Stories

Looking for animals? This Minnesota paddle is a sure bet.

See the Everglades by boat on this 23 mile trip.

Paddle along Glacier Bay's dynamic shores.

Hike Lake Superior's shoreline in this 12+ mile hike.

This 26-mile trek along California's coast should have been a highway...except it was too riddled with cliffs to build on.

Find your hike on the country's highest footpath.

This picturesque Utah hike features natural arches and ancient petroglyphs.

Head to Asheville, North Carolina for this beautiful gorge loop.

Hike, swim, and scramble in this 16-mile slot canyon route.

If you don't mind the potential of extreme weather and wind, Mt. Washington is your hike.

Check out the Mountaineer's Route of Mt. Whitney if you're looking for a challenge.

This challenging climb on Mt. Rainier gains almost 2,000 feet per mile.

This epic trip is hard, dry, steep--and gorgeous. The Cranberry Route--the final leg of this challenging loop--is the boldest, hardest scramble our scouts have done in the Grand Canyon. Study the key steps of this eight-mile section and see more details a

If you think you missed the age of exploration and discovery, you haven't tried the latest mapping tools. Join our tech scout as he learns how to hike like a cartographer--and sees the wilderness in an entirely new way.

Find solitude and Adventure in the Big Ditch.

Find solitude and adventure in the big ditch.

Find the best trail for your backcountry skills.

Score your own private paradise with this insider's guide to uncrowded areas in Grand Canyon National Park.

See giant sequoias, including General Sherman, on this great family hike.

This Olympic National Park trail features serious elevation gain and switchbacks galore.

This 15-mile section of the Long Trail traces the spine of Vermont's Green Mountains.

This 5.3 mile sunset tour of Vegas takes in all the sights and sounds.

If you don't mind the crowds, hiking Manhattan is urban hiking at its finest.

Hike Disney's Magic Kingdom with the family.

These are some of our favorite wildlife photos you've submitted to the Reader Photo Contest.

Score wildlife sightings daily, choice views hourly--and at least one juicy burger--on this weeklong circuit. Northwest editor Michael Lanza shows you how with a GPS tracklog and Google flyover video..

100 miles of scenery, cheese, and chocolate: A Swiss path beats five other classics.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our 'Ask A Bear' column.

We know. You've always wanted to hike a long trail. Lucky for you, we've got the comprehensive guides to make your dreams a reality. Check out the best sections and dayhikes along the AT, PCT and CDT. PLUS: See how four hikers beat the recession...by hiking through it.

Catch the best views in the nation's marquee parks from the comfort of your computer. Prepare to drool...now.

From Georgia to Oregon, spring blossoms are finally pushing through the winter frost. That means it's time to clear the cobwebs out of the boot soles and bag your first hike of the spring. Here's our exclusive guide to the best spring dayhikes around the country from east, middle, and west.

We've collected the best hikes, most amazing photos, and mind-blowing videos for the ultimate National Park planning center. Get inspired and get hiking now!

Three treks to life-list phenomena from Death Valley to Colorado.

Hit the trail, then hit the oh-so-soft mattress at one of these hiker-friendly lodges.

Disappear into Yellowstone's forgotten peaks. Bag Colorado's most exciting Fourteener. Hike Utah's unknown long trail Our field editors pick 24 epics for your Rockies life list.

Plan your perfect Alaskan trip–from a budget-friendly weekend to an entry-level expedition–with field reports from Steve Howe.

Are wilderness webcams good for the backcountry–or bad for privacy?

On a remote Arctic peak, a father and his teenager encounter the hardest of all human challenges.

Imagine an Alaskan paradise with trout bigger than your leg, bears, and caribou traipsing by camp, and no people–except your good friends. This place exists, we just can't tell you where it is.

Witness the effects of climate change on a challenging trek in the Delta Mountains.

Easy routefinding and life-list sights make this thru-hike a must for Alaska novices.

Hike to a private paradise deep in the Talkeetna Mountains.

Hike a classic in Kenai Fjords–and escape the crowds by making it an overnight.

Tackle an epic route through Chitistone Canyon in Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve.

Hike a historic, kid-friendly trail to wildflower meadows and fish-filled lakes.

Just minutes from town, score big scenery fast on the South Fork of Eagle River.

Bring plenty of supplies to this alpine plateau in the Chugach Mountains–you'll want to extend your stay.

See the awesome Valdez Mountains on this off-trail adventure to Point Odyssey and beyond.

Hit three 13,000-foot peaks in the wildest wilderness south of Glacier.

Climb to the crown of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

Explore a secret wonderland in the West Needle Mountains.

Hike high on this above-treeline route through the Weminuche Wilderness.

Hike to the heart of the Winds.

Discover Utah's best-kept secret.

Go high for the see-it-all hike in this iconic park.

See the best of Montana without the crowds.

Find solitude with this surf-and-turf trip.

Climb the high point of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Swim, climb, nap–repeat. This Sawtooths trek has it all.

At Mt. Tam you'll find wilderness solitude with Pacific views only 20 miles from San Francisco. Plus, there's a beer garden.

Trek through lush fields that thrive on just two inches of annual rainfall.

Glimpse miniature deer that barely escaped extinction.

See a 365-foot cascade turned to ice at Bridal Veil Falls.

Trek to an off-the-grid bunkhouse.

Discover a desert oasis.

Paula Patterson learns how to share the trail–but not her tent–with the wildlife.

Finding it hard to get the whole family out for a hike? Let Danny Griffs show you the way.

Your best shots: BACKPACKER readers have been to some spectacular places and here's the proof from more than 700 submissions.

Who knows the secret trails and must-do classics in every corner of the country? Our teams of regional experts, recruited from the ranks of readers like you. Here are their top hikes from coast to coast.

Mississippi river vistas, ocean-size grasslands, and guaranteed solitude.

A weekend in Glacier, a quiet 14er, and the Rockies' best hot springs.

A state high point, killer foliage, and a hike loaded with waterfalls

Crashing waterfalls, hidden lakes, and a choice Denali view highlight the 2010 Northwest Readers' Choice hikes.

Colossal trees, sweet swimming holes, and the USA's best picnic spot.

The world's prettiest shoreline, giant pines, and Yosemite's premier view.

Hike Hawaii's all-world coast to a secluded beach.

Explore lonely alpine scenery in this off-the-radar wilderness.

Trek 211 miles through hiker heaven.

Bag a granite peak with big views and small crowds.

Get a highlights tour of the High Sierra backcountry.