8 Classic National Park Hikes Every Backpacker Should Do

It's hard to find an ugly spot in the national parks. But these eight hikes take it to the next level, with gorgeous scenery and wildlife. Go for a walk.

Author:: BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors
Updated:: May 2, 2019
Original:: Oct 19, 2018

Devils Garden Primitive Loop, Arches National Park

With many trails, you’re lucky to come across just one marquee landmark. That’s not the case here. This 7-mile loop showcases perhaps the best scenery-to-effort ratio in the whole park system as it wends past eight natural arches—that’s more than one arch per mile. Read more.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park - Smoky Mountain hikes

Colorado Trails

The ultimate vacation in one of America's iconic parks requires the ultimate hiking plan: classic scenery, no crowds, and secret campsites. Here's how to spend a perfect week in Glacier, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Denali, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Yellowstone National Park

We surveyed more than 40 scientists, conservationists, and professional adventurers, then ranked the 15 parks that are most in peril from climate change.