While Great Smoky Mountains might be the most visited park in the system, Cataloochee is far from the crowds—with a bit of luck, you can see as many elk as people. BY GRAHAM AVERILL
Swimming holes, waterfalls, petroglyphs, and an idyllic campsite—all just a few miles deep in Dinosaur National Monument. BY ROSE CONRY
Notch the prettiest section of the Ozark Trail on this overnight along the Eleven Point River. BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK
Explore the Pacific Northwest’s high desert steppe on this trip through the foothills of the Cascades. BY PAUL CHISHOLM
Get the closest to the Alps without leaving the States—by traversing the Presidentials, including Mt. Washington, in winter. BY RYAN WICHELNS
Snowshoe through the Northwoods on this winter overnight to a shelter along the St. Croix River. BY KOREY PETERSON
Scramble across the trailless desert in Joshua Tree's wild northeast corner to inner Basin Pass. BY EMELIE FROJEN
Loop through Savage Gulf and you'll be rewarded with 50-foot cascades, swimming holes, see-forever views, and an amazing campsite. BY ERIC HARRISON
Elsewhere in the country, hikers are putting away their boots and packs for the winter, but here in Lost Maples, I’m about to set up a picture-perfect campsite on an outcrop 400 feet above the fall scenery. BY JUDY PAUL
Get the best of summer (waterfalls, swimming, beaching) with the best of fall (mild temps and colorful foliage) on this overnight through DeSoto State Park. BY VICTORIA STOPP
Explore the Superstition Mountains on this overnight across Red Tanks Divide. BY QUINN HARPER
Wind past a half-dozen jade pools on this loop in fall-perfect Huron-Manistee National Forest in Central Michigan. BY STUART PECK
Get the Wallowas to yourself on this loop through prime bear habitat in the rugged Joseph Canyon. BY PATRICE LA VIGNE
The reward for portaging so many times? The best fall foliage show the Northeast has to offer. Get it all on the Seven Carries route in the St. Regis Canoe Area. BY RYAN WICHELNS
Hike through quiet forest and old farmland on the remotest section of Rhode Island’s end-to-end North-South Trail. BY RYAN WICHELNS
By Rachel Sayers
By Joseph Friedrichs
The Tetons are showy enough to make roadside views almost as good as the backcountry ones. Almost. This wilderness lake is a haul to reach, but the journey is just as good as the destination.
By Melissa Avery