chihuahuan Desert, this 3- or 4-day hike samples it all.
Big Bend National Park: South Rim Loop
Explore one of the Lower 48's last remaining wild corners on this 11.6-mile loop from the High Chisos Mountains to the South Rim escarpment.
Birmingham, AL: Nubbin Creek
This 4.8-mile hike zigs along photogenic Mill Shoal Creek and leads to scenic, out-of-the-way waterfalls in Talladega National Forest.
Birmingham: Desoto Scout Trail
This easy 3.4-mile dayhike skirts the swift waters of the Little River, then gently climbs to clifftop views of a deep river canyon in DeSoto State Park.
Birmingham: Foothill-Double Oak Loop
Stroll through a tableau of pine-studded foothills past a secluded lake, then climb to a steep saddle on this 7.5-mile loop in Oak Mountain State Park.
Boise: Sleeping Deer to Mid-Salmon River Loop
Set aside a long weekend for great fishing on this 32.4-mile loop in the remote Salmon River Mountains, where crystal waters attract elk, moose, and bears.
Boston: Mountain Trail
This gentle 4.8-mile climb strings through the thick woods of Pawtuckaway State Park to a fire tower lookout with four-star mountaintop views.
Boston: Mt. Moosilauke
This 7.3-mile loop hike takes you up a steep, rocky trail to an exposed, treeless summit that's the southwesternmost high peak in the White Mountains, and one of the prettiest.
Boston: Wachusett Mountain Loop
This 5.8-mile loop takes you through a 400-year-old forest to summit the highest Bay State peak east of the Berkshires.
Bozeman: Blue Lake Trail
Camp near an alpine lake beneath the fabled crags of the Crazy Mountains and watch frothing streams tumble over multiple falls on this 9.6-mile overnight.
Bozeman: Emerald Lake
Pass a handful of big canyon waterfalls on your way up to an alpine lake with jaw-dropping views on this 9.4-mile out-and-back in Gallatin National Forest.
Bozeman: Potosi Peak Loop
A stout, 15.4-mile off-trail loop to a handful of peaks in the Tobacco Roots finishes off at steamy hot springs perfect for relaxing sore muscles.
Bryce Canyon National Park: Fairyland Loop
This 8-mile trail is arguably the most scenic dayhike in Bryce Canyon, and is less-trafficked than other dayhike loops.
Buffalo: Genesse Gorge Loop
Nestled deep along Genesee Falls, this 6.5-mile reverse-lasso loop overlooks New York's "Grand Canyon" in Letchworth State Park.
Burlington: Camels Hump
This 6.1-mile hike in the Green Mountains leads to a plane-crash site, crosses a rare alpine zone, and ends up on the state’s third-highest peak.
Butterfield Hiking Trail
Butterfield Hiking Trail is a 14.5 mile loop trail in the state of Arkansas. Half in State Park, half Ozark National Forest. Located at N 35.74728 and W -94.27686.
Canyonlands National Park: Elephant Hill to Squaw Flat Camp
Miles from anywhere, this 5.3-mile dayhike slides over sandstone mounds, into a shallow canyon, and under orange spires in the Needles District.
Charleston: High Ground Loop
This is literally one for the birds. Take a hike along a waterfowl-rich marsh on this 8-miler through Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Charleston: Palmetto Trail (Awendaw Connector)
This 9.8-mile out-and-back strolls through sandy pine and oak forest, and across tidal creeks to stunning coastal views in Francis Marion National Forest.
Charleston: Palmetto Trail (Swamp Fox Passage)
This leisurely 8.2-mile out-and-back meanders through the low-country forests and cypress swamps of Francis Marion National Forest.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP: Billy Goat Trail-Towpath Loop
Revisit the early shipping days of the Potomac Valley on a 5.6-mile circuit of this 155-year-old route. Along the way, marvel at the East's steepest, most spectacular fall-line rapid.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP: Swains Lock to Violettes Lock
Hike or bike 11.6 out-and-back miles on an old mule path to views of the Potomac and historical relics. A flat profile makes this trip suitable for young hikers.
Cheyenne: Savage Run Trail
This 12.4-mile out-and-back is in country so wild, so remote, and so loaded with wildlife not even locals know much about this wilderness in the corner of Medicine Bow National Forest.
Cheyenne: Vedauwoo Loop
This 5.1-mile route leads to a majestic set of granite domes, crags, pinnacles, and chimneys shaped by constant winds from the Medicine Bow Range.
Chicago, IL - Hickory Grove Forest Preserve
Hickory Grove Conservation Area/Lyon's Prarie & Marsh
Chicago, IL: Starved Rock Trail
This beautiful 4.3-mile loop adjacent to the Illinois River adds welcome relief--waterfalls, sculpted sandstone canyons, and impressive overlooks--to the usually pancake-flat landscape.
Chicago: Buffalo Creek Loop
Hike or run in an undeveloped pocket of restored prairie and wooded glades on this 4.1-miler through Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve.
Chicago: Daves Loop
Venture into mosaic of woodlands, prairies, and glacial moraines on this 4-mile trek through a local forest preserve.
Chicago: Glacial Park Conservation Area
This 4.1-mile hike exposes the wilder side of northern Illinois, an untouched 3,000-acre tract filled with wildlife and a gravel cone formed by an ancient stream.
Chicago: Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy
Take a leisurely, 3.6-mile stroll to the more remote northern shore of Wisconsin's Lake Geneva, and discover a quiet, intimate, photogenic retreat.
Chicago: Prairie Wetlands Loop
Escape the land of skyscrapers on this 3.6-mile, fi gure-8 circuit where wildlife-rich wetlands mix with undulating meadows and forested tracts.
Chicago: Waterfall Glen
This preserve offers plenty of big city escape. Shady forests, gentle waterfalls, and a lofty vista over the Des Plaines River are just a few stops along this 10.1-mile multi-use loop.
Cincinnati: E Trail
This 8.4-mile out-and-back--just 10 minutes from downtown--connects a handful of wooded hills and stream-carved valleys in Mt. Airy Forest.
Cincinnati: Redwing Trail Loop
Flowers? Check. Wildlife? Yep. Good trails? You bet. This easy loop in Rowe Woods packs a lot in 4.9 miles, and it’s just a short drive from the I-275 loop.
Cleveland Natl Forest.
Cleveland National Forest is comprised of 3 segments administered as ranger districts. The Forest extends from within 5 miles of the border with Mexico and northward approximately 130 miles to Orange and Riverside counties.
Cleveland, OH: Hemlock Gorge to Lyons Falls
This 9-mile out-and-back slices across Mohican State Park along a 300-foot deep sandstone gorge to the launch pads of two impressive waterfalls.
Cleveland, OH: Tappan Lake Loop
Walk among beech and pine on this easy 3.6-mile hike to views of the 2,350-acre reservoir. Bring your swimsuit.
Colorado 14ers: Capitol Peak
Rocky scrambles and a knife-edge ridge lead up one of the most challenging Fourteeners. Stellar views over the untamed
Colorado Springs: Mosca Pass
This 6.8-mile hike leads through old Indian country and past views of Great Sand Dunes and a sacred Navajo peak to a historic pass traveled by settlers.
Columbus, OH: North Zaleski Loop
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: Ridge-Creekside Loop
This 5-mile circuit hike offers rugged cliffs, gentle creeks, and the chance to see dozens of the 900-plus species within Clear Creek Metro Park.
Columbus: Scioto Trail State Forest Loop
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.
Concord: Mt. Flume via Flume Slide Trail
Hike through Franconia Notch State Park's legendary birch forest before scrambling up the steep, polished, granite slabs of Mt. Flume on this 8.4-miler.
Cumberland Gap National Historic Park: White Rocks Hike
Hike 8.2 miles on steep singletrack paths to rock overhangs where raptors soar, then onward to Sand Cave, a giant rock feature sculpted by wind and rain.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park: Wilderness Road Trail
Follow Daniel Boone's intrepid bootsteps westward over silent ground carpeted with ferns and history on this 9-mile figure-eight over the recently restored Gap.
Dallas: Bonham State Park Loop
This gentle 4.8-mile loop rolls through Texas woods and grasslands to a breezy lakeshore.
Dallas: Coyote Run
Discover the river gullies, wildlife, and floral delights of Cooper Lake State Park on this winding 4.7-mile lollipop loop through a towering hardwood forest.
Dallas: Ray Roberts Greenbelt Hike
Only 30 minutes from downtown, this 7.4-mile out- and-back runs a shady corridor of bottomland hard- woods teeming with deer, armadillos, and songbirds.
Denver: Antelope Trail to Nelson Loop
Rolling forestland and endless grassy meadows provide abundant habitat for mule dear, wild turkeys, and other wildlife on this 6.8-miler to an old ranch in the shadow of Longs Peak.
