Trips

Picture the Alps without the crowds, and you have Island Lake.

This 12.1-mile overnight bags a Catskills Peak on the way to your lean-to camp spot.

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.

An 18-mile paved trail will run from St. George to Zion National Park and offer parking lots, bathrooms, benches, and more. But you'll be waiting for a while.

Cliff falls are the second most common ways people die in one of America’s most dangerous national parks.

On a trip up Mt. Rainier's Disappointment Cleaver route, Cherlyn Eliza remembers that only your skills and your heart matter to the mountain.

He averaged about 10 miles every day, but still had the energy to play freeze tag at night.

Experience the beauty of fall foliage in Minnesota with these bucket list hikes

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.

It's one of the classic day hikes of the United States—and with views like this, it's easy to see why.

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

This descent into this Wind River Range highlight is one no hiker will ever forget.

Explore a secret wonderland in the West Needle Mountains.

It's the most-visited 14er in Colorado. But that doesn't mean you should skip it.

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

Charming mountain towns, adrenaline fueled adventures and beautiful views are waiting for you

At one of the most beautiful parks in the northwest, this hiker went outside on their own terms.

Almost entirely above treeline, this 6.5-mile day-hike loop cruises below rounded 12,000-foot ridges en route to Tobacco Lake in the heart of Colorado’s South San Juan Wilderness.

If you're new to Colorado's 14ers or simply looking for a day hike into the clouds, try these (relatively) easy adventures on Colorado's tallest mountains.

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.

No matter where in the country you are, theres a waterfall hike nearby. We've collected five of our favorites—get a preview now with this top pick.

Ohio is the last place you'd expect to discover an off-trail wonderland. But in Cuyahoga Valley, where cross-country hiking is allowed, finding the good stuff takes a little bit of work.

Bubbling hot springs, steaming geysers, and kaleidoscopic lava flows: If the world feels freshly made here, it's because, in a sense, it is.

The Appalachian Trail is the adventure of a lifetime. Make it yours with our ultimate guide to the country's most famous footpath and the prep, gear, and knowledge you'll need to go the distance.

Wildlife, wildflowers, and views await on this short but sweet Colorado hike.

The short and steep trip to Lake Agnes delivers with craggy peaks, scree fields (home to pika), and fish-filled alpine waters.

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.

Scramble up classic redrock and take in the canyon country views on this 4-mile out-and-back.

This 2.5-mile loop in the Wichita Mountains nabs a summit and heads through a series of boulder-built caves.

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Mastered walking? Time to use your hands as well as your feet on these adventurous day trips.

Tick off the state high point on this 3-day backcountry adventure.

Climb this iconic summit on an uncrowded sneak route.

These ten hikes are the perfect Father's Day getaways.

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

Ditch Houston for the bayou on this paddling adventure. Just watch out for the gators.

See historic bridges and wildlife on this 38.6-mile paddle through America's heartland.

Alligators, birds, and even dolphins will be your company on this paddle.

Paddle 7 miles up the Wailua River to secret waterfalls, hidden swimming holes, and one of Kauai's best rope swings.

By Marissa Gawel

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

Link pristine forests, wildflower meadows, and two picturesque lakes on this gentle, 3.7-mile hike near Snoqualmie Pass.

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

Follow this loop mixing on- and off-trail travel through vibrant wildflower displays and past snow-fed streams to a huge alpine lake with unbeatable campsite views of Mount Meeker.

This 11-mile out-and-back climbs to two high-altitude lakes in New Mexico's Carson National Forest.

This easy loop hops islands and sand dunes beside Lake Michigan.

This 23.6-mile backpack along the shore of Lake Superior is perfect for a long weekend or a weekday escape.

Like its name suggests, the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail offers near-constant water views—and if you want to see it all, you’d better arrive before the dogwood flowers do.

Active Pass member Robin Mino takes the rocky route on the descent from Huemul Pass to Lake Viedma in Patagonia.

From lakeshore rambles to mountain peaks, these trails showcase the very best of the midwest.

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

Link two of Grand Teton's deepest and most spectacular valleys via a high pass.

With America reopening, it’s high time to hit the road. See some of the country’s greatest parks, grasslands, and trails on these handpicked routes.

Summit peaks, swim lakes, and cross the Continental Divide on the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This 10.5-mile out and back promises wildflower drenched meadows, stunning vistas, and two pristine alpine lakes perfect for a cold dip or sunrise photo op.

Not every summit needs to be grueling. Get all of the glory with none of the struggle on these 7 hikes.

Some high points require expert skill, a bit of luck, and probably some suffering. Not these. Here are 14 peaks—high on views, low on effort—that don’t play hard to get.

Spring rains turn this swath of forest in the Loess Hills into a natural paradise.

Head from sea level to a ridgeline stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail on the best hikes near San Diego.

Hike some of the East Coast's wildest wilderness on the AT.

Wind through a chain of alpine lakes with spectacular views of Mts. Baker and Shuksan on this easy 6.5-mile overnight.

Our writer reconciles her family and her future on the path to Harding Icefield.

Jackson Hole has world-class summer adventures waiting for every adventurer!

The OCT might not have the wilderness solitude of other long trails. But lean into its unique charm and you'll find a thru-hike experience unlike any other.

World-class fishing, celebrated mountain biking, and epic canoe-access camping, and so much more in this gem of the North.

The 53-mile Lost Coast Trail heads through some of California's last pristine beaches.

This 7.2-mile round-trip hike to the Dutch Doctor lean-to in Harriman State Park takes you right into the wilderness, only an hour outside NYC.

Forget Yellowstone or Yosemite: One of the highest concentrations of bears in the U.S. lives right here in the Appalachians.

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Grand Staircase-Escalante’s Little Death Hollow takes you into one of the most remote corners of Utah.

After a year of virtual meet-ups and less-than-ideal fresh air intake, this Colorado mountain town is the perfect place to fill up your adventure tanks.

Feeling adventurous? Take on the seven-and-a-half mile hike to Panamint City, an abandoned village deep within Death Valley’s Surprise Canyon.