Your dream backpacking trips are waiting for you. Find and explore new hiking trails and backpacking routes across the country with advice, adventure travel stories, topo maps, photography, and more from the experts at Backpacker.
Your dream backpacking trips are waiting for you. Find and explore new hiking trails and backpacking routes across the country with advice, adventure travel stories, topo maps, photography, and more from the experts at Backpacker.
While known for its lake views, modern architecture, deep-dish pizza, and those World Series champion Cubs, the Windy City is also close to some of the Midwest’s best hiking trails. Glacier-scraped terrain, hardwood forests, and meandering rivers are all within two hours of the Magnificent Mile.
Atlanta has plenty of nicknames, but the best one is The City in a Forest. Atlanta urban center boasts a higher density of tree cover than almost any other major city in the country—meaning quality trail time is hardly farther than your doorstep.
New York City may be the height of American urbanism, but that doesn’t mean you have to drive for hours to get your wilderness fix. Soaring views over rocky peaks, quiet lakes, steep scrambles, and wildflowers galore await on these nearby trails. The best part? Public transportation hits them all.
Beantown: city of colonial history, collegiate culture, and premium access to the mighty peaks of New Hampshire—but not a ton of hiking within city limits. Luckily, Hub hikers can easily go from Government Center to New England summits for the day, with hike options ranging from waterfalls to lakes to peakbagging missions—sometimes all in the same hike.
Some months, Ted Alvarez spends more night in a tent than beneath a roof, but his mom had never backpacked. A mother-and-son road trip through all five of Utah’s national parks in one week would be the perfect way to make up for lost time—or court disaster.
A woman's golden retriever took a snakebite to the face on an Arizona trail.
From the Thorofare to Yellowstone’s East Entrance, Cody has something for everyone.
Party attempted descent, called 911 due to slow progress
Popularity of series hasn't helped recruitment efforts
Cramps were the culprit, say officials
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The paddling trips will incorporate plant surveys and a stop at the new River Island.
500 dockless bikes will make it easier for people to pull off a cruise in the woods.
The measure would fight to prevent extinction for the iconic butterfly.
The 730-acre parcel of old-growth trees is bigger than Muir Woods.
A huge increase in visitation is causing overcrowding and safety issues at the iconic overlook.
Arizona Game and Fish moved a healthy, 75-pound bear to the Galiuro Mountains.
Researchers will plumb the underwater depths for chunks of a meteorite that fell last March.
Backers of a plan to reintroduce the state fish to the Poudre River team up with the Fort Collins brewery and get a special-edition brew.
The WWII military training camp in Eagle County is part of a larger wilderness expansion bill.
Rescuers responded to an injured ankle, severe cramping, and a head injury between last Friday and Monday.
Adventure resort in NH state park may be sold to private entity
Governor’s council challenges residents to exercise
Pair had no map, limited food, water
Actor Don Cheadle is segment's special guest
Bee documenters to descend on day-hiking destination
Strap your canoe to the car and prepare to get elevated at this North Carolina haven.
A dispute about the concessionaire who runs the shuttle is to blame.
The countercultural group is holding its annual get-together near Bull Mountain.
The woman escaped the encounter at Vasquez Rocks Park with minor injuries.
Rangers at Chiricahua National Monument are offering $60,000 for tips to help solve the mystery a ranger who never returned from a hike.
How and why the forests decide to implement fire restrictions--and why they sometimes don't work.
Here's where to rent a boat and get out on the water for exercise, fishing, wildlife-watching, and more.
This is why it's a good idea to clear the food out of your car--and lock the doors.
The 31-year-old went missing after camping at Colonial Creek last weekend.
The park's new management plan calls for relocating some mountain goats to the Cascades and shooting the rest.
And if a federal lawsuit prevails, the wildlife refuge won't open to the public at all.
The discovery forced the closure of Factory Pond and its trails.
A green electricity proposal finds fierce critics among Maine's wilderness lovers.
There’s more to this Hawaiian island than its most famous trail—and with Na Pali Coast State Park closed indefinitely, there’s never been a better time to sample the best hikes Kaua’i has to offer.
Last-minute campsite options are shrinking starting this summer.
The small group pioneered a 210-mile loop linking natural areas throughout Chicagoland.
A tour boat pulled a couple to safety after they fell from their rented kayaks.
Giant hogweed, found in at least 12 states, causes painful blisters and blindness.
Highlands Preserve's new bridge improves access to its trail network and beyond.
Starting now, annual pass holders will receive Arizona Highways gratis.
Access to the Monterey County coast should be restored by the end of July.
The popular city hiking path is getting an extensive makeover.
Redefine “close to home” on these three trails within city limits.
As a gateway to the Chugach National Forest, a trip to Cordova is a primer in hiking southern Alaska
One group may face charges for rescue
All-natural repellent sold nationwide
Springtime means black bears are increasingly crossing paths with people
Some of the best wilderness in the country has no trail at all. Grab a paddle and get ready for the ultimate summer on the water with these 11 trips down National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
The woman fell from the Laurel Falls Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The measure, awaiting U.S. Senate approval, calls for lengthening the North Country Trail to connect to the Long Trail.
Find your own secret spot on this trek through the Sierra.
Get up close (but not too close) with a classic symbol of America on this Great Plains trail.
Spy seals, otters, and whales on the newly completed 3.8-mile Boucher Trail in central California.
What Denver hikers need to know this weekend.
What Seattle hikers need to know this weekend.
Experts say May, June, July are main tick months
This year's fires haven't been as bad as in years past, but most have been caused by people.
Visitation and rescue incidents are both up at Mt. Adams--but what does Instagram have to do with it?
The "fire hydrant" technology would make it easier for firefighters to do water drops in remote areas.
The death, in the park's Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, is the first river-related fatality of the season.
Our 4 favorite excursions this week.
Land managers struggle to protect the last white lady's slipper orchid plant in the preserve system.
A mountain biker came upon the big cat lying across an Emerald Mountain trail.
The move comes as the 416 wildfire grows to more than 22,000 acres.
Rangers are looking for the person who spray painted words of love across a rock at the park.
Here's where to go for baby birds, blooming succulents, and butterflies.
The proposed 319-mile-trail will have to wait until a $9 million debt is settled.
A woman sustained bite injuries from the three dogs, presumed to be feral,
Kane County Health Department has issued an alert warning of an increase in the bloodsucking insects.
The saying goes, "Virginia is for Lovers," but it could just as easily be "Virginia is for outdoor lovers."
The National Scenic Trails system boasts nearly 19,000 miles. Not sure where to start? We’ve scoured the whole network to bring you the best 50 miles.
Popular crossing slated for removal to preserve wilderness, but opinions are split.
White Mountains mainstay to get an overdue name change.
Saunders came face-to-face with killer Carl Drega