Denver: Betasso Preserve Loop
This 5.2-mile trail kicks off with a short albeit aggressive climb, then rambles through meadows that explode with wildflowers in the summer. Craggy mountain vistas abound.
Denver: Boulder Skyline
Bag three peaks and bird's-eye views of Boulder on this tour of the Flatirons. Bring a few extra energy bars: This out-and-back gains 5,000 feet in 11 miles.
Denver: Devils Thumb Loop
Bag two peaks on this 9-mile, fido-friendly loop around Boulder's signature Flatirons.
Denver: Meyers Homestead Trail
Cruise 5.2 miles along gentle foothills, Ireland-esque pastures, and past an old sawmill to a vista overlooking Boulder Canyon and the Front Range.
Denver: South Boulder Creek to Rogers Pass
A 1,900-foot gain in 2 miles rewards with stellar views of James Peak on this 6.6-mile round-trip hike beneath the Continental Divide.
Des Moines: Cedar River Greenbelt Trail
Hear the deep calls of trumpeter swans on this 7.8-mile hike along a wild river corridor to limestone cliffs, prairies, and wooded hills where coyotes, deer, and turkey roam.
Des Moines: North Skunk River
Believe us: Nothing stinks about this place. This 5-mile out-and-back along the greenbelt of the North Skunk River is teaming with wildlife and migrating waterfowl.
Devil's Pass Trail, Alaska
Long day hike, awesome overnight hike up to Devil's pass. It's 10.2 miles to the cabin, which makes for a 20.4 mile round trip. It takes you down to an beaver dam area that is full of squito's and then up a little valley till you get above the tree line.
Duluth, MN: Brower Trail
Hike along the headwaters of the Mississippi River, where old-growth pines, loons, and a long lake add punch to this mellow 7.8-miler in Itasca State Park.
Fire Island National Seashore: Sunken Forest
See centuries-old endangered trees in one of the Eastern seaboard's last remaining maritime forests on this 6.2-mile out-and-back across a diverse barrier island.
Gary, IN: Shoreline to Ridge Hollow Loop
Loop 5.7 miles into shaded hollows and up the highest dunes on Lake Michigan's southern shore in Indiana Dunes State Park.
George T Bagby State Park
If you like to both hike and paddle, you will enjoy this 5.14 mile combination trail. Situated along the shores of beautiful Lake Walter F George in southwest Georgia, you will experience the tranquility of a liesurely paddle, and a quiet walk through nature. Bordering the shores of Alabama & Georgia, the 48,000-acre Lake Walter F. George (lake Eufala as it is called by locals in Alabama) is a popular destination for hiking, bird watching, fishing and water sports. This resort park has a 60-room lodge, conference center, restaurant, cottages and a 18-hole golf course. The park's marina and boat ramp offer easy access for fishing and boating. The picnic shelters and picnic sites are great places for families to enjoy their catch. Visitors may also observe a wide variety ofwildlife along the lake's shores, as well as along the 3-mile nature trail, which winds through hardwoods and pines. The lake was named for a United States Senator from Georgia, and is formed by the Chattahoochee River along the border between Alabama and Georgia. The lake stretches north from the Walter F. George Lock and Dam in Fort Gaines, and provides 640 miles of shoreline. So come on down to George T Bagby State Park, and enjoy a day hke, a paddle along the shores, and maybe you also will come away with memories to last a lifetime. Directions: 3.5 miles north of Fort Gaines off GA Hwy. 39.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Cha Canyon
This narrow sandstone wonderland is a gateway to unlimited off-the-grid backpacking near Navajo Mountain.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Clear Creek Canyon to Cathedral in the Desert
Stand below a giant sandstone altar recently revealed by the receding waters of Lake Powell on this 4-mile hike.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Coyote Gulch via Crack in the Wall
Explore a network of canyons full of outlandish slots and arches from a primo weekend basecamp.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Davis Gulch
Discover arches, rock art, and clues to the mystery of Everett Ruess on a 16-mile hike along the Escalante River.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Driftwood Canyon
This 300-foot narrow closes out the sky as it twists and turns for 4.1 miles. Rope recommended.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Explorer Canyon
Venture into the lost world of the ancient Fremont people where smoke-stained grottos and some of the finest petroglyphs around highlight this 4-mile journey.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Klondike Trail
Follow this newly revealed 1-mile prospectors' route to a bonanza of slickrock panoramas. Camp near the rim to catch sunset over Navajo Mountain.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Llewellyn Gulch Via Lake Powell
Explore the thin redrock hallways and rocky waterslides of a twisty gulch on this ambitious 11.2-mile paddle-hike.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Llewellyn Loop
Pioneer your own loop across virtually unknown, once-submerged benches on this 3-day, 17.3-mile cross-country trek following a remote route coveted by canyon junkies.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Mocqui Canyon
A lush 8.2-mile ramble past thousand-year-old Ancestral Pueblo ruins and find great camping underneath massive alcoves.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Mocqui Canyon via Lake Powell
This 6.7-mile journey ventures deep into the ancestral home of Pueblo cliff dwellers where you'll camp in a living museum beneath long-lost, centuries-old ruins.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Mountain Sheep Canyon
This slot is one of the best--full of scrambles, pools, and chockstones. Bring a rope.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Oak Canyon
Find tranquility and seclusion on this 7.2-mile paddle-hike trip to a lonesome campsite.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Stand under the world's largest free-standing natural arch, a longtime icon in American exploration and Native American religion.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Smith Fork
Hike 8.4 miles into an ecological orgy where the reservoir once ruled and now slot canyons open with new energy.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Smith Fork via Lake Powell
This 13-miler starts with a paddle through a canal of sandstone then encounters multiple stellar slot canyons once used as Anasazi travel routes.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Ticaboo Creek
This hike explores a network of canyon forks anchored by scenic and isolated camping and reliable water sources in central Ticaboo Creek.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Twilight Canyon
Experience a hands-on journey to the center of the earth on this 3-day, 29-mile trek through a slot canyon fantasyland.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Twilight Canyon via Lake Powell
Experience a hands-on journey to the center of the earth on this 13.6-mile trek into a supreme slot canyon.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Wetherill Canyon
Squeeze through 10.4 miles of sheer-walled sandstone passages.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Willow Gulch
This 10.6-mile trek into a meandering fantasyland visits Broken Bow Arch, the second largest natural span in North America. Pack a lightweight raft to explore downstream.
Grand Junction: Flume Creek
This 17.2-mile hike strings together two monster canyons with a hardy bushwhack across red-rock backcountry.
Grand Junction: Flume Creek-Pollock Creek Canyons
This 17.2-mile hike strings together two monster canyons with a hardy bushwhack across red-rock backcountry.
Grand Rapids: Big Sable Point
Climb to a historic lighthouse and spot a mysterious shipwreck in Lake Michigan on this 4.3-mile loop in Ludington State Park.
Grand Rapids: Saugatuck Dunes South Loop
Escape to a secluded strip of rippling dunes on this 5.2-miler, which rewards your efforts with panora- mas from high above Lake Michigan.
Grand Rapids: Saugatuck Dunes South Loop
Escape to a secluded strip of rippling dunes on this 5.2-miler, which rewards your efforts with panora- mas from high above Lake Michigan.
Grand Teton National Park: Garnet Canyon Trail
The standard approach for GT climbers, this 6.5-mile, 5,000-foot trek to the Lower Saddle yields divine views.
Great Sand Dunes National Park: Star Dune Loop
Ascend North America's tallest dunes for a day surrounded by alpine peaks, a desert valley, and shifting mountains of sand on this 6.6-mile loop in America's newest national park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Deep Creek Loop Trail
This moderate 5.5-mile loop on the eastern boundary of the Smokies combines stellar woodland hiking with superb waterfall exploration.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Snake Den Ridge Trail
Rising 2,500-plus feet over 4.6 miles, this strenuous trail zigzags through hemlock and rhododendron to a pair of exposed ridges with long Appalachian views.
Greenville: Raven Cliff Falls Loop
This 7.7-mile lollipop loop through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness leads to Raven Cliff Falls, arguably South Carolina's most famous waterfall.
Hickory Grove
Hickory Grove Forest Preserve MCCD
Hot Springs National Park: Sunset Trail Loop
Traverse the secluded ridgelines of the "Valley of Vapors" on this 12.4-mile loop through America's oldest National Park Service site.
Houston: Four C Trail
Cross rolling hills and recovering woodlands on this 13.4-mile, one-way backpacking trip through a sweet slice of East Texas wilderness.
Houston: Richards Loop
Best in the cooler months, this easy 6.4-mile hike links creeks, rolling hills, and woodlands in Sam Houston National Forest.
Indian Peaks Wilderness: Camp Dick to Red Deer Lake
Hike into the core of Indian Peaks Wilderness on this 13.6-mile overnight, which leads past waterfalls to a sunbleached valley and a sweet lakeside campsite.
