Trips

This 3.9-mile, figure-8 loop meanders along the shores of glacial lakes under a mixed forest of hardwoods and pine-a perfect trail/off-trail adventure for ambitious young hikers.

Capture the renowned mystique of Lake Superior's solitary atoll on this traverse of Isle Royale, a pristine archipelago untouched by development and home to thriving wolf and moose populations.

This short but challenging hike climbs 1,300 ft. to shallow caves, a delicate natural bridge, and spectacular view of the Snake River. Good route-finding skills required.

In 6.1 miles, this trail winds through a bird refuge with more than 130 feathered species, a secluded canyon, and an old pioneer town flooded by the Willamette River in the 1800s.

Spot bald eagles from the overlooks along this rarely crowded 5.2-mile stretch of the North Country Trail in northern Wisconsin's Marengo Semi-Primitive Area. The route also makes a great snowshoe hike.

Enjoy views north and south along Kittatiny Mountain on this vigorous 10-mile loop.

Knock off two Santa Fe must-dos--Lake Katherine, the most beautiful lake in NM, and illustrious Santa Fe Baldy—in one long day on this strenuous 15.4-mile out-and-back.

This 6.6-mile out-and-back canyon hike is fantastically verdant and loaded with glistening cascades, including the park's second highest waterfall.

At 9.9 miles, this multi-use loop gently climbs an old logging road crisscrossing Cotton Brook, then moves up the banks of a reservoir with dramatic views of the Worcester Range.

There are no car horns blowing on this pleasant 5-mile loop--just the therapeutic hum of mountain streams and a peaceful lake in the woods.

This preserve offers plenty of big city escape. Shady forests, gentle waterfalls, and a lofty vista over the Des Plaines River are just a few stops along this 10.1-mile multi-use loop.

Hike near theropod and sauropod dinosaur tracks, then ditch the roadside crowds for some solitude and abundant views of the Paluxy River Valley on this 6.8-mile loop.

Mountainsides of wildflowers and alpine larches will excite all five senses on this 6-mile out-and-back mountain trek in Wenatchee National Forest.

Escape the city's smog on this pretty 7.3-mile loop into the chaparral-covered ecosystem of La Jolla Canyon. Fresh air and Pacific Ocean vistas are only a 30-minute drive from downtown.

This 6.5-mile loop passes through sage, chaparral, and oak groves to a high plateau with panoramic views of the Santa Ana Mountains.

Navigate the long, gorgeous valley of Bishop Creek's Middle Fork to alpine lakes beneath spectacular Sierra Crest peaks. Leave early for this arduous 17-mile hike.

This easy 4.7-mile route loops past Sycamore Canyon Falls and the shady bottom of Big Sycamore Canyon.

Countless waterfalls, 100-mile mountain views, and groves of ancient trees make this 8.6-mile, one-way trek one of the best dayhikes in the region.

Explore a local wildlife hideout on this easy 3.5-mile loop into oak forest and along soggy wetlands near the Willamette River.

This challenging 2,000-foot climb coils through 7.9 miles of mixed forest then unloads killer views from the tops of two favorite local peaks.

A steep, 330-foot cliff descent begins a 5-mile out-and-back along one of SoCal's last undeveloped coasts--which happens to include a famous nude beach.

The 9.2-mile trek heads along one of California's last pristine beaches to the swimming grounds of harbor seals and the once-endangered California gray whale.

Roam dense forests and lush ravines on this 6.4-mile trek just minutes from downtown Portland.

This 14.6-miler rewards hikers with wildflower meadows and views over four monster peaks.

This 6.2-mile out-and-back follows the new Ira Spring Memorial Trail, which winds for 3.2 miles above Snoqualmie Valley, ending at picturesque Mason Lake.

This all-season, 7-mile loop in the Boulder River Wilderness gently ascends through fast-growing (and fast-falling) alders, fragrant cedars, and rugged Douglas firs.

A roller-coaster 9.2-mile hike hits two peaks with views of Lake Pend Oreille, Rathdrum prairie, and the Selkirk and Coeur d'Alene Mountains.

A stiff climb is rewarded with Lord-Of-The-Rings-like views on this 8.6-mile, berry-strewn trek.

This strenuous 11.5-mile loop hops three peaks to outstanding views in the Tongue Mountain Range, then returns along the gorgeous shoreline of Northwest Bay.

A 7.4-mile hike with nonstop views of the Olympics, leading to a summit on the eastern edge of Olympic National Park.

Explore wildlife-rich salt flats and marsh in one of the last undeveloped deltas in the Puget Sound Region.

This 5-mile round-trip route to Munds Mountain offers postcard-quality views of Sedona's famed red rocks.

Climb less than 1,000 ft. to craggy overlooks of Lake Willoughby and Mount Pisah on this 8.3-mile out-and-back in Willoughby State Park.

Hikers must follow unofficial, angler, or game trails for most of this 3.1-mile circumnavigation of Conestoga Lake, a popular roosting ground for upland birds and gobblers.

Find rugged wilderness in central Indiana as you hike this 10.3-mile loop. Don't miss old Draper Cabin.

Follow Daniel Boone's intrepid bootsteps westward over silent ground carpeted with ferns and history on this 9-mile figure-eight over the recently restored Gap.

You won't find sections of this 8.2-mile hike on any trail map. That's because, until recently, these two 3,500-foot mountains in the Catskill Mountains sat on private land.

Trek 6.3 miles into one of the last virgin tallgrass prairies in Kansas to limestone outcrops overlooking a beautiful river valley and the grazing lands of 300+ buffalo.

Taste Alaskan wilderness without the national park crowds on this 4.2-mile dayhike. Or continue hiking up to 36 additional miles for an extra-long day, an overnight, or a weekend.

