Trips

Summit a lonely wilderness peak in the stunning Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Stay cool on a high-elevation hike with long-distance desert views.

This 11-mile loop passes open meadows and forested slopes, topping out with scenic Sierra campsite on Panther Gap.

Explore the cedar groves and 100-year-old white pines in the Manistee River Valley on this 22-mile overnight.

String together two 10,000-foot peaks on this 19.4-mile loop with a mix of trail and off-trail pursuits. Enjoy fine campsites and views of Southern California too.

Explore the newly-constructed Taylor Ridge Trail, dipping deep into the Hoosier Hills of Brown County State Park.

Snowshoe or ski past snow-covered trees and views of rugged Cascade peaks on this 18.4-mile out-and-back to a lookout tower in Mount Hood National Forest.

Explore snow-draped forest near the foot of Mount Hood on this 6-mile out-and-back that follows Crosstown Trail past a snowy lake and numerous creek crossings.

Glide through quiet forests and snow-covered meadows at the base of Mount Hood on this 6.2-mile route from Pocket Creek Sno-Park to Teacup Sno-Park.

This challenging trail climbs through old-growth forest, past views of the Columbia River, Mount Adams, and Beacon Rock, to an overlook high above the Columbia River Gorge.

Tramp through snow-draped forest en route to a mountain lake on this 5.2-mile snowshoe loop that boasts up-close views of Mount St. Helens.

Explore an abandoned railroad used to build the Hoover Dam on this 7.8-mile trail-and-tunnel route through the Aztec Sandstone Mountains of southeastern Nevada.

Five mountain lakes, two mountain passes, and countless glacier-carved peaks highlight this epic, 29.6-mile shuttle hike in Glacier National Park.

This 28.8-mile shuttle hike travels to the southern tip of Waterton Lake, touring remote landscapes peppered with pristine lakes and glacier-covered peaks.

Ecological balance--and dozens of sweet places to hike, paddle, and camp--have been restored at California's Channel Islands.

This 34-mile, four-day loop straddles Muir's namesake wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park.

Travel to two quiet backcountry lakes rimmed by the rugged Livingston Range on this 24.8-mile hike in Glacier National Park.

This eight-day, off-trail route explores southern Utah's labyrinthine canyon country--slots, hoodoos, mesas, and bizarre sandstone formations.

The 8-mile out-and-back to Horse Lake Mountain passes pristine mountain views, vibrant wildflowers, and a diverse bird population.

This 6.8-miler follows the standard route up Oregon's tallest peak, ascending the Palmer Glacier, crossing a glacial crevasse, and revealing dramatic views of the Cascade Range.

Travel by boat to a 7.2-mile loop in the North Cascades that features vibrant wildflowers, a rocky overlook above Lake Chelan, and a 300-foot waterfall.

Bypass the weekend crowds on this 8.6-mile hike past old mining claims to a campsite near Horton Lake.

This 3.4-mile loop, featuring countless log steps and narrow rock passages, travels up and over one of Boulder's challenging summits.

Navigate an obstacle course of countless log steps, steep rock slabs, and giant boulders on this 2.8-mile hike to a small summit overlooking Boulder.

This 4-miler starts with a gentle climb along rolling ridgeline, then cranks it up a notch with an obstacle course of steep rock steps and tightly-spaced boulders.

This 6.3-mile out-and-back climbs 2,000 feet to the top of Gass Peak—the highest point in the Sheep Mountains just north of Las Vegas.

This 10.7-mile out-and-back dives more than 3,000 feet to a photogenic perch offering five-star views of the Colorado River and the second deepest canyon in the United States.

Scramble around beaver dams, trek through timber wolf territory, and ford countless creeks on this 30.1-mile loop that skirts 15 backcountry lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Link rainforest, old-growth cedar stands, and a rugged sea coast peppered with isolated rock columns on this 8.7-mile loop in Olympic National Park.

This 10.2-miler heads into a wildlife refuge with 250 species of birds to the New Dungeness Light Station, a historic lighthouse with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains.

Explore the park's new Rockefeller Preserve on this 3-mile loop that traces the southern shore of Phelps Lake and reveals striking views of the Tetons.

This 4.3-mile loop follows the Des Plaines River as it winds through stunning forestland chock-full of stately hardwoods and colorful flowers.

Trace the rugged coastline past dozens of sea-carved rock formations on this five-star weekend trip along the Olympic Peninsula.

Venture deep into the Pecos Wilderness on this 23.7-mile, three-day hike into a cirque of high peaks in the Sangre de Cristos.

Anasazi ruins, slickrock scrambles, and a wealth of arches spice up a rugged 4-day tour of the Needles.

Hike rolling prairies, expansive wetlands, and a peaceful stretch of the Fox River on this easy 5.6-mile hike in Chain O Lakes State Park.

Ascend to the second highest point east of the Mississippi on this 8-mile point-to-point that begins at Newfound Gap and winds through misty coniferous forest.

Take in big views of Lake Superior and Sawmill Valley on this 28.3-mile, two-day hike.

Summit three Acadia peaks on an 8.8-mile loop, passing overlooks of neighboring bays and island clusters along Maine's coastline.

This 9-mile out-and-back charges up Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts.

This 3-mile off-trail route leads to Slims Peak, a 7,000-foot summit with 360-degree views of the Mojave Desert and Sierra Nevada.