Indianapolis: Dubois Ridge
Hike over contoured hills into the quite wilderness filled with deer, wild turkey, and roughed grouse on this 8.6-mile loop. In spring, scavenge for morel mushrooms.
Indianapolis: Sycamore Loop
This 6.1-mile loop wanders into Indiana's only wilderness area, Charles C. Deam Wilderness, along an exceptional ridgeline to the sometimes-dry Sycamore Branch Creek
Isle Royale National Park: McCargoe Cove to Rock Harbor
Camp on sandy beaches, explore untouched forests, and listen to gray wolves howl on this 16.2-mile hike on an isolated island in Lake Superior.
Itasca State Park 8/1/2006
My Family and I traveled home to Minnesota this summer, and we hit up a few of the spots where we used to camp when I was young. This trip was recorded at Itasca State Park. This is where the Headwaters of the Mississippi are.
I had a great time on this trip. If you go, you can be as extreme, or as chill as you want. I did a little hiking, a little biking, and had a lot of fun.
Joshua Tree National Park: Warren Peak via Black Rock
Escape the hot-air desert floor by bagging two breezy peaks with outstanding views on this 5.8-mile out-and-back hike.
Kenai Fjords National Park: Harding Icefield Trail
Get a front row seat of retreating glaciers on this challenging 8-mile out-and-back to the Harding Icefield. No crampons or ice axes are needed during the summer hiking months.
Kings Canyon National Park: Bullfrog Lake Overlook via Kearsarge Pass
Trek along a series of High Sierra lakes nestled in sculpted granite basins below towering alpine peaks on this 11.6-mile out-and-back.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
I'll add more later
Kitching Creek Trail
Kitching Creek Trail is a short 1.5 mile loop located in the Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hope Sound, Florida. Beginning from the northeast corner of the main parking lot, hikers may hike this trail in conjunction with Wilson Creek Trail; the two form a figure eight.
Knoxville: Twin Arches Loop
This 4.8-mile loop ranks as one of the best dayhikes on the Cumberland Plateau, thanks to whitewater cascades, giant twin arches, and a rustic lodge.
Knoxville: Twin Arches Loop
This 4.8-mile loop ranks as one of the best dayhikes on the Cumberland Plateau, thanks to whitewater cascades, giant twin arches, and a rustic lodge.
LBL - Sugar Bay
Hike along a section of the North/South Trail at LBL.
Lake Tahoe, CA: Eagle Lake-Granite Lake Loop
This popular 6.2-mile hike loop visits two alpine lakes in the Desolation Wilderness and offers outstanding views of the bright blue waters of Lake Tahoe.
Lansing: Deerfield Park
This pleasant 4-mile loop runs through a peaceful hardwood forest, then roughly parallels the banks of the Chippewa River to a wooden covered bridge.
Las Vegas: Bootleg Wash Loop
Cash in on big-money views above Lake Mead and the Vegas Valley on this rugged 4.6-mile loop in the River Mountains.
Las Vegas: McCullough Wash Trail
Close to the city but far from the gridlock, this 5-mile out-and-back takes you over an arid lunar landscape and pays off with expansive desert views.
Lassen Volcanic National Park: Bumpass Hell to Kings Creek
Hit two alluring lakes while exploring a landscape carved by fire and chiseled by ice on this picturesque 9.2-mile out-and-back lined with plentiful wildflowers.
Lexington: Auxier Ridge Trail
This 3.6-mile out-and-back follows a stunning, sinewy ridge to campsites with clifftop views of the Red River Gorge- a local favorite for backcountry camping.
Lincoln, NE: Conestoga State Recreation Area
Hikers must follow unofficial, angler, or game trails for most of this 3.1-mile circumnavigation of Conestoga Lake, a popular roosting ground for upland birds and gobblers.
Little Rock: Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls via Buffalo National River
Paddle the Buffalo National River into a narrow valley pinched by steep rock walls, then hike up to the largest waterfall in the Midwest on this 9.9-mile trip.
Los Angeles: Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
The rocky points of this 5.6-mile coastal hike offer some of the best tidal pool viewing in Southern California. Go at low tide to see crabs, sea stars, anemones, and sea hares.
Los Angeles: Arroyo Seco Trail
This 9-miler travels a shady canyon with a handful of creek crossings to lovely picnic getaways in Angeles National Forest.
Los Angeles: Bear Canyon Loop
This 6.5-mile loop passes through sage, chaparral, and oak groves to a high plateau with panoramic views of the Santa Ana Mountains.
Los Angeles: Bell Canyon-East Ridge Loop
Tall grass mixes with prickly pear on this 6-mile loop to sprawling ridgeline views of the Santa Ana Mountains, Bell Canyon, and San Juan Canyon.
Los Angeles: Billy Goat Trail
Experience the many moods of the chaparral and wildflowers in bloom en route to an unnamed summit on this 6.8-mile hike in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.
Los Angeles: Cold Springs Trail
This 8.3-mile lollipop loop quickly ascends 2,500 feet into the coastal hills; bring your camera to capture striking above-the-fog seascapes.
Los Angeles: East Island Loop
Escape the city's bustle by leaving the mainland. This 10.4-mile loop explores the crowd-free hills and beautiful gardens of Santa Catalina Island.
Los Angeles: El Moro Canyon
Look for deer, bobcat, and soaring turkey vultures on this 8.8-mile ridgeline hike in Crystal Cove State Park.
Los Angeles: Hollywood Hills Loop
Hike 4.5 miles along Griffith Park's ridge for commanding views of the Hollywood sign and downtown.
Los Angeles: Holy Jim Falls-Trabuco Canyon Loop
This 14.4-mile loop starts in a lush canyon framed by a secluded waterfall, then ascends to a mellow ridgeline in the Santa Ana foothills.
Los Angeles: La Jolla Valley Loop
Escape the city's smog on this pretty 7.3-mile loop into the chaparral-covered ecosystem of La Jolla Canyon. Fresh air and Pacific Ocean vistas are only a 30-minute drive from downtown.
Los Angeles: Lake Sabrina to Echo Lake
Navigate the long, gorgeous valley of Bishop Creek's Middle Fork to alpine lakes beneath spectacular Sierra Crest peaks. Leave early for this arduous 17-mile hike.
Los Angeles: Malibu Creek State Park Loop
This 14.2-mile hike shows off LA's flipside: rugged mountains, oak-filled valleys, and miles of quiet trail.
Los Angeles: Morris Peak
This rigorous but rewarding 9.8-mile out-and-back on the Pacific Crest Trail climbs more than 2,000 feet to a summit with splendid high-desert views.
Los Angeles: Morro Strand Natural Preserve
Beachcomb 11.6 miles up and back on this sandy fin for intimate oceanside views and sweet body-surfing spots.
Los Angeles: Point Dume Nature Preserve
This out-and-back beach hike climbs over Point Dume to a coastline littered with tidepools. Tip: Bring snorkel gear and plenty of drinking water.
Los Angeles: Poppy Reserve
This 5.2-mile desert hike is great any time, but spectacular in spring when the Antelope Buttes bloom with native grasses and fire-orange poppies, the California state flower.
Los Angeles: Rustic Canyon Loop
Explore the ranch estate of late cowboy humorist Will Rogers on this 5.4-mile trek among the Pacific Palisades ridgelines of Topanga State Park.
Los Angeles: San Jacinto Peak
Hike SoCal's second-highest peak on this 10.4-miler that serves up magnificent views and plenty of high-country beauty in Mt. San Jacinto State Park.
Los Angeles: Sandstone Peak Loop
Climb high above the Pacific on this 6-mile loop over 3,111-foot Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Los Angeles: Santa Ynez Falls
This 4.6-mile canyon hike features chilly mountain pools, several beautiful waterfalls, and slim sandstone cliffs set in a cool oasis of lush oak and sycamore forests.
Los Angeles: Santiago Oaks Regional Park Loop
Escape cookie-cutter suburbia on this 4.5-mile hike or bike through a mix of soaring ridges, lush canyons, and remnants from the ranchero era.
Los Angeles: Satwiwa to Tri Peaks
A stiff 2,300-foot climb rewards you with monster views and a waterfall swim on this 8.8-mile out-and-back in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Los Angeles: Ski Hut Trail
A 3,000-foot gain in 3.4 miles delivers landscape-painting vistas of pastoral valleys and idyllic California hamlets on this 6.8-mile round-trip.
Los Angeles: Sycamore Canyon Falls
This easy 4.7-mile route loops past Sycamore Canyon Falls and the shady bottom of Big Sycamore Canyon.
Los Angeles: Trabuco Canyon Trail
Meander through big oaks, sycamores, and pines on this 7-mile, out-and-back hike along a tranquil creek and up Trabuco Canyon for vistas overlooking Cleveland National Forest.
Los Angeles: Upper Newport Bay Trail
Trace the muddy flats and coastal bluffs of Upper Newport Bay and observe a long list of birds on this easygoing 5.9-mile stroll.
