| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Fall Foliage Hikes all hikes
Boston, MA: Wompatuck State Park
Hike or bike the labyrinthine trail system in Wompatuck State Park near Boston.
Bozeman: Sacagawea Peak
On this 4.4-mile dayhike, the five-star views go on and on as you climb through blooming meadows and up a scree slope to the Bridger Range's high point.
Glacier Peak Wilderness: Poe Mountain via Poet Ridge
This 2.5-mile climb up huckleberry hillsides and a fir-dotted ridgetop leads to expansive views of Glacier Peak Wilderness from the top of Poe Mountain.
Los Angeles: Tahquitz Peak via Devils Slide
This 8.4-mile out-and-back gains 2,500 feet to unbeatable desert-to-ocean views over the San Jacinto Mountains.
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.
Mount Rainier National Park: Shriner Peak Lookout
This 8.2-mile out-and-back is rarely hiked. If your legs can take a stiff, 3,434-foot climb, the payoff is best-in-show vistas of Rainier and its neighbors.
New York City, NY: Slide Mountain via Curtis-Ormsbee Trail
Summit a Catskills favorite, Slide Mountain, on this 6.7-mile loop with views of the Shawangunks and Taconics.
New York City, NY: Slide Mountain via Curtis-Ormsbee Trail
Summit a Catskills favorite, Slide Mountain, on this 6.7-mile loop with views of the Shawangunks and Taconics.
Rocky Mountain National Park: North Inlet Trail
This 18.8-miler follows the North Inlet through aspen groves, spruce stands, and marshland (feeding grounds of bugling elk) to a campground tucked beneath the Continental Divide.
Santa Fe: Santa Fe Baldy
Knock off two Santa Fe must-dos--Lake Katherine, the most beautiful lake in NM, and illustrious Santa Fe Baldy—in one long day on this strenuous 15.4-mile out-and-back.
Tulsa: Beech Creek Blue Bouncer
Start from a tilted sandstone cliff on a mostly forested and lesser-traveled 9.9-mile loop in Beech Creek National Scenic and Botanical Area.
White Mountain National Forest: Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine
Bag the most famous peak in the Presidential Range in a long day, or spend a weekend enjoying the views on this classic 7.8-mile summit route.
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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.
