Los Angeles: Upper Newport Bay Trail
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 easy 4.6-mile loop serves up large tracts of hardwoods, a side of granite ledges, and the continuous pour of a lively brook.
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.
This 6.6-miler in southwest Washington's Indian Heaven Wilderness takes you to a faraway wildland splattered with lakes, ponds, and marshes.
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.
This 3-ring loop circles through forest and alongside stone walls to the park's namesake summit, offering lots of Kodak moments-especially in autumn.
Enjoy 4-star views on this challenging 4.2-mile loop near Canandaigua Lake--an advanced route down a steep gorge with several waterfalls.
Link two unnamed peaks in the rugged hills above San Pasqual-Clevenger Canyon on this challenging 4-mile, half-day hike.
Climb high above the Columbia Gorge on this 6.9-mile loop to a skyline of volcanoes, peaks, and endless green hills.
This 8-mile out-and-back to a pair of volcanic Cascades cones comes with dozens of colorful wildflower meadows and chilly alpine tarns.
Rolling forestland and endless grassy meadows provide abundant habitat for mule deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife on this 6.8-miler to an old ranch in the shadow of Longs Peak.
Gain more than 2,500 feet on this steep 7.6-mile hike though an open evergreen forest to a view-blessed peak in Wenatchee National Forest. An exceptional wildflower hike in late spring.
Explore old growth rain forest, ascend 5,474-foot Bogachiel Peak, and reap stunning views of Mt. Olympus from High Divide's ridgeline on this 17.5-mile loop around a breathtaking subalpine lake basin.
Moose tracks outnumber boot tracks on this secluded 8.4-mile loop through rolling farmland to a wooded New England pond.
Located in the heart of urban Portland, this 3.9-mile hike follows an unspoiled forest canyon and ends at the city's highest point, yielding views of four iconic volcanoes.
Enjoy fabulous views of the highest peaks in the Alaska Range (Mounts McKinley, Deborah, Hess, and Hayes) on this 6-mile round-trip.
Bag two peaks on this 9-mile, fido-friendly loop around Boulder's signature Flatirons.
Downtown and need a post-meeting fix? This heart-pounding 4.3-mile scramble in Apex Park gives new meaning to that old runner's high.
This 5.3-miler in Greenbelt Park loops through a wooded urban jungle and along gentle streams, just 15 minutes from The National Mall.
Spin your wheels on twisty singletrack that whizzes over hills and across streams on this action-packed 3.1-mile loop through the renowned Schaeffer Farms.
Find rugged trails twisting-and-turning through the largest roadless tract within 25 miles of downtown Chicago on this 5.6-miler in the wind and water-scoured ravines of Cook County Forest Preserve's Swallow Cliffs Woods.
This easy 3-mile loop in Willow River State Park is spiked with cool sights and sounds: rolling bluffs, loud waterfalls, and beautiful lakeshore views.
In 3.3 miles, hike two loops—one leads to campsites and a lovely waterfall, while the other sneaks along ridges and gullies perfect for nature photography.
Flowers? Check. Wildlife? Yep. Good trails? You bet. This easy loop in Rowe Woods packs a lot in 4.9 miles, and it’s just a short drive from the I-275 loop.
Skirt the edges of a boggy cauldron in Kettle Moraine State Forest as you loop 4 miles into terrain tilled by supersize glaciers thousands of years ago.
Follow rolling hills and ridgelines into the forested hollows of the Ozarks on this 8.4-mile loop in Hobbs State Park–Conservation Area.
Find your inner hermit on this 26.3-mile loop in George Washington National Forest, complete with endless scenery, heaps of wildlife, and oh-so-quiet campsites.
Birds (240 species) far outnumber hikers on this 4.3-mile circuit in the rolling hills of Radnor Lake State Natural Area, a real paradise for ornithology enthusiasts.
Catch great views on your way up Virginia’s highest mountain on this 7.2-mile out-and-back through the open balds and ridges of the Appalachians.
This 5-mile circuit hike offers rugged cliffs, gentle creeks, and the chance to see dozens of the 900-plus species within Clear Creek Metro Park.