Los Angeles: Weir Canyon Loop
This 4-mile loop boasts canyon views among layers and layers of hills, sandstone cliffs. Look for wild zucchini, thistle, prickly pear cactus, white sage, and raptors.
Los Angeles: Whiting Ranch, Santa Ana Foothills
An oak-shaded creek with cat tails and mountain lion tracks.
Los Angeles: Winter Creek Loop, Angeles NF
Enjoy a gurgling creek, the staccato of canyon wrens, and ridgetop vistas on this 4.2-mile jaunt just minutes from downtown Pasadena.
Los Angeles: Wood-Mathis Canyon Loop
Wander through old ranching claims now covered with sage scrub and oak woodlands to ridgeline views of Catalina Island and the Santa Ana Mountains on this 10.8-mile loop.
Los Angeles: Zuma Canyon Loop
This 4.2-mile hike begins in a deep cleft of the Santa Monica Mnts., then winds up a mellow ridgeline with gorgeous ocean views. Zuma Canyon is a lush basin of wildflowers in season.
Mammoth Cave National Park: Turnhole Bend Trail
Hike above the world's largest cave network on this 6.6-mile out-and-back that passes secluded bluffs with exceptional views of Kentucky's last remaining old-growth stands.
Mammoth Cave: Sal Hollow Loop
Traverse boulder fields and skirt eroded hollows on this 10.8-mile loop across the roof of the longest mapped cave system in the world.
Margaret Lake
Take this 5-mile jaunt out to Margaret Lake, nestled quietly beneath Margaret Mountain.
Milwaukee: John Muir White Loop
Skirt the edges of a boggy cauldron in Kettle Moraine State Forest as you loop 4 miles into terrain tilled by supersize glaciers thousands of years ago.
Milwaukee: Scuppernong Green Loop
This 5-mile loop undulates through glacially tilled terrain under a hardwood canopy of magnificent fall colors in Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Minneapolis: Ice Age Circle
Go 4.8 miles past the scuff marks and rocky scraps of an ancient glacier that left its long-lasting signature in western Wisconsin.
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.
Minneapolis: Willow Falls Trail
This easy 3-mile loop in Willow River State Park is spiked with cool sights and sounds: rolling bluffs, loud waterfalls, and beautiful lakeshore views.
Moab, UT: Fisher Towers
This short hike threads through a hoodoo-filled climbing mecca with outrageous scenery and countless sidetrip options.
Montpelier: Moose Mountain
Climb less than 1,000 ft. to craggy overlooks of Lake Willoughby and Mt. Pisah on this 8.3-mile out-and-back in Willoughby State Park.
Morgantown: Blackbird Knob Loop
Soak up views from open balds on this moderate 10.4-mile hike through a born-again wilderness once dotted with grazing sheep and WWII soldiers.
Morgantown: Ridge Trail Loop
This mellow 4-mile hike tours the rolling hills and lush, wildlife-filled wetlands that make up scenic Canaan Valley State Park.
Mount Rainier National Park: Tolmie Peak
A bit of rain will only enhance your 6-mile out-and-back trek to foggy forests, misty waterfalls, and a nearly 6,000-foot peak in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park: Van Trump Park
This 4.6-mile round-trip takes an old mountaineers' route past cascades and through alpine meadows to a classic peak in the shadows of Rainier.
Mt Yale via Cottonwood road
Mt Yale is a great Colorado 14er with easy access via cottonwood road. Any car can make it, and you don't need any special climbing gear to make it to the top.
Mt. Pierce and Mt. Eisenhower
A nice day hike with fantastic views of the Presidential Range. An out and back summiting two 4,000ft peaks in the White Mountains.
Nashville: Ganier Ridge Loop
Birds (240 species) far outnumber hikers on this 4.5-mile circuit in the rolling hills of Radnor Lake State Natural Area, a real paradise for ornithology enthusiasts.
New Haven, CT: Beach - Island Point Trail
This 5.8-miler loops in-and-around secluded islands of rare trees, diverse bird sanctuaries, and tranquil butterfly gardens in Hammonasset Beach State Park.
New Haven, CT: Chatfield Hollow State Park Loop
This easy 4.6-mile loop serves up large tracts of hardwoods, a side of granite ledges, and the continuous pour of a lively brook.
New Haven, CT: Kettletown State Park Loop
Climb miles up to viewpoints over the cool waters of the Housatonic River and Lake Zoar on this 3.8-mile loop through Kettletown State Park.
New Haven: Bluff Point Loop
Explore one of the last undeveloped shorelines in Connecticut on this 6.2-mile hike through Bluff Point Coastal Preserve.
New Orleans: Boy Scout Road
This gentle 6.2-mile hike opens up with an orchestra of bird song, then leads to a marshy coastline perfect for viewing sunsets. Bring bug repellent.
New York City: Bald Rocks to Hogencamp Mountain
Bag the best views withing 50 miles of Manhattan on this 6.5-mile loop along open ridges and bucolic forest trails in Harriman State Park.
New York City: Burnham Hollow to McKenley Hollow
This 14-mile shuttle hike winds tranquil wooded slopes to five peaks over 3,400 feet in a remote section of the Catskills. Off-trail experience and navigation skills required.
New York City: Doubletop Mountain
Escape the crowds on the Catskill High Peaks with this 5.6-mile bushwhack to the range's highest trailless summit. Compass skills required; hiking poles recommended.
New York City: Kittatinny Mountain
Enjoy views north and south along Kittatiny Mountain on this vigorous 10-mile loop.
New York City: Peekamoose-Table Mountain
This 9.8-mile out-and-back dayhike or overnight explores a lesser-known corner of Slide Mountain Wilderness while summitting two rugged peaks taller than 3,800 feet.
New York City: Pine Meadow Lake
There are no car horns blowing on this pleasant 5-mile loop--just the therapeutic hum of mountain streams and a peaceful lake in the woods.
New York City: Pine Meadow Lake
There are no car horns blowing on this pleasant 5-mile loop--just the therapeutic hum of mountain streams and a peaceful lake in the woods.
New York City: Shenandoah Mountain
On this 13.2-mile out-and-back, you'll get a StairMaster-type workout as you explore the ridges, ravines and overlooks of Fahnestock State Park.
New York City: South Beacon Mountain
Solitude. Fresh air. Big views. It all unfolds on this vigorous 5-miler along a lively mountain stream to the highest point in Hudson Highlands State Park.
New York City: Sugarloaf Mountain
This 9.6-mile out-and-back has quad-bustingly steep inclines and hairy downhills, but features long, magnificent views from Sugarloaf Mountain.
New York City: Vly and Bearpen Mountains
You won't find sections of this 8.2-mile hike on any trail map. That's because, until recently, these two 3,500-foot mountains in the Catskill Mountains sat on private land.
New York City: Wawayanda State Park Loop
Hike, ski, or bike a hidden pocket of sylvan wilderness just an hour from Manhattan.
North Cascades National Park: Cascade Pass
Satisfy your wanderlust on this 7.2-mile out-and-back, which offers stop-and-gawk panoramas of the jagged Cascades blanketed by glaciers.
Oklahoma City: Watonga Lake North Loop
Hike or bike around the quiet shores of Watonga Lake, then into the brushy hills on this moderate 4.9-mile loop in Roman Nose State Park.
Omaha: Hidden Lake
Only 8 miles from downtown, this diverse 3.4-mile loop curves gently around a pair of crystal-clear lakes (bring binocs to watch waterfowl) to an old trading post.
Omaha: Platte River State Park
In 3.3 miles, hike two loops—one leads to campsites and a lovely waterfall, while the other sneaks along ridges and gullies perfect for nature photography.
Pacific Crest Trail: Best Dayhike - Sonora Pass, CA
This 8.4-mile hike gets top billing for its 100-mile Sierra views of shimmering alpine lakes, towering peaks, and hillsides bursting with wildflowers.
