Santa Barbara, CA: Santa Ynez Ridge via San Ysidro Trail
Hike or run past oak forests, vernal pools, rock climbing walls, and fields of chaparral on this 9-mile out-and-back to the Santa Ynez Ridge.
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.
Hike or run past oak forests, vernal pools, rock climbing walls, and fields of chaparral on this 9-mile out-and-back to the Santa Ynez Ridge.
Ascend razor-thin ridgelines and scramble up sheer rock faces on this 10.7-mile loop to Strawberry Peak, one of the most challenging summits in the San Gabriel frontcountry.
You'll find postcard-worthy views atop a rocky lookout on this 9.6-mile lollipop loop touring the lush forests and ravines of the Columbia River Gorge.
Paving the way for a traffic-free park, this 1.8-mile trail connects the Zion Visitor's Center and Canyon Junction. Don't miss a foot-soak in the Virgin River on your way!
Scale Zion National Park's skyscraping sandstone walls and dip into a water-carved slot on this epic 8-mile out-and-back that climbs 2,148-feet to classic canyon views on Observation Point.
Cruise the northern reaches of Zion's monumental canyon on this 2-mile out-and-back that skirts the Virgin River, winds past hanging gardens, and touches the crimson-stained cliffs of the Narrows.
This easy, 1.5-mile dayhike skirts the canyon-carving Virgin River en route to an algae-tinted desert oasis and a dripping, 100-foot waterfall.
From cacti to cottonwood, this easy, 0.5-mile loop climbs nearly 100 feet to a hanging garden, a dripping rock, and a peek at Zion National Park's biodiversity.
Perfect for an after-work trail run or leisurely stroll, this 2.7-mile lollipop loop explores wide-open meadows in the shadow of Boulder's iconic Flatirons.
Climb 2,400 feet to twin peaks on Rocky Mountain National Park's east side. Aspen-shaded trails and unobstructed views of Longs Peak are just two rewards of this 7.2-mile out-and-back.
A must-do for dayhikers, this 8.1-miler traverses windswept alpine tundra with dramatic overlooks and 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Trace a mountain stream through knee-high grasslands and shady aspen groves to a 20-foot waterfall on this moderate 6.2-miler in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Climb past ponderosa stands, golden meadows, and Boulder's iconic Flatirons to a hidden cave in Chautauqua Park on this 6.8-mile out-and-back.
Escape the heat of the Las Vegas Valley by trekking through a forested alpine canyon en-route to a waterfall, caves, and stunning vistas on this out-and-back 3.5-mile hike.
Take a tour of multi-colored hot pools and a crater-like geyser on this easy-going, 0.4-mile boardwalk stroll in Yellowstone's Black Sand Geyser Basin.
This 13.3-mile backcountry trek in Yellowstone National Park travels to a rocky beach (and campsites) in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Climb to panoramic views of Yellowstone National Park on this 7-mile loop that crests Bunsen Peak and skirts the edge of Sheepeater Canyon.
Trace Specimen Creek to two backcountry lakes and tour remote mountain landscapes on this solitary, 22.5-mile trek in Yellowstone National Park.
This 20.6-mile out-and-back in the northern reaches of Yellowstone National Park culminates with panoramic views from the rocky crown of Electric Peak.
This 3.9-mile lollipop loop in Yellowstone National Park climbs to a plateau top with unrivaled views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains.
With its hissing fumaroles, bubbling mudpots, and propellant geysers, this short boardwalk loop at Fountain Paint Pot serves as a greatest-hits collection of Yellowstone's geothermal wonders.
Walk the rim of Yellowstone National Park's Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on this 6.4-mile hike that showcases five-star views of Upper and Lower Falls.
This 4.4-mile out-and-back traces the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for postcard-worthy views of Upper and Lower Falls.
On this 6.7-mile shuttle hike in Yellowstone National Park, you'll cruise through golden grasslands, tour the charred relics of the 1988 forest fires, and visit Grizzly Lake.
Spend a few nights in Yellowstone National Park on this 23.1-mile out-and-back complete with lakeside campsites and spectacular summit views.
Pass a waterfall, open meadows, lodgepole stands and a sparkling backcountry lake on this easy, 3.8-mile stroll through the heart of Yellowstone National Park.
Explore the otherworldly landscape of Mammoth Hot Springs on this easy, 1.7-mile boardwalk loop in northern reaches of Yellowstone National Park.
Bubbling mud pots, spewing hot springs and turquoise pools are jam-packed into this quick, 0.9-mile roadside jaunt in Yellowstone National Park.
Link some of Yellowstone National Park's most striking thermal features on this 5.2-mile loop near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Connect a series of memorable thermal features, such as Whale's Mouth, Whirligig Geyser, and Black Growler Steam Vent, on this easy, 0.9-mile loop in Yellowstone National Park's Norris Geyser Basin.
Trek through rolling meadows en route to a shimmering backcountry lake and the 360-degree panorama bliss of Observation Peak on this 10.5-mile dayhike in Yellowstone National Park.
