Kristin Smith

These ten routes will show you that nature never stops bustling, no matter how much snow is on the trail.

Ramp up your speed for hiking, trail running, and reaching the views faster with this all-in-one cardio and stabilizing workout.

You Are Here inspires hikes from your local hill to the Himalaya.

Whether you have a day, a weekend, or a whole week, there's a hike for you in Glacier National Park.

If you can get along in a two-person tent, you can get along anywhere.

Bears don't just call North America home. Branch out and hike their homes in Asia, South America, the Arctic, and beyond.

The miles are low and the rewards are sky-high on these perfect first hikes.

Shake off your winter hiking slump with these early-season destinations.

With several dozen waterfalls, old growth forest, and mossy grottos carved right out of the wall of Columbia River Gorge, this trail is a hiker's paradise.

Follow in the footsteps of history from Pennsylvania to the Pacific coast.

Already itching to head into the backcountry? These overnights are accessible way earlier than the high country classics, with views just as good.

This sandstone arch outside Sedona, AZ has top-notch views and a fun bit of scrambling.

There's plenty of options when summiting the highest point on the country's eastern seaboard, from multi-peak loops to quick out-and-backs.

Home to the rarest pine trees in the country plus one of the last salt marshes in southern California, this wilderness refuge amidst an urban sea is a paradise for hikers.

There's a whole wilderness of green valleys, rocky mountaintops, and hidden waterfalls ready to explore in West Virginia's Dolly Sods. Here are our favorite ways to enjoy it.

Find the best of Maine's unbeatable seashore on these hikes through Acadia National Park.

Embrace the exposure when you take your summer adventures to the crest of the high country.

Catch the best of the early season show on these routes across the U.S.

Beat the heat by hitting these desert trails early in the year.

The 9.5-mile Bright Angel Trail drops from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River through some of the continent's most iconic terrain.

Whether you have a day or a week, these hikes will bring you to some of the best of this iconic national park.

The Mile-High City is surrounded by some of the best hiking in the country. Here are the best trails to get out into it.

There's more than gators and beaches here: Florida has one of the best all-season thru-hikes around.

Ready to cross one of the most scenic canyons on Earth? We've got you covered.

Waterfalls aren't summer-only destinations—these cascades are even cooler when frozen in the winter.

Looking to climb some glaciated peaks this winter? These snow anchors will keep your rope team secure above drops or high-angled slopes.

Hikers need to stop trampling trailside flora in pursuit of “the shot.”

Looking for a great dayhike, weekend trip, or multiday expedition near Seattle? We've got you covered.

Explore a geothermal wonderland with the help of Backpacker's experts.

The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.

On Washington's west coast, you can backpack through any landscape you can dream of—and you can do it all on the same trip.

Where did our readers want to go this year? Turns out, a bit of everywhere.

The trails of Shenandoah National Park have it all, from mountain ridgelines to forested waterfalls to a whole range of thriving wildlife.

No, they aren't Everest, but these soaring summit hikes will make you feel like you're standing on top of the world.

An increase in unregulated and low-altitude flights has pushed the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe to ask the Department of the Interior and FAA for an official flight restriction at Snoqualmie Falls.

With over 30 years of thru-hiking and section-hiking long trails all over the country (but never the PCT), Andy Niekamp is definitely the voice of experience. Backpacker sat down with him to find out his tips, tricks, and favorite gear.

With over 30 years of thru-hiking and section-hiking long trails all over the country (but never the PCT), Andy Niekamp is definitely the voice of experience. Backpacker sat down with him to find out his tips, tricks, and favorite gear.

The big melt this summer garnered headlines, but it isn't a new phenomenon: Glaciologists have been watching California's alpine glaciers shrink for decades.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is a pathless autumn paradise.

A bull elk first spotted stuck in a tire in 2019 has finally been freed.

When most people think of fall colors, the first thing that comes to mind is leaves dropping from maples and aspens--but there's a whole rainbow to be found beyond that.

Every fall, male spiders in search of mates crowd the rocks of the 5.7-mile Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop.

The infrastructure bill currently going through Congress would, if passed, budget $350 million for wildlife crossings all across the country.

This is one hike that's worth getting up early for.

These peaks, passes and beaches are the perfect place to spot the first rays of the day.

Elizabeth Ann, cloned from DNA 30 years frozen, is the newest hope for rebuilding the black-footed ferret population.

Get a picturesque lake in Glacier National Park all to yourself.

From tiny foxes to giant sea cliffs, Channel Islands is a world all its own.

From 100-feet-deep slot canyons to towering mesas, Zion National Park has it all.

Thanks to hard work from Forest Service crews, one of Colorado’s most beloved hikes is back in business.

After two decades of contention, the EPA asked a court to restore environmental protections to Alaska’s Bristol Bay last week, shutting down a proposed gold mine that could have wreaked havoc on area ecosystems.

You'll need to know your way around a tide chart—and be comfortable with rugged terrain. But a hike down California's Lost Coast Trail is worth the trouble.

With more than 17,000 feet of elevation change in 25 miles, this hike will push you to your limit.

These waterside trails are half beach vacation, half hiking trip.

A new long trail is always something to celebrate—and this one is an all-timer.

Take in the stars from an easy-to-reach backcountry campsite in Badlands National Park.

These hikes will take you from sandy beaches and sea stacks to glaciated mountain summits in just one day.

The world's largest gypsum dune field isn't just a wonder of the natural world—it's a great place to hike, too.

Check out Kristin Smith's author page.

See plentiful wildlife and few people on this 41-mile hike.

Why this lesser-known trail in northern Arkansas should be your next thru-hike.

At 93 perfect miles long, the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park is about at short as thru-hikes get. But that doesn't make it any less spectacular. Plan your trip with our advice.

One of the windiest hikes in the world is no slouch on views, either.

Following a spate of heat-related injuries among rescuers as well as hikers, several of Phoenix's most popular trails will be closed to the public during summer heat watches.

After summiting every mountain in New Hampshire over 4,000 feet, Floki and her hiking companion Mel Elam have their sights set on their next adventure.

Hiking is about living in the moment, not speed.

Head to Iceland this summer and you can trek the lava fields in boots made from your pandemic work-, lounge-, and sleep-wear.

Authorities had suspended their search when Andrew Devers, 25, finally turned up in the woods outside North Bend, Washington.

Climb to the top of Death Valley National Park on this 12-mile out-and-back.

The 33.2-mile round-trip Hoh River Trail winds through a rainforest wonderland fueled by over 12 feet of rain per year.

Climb through scree, alpine meadows, and boulder fields on these off-trail summit adventures.

Grab your canoe or kayak and head for the water on one of these six summer paddle trips.

The Bay Area's best hikes range from enormous redwoods to waterfalls dropping straight to the sea.

Foul-weather backcountry days have an allure all their own.

Ditch the high lowland temps and head for the water on these six lake hikes.

The Alaska Senate just passed a budget to start construction on a 500-mile segment of the Alaska Long Trail.

Flowers aren’t just for meadows. Look up to see spring among the branches.

This strip mine puts one of the world's largest freshwater ecosystems at risk.

Even when you're stuck indoors, you can get a taste of the wild with one of these video feeds. Pick your favorite and embrace the chillout.

There's nothing quite like kicking back at camp with a good book. These eight are light both literally and figuratively, making for perfect campfire companions.