Stroll through Giant Sitka spruce to craggy coastal views, then climb into old-growth forest and wild meadows.

Enjoy a gurgling creek, the staccato of canyon wrens, and ridgetop vistas on this 4.2-mile jaunt just minutes from downtown Pasadena.

A 3,000-foot gain in 3.4 miles delivers landscape-painting vistas of pastoral valleys and idyllic California hamlets on this 6.8-mile round-trip.

This 7.4-miler scrambles the best of the eastern Cascades: waterfalls, fragrant forests, and a sprawling alpine lake.

An oak-shaded creek with cat tails and mountain lion tracks.

Ramble from canyon views to shady forest along the exposed cliff bands above Santa Ysabel Creek.

Tall grass mixes with prickly pear on this 5.4-mile loop to sprawling ridgeline views of the Santa Ana Mountains, Bell Canyon, and San Juan Canyon.

From the Chisos Mountains to the Chihuahuan Desert, this 3- or 4-day hike samples it all.

Climb high above the Pacific on this 6-mile loop over 3,111-foot Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains.

A 24-miler in the the Big Bend's remote west corner.

Camp under sharp peaks and sharper stars on this 4-day, 20-mile tour along the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. Summits, swimming holes, and trout abound.

Paddle the Rio Grande through massive gorges on this exciting overnight. This 22-mile trip is easily done in 2 days.

This 9.4-miler leads to a serene mountain lake and a ragged peak in Snoqualmie National Forest. Earmark a weekend to explore both, or divide it into two shorter dayhikes.

This 25-mile  hike climbs six significant peaks in the northern Catskills, accumulating about 8,000 feet each of elevation gain and loss in steep, rocky terrain. This country looks and feel wild, and the views from its many lookouts easily rival those from the more-crowded high peaks.

Bag the best views withing 50 miles of Manhattan on this 6.5-mile loop along open ridges and bucolic forest trails in Harriman State Park.

Climb two peaks, then return through an abandoned village on this historic 6.2-mile loop in Bear Mountain State Park.

Explore a desert moonscape of otherworldly cacti on this 4.2-mile hike to an abandoned gold prospect. Take plenty of water and sunscreen.

Begin this quiet 8.4-mile, out-and-back at a glacier dug lake, then continue through farm and forest where whitetail deer, turkeys, and coyotes roam.

Solitude rules on this 6.2-mile out-and-back past the headwaters of a lively mountain stream where deer and black bears roam by the skeleton of a weatherbeaten homestead.

Hit two alluring lakes while exploring a landscape carved by fire and chiseled by ice on this picturesque 9.2-mile out-and-back lined with plentiful wildflowers.

Enjoy the quiet trails and scenic views of Yosemite Valley's less-traveled twin on this 28.7-mile overnighter. Early season is marked by waterfalls surging with spring meltoff.

Explore one of the Lower 48's last remaining wild corners on this 11.6-mile loop from the High Chisos Mountains to the South Rim escarpment.

Pass through some of the wildest land in the Lower 48 on this stout 11.3-mile route that offers a wildlife showcase of grizzlies, mountain lions, moose, and wolverines.

This 12.4-mile out-and-back sweeps under a giant evergreen forest to a blossoming burn zone, then ends at an alpine lake perfect for stargazing.

This stunning 12-mile romp visits one of the most beautiful and rugged desert shrub-steppe areas of central Washington and is well worth the 2-hour drive from downtown.

Traverse the secluded ridgelines of the "Valley of Vapors" on this 12.4-mile loop through America's oldest National Park Service site.

Watch wild ponies trot by the seashore on this 11.1-mile loop along a unique barrier island. Bring a bucket and hunt for clams on the isle's massive, undeveloped beaches.

Watch thriving bison herds while surveying million-year-old glacial architecture on this 4.2-mile lasso loop through the largest untouched mixed-grass prairie in North America.

Discover ancient archaeology and island isolation (playful sea lions excepted) on this 5.2-mile loop through Santa Rosa's steep canyons and sandy beaches.

See centuries-old endangered trees in one of the Eastern seaboard's last remaining maritime forests on this 6.2-mile out-and-back across a diverse barrier island.

Camp on sandy beaches, explore untouched forests, and listen to gray wolves howl on this 16.2-mile hike on an isolated island in Lake Superior.

Take in craggy seaside views from the summit of 1,532-foot Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic coast, on this 4.4-mile loop.

Satisfy your wanderlust on this 5.4-mile out-and-back, which offers stop-and-gawk panoramas of the jagged Cascades blanketed by glaciers.

Pass through a sanctuary of towering old-growth forest and lush open meadows on this 5.5-mile loop around The Ramparts with majestic views of snowcapped Rainier.

Find solitude in a geological playground of narrow canyons and pristine red sandstone arches on this rarely visited 4.5-mile loop.

Revisit the early shipping days of the Potomac Valley on a 5.6-mile circuit of this 155-year-old route. Along the way, marvel at the East's steepest, most spectacular fall-line rapid.

This diverse 5.6-mile out-and-back, a park signature hike, passes colorful geysers and an eerie burn zone en route to a 100-foot cascade. Caution: Grizzly restoration area.

Travel into the fiery past of Mount Mazama on this 5.2-mile out-and-back to the park's highest peak, where sprawling views of the deepest lake in the United States await.

Hike above the world's largest cave network on this 6.6-mile out-and-back that passes secluded bluffs with exceptional views of Kentucky's last remaining old-growth stands.

Ascend North America's tallest dunes for a day surrounded by alpine peaks, a desert valley, and shifting mountains of sand on this 6.6-mile loop in America's newest national park.

Enjoy a quick escape from the urban jungle any time of year on this 4.1-mile figure eight with calming views of the park's rolling meadows and hills.