Trips

Trek 14.4 miles on less-traveled trails to a 10,000-foot summit over the Valles Caldera, a giant volcanic bowl in the shadow of the Jemez Mountains.

Watch the Little Miami River transform from calm to violent in a deep limestone chasm on this 5.2-mile dayhike in John Bryan State Park.

This is literally one for the birds. Take a hike along a waterfowl-rich marsh on this 8-miler through Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.

This 10-mile loop explores Jesse James's old hideout then links gurgling streams and quiet ponds in the rugged folds of the San Bois Mountains.

Seeking solitude? Test your compass skills as you venture 9.4 miles into a canyon of recovering burn zones and trickling springs in the San Mateo Mountains.

This 10.3-miler outside Vail is a leg- and lung-buster, but at the end of the day you'll touch the sky on the summit of one of Colorado's fabled Fourteeners.

Take a walk on the wildlife side on this moderate 4.5-mile half-day hike in the Santa Rita Mountains to springs, shady campsites, and pleasant views.

Witness delicate blooms in a peaceful prairieland on this 5.6-mile loop in Milford State Park, which also features wooded ravines and secluded coves.

On this 6-mile loop in Blue Hills Reservation, you'll see dense hardwoods, meadows, ponds, glacial leftovers, rocky hills, and sweeping views of Boston.

March 4.2 miles back in time to July 21, 1861, where General Stonewall Jackson led an epic battle on this ground at Manassas National Battlefield Park.

This hike explores a network of canyon forks anchored by scenic and isolated camping and reliable water sources in central Ticaboo Creek.

This 5.1-mile route leads to a majestic set of granite domes, crags, pinnacles, and chimneys shaped by constant winds from the Medicine Bow Range.

Hike 6.1 miles into a redrock paradise full of wind-and-water sculptures that seem to defy gravity. You'll see seven amazing arches on this route.

In just a weekend, you can travel from wooded ridges to gentle peaks to quiet hollows on this 16.5-mile lasso in George Washington National Forest.

Discover the river gullies, wildlife, and floral delights of Cooper Lake State Park on this winding 4.7-mile lollipop loop through a towering hardwood forest.

Go from lush mountains to high desert via a red rock canyon on this 16.3-mile, mostly off-trail trek into Grand Staircase-Escalante. Go in spring or fall; pack extra water.

This 4.4-miler mixes prairie with rolling wooded hills, scenic bluffs, and sandstone hoodoos in Kanopolis State Park, the first state park in Kansas.

Hike or bike 11.6 out-and-back miles on an old mule path to views of the Potomac and historical relics. A flat profile makes this trip suitable for young hikers.

Connect a string of sparkling alpine lakes on this 25.2-mile long weekend under the ragged 12,000-foot spires and peaks of the Wind River Range.

Run, bike, or hike 10.4 miles out and back along a 14,000-year-old lake shoreline to fresh air and broad vistas in Provo Canyon.

Hike into the core of Indian Peaks Wilderness on this 13.6-mile overnight, which leads past waterfalls to a sunbleached valley and a sweet lakeside campsite.

Hike through shady sweet-gum forest and rolling grasslands on this 6.5-miler along the premier canopy road of the Red Hills region.

No time to hike the whole PCT? This 7.4-mile section in Mt. Hood National Forest offers some of the best done-in-a-day views in the long path's northern half.

On this 7.8-mile hike-and-scramble in Camden Hills State Park, you'll bag two peaks and earn million-dollar views of Penobscot Bay's craggy coastline.

Don't be fooled by the name: You'll climb 3,000 feet in 2 miles to a summit with spectacular views of rivers, mountains, and ocean.

This 5.8-miler loops in-and-around secluded islands of rare trees, diverse bird sanctuaries, and tranquil butterfly gardens in Hammonasset Beach State Park.

This 13.2-mile PCT out-and-back is resplendent with mountain scenery, including big panoramas, heaps of wildlife, and a blissfully blue alpine lake.

Visit Georgia's Little Grand Canyon on this 6.7-mile loop to backcountry shelters and geologic wonders in Providence Canyon State Park.

On this easy 5.4-mile out-and-back, you'll follow the mighty Lewis River through a mossy old-growth canyon that harbors three photogenic waterfalls.

Enjoy a soundtrack of whistling winds on this rolling 7-mile hike through virgin forestland to a large alpine lake in William O. Douglas Wilderness.

This 5.6-mile lasso loop departs the popular Big Devils Stairs hike, scramble upstream to waterfalls and connecting with a forgotten trail free of crowds.

This moderate 6.5-mile loop climbs through an open oak forest, reaches nearly 3,000 feet, and pays off with expansive views of distant ridgelines.

This lightly traveled 9.5-mile trail strings together sawgrass marshlands, sandhill flats, and thick forests on its way to sweeping views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

This 9.6-mile hike into a narrow wooded valley passes through old settler farmlands, impressive waterfalls, and mountain overlooks to a quiet creekside lunch spot.

Flee summer's heat spells on this relaxing 2-mile loop around a breezy lake in Pocahontas State Park, which is just a few minutes by car from downtown.

This leisurely 8.2-mile out-and-back meanders through the low-country forests and cypress swamps of Francis Marion National Forest.

Stay found on this scantily marked 7.7-miler into hardwood forests and bird-filled swamps. This one-way trek ends at Poplar Lake in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.

This 7-mile circuit offers a Texas treasure: a chance to hike and camp under an isolated stand of loblolly pines where countless birds nest and sing. Bring a bird ID book.

This 8.2-mile Sylvania Wilderness overnight loops around a glacial lake with sandy beaches and huge virgin-growth trees. It's one of the best hiking spots in the upper Midwest.