Hike, camp, and tag a summit with shutterbug views on this 11.4-miler in the Ouachita Mountains and the Black Fork Mountain Wilderness.

This 23-mile out-and-back in the Trinity Alps features pristine mountain lakes, stunning views and an easy, off-trail scramble.

Snowshoe into a small mountain lake on this gentle, 5-mile out-and-back in Indian Peaks Wilderness--a perfect winter getaway from the city.

You'll find two wooded creeks and plenty of solitude on this 2.8-mile lollipop loop nestled in the heart of Patapsco Valley State Park.

Whet your feet--and your appetite for nature--on this moderate 3.6-mile loop in Illinois' Shawnee National Forest with two creek fords, year-round wildflowers and soaring fern-covered cliffs.

This moderate 4.3-mile lollipop-loop leads to a stunning overlook above the emerald blues of Lake Tahoe. Don't miss: The wooden lighthouse perched on a granite ledge above the lake.

This 10.6-mile out-and-back links thick lodgepole pines, stunning overlooks, and jade-colored waters reflecting the high Sierra.

Escape busy Dallas. This 3.2-mile out-and-back pierces the heart of Cedar Hills State Park and provides a quick getaway into Texas hill country.

Bring binocs on this 3.9-mile loop in the Richard Bong State Recreation Area; open grassland invites long views of Vern Wolf Lake, its shoreline, and flying falcons.

A favorite route among locals, this 20.7-mile mountain bike loop winds past Cache Creek and Game Creek, revealing views of the Gros Ventre Range and the Snake River Valley.

This 7-mile mountain bike loop climbs past spectacular views of the Tetons and the Snake River Valley, then descends on singletrack through aspens and pines.

This 7.1-mile dayhike in Lewis and Clark National Forest loops through the Highwood Mountains, skirting several creeks and the broad summit of Windy Mountain.

This 9.8-mile out-and-back connects old-growth evergreens and the Mogollon Mountains, a series of 10,000-foot peaks in Gila National Forest.

The climb on this 7.6-mile loop to Bear Peak is, well, a bear, gaining 2,800 stair-studded feet. The payoff: Long views into Boulder, Denver, and the Indian Peaks.

Follow the Pacific Crest Trail across wooded creeks and steep rock gardens to a broad summit overlooking the Columbia River Gorge on this strenuous 15-mile out-and-back.

Lost Lake. Stormy Peaks. These places represent their names well on this 19.4-mile out-and-back in the northeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Link pumice and obsidian fields with expansive alpine meadows on this challenging trek to the top of South Sister, a glacier-capped volcano in the Cascade Range.

You'll find rugged landscapes and plenty of solitude on this 33.6-mile backpacking trip that visits a secluded lake at the foot of three rugged peaks.

This 6.4-mile loop follows trails and jeep roads to Waterman Mountain, where sweeping views of the San Gabriel Wilderness await.

Climb above the Stehekin River Valley, passing rugged cliffs and bird's-eye views, to a remote mountain lake at the foot of McGregor Mountain.

This 7.9-mile out-and-back in North Cascades National Park links massive old-growth cedars, a photogenic gorge, and waterfall overlooks.

Surprise sights--such as a masonry spillway and an elusive armadillo--await on this 5.5-mile loop that encircles Cleburne State Park's Cedar Lake.

This lifelist trip packs in two adventures: an outrageously scenic ferry ride and a remote 14-mile out-and-back hike in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

Link a sandy shoreline, forested dunes, and a boggy wetland on this easy-going, 4.2-mile lollipop loop in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Winding past steep canyon walls and ancient fossil beds, this 6.6-mile out-and-back in the Sandia Mountains rewards with an overlook across the Rio Puerco Valley.

A short 3-mile out-and-back full of rainbows, waterfalls, and sprawling mountainside views, this Yosemite classic isn't called the Mist Trail for nothing.

Traversing 5.4 miles up and around Coltsfoot Mountain in western Connecticut, this shuttle hike ambles through shaded forest past bubbling brooks and wildflower stashes.

Multi-layered red rocks line mile-deep canyons and cactus flowers explode with pastels on this 16-mile out-and-back to a Colorado River tributary.

On this 7.9-mile loop, you'll ascend Tuckerman Ravine and scramble up broad boulder fields to a well-earned summit overlook in the White Mountains.

Hike rolling terrain on one of Arizona's highest mountains.

Traverse ribbons of riparian growth across southern Utah.

Traverse deep hollows and springs along a 24-mile shuttle hike on the Ozark Trail.

Hike 10 miles in the settlers’ footsteps on the outskirts of Circle City.

Camp in an active geyser basin teeming with wildlife.

Ford creeks and rivers and traipse past rocky overlooks on this 17.6-mile loop along Alabama's secluded Pinhoti Trail.

The BACKPACKER map team along with the help of regional experts and cartographers plotted roads, cities, and airports--and the wilderness areas farthest away from them--to find the most remote locations in the Lower 48.

This paved 11.4-mile out-and-back travels Lake Tahoe's mountainous southwest shoreline to an overlook with views across Emerald Bay.

This 16.3-mile shuttle hike splashes through the Jacks River region (read: 40-plus creek crossings) in the Cohutta Wilderness Area.

Ascend two rigorous saddles on this 6.3-mile out-and-back up to the unsung Mount Markham and panoramas of the San Gabriels and L.A. basin.