Pacific Crest Trail: Best Weekend - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA
Traverse the dry, but surprisingly life-filled, San Felipe Hills on this 18.9-mile trip in
Pacific Crest Trail: Best Weekend - Marble Mountains, CA
Find big views and small crowds on this 18-mile loop in the
Pacific Crest Trail: Best Weekend - Mokelumne Wilderness, CA
Hike past bizarre volcanic formations to a campsite offering remote sunrise views of the northern Sierras on this 14.8-mile trek.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 10
CA 138 to I-15: On this 10.5-mile stretch, climb through sandy washes and gullies around Cleghorn Ridge to overlooks of Cajon Canyon and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 19
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 23
EBBETTS PASS to CA 88: Pass through an ancient volcanic kiln of rugged knobs and lava streams now-framed with willows, peaceful meadows, and early-summer snow fields in the Mokelumne Wilderness. This is a moderately-challenging 23.6-mile leg.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 24
CA 88 to US 50: Start at the headwaters of the
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 26
I-80 to SIERRA CITY: This 32-mile leg runs from ridge-to-river and offers incredible campsites. Add a wildcard to this adventure by overnighting at a backcountry hut.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 28
QUINCY-LAPORTE ROAD to OROVILLE-QUINCY HIGHWAY: This 29.8-mile leg skirts crumbled lava flows and the churning Middle Fork Feather River, where delightful riverside pools offer ample sunbathing and swimming.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 29
OROVILLE-QUINCY HIGHWAY to BELDEN: Travel a scenic 16.3-mile rim route above alpine ponds to one
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 30
BELDEN to HUMBOLDT SUMMIT: This 22.4-mile heart-pounding section climbs 5,000 feet and crosses several lovely mountain streams.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 31
HUMBOLDT SUMMIT to CA 36: Hit the PCT midpoint and some refreshing creekside pools in the Sierra’s last canyon on this 17.9-mile section.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 33
DRAKESBAD RESORT to OLD STATION POST OFFICE: Head into the remote corner of
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 34
OLD STATION POST OFFICE to BURNEY FALLS: This 43.8-mile leg, possibly the longest waterless stretch on the PCT, follows the sweltering contours of Hat Creek Rim before ending at a 129-foot cascade. In early spring, wildflowers are top-notch on the rim.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 35
BURNEY FALLS to GRIZZLY PEAK: Scope a raging 129-foot waterfall to start this tough-and-dry 37.5-mile leg through rolling fir-forest basins to an isolated peak that rewards with views of
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 37
I-5 to GUMBOOT TRAILHEAD: Trek past the lofty spires of Castle Crags to the weathered ridges and lakes near the Trinity Divide on this 21.5-mile stretch. Postcard views of
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 38
GUMBOOT TRAILHEAD to CA 3: High in the Trinity Alps, this 32.9-mile ridge section views the headwaters of the
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 39
CA 3 to CARTER MEADOWS SUMMIT: Pass rocky lake basins and deep, glacially scoured canyons on this 18.5-mile leg across the slim ridges of the
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 4
CA 78 to
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 40
CARTER MEADOWS SUMMIT to ETNA SUMMIT: Stick to the high crest and get bird’s-eye views over the headwaters of the Salmon, Scott, and
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 7
I-10 to BIG
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 1
OREGON BORDER to OR 66: Pass under thick white firs on this 40.8-mile leg in the
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 10
TIMOTHY LAKE to TIMBERLINE LODGE: Giant stands of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine dominate this 23-mile leg which finishes on the airy slopes of
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 2
OR 66 to OR 140: Trek through grassy slopes around Old Baldy into the lava fields of
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 3
OR 140 to OR 62:
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 4
OR 62 to OR 138: Crest the breathtaking caldera of Crater Lake on this 22.4-mile trip that ends in the flats of the
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 5
OR 138 to OR 58: Travel past the jagged spire of
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 6
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 7
ELK LAKE to OR 252: Skirt the glacier-draped Three Sisters on this 26.6-mile trip full of excellent ridgetop campsites, aspen-lined lakes, and fields of black volcanic glass. Tip: Wear durable boots.
Pacific Crest Trail: OR Section 9
FR 4220 @ BREITENBUSH LAKE to TIMOTHY LAKE: Knobby buttes dominate this 31.4-mile trip through a landscape of glistening lakes offering big views of
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 1
CASCADE LOCKS to STABLER: Climb out of the Columbia River Gorge onto view-filled ridges on this 28.6-mile leg stocked with creeks and campsites.
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 10
KENNEDY RIDGE to HIGH BRIDGE RANGER STATION:
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 11
HIGH BRIDGE RANGER STATION to RAINY PASS: Wind along the roaring banks of a steep 1,000-foot gorge on this 18-mile stretch in
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 12
RAINY PASS to HARTS PASS: This 25.6-mile ridge-to-river leg runs under a glacier-carved outcrop and its centerpiece, the 8,366-foot
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 13
HARTS PASS to CANADA: The last 34-mile leg of the PCT might be one of the grandest, and possibly the least-traveled. In the remote Pasatayen Wilderness, hikers are the minority compared to the prized wildlife populations (grizzlies, gray wolves, lynx).
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 2
STABLER to BIG MOSQUITO LAKE: Backpack through big huckleberry fields, visit an old Indian racetrack, and check out a hardened lava flow on this 33.7-mile leg that passes through Indian Heaven Wilderness.
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 3
BIG MOSQUITO LAKE to SHEEP LAKE: In-your-face glacier views of
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 4
SHEEP LAKE to WHITE PASS: Get high into the snowy contours of Goat Rocks Wilderness on this 22.2-mile leg. Bring an ice axe and lightweight crampons for the Packwood Glacier.
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 5
WHITE PASS to CHINOOK PASS: This 25.6-mile leg traverses meadows dotted with lakes to the Cascade Crest for pin-up views of Mts. St. Helens and
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 6
CHINOOK PASS to TACOMA PASS: Sticking to a craggy ridge over countless passes and peaks, this 37.4-mile leg features full-circle vistas over the central Cascades.
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 7
TACOMA PASS to SNOQUALMIE PASS: Hike through a patchwork of woodlands and lakes on this 25.3-mile stretch stocked with blueberries and long-range
Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 9
STEVENS PASS to KENNEDY RIDGE: This 40.4-mile leg serves up plenty of challenge and isolation: bottomless canyons, long talus slopes, and raging creeks add an extra edge to the overall beauty.
Pecos Wilderness Traverse
Got a week? Step into the Pecos Wilderness and experience
Philadelphia: Appalachian Trail-South of 309
Most of this easy 7-mile hike passes under a tree-shaded ridgeline that insulates dayhikers from the outside world.
Philadelphia: Blue Mountain
Hike the backbone of eastern Pennsylvania on this moderate 10.8-mile round-trip along the AT, which visits craggy overlooks with stellar views of eagles and hawks.
Philadelphia: Boone Trail
Spend a sunny afternoon on this 6.1-miler hike among the hardwoods of French Creek State Park, skirting two lakes with pleasant picnic spots.
Philadelphia: Lock 12 Loop
Explore canal relics and tucked-away overlooks of the Mason-Dixon Trail on this 3.6-mile dayhike in Holtwood Environmental Preserve.
Philadelphia: Ridley Creek State Park
Re-energize yourself on the White-Yellow Loop, a mellow 4.4-mile lasso to a serene picnic spot in this small park just 16 miles from center city.
Philadelphia: Wind Gap to Smith Shelter
This 8.8-mile, out-and-back wooded hike runs the spine of the Appalachian Mountains to one of the most remote AT shelters in Pennsylvania.
Phoenix Moutains Loop
This 5.07 mile loop around Piestewa Peak offers panoramic views of the Phoenix Valley and beautiful Sonoran Desert landscapes.
Phoenix, AZ: Papago Park West Buttes
This 3-mile lasso loop travels up, into, and over the pockmarked contours and sloping buttes of Papago Park.
Phoenix, AZ: Shaw Butte
This 5-mile out-and-back travels above a Sonoran landscape dotted with brittlebush, cholla, and cresote and tops out on a signature Phoenix peak.
Phoenix: Bear Mountain Trail
This rugged 4.6-mile hike climbs 1,800 feet and delivers excellent vistas over the Red Rock/Secret Mountain Wilderness and the Verde Valley.
Phoenix: Blodgett Basin Trail
This little-used trail plunges 1,700 feet through wildflower country to a cool reward by West Clear Creek. Watch for cairns on this 6.8-mile hike to avoid involuntary bushwhacks.
Phoenix: Camelback Mountain
This 2.2-mile, out-and-back hike links Echo Canyon to Camelback Mountain, climbing more than 1,200 feet with fine views of the city.
Phoenix: Camelback Mountain Ultra
Cross Phoenix's signature peak--twice--on this 5-mile out-and-back packed with full-circle views over sheer sandstone cliffs.
Phoenix: David Miller Loop
Named after a Forest Service employee who disappeared while hiking in the late 1990s, this 6.5-mile loop links rugged high desert terrain with deep, cool forest.
Phoenix: Lookout Mountain
This stiff 1-mile, out-and-back climbs to a 2,054-foot summit and offers fine views of metro Phoenix.
Phoenix: Loy Canyon Trail
Hike through a variety of Arizona vegetation to a Native American ruin and a classic red-rock rim on this 8.4-mile out-and-back trip in black bear country.
Phoenix: Munds Mountain
This 5-mile round-trip route to Munds Mountain offers postcard-quality views of Sedona's famed red rocks.
Phoenix: North Mountain
Short and steep, this 1.6-mile climb travels through ocotillo stands and solitary saguaros to bag one of Phoenix's landmark seven summits.
Phoenix: North Mountain, Penny Howe Barrier Free Trail
This short, self-guided nature trail loops past interpretive signs near the picnic areas of North Mountain.