This 11.7-mile loop is loaded with backcountry treats: an old mining town, Indian ceremonial grounds, abandoned roads, stellar ridgeline views, and several designated campsites.

Explore seasonal waterfalls, mellow woods, and a large quarry on this moderate 4.5-mile loop along the relatively steep flanks of Monte Sano Mountain.

This mellow 4-mile hike tours the rolling hills and lush, wildlife-filled wetlands that make up scenic Canaan Valley State Park.

Nestled in a quiet corner of the Cohutta Wilderness, this 10.2-mile out-and-back features giant hardwood stands, waterfalls, and a remote mountain campsite.

This moderate 5.5-mile loop on the eastern boundary of the Smokies combines stellar woodland hiking with superb waterfall exploration.

This 3.6-mile out-and-back follows a stunning, sinewy ridge to campsites with clifftop views of the Red River Gorge- a local favorite for backcountry camping.

On this 16.6-mile overnight in the Paddy Creek Wilderness, see tranquil emerald-green creeks and timeless vistas of the rock-strewn Ozark Highlands.

Spend a laid-back afternoon in a unique geologic area chock full of swamps and sinkholes on a fascinating 4.4-mile loop in Apalachicola National Forest.

Solitude is easy to find in the Ozarks, and this 6.6-mile loop is no exception. Tackle this hike, which features forest, river, and bluff views in one day or camp out for the weekend.

This 6.6-mile dayhike in Orange Country features scenic ridgelines and lush wooded canyons.

This 5-mile loop meanders along coastal bluffs and into wetlands in the heart of one of the finest birding spots in the United States.

This 7.3-mile loop leads to photo-worthy views of the colorful Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, then enters a highland meadow to a tranquil pond.

A scattering of rocky outcrops, with their big sky views, offers a surprisingly wild haven within the city limits on this 6.7-mile, figure-8 loop in Topanga State Park.

Cross a rolling ridgeline with great views of Orange County before descending down into the beautiful sycamore-, manzanita-, maple-, and wild zucchini-filled Telegraph Canyon.

Escape gridlock on this quick and easy 5.6-mile getaway along a peaceful reservoir with eucalyptus groves and views over Orange County.

This out-and-back beach hike climbs over Point Dume to a coastline littered with tidepools. Tip: Bring snorkel gear and plenty of drinking water.

Meander through big oaks, sycamores, and pines on this 7-mile, out-and-back hike along a tranquil creek and up Trabuco Canyon for vistas overlooking Cleveland National Forest.

Trace the muddy flats and coastal bluffs of Upper Newport Bay and observe a long list of birds on this easygoing 5.9-mile stroll.

Get the best of two worlds--high ridgeline views and intimate canyon settings--on this moderate 4.8-mile trek in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Wander through old ranching claims now covered with sage scrub and oak woodlands to ridgeline views of Catalina Island and the Santa Ana Mountains on this 10.8-mile loop.

This 4-mile loop boasts canyon views among layers and layers of hills, sandstone cliffs. Look for wild zucchini, thistle, prickly pear cactus, white sage, and raptors.

This giant rock rises above a forested oasis in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Fill your water bottle before hiking this easy 3-mile, out-and-back.

Lakeside campsites, abundant wildlife, waterfalls, and magnificent mountain views are among the many highlights on this 25.1-mile, 3-day trek in the east section of Glacier.

This 12.3-mile, out-and-back trek to Swiftcurrent Mountain is loaded with heavenly views of the Continental Divide, plus the McDonald and Many Glacier valleys.

Ramble 8 miles out-and-back along a chain of shimmering lakes and enjoy a refreshing midsummer swim beneath the park's centerpiece, Lassen Peak.

A wicked flood raged through this valley 20 years ago, carving wide furrows down the Roaring River from Lawn Lake. This hike is 11.6 miles round trip.

Escape to a luscious enclave of rolling hills covered by mature hardwoods and trickling streams just seconds from the city on this 6-mile out-and-back.

Hike through a variety of Arizona vegetation to a Native American ruin and a classic red-rock rim on this 8.4-mile out-and-back trip in black bear country.

On this 8.4-miler, you'll climb well-marked trails to the tentacle-like flanks of Ypsilon Mountain and its namesake lake, then return off-trail by following a mountain stream past unnamed waterfalls.

Take this lesser-known, 6-mile route to the famous Deep Creek hot springs. Go on a weekday for more seclusion.

Squeezed into the extremely rugged landscape of Dick Smith Wilderness, this 5-mile out-and-back features great streamside camping and plenty of solitude.

This easy 4.6-mile loop serves up large tracts of hardwoods, a side of granite ledges, and the continuous pour of a lively brook.

Bag the highest peak in the Coast Range on this 6.1-mile out-and-back where wind, sun, and altitude create several unique ecosystems.

This 9-miler travels a shady canyon with a handful of creek crossings to lovely picnic getaways in Angeles National Forest.

In a mere 5.2 miles, you'll rise 2,200 feet for a sky­box view of Mt. Stuart's wrinkly south face dominating a tawny valley, then descend back to earth again.

This 6.6-miler in southwest Washington's Indian Heaven Wilderness takes you to a faraway wildland splattered with lakes, ponds, and marshes.

This moderately challenging 7.2-mile hike to a photogenic summit proves that sometimes it's not how high you climb--it's where you climb.

Climb through the sandy canyons and shrubby ridgelines of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness on this 5-mile out-and-back outside Albuquerque.

Hike up two mountain peaks with eye-popping vistas on this challenging 7.4-mile off-trail route on the park's lesser-traveled east side.

Hike saguaro-covered hillsides to a small desert spring on this 5.2-mile loop encircled by mesas and red sandstone cliffs.

Close to the city but far from the gridlock, this 5-mile out-and-back takes you over an arid lunar land­scape and pays off with expansive desert views.