Trips

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.

With no trails and few visitors, Wyoming's Red Desert is an explorer's paradise.

This sandy, 3.2-mile stroll in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore climbs dunes, skirts an ancient marsh, and ends within a stone-skipping distance of Lake Michigan's coastline.

Pick a sport: fish, bird watch, or hike. Next: tour parts or all of this 5.8-mile loop for a quick getaway from the noisy Capitol City.

A 10.3-mile out-and-back (or a 5.4-mile shuttle), this peaceful walk along the Monongahela River wanders through remnants of Pittsburgh's industrial past and present.

Sampling a trail network within Atlanta's city limits, this 3.8-mile loop strolls past trout fishing spots into a hardwood forest with floral hotspots in Chattahooche National Recreational Area.

This 10.6-mile out-and-back in Apostle Island National Lakeshore boasts sandy beaches, sandstone cliffs, and bluff-top views of the Mawikwe Bay sea caves.

Test your limits on this New York backcountry challenge.

Discover the roots of the oil industry: western Pennsylvania.

Just outside Burlington, the summit of Mount Philo offers sweeping views of Lake Champlain along with Adirondack and Green Mountain peaks.

Trek Minnesota’s bottomlands to an old stone farmstead on this 4.5-miler.

Traverse steep ridges and swampland north of the Big Apple.

Backpack one of northern Maryland's most versatile trails.

5-mile out-and-back meanders shale-covered beaches to an historic World War II fort perched on a rocky headland above Resurrection Bay.

Bag one of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Discover wildflower-filled meadows, swimmable subalpine lakes, and Sierra Nevada vistas on this 9-mile out-and-back through Stanislaus National Forest’s Emigrant Wilderness.

Master one of the Silver State's most challenging climbs.

Trek across a sparsely populated corner of northeast Nevada.

A popular dayhike or trail-run near Burlington, the 2.9-mile out-and-back to Stowe Pinnacle treks through hardwood forest to an overlook of neighboring Green Mountain peaks.

Go counterclockwise on this 10.2-mile loop touring the rocky cliffs and odd-shaped boulders of Lumpy Ridge to an alpine lake and several campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This 5.9-mile loop is great for eager flatlanders who are acclimating to the thin Rocky Mountain air.

Traversing trickling falls, spongy boulders, and finger coves along Kinkaid Lake's western shore, this 9.2-mile out-and-back ends high above the lake—and leaves you dry.

No time for Pacific Crest thru-hiking? This 12-miler samples a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, passing mile-high peaks and desert vistas.

You'll find wildflowers, bighorn sheep, and a lookout tower on the easy-going climb up to a 10,243-foot peak formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.

Trace the banks of the Crooked River on this 6.6-mile out-and-back in Boise National Forest that links picturesque fishing holes and a sandy strip of beach.

Ride the boat from Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park to reach this remote 1.9-mile out-and-back that visits a set of cascades in the northern reaches of Glacier National Park.

Summit a lesser-traveled 13,000-foot peak, then catch some summer alpine fishing at Timber Lake on this 13.4-mile out-and-back.

Witness southwest Pennsylvania at is wildest on a three-day, 31-mile shuttle along and over river valleys.

Discover the beauty of a Midwest prairie--in central Maryland--on this 6.3-mile dayhike.

Follow this cascading stream to scenic Shenandoah vistas along this 12.1-mile loop.

Traverse old-growth forest and clamber over sandstone boulders on this 13-mile hike in Alabama's premier wilderness area.

This 16.5-miler follows the Hunchback Mountain ridgeline past numerous viewpoints to a lookout tower in Mount Hood National Forest.

In the shadow of Caribou Peak and Bald Mountain, this easy 1.6-mile out-and-back leads to a pot of gold—a cluster of Rainbow Lakes.

Cruise a forest of rock pinnacles en route to Tower Arch on this remote 3.5-mile lollipop loop in the little-visited northwest section of Arches National Park.

A moderate 1.5-mile loop outside Ithaca, this Finger Lake waterfall trek ambles past swimming holes, sedimentary rock, and sunbathers.

Monee Reservoir’s 2.5-mile nature trail offers a family friendly wetland wander through a suburban wildlife sanctuary (and an idyllic fishing spot).

This 10-miler treks through babbling creeks, along an unending series of up-and-down slopes, and under the cover of white pine and hemlock forest.

Catch views of the Continental Divide (and mule deer, elk, and black bear) on this 12.3-mile loop in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

A steady climb past towering firs and a cascading waterfall leads to Dublin Lake--the hidden gem of the Columbia River Gorge--on this 13.3-mile out-and-back.

This challenging, 12.2-mile trek ascends the spiny, volcanic ridge of Three Fingered Jack for dizzying views across the Cascade Mountains.

An easy, family-friendly dayhike, this 2.8-mile loop tours the mature forests and wildlife-festooned shores of the Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area.

This out-of-the-way 967-acre park boasts the highest piece of land between St. Louis and Cincinnati and is packed with wooded ravines and seasonal treasures.

Towering trees and hanging vines lend a primordial feel to this 3.6-mile lollipop above the banks of the mighty Wabash River.

This 42-mile trek through the picturesque Pecos Wilderness high country features towering peaks, alpine lakes, and lots of wildlife.

Peakbaggers love this 13.9-mile lollipop-loop which climbs past mountain lakes and rugged cirques to the second highest peak in the Wasatch.

Brimming with beach and bay views, this Virginia Beach 9.9-miler tours cypress swamps, coastal forest (shrouded in Spanish moss), and idyllic marshlands.

This 10-mile trek down the East Fork of the San Gabriel River ends at the 120-foot-high Bridge to Nowhere, a popular bungee jumping destination.

This 4.8-mile hike climbs to a 7,366-foot summit surrounded by meadows, wildlife, and massive views.

Hike to stunning views above the Chiwawa River valley on this 5.4-mile out-and-back that visits the exposed cliff bands beneath Basalt Peak.

The AT continues its rollercoaster ride across the Blue Ridge on this 7-mile ridge-to-hollow route that passes Bears Den Rocks overlook where classic views of Shenandoah Valley are revealed.

A favorite urban escape from Atlanta, Sope Creek offers a wooded playground for hikers, trail-runners, and photo-buffs.

Just 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, the trails at West Palisades offer hikers, trail runners, and trout fisherman an urban escape along the Chattahoochee River.

This 13.9-mile backcountry getaway features a secluded mountain lake, countless stream crossings, and views across untouched wilderness.

Immerse yourself (literally) in the crystal clear waters of the Coconino National Forest on this multi-day amphibious trek that features classic—and unavoidable—canyon swims.

Hold onto your pennies! This 4.8-mile loop passes a wishing well en route to a set of refreshing swimming holes in Lost Maples State Park.

Following an ancient glacial retreat, this 13.5-mile out-and-back on the East Inlet Trail traverses moose country toward a couple of lonely alpine lakes.

This lower-elevation hike in Wenatchee National Forest traces a roaring creek and reveals brilliant displays of lupines, paintbrush, and red columbine.

Tour old quarry country and the hardwood forests of Banning State Park on this 7.2-mile lollipop loop that passes a waterfall payoff--twice!