Phoenix: Papago Park West Buttes Accessible Trail
Hike 1.4 miles past oddly-shaped sandstone buttes on a wheelchair-accessible trail in Papago Park.
Phoenix: Piestewa Peak
Gain 1,200 feet in 2.4 miles on this lung-burner to the top of Piestewa Peak.
Phoenix: Piestewa Peak Ultra
Zoom around the base of 2,608-foot Piestewa Peak and then hop up to the summit for full-on views of the Sonoran Desert on this 5.3-miler.
Phoenix: Reach 11 Recreation Area, Barrier Free Trail (#11)
The short trail follows a paved loop, meandering through an eclectic range of desert habitats.
Phoenix: Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Find an oasis in the barren Sonoran landscape on this 1.75-mile hike along a restored riparian corridor of the Salt River.
Phoenix: Shaw Butte-North Mountain Ultra
Bag two summits on this 7.9-mile lasso loop that gains roughly 1,300 ft.
Phoenix: South Mountain, Judith Tunell Trail
This half-mile interpretive loop describes the unique natural features of the Arizona desert, including 600-year-old Indian rock carvings. Wheelchair accessible.
Phoenix: Sterling Pass Trail to Vultee Arch
This 6.4-mile dayhike is a tour de force: You'll be rewarded with magnificent views, an isolated arch, and unusual plant life in Coconino National Forest.
Phoenix: Towel Creek Trail
Venture into cowboy country on a faded cattle trail that visits desolate buttes, colorful meadows, and quiet vistas in 6 rolling miles (each way).
Pinnacles National Monument: High Peaks Loop
See the result of millions of years of tectonic movement on this 7.9-mile loop beneath massive volcanic monoliths. Bring a flashlight for optional cave trails.
Poo Poo Point
Enjoy a short two-mile jaunt up Tiger Mountain to paragliding fields and enormous views.
Portland, OR: Short Sand Beach
Stroll through Giant Sitka spruce to craggy coastal views, then climb into old-growth forest and wild meadows.
Portland, OR: Terwilleger Trail
Escape to a luscious enclave of rolling hills covered by mature hardwoods and trickling streams just seconds from the city on this 6-mile out-and-back.
Portland: Blue Lake Trail
This 6.6-miler in southwest Washington's Indian Heaven Wilderness takes you to a faraway wildland splattered with lakes, ponds, and marshes.
Portland: Cape Falcon
Sea cliffs, wildflower meadows, secret waterfalls, and little elevation gain make this coastal old-growth 4-miler a sweet dayhike at any time of year.
Portland: Elk Rock Island
Paddle the Willamette River to great fishing holes and views of towering osprey nests, then hike a small, isolated island on this 7.8-mile adventure.
Portland: Indian Racetrack Trail
This 6.2-mile dayhike leads to the site of the original Kentucky Derby, a centuries-old racetrack tucked into the mountains of Indian Heaven Wilderness.
Portland: Leif Erickson Corridor to Maple Trail
This 5.3-mile loop into old-growth forests and along whispering streams offers a true wilderness escape only a few miles from downtown Portland in Forest Park.
Portland: Marquam Trail to Council Crest
Located in the heart of urban Portland, this 3.9-mile hike follows an unspoiled forest canyon and ends at the city's highest point, yielding views of four iconic volcanoes.
Portland: Oak Island
Take a 5-mile tour of grasslands and forests in this island-inside-an-island wildlife refuge.
Portland: Oaks Bottom
Explore a local wildlife hideout on this easy 3.5-mile loop into oak forest and along soggy wetlands near the Willamette River.
Portland: Park Ridge
No time to hike the whole PCT? This 7.4-mile section in Mt. Hood National Forest offers some of the best done-in-a-day views in the long path's northern half.
Portland: Pup Creek Falls
Climb an easy 1,000 feet above the Clackamas River to a three-tiered waterfall that rivals almost anything in Maui.
Portland: Saddle Mountain
This aggressive 6-mile climb leads to the highest point in the Coast Ranges. Shaded Alder groves, wildflower meadows, and views of volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean await.
Portland: Squaw Mountain
Hike 4.2 miles under huge stands of old-growth hem- lock and firs (saved by strong-minded tree-sitters) to a remote peak in Mt. Hood National Forest.
Portland: Triangulation Peak
Catch an awe-inspiring view or Mt. Jefferson, among other classic Cascades peaks, from the summit of a glacier-carved mountain on this 5-mile out-and-back.
Portland: Tryon Creek State Park Loop
This 4.2-mile hike tours the only state park in Portland, following Tryon Creek to forest floors teeming with beautiful trilliums during the springtime.
Portland: Twin Lakes
Hike through some of Oregon's largest old-growth cedars and Douglas fir to a pair of pristine lakes where you can swim, fish, and camp on this 14.4-mile out-and-back.
Portland: Washington Park
Retreat into the thick, quiet woods of Washington Park for superb views of Mt. Hood and the Portland skyline on this easy 3-mile hike. Don't miss the Japanese garden.
Portsmouth, ME: Folly Pond Loop
Moose tracks outnumber boot tracks on this secluded 8.4-mile loop through rolling farmland to a wooded New England pond.
Prescott National Forest via Butte Creek Trail
This is a nice scenic hike starting along Butte Creek, and then entering the Prescott National Forest, and ending at Thumb Butte, one of the most distinguishable landmarks in Prescott.
Though the suburbs have invaded a large part of this country side, a good portion of the hike is through the Prescott National Forest, which is protected from such Invasion.
Ptarmigan Creek Trail, Alaska
This trail takes you along creek bottom, up along a divide that lets you witness Alaska's glorious skyline, and finally to the quintessential Alaska Lake.
Raleigh: Dutchmans Creek Trail
Trek along a chain of ancient volcanoes to pristine mountain creeks and an old gold mine on this 14.4-mile, 2-day hike in Uwharrie National Forest.
Redding: Emerald Lake
Wander through a remote paradise of high-alpine lakes in the lightly visited Trinity Alps on this 33.2-mile, long-weekend trip in Klamath National Forest.
Redding: Grizzly Lakes
Trek 24.4 miles to a 200-foot, glacier-fed waterslide, then bag the highest peak in the Trinity Alps. Bring a fly rod for rare red-meat brook trout.
Redding: Lost Coast Trail to Cooskie Creek
Unspoiled black-sand beaches, rogue breakers, and craggy mountains form a remote backdrop to this 13.4-mile weekend adventure along the Lost Coast.
Roanoke: Mount Rogers
Catch great views on your way up Virginia’s highest mountain on this 7.2-mile out-and-back through the open balds and ridges of the Appalachians.
Roanoke: New River Trail (Hiwassee to Shot Tower)
This 15.9-mile hike or bike trip follows an abandoned railroad along the banks of the New River, which local geologists claim is the second oldest river in the world.
Rochester: Clark Gully Loop
Enjoy 4-star views on this challenging 4.2-mile loop near Canandaigua Lake--an advanced route down a steep gorge with several waterfalls.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake to Estes Cone
This moderately challenging 7.2-mile hike to a photogenic summit proves that sometimes it's not how high you climb--it's where you climb.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Mills Lake
The must-see list for this 5.8-mile dayhike to Glacier Gorge is long: raging waterfalls, alpine lakes, and a skyline of humbling mountain views.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Mirror Lake
Wander through lush forests and high-alpine meadows to a pair of secluded mountain lakes nestled at the foot of the Mummy Range.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Pear Lake
This 12.6-mile out-and-back sweeps under a giant evergreen forest to a blossoming burn zone, then ends at an alpine lake perfect for stargazing.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Ypsilon Lake
Climb well-marked trails to the tentacle-like flanks of Ypsilon Mtn. and its namesake lake, then return off-trail by following a mountain stream past unnamed waterfalls.
Rose Peak Lookout Trail
Take this short hike (less than 3/4 a mile) to Rose Peak in Greenlee County, Arizona and be treated to excellent views atop the lookout tower.
Salt Lake City: Mount Olympus
Not for the weak-hearted, this 6.8-miler gains 4,200 feet up wooded hills, through a weathered canyon, and onto the flanks of Mt. Olympus where views are beyond spectacular.
Salt Lake City: Mount Olympus
Not for the weak-hearted, this 6.8-miler gains 4,200 feet up wooded hills, through a weathered canyon, and onto the flanks of Mt. Olympus where views are beyond spectacular.
Salt Lake City: Mueller Park to North Canyon
String together two scenic canyons, several campsites, long vistas, and local landmarks like Rudy's Flats and Elephant Rock on this 9.2-miler.
Salt Lake City: Slate Canyon Loop
This hike, a best-kept secret among locals, climbs 3,000 gritty feet to spring-fed conifers, aspens, and meadows in the Wasatch Range outside Provo.
San Bernardino: Owl Canyon Trail
Scamper 4 miles into a picturesque canyon loaded with Technicolor rock formations and high desert species like the brown eagle, desert fox, and California condor.