This 8.5-mile loop climbs to rugged bluffs and views of the Missouri River and its bluffs, then rolls through cool hollows in Weldon Spring Conservation Area.
Tag the highest peak in Minnesota on this 6.6-mile hike, which courses under a coniferous forest and past a glacial lake with nice backcountry campsites.
Nestled deep along Genesee Falls, this 6.5-mile reverse-lasso loop overlooks New York's "Grand Canyon" in Letchworth State Park.
Re-energize yourself on the White-Yellow Loop, a mellow 4.4-mile lasso to a serene picnic spot in this small park just 16 miles from center city.
Tackle a section of America's first National Scenic Trail on this 15.8-mile out-and-back overnight near Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park.
This hearty 9.4-miler in the Palouse Range is guaranteed to satisfy your lust for wildlife sightings and mountain valley views.
Glaciers, high passes, and pristine tundra highlight this intermediate hike.
You'll need multisport skills to scramble, glacier-trek, and paddle through these rarely seen towers.
Thirteen days of tough travel takes you through the heart of the world's largest protected wilderness.
Ramble 7.8 miles through woodlands of black oak, Jeffrey pine, and incense cedar.
Witness the stunning transition of forest to desert on a 10.5-mile hike that traverses the Laguna Mountains.
This 6.6-mile technical out-and-back follows the steep runoff of Beehive Creek 2,000 feet to the rocky shores of two alpine lakes in the proposed Selkirk Mountains Wilderness.
This romantic 6.1-miler follows Lovers Lane Trail to four waterfalls and countless cool swimming holes set in the deep forests of Olympic National Park.
This pleasant 7-mile round-trip hike into Norse Peak Wilderness offers sublime views of volcanic summits without the area's usual knee-breaking ascent.
Beachcomb 11.6 miles up and back on this sandy fin for intimate oceanside views and sweet body-surfing spots.
This 11-mile out-and-back hike heads up Dungeness Spit, a sandy coastal bar decorated with giant driftwood and the occasional deer, to an old lighthouse.
This aggressive 6-mile climb leads to the highest point in the Coast Ranges. Shaded Alder groves, wildflower meadows, and views of volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean await.
From river valley to alpine meadows, this 10.8-mile hike features a brilliant flower display in midsummer and stunning Olympic Range views year-round.
Seek quick refuge from busy streets of Portland on this 5.3-mile loop across wooded slopes to a summit showcasing three snowy peaks.
This out-and-back 4.4-miler gently wanders under the shade of giant cedars and firs, then circles a peaceful lake.
Climb up 2,200 feet to breathtaking views of Washington's most prominent mountain ranges--the Olympics and Cascades--on this 4.8-mile out-and-back.
This 5.3-mile loop into old-growth forests and along whispering streams offers a true wilderness escape only a few miles from downtown Portland in Forest Park.
This 4.2-mile hike tours the only state park in Portland, following Tryon Creek to forest floors teeming with beautiful trilliums during the springtime.
This 6-mile out-and-back offers commanding views from bluffs overlooking the St. Francis River and passes remnants of an old mining operation.
This pleasant 4-mile loop runs through a peaceful hardwood forest, then roughly parallels the banks of the Chippewa River to a wooden covered bridge.
Escape the Windy City on this easy 5.9-mile hike through a beautiful hardwood forest into ravines carved by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago.
Believe us: Nothing stinks about this place. This 5-mile out-and-back along the greenbelt of the North Skunk River is teaming with wildlife and migrating waterfowl.
Escape the city's bustle by leaving the mainland. This 10.4-mile loop explores the crowd-free hills and beautiful gardens of Santa Catalina Island.
Explore Austin's very own all-natural waterworld on this 4.4-mile out-and-back to refreshing swimming holes and three waterfalls. Located just minutes from downtown.
Escape the hot-air desert floor by bagging two breezy peaks with outstanding views on this 5.8-mile out-and-back hike.
Earth, wind, and fire are all present on this 3.6-mile dayhike to a secluded waterfall and overlooks above the Columbia Gorge.
Rock-scrambling and long-range vistas highlight this hardy 11.2-mile out-and-back up a much photographed but rarely climbed East County peak.