Paddle Through a Florida Zoo in the Everglades
Alligators, birds, and even dolphins will be your company on this paddle.
Endless Summer in the National Parks
It’s OK: Winter isn’t for everyone. Where some hikers tune up their skis and pull out their heavy layers, some of us are left dreaming of shorts weather. If that sounds like you, you don’t need to hibernate for the winter. Instead, chase summer on one of these six trips Backpacker encourages hikers to travel responsibly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read up on current conditions and health department rules, practice social distancing, and consider opting for destinations closer to home.
Explore Sandstone Cathedrals in Death Valley National Park, California
You don’t have to go far away to get far away in the perfect national park for winter.
Choose Your Own Adventure in Joshua Tree National Park, California
Granite domes, long-limbed cacti, prehistoric wildlife, and legendary night skies should land this park on every hiker’s bucket list, so beat the spring rush by going now. We bet mild temps, quiet trails, and late blooms will leave you thinking this is the sleeper season, after all.
Hit the Beach in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
The sand beckons—but don't just throw down your towel and soak up the sun.
Backpack the Desert in Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Towering cacti and no crowds make this a perfect hike for getting away from it all.
Get Lost in the Dunes of White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Walking in this gypsum dunefield is hard—but it's worth the trouble.
Ply the Bayous in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas
The plains meet the bottomlands in this unique ecosystem.