San Diego: Daley Ranch Loop
This beautiful 7.1-mile figure-eight route visits a weathered farm and two ponds, then passes through chaparral patches to isolated oak stands.
San Diego: Dripping Springs Trail
This 12.8-mile cardio challenge climbs 3,000 feet to sweeping vistas in Agua Tibia Wilderness. Start early with lots of water, and bring gaiters for the chaparral.
San Diego: El Cajon Mountain
Rock-scrambling and long-range vistas highlight this hardy 11.2-mile out-and-back up a much photographed but rarely climbed East County peak.
San Diego: Fortuna Mountains Loop
Stuck in the city? Bag two peaks on this 7.9-miler in the rugged hills and valleys of Mission Trails Regional Park, just a few miles from downtown.
San Diego: Garnet Peak-Champagne Pass Loop
Witness the stunning transition of forest to desert on a 10.5-mile hike that traverses the Laguna Mountains.
San Diego: Iron Mountain Trail
Tackle a heart-thumping 5.6-mile, out-and-back scramble over boulder fields to a 2,700-foot peak perched high above the coastal haze of the Pacific.
San Diego: PCT to Kitchen Creek Falls
Hike a chaparral-covered slope in Cleveland National Forest to a view of Mexico. Then cool off at the falls, a series of cascades and swimming holes alongside smooth granite boulders.
San Diego: San Pasqual-Clevenger Trail South
Link two unnamed peaks in the rugged hills above San Pasqual-Clevenger Canyon on this challenging 4-mile, half-day hike.
San Diego: Sunset-Big Laguna Lake Loop
Ramble 7.3 miles through woodlands of black oak, Jeffrey pine, and incense cedar.
San Diego: Ysabel Truck Trail
Ramble from canyon views to shady forest along the exposed cliff bands above Santa Ysabel Creek.
San Francisco: Alameda Quicksilver County Park Loop
Take a self-guided tour of abandoned mine shafts and old miner homesteads on this 7.9-mile loop with breathtaking vistas of the San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
San Francisco: Baldwin Trail--Enchanted Loop
If the surf is dead, hike up the coast bluffs of Wilder Ranch State Park for stellar views of Monterey Bay and a cool walk in a forest of redwood giants.
San Francisco: Beach-Panorama-Ridge Loop
This 8.4-mile circuit in Andrew Molera State Park showcases California's most prized natural assets--sandy beaches, killer sunsets, and giant redwoods.
San Francisco: Bear Lake/Emigrant Wilderness
Wildflower pockets and piles of granite boulders punctuate this mellow 7.4-mile route to two alpine lakes with primo campsites.
San Francisco: Bear Valley Trail
Go from an active fault zone to thundering ocean spray on this classic 9.4-mile out-and-back in Point Reyes National Seashore.
San Francisco: Big Basin Redwoods State Park Circuit
Walk 7 miles among wildflowers, oaks, towering redwoods, and rushing creeks.
San Francisco: Black Diamond Mines Loop
Explore historic sites on this 5.9-mile loop in the fascinating Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve-once California's largest coalfield.
San Francisco: Black Mountain Trail
Watch for black-tailed deer on this steep up-and-back 9-mile hike, which climbs through Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve to the top of 2,805-foot Black Mountain.
San Francisco: Blue Ridge Loop
Knock off an adventure quickie on this 4.2-mile loop into toothy, little-known ridgelines above the Central Valley.
San Francisco: Briones Park Loop
This enchanting 5.7-mile loop through 6,000-acre Briones Regional Park has it all-rolling hills, shady woods, and spectacular views of the East Bay.
San Francisco: Carson Falls Loop
4.5 miles and 2,500 feet of elevation change yield views of Marin County's tallest waterfall.
San Francisco: China Camp Loop
Hike this rolling 5.8-mile loop on a weekday for quiet trails and frequent sightings of wild turkeys and deer.
San Francisco: Clipper Ridge Loop
Watch ships glide into Half Moon Bay as you climb a steep ridgeline, then drop into a secluded ravine perfect for spying wildlife. This loop with recommended spur trail runs 7.6 miles.
San Francisco: Estero Trail
Look for heron and sandpiper in the estuaries of Point Reyes National Seashore on this rolling 7.4-mile hike.
San Francisco: Harvey West to Pogonip Park
This 4-mile lasso hike leads through redwood forests and coastal meadows to an abandoned golf clubhouse and movie set, plus superb views of Monterey Bay.
San Francisco: Henry W. Coe State Park Loop
Hike 7 steep miles among wild cattle to sweeping views of the Gabilan and Diablo Mountains.
San Francisco: High Ridge Loop Trail
Find subtle beauty in the suntanned hills of Garin Regional Park as you hike this 5.9-mile loop past creeks to breezy overlooks.
San Francisco: Huddart-Phleger Redwood Loop
This mild 4-miler won't wear you out as it winds through coastal redwoods and parallels a quiet, shady creek in Huddart County Park.
San Francisco: Jack London Mountain Trail
Answer the call of the wild on a 7.8-mile round-trip to the redwood retreat of an American literary icon. Later, try the cabernet at a local Sonoma vineyard.
San Francisco: Matt Davis Loop
This 7.4-mile loop in Mt. Tamalpais State Park links three superb trails stretching from ridgeline to sea.
San Francisco: Mitchell Canyon Loop
This 7.3-mile loop over Eagle Peak offers panoramic views, from nearby Mt. Diablo to the Pacific Ocean.
San Francisco: Montara Mountain Trail
Hump 2,200 feet on an 8.2-mile hike to views of the Bay Area, the Pacific, and Mt. Diablo.
San Francisco: Monte Bello Preserve
This 5.9-mile hike features a cache of wild riches: loads of wildlife, peaceful grasslands, dappled forests, and a treeless ridgeline with big ocean views.
San Francisco: Morning Sun Trail to Rodeo Valley Trail
Enjoy stellar views of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Angel Island on this 6-mile loop through Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
San Francisco: Pescadero Creek Loop
Go deep into a rugged creek basin teeming with towering trees and a charming waterfall on this 4.2-mile hike in Portola Redwoods State Park.
San Francisco: Purisima Creek
In 6.9 miles, this loop leads from Purisima Creek through the huckleberry-filled hills of Half Moon Bay up to a ridgeline with impressive ocean views.
San Francisco: Ritchey Canyon Loop
Before Napa Valley got its grapevine rep, the landscape likely resembled 2,000-acre Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, where redwoods shade this mellow 4.6-mile trail.
San Francisco: Rodeo Beach Loop
This 9.6-mile hike offers a tour of the Marin Headlands, then loops to include fine bluff views of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific. Bring extra clothes; the weather changes quickly.
San Francisco: Sam McDonald County Park Loop
This 5-mile loop wanders through huge redwood stands along the western slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Extend the trip with an overnight at a Sierra Club hut.
San Francisco: Sunset Trail
The 4-mile climb to Mt. Livermore is the most ambitious hike on Angel Island, the historic immigration station in the center of San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco: Sweeney Ridge
This 7.4-mile hike heads into the Coast Mountains and onto the spot where explorers first discovered San Francisco Bay. Look for wild cat and badger tracks along the way.
San Francisco: Table Mountain Loop
This brisk 5.2-miler loops through shaded gullies to the famously photogenic foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
San Francisco: The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Trail
Look for banana slugs and California newts on this 4.6-mile hike to scenic waterfalls.
San Francisco: Upper Wildcat Canyon Loop
Revisit the Bay Area's ranching past on this mellow but view-packed 6.4-miler across the tawny hillsides of Rancho San Antonio Preserve.
San Francisco: Whittemore Gulch-Harkins Ridge Loop
Bobcats roam this 7-mile route through a redwood-canopied canyon in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
San Francisco: Windy Hill Loop
Climb through several Bay Area ecosystems on this 8.6-mile ramble from Portola Valley to Windy Ridge.
Santa Fe, NM: Gavilan Trail
A lung-burning 2,000-foot gain in 2.5 miles rewards with sweet ridgeline views of the Taos Mountains and Wheeler Peak. This dayhike runs 6.6 miles round-trip.
Santa Fe: Caballo Mountain
Trek 14.4 miles on less-traveled trails to a 10,000-foot summit over the Valles Caldera, a giant volcanic bowl in the shadow of the Jemez Mountains.
Santa Fe: Hamilton Mesa Trail
This 11.2-mile, high-country dayhike crisscrosses rolling mountain meadows with stellar views of the tallest peaks in the Pecos Wilderness.
Seattle: Andy Creek to Russell Ridge
Explore a wild kingdom of birds, elk, and black bears on this 5.4-mile, moderately challenging dayhike in the William O. Douglas Wilderness.
Seattle: Big Quilcene Trail
From river valley to alpine meadows, this 10.8-mile hike features a brilliant flower display in midsummer and stunning Olympic Range views year-round.
Seattle: Boulder River
This all-season 9-mile loop gently ascends through fast-growing (and fast-falling) alders, fragrant cedars, and rugged Douglas firs.
Seattle: Bridal Veil Fall
Switchback 1,800 vertical feet to a sapphire-blue glacial lake in the shadow of Mt. Index on this moderate 6.4-mile round trip- with a killer picnic at Bridal Veil Falls.
Seattle: Carne Basin
Mountainsides of wildflowers and alpine larches will excite all five senses on this 6-mile out-and-back mountain trek in Wenatchee National Forest.
Seattle: Easton Ridge to Mt. Baldy
Gain more than 2,500 feet on this steep 7.6-mile hike though an open evergreen forest to a view-blessed peak in Wenatchee National Forest. An exceptional wildflower hike in late spring.
Seattle: Far Country Lookout
Only minutes from downtown, this easy 4-mile hike into the Issaquah Alps passes near a charming waterfall en route to a memorable view of greater Seattle and the Olympics.
Seattle: Hamilton Buttes
Grab shotgun views of four volcanoes on this lonely 6.2-mile out-and-back in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Seattle: Jug Lake
Enjoy a soundtrack of whistling winds on this rolling 7-mile hike through virgin forestland to a large alpine lake in William O. Douglas Wilderness.
Seattle: Kachess Lake Trail
Solitude rules on this 9.4-mile out-and-back hike along Little Kachess Lake to rock gardens ablaze with wildflowers,giant green forests, and a quiet lakeside hideout.
Seattle: Mount Pilchuck
Climb up 2,200 feet to breathtaking views of Washington's most prominent mountain ranges--the Olympics and Cascades--on this 4.8-mile out-and-back.
Seattle: Noble Knob
This pleasant 7-mile round-trip hike into Norse Peak Wilderness offers sublime views of volcanic summits without the area's usual knee-breaking ascent.
Seattle: Rachel Lake
This 7.4-miler scrambles the best of the eastern Cascades: waterfalls, fragrant forests, and a sprawling alpine lake.
Seattle: River Delta Loop
Explore wildlife-rich salt flats and marsh in one of the last undeveloped deltas in the Puget Sound Region.
Seattle: Shoe Lake
This 13.2-mile PCT out-and-back is resplendent with mountain scenery, including big panoramas, heaps of wildlife, and a blissfully blue alpine lake.
Seattle: Sol Duc Falls Loop
This romantic 6.1-miler follows Lovers Lane Trail to four waterfalls and countless cool swimming holes set in the deep forests of Olympic National Park.
Seattle: Tiger Mountain
This challenging 2,000-foot climb coils through 7.9 miles of mixed forest then unloads killer views from the tops of two favorite local peaks.
Seattle: Tumac Mountain
This 8-mile out-and-back to a pair of volcanic Cascades cones comes with dozens of colorful wildflower meadows and chilly alpine tarns.
Seattle: Twin Lakes
Enjoy stunning views of Mt. Rainier, old-growth forest, and colorful summer wildflowers on this 2.8-mile hike to a pair of high alpine lakes.
Seattle: Upper Ashland Lake
This out-and-back 4.4-miler gently wanders under the shade of giant cedars and firs, then circles a peaceful lake.
Seattle: Whiskey Dick Mountain
This stunning 12-mile romp visits one of the most beautiful and rugged desert shrub-steppe areas of central Washington and is well worth the 2-hour drive from downtown.
Shenandoah National Park: Hazel Mountain
This 9.6-mile hike into a narrow wooded valley passes through old settler farmlands, impressive waterfalls, and mountain overlooks to a quiet creekside lunch spot.
Shenandoah National Park: Moormans River
This 4.2-mile out-and-back hike is a local's favorite, climbing gently from the flood-torn banks of the Moormans River to one of the most impressive waterfalls in the park.
Shenandoah National Park: Riprap Trail
Gurgling mountain streams and peaceful vistas line this 9-mile loop in southern Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park: Turk Branch Trail
Solitude rules on this 6.2-mile out-and-back past the headwaters of a lively mountain stream where deer and black bears roam by the skeleton of a weatherbeaten homestead.
Shenandoah National Park: Whiteoak Canyon
This 6.6-mile out-and-back canyon hike is fantastically verdant and loaded with glistening cascades, including the park's second highest waterfall.
Shenandoah National Park: Whiteoak Canyon Trail
This 6.6-mile, out-and-back canyon hike takes you through fantastically verdant terrain loaded with glistening cascades, including the park's second highest waterfall.
Sia Pass
This city day hike offers spectacular views from the northwest of the greater Las Vegas Valley.
South Mountains State Park - Murray Branch
12 mile out and back hike in South Mountains State Park.
Spokane: Devils Eye Route
This short but challenging hike climbs 1,300 ft. to shallow caves, a delicate natural bridge, and spectacular view of the Snake River. Good route-finding skills required.
St. Louis: Lewis and Clark Trail
This 8.5-mile loop climbs to rugged bluffs and views of the Missouri River and its bluffs, then rolls through cool hollows in Weldon Spring Conservation Area.
St. Louis: Millstream Gardens Conservation Area
This 6-mile out-and-back offers commanding views from bluffs overlooking the St. Francis River and passes remnants of an old mining operation.
Stegosaurus Butte
Go off the beaten path to witness the forging of this new trail and get your first taste of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Recreation Area.
Summiting Humphrey's Peak
Hike 5 miles in, and 3,500 ft up to Arizona's highest point. Then take a break and hike back. :) This trail is not very technical, but is slightly strenuous. You will need too be in decent shape, and you may have issues with the altitude, especially if you are visiting from phoenix. If you can keep trudging, you will make it to the top.
Summiting Huron Peak
Huron is one of the Colorado 14ers. It's not as hard as some of the others, but it will get your heart pumping.
Tallahassee: Lake Overstreet Loop
This double loop takes you 5.4 miles past old homesites to the abundant native vegetation on the undeveloped shores of Lake Overstreet.
Tallahassee: Leon Sinks Loop
Spend a laid-back afternoon in a unique geologic area chock full of swamps and sinkholes on a fascinating 4.4-mile loop in Apalachicola National Forest.
Tallahassee: Miccosukee Greenway Loop
Hike through shady sweet-gum forest and rolling grasslands on this 6.5-miler along the premier canopy road of the Red Hills region.
Tampa: Croom A-Loop Trail
Discover central Florida's hidden pocket of dry, undulating forest on this 8-mile loop through longleaf pine hills, wet prairie, and an abandoned lead mine.
Topeka: Eagle Ridge Trail
Witness delicate blooms in a peaceful prairieland on this 5.6-mile loop in Milford State Park, which also features wooded ravines and secluded coves.
Topeka: Horsethief Canyon
This 4.4-miler mixes prairie with rolling wooded hills, scenic bluffs, and sandstone hoodoos in Kanopolis State Park, the first state park in Kansas.
Topeka: Konza Prairie
Trek 6.3 miles into one of the last virgin tallgrass prairies in Kansas to limestone outcrops overlooking a beautiful river valley and the grazing lands of 300+ buffalo.
Trapper Lake - Grand Teton NP - Wyoming
Fantistic trip for scenery and solitude. Great for family or couple hikes. Easy hike in for an overnight trip.
Tucson: Bog Springs Loop
Take a walk on the wildlife side on this moderate 4.5-mile half-day hike in the Santa Rita Mountains to springs, shady campsites, and pleasant views.
Tulsa: Robber's Cave State Park
This 10-mile loop explores Jesse James’s old hideout then links gurgling streams and quiet ponds in the rugged folds of the San Bois Mountains.
Washington, DC: Maryland Heights Loop
Immerse yourself in history as you explore long-abandoned Civil War batteries on this 6.1-mile hike to a commanding view of Harpers Ferry.
Washington, DC: Three Top Mountain Loop
In just a weekend, you can travel from wooded ridges to gentle peaks to quiet hollows on this 16.5-mile lasso in George Washington National Forest.
Watersmeet, MI: Clark Lake
This 8.2-mile Sylvania Wilderness overnight loops around a glacial lake with sandy beaches and huge virgin-growth trees. It's one of the best hiking spots in the upper Midwest.
Waupaca, WI: Hartman Creek
This 3.9-mile, figure-8 loop meanders along the shores of glacial lakes under a mixed forest of hardwoods and pine-a perfect trail/off-trail adventure for ambitious young hikers
Yosemite National Park: Hetch Hetchy-Vernon Lake Loop
Enjoy the quiet trails and scenic views of Yosemite Valley's less-traveled twin on this 28.7-mile overnighter. Early season is marked by waterfalls surging with spring meltoff.
Yosemite National Park: Nevada Falls Loop
This 6.2-mile loop leads into a land of rainbows and big waterfalls among the granite faces of Yosemite Valley.
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Photos + Videos
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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.
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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.
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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.