This 8-mile out-and-back in Yellowstone National Park descends a cliffside trail to the base of Osprey Falls, a 150-foot waterfall that pours into Sheepeater Canyon.
Link two backcountry lakes, a plummeting waterfall, and a billowing fumarole on this 6.7-mile loop near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
This easy-going hike winds past lodgepole forest and grassy stream beds to the black sand beaches of a backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park.
Visit the black sand beaches of Shoshone Lake, the largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park, on this scenic 6.1-miler just minutes from Old Faithful.
This easy 5.8-miler tours a veritable geyser Hall of Fame in Yellowstone National Park before culminating with views of the legendary Old Faithful.
Trek from a golden, mountain-rimmed valley to a ponderosa and lodgepole forest with towering rock formations on this 8.3-miler in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Explore sunken islands and a quiet nature trail on this family-friendly, 4.8-mile paddle-hike along the shores of Chattahoochee River Reservoir.
Climb a trio of peaks with bird’s eye views of the Presidentials on this 20-mile out-and-back in White Mountain National Forest.
Bag the highest Bay State mountain east of the Berkshires, a famous New England ski resort.
Find solitude less than an hour from 20 million Angelenos on a 14-mile out-and-back peppered with fishing spots, waterfalls and rock pools.
This multi-day paddling trip tours Slate Islands Provincial Park, a group of islands off the coast of Ontario and home to the world's densest population woodland caribou.
Challenge the family with a 1.5-mile roundtrip that climbs nearly 1,000 feet to a craggy summit and far-reaching views of Linville Gorge and Pisgah National Forest.
Restorations-in-progress add an educational twist to this easy, 2.6-mile hike outside of Minneapolis in Carleton College's Cowling Arboretum.
Knock off two neighboring Adirondack summits (and a bit of easy scrambling) on this challenging 6.3-mile loop that rewards with far-reaching High Peaks overlooks.
Opt for this lesser-hiked Adirondack summit southeast of Lake Placid and you'll be rewarded with expansive High Peaks views and a bit of easy rock scrambling.
Waterfalls, alpine lakes, and mind-blowing scenery. It's all included on this 9.1-mile out-and-back hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hike the Black Creek Trail or paddle its namesake flow in DeSoto National Forest.
Check out the highest spot in Mississippi and the battle ground summit nicknamed "America's bloodiest high point."
Climb 1,100 feet along Catalina Island's west-end ridge on this 6.5-mile loop that cruises three west-end coves en route to an ice-cream window finish in Two Harbors.
Scramble up Little Devils Tower on this 3-mile out-and-back that climbs 600 feet to otherworldly views of the Cathedral Spires and South Dakota’s highest peak.
Follow the muddy waters of Clear Creek and the footprints of resident albino deer on this 2-miler in western Illinois' Sangchris Lake State Park.
An exposed fault above the Illinois River and 30-mile views of St. Louis make this 3.5-mile loop in Illinois' largest state park a worthwhile escape from the Gateway City.
After hiking past boulder fields, this 4.7-mile loop climbs up the spine of Hawk Mountain and stops at overlooks perfect for scoping hawk migrations.
Perfect for trail runners, mountain bikers, equestrians, and dayhikers, the trails at Promised Land State Park offer diverse outdoor opportunities at the base of the Poconos.
A stiff, 1.8-mile climb to the Taylor Lodge shelter on Vermont's Long Trail, this 3.6-mile out-and-back works as both a half-day hike and a challenging trail run.
This 5.5-mile loop in Chattahoochee National Forest follows a leg of the Appalachian Trail and provides long views across the Blue Ridge peaks.
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this 10-mile loop treks through the Pisgah National Forest past numerous ridge-top overlooks and up to a quartz-clustered summit.
A classic Appalachian ridge hike, this 11-mile shuttle tackles numerous knobs and summits under heavy canopy with occasional Blue Ridge views.
Explore Wompatuck State Park on a labyrinthine trail system that showcases classic New England-style singletrack right outside Boston.
Anacapa Island's oceanfront overlooks, throngs of wildlife, and a picture-perfect lighthouse highlight this classic 2.5-mile loop in Channel Islands National Park.
Travel past fragrant wildflowers and stately old-growth forest en route to a stunning backcountry lake in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Get a glimpse of glacial wetlands in northwest Illinois.
Cruise the gentle hills and hollows of south-central Indiana.
Discover an untouched alpine lake tucked between the high ridges west of the Chiwawa River Valley on this spectacular 8.5-mile out-and-back.
Discover mesmerizing views and solitude on the North Country Trail.
Camp by a secluded spring in the rugged Missouri Ozarks.
Rent a forest fire lookout and drink in spectacular views.
Escape onto the PCT in vast Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Visit meadow-rimmed lakes in Salmon National Forest.
Climb through lush vegetation to a lakeside wonderland.
Backpack across one of America's original wilderness areas.
Take a long day or a leisurely weekend to explore Lolo Pass.
Traipse from lake to lake in Washington's high country.
Take a historic high road for a challenging mountain loop.
A shaded Eden offers refreshing contrast to the searing desert.
Take a ridgetop walk on the Hoosier State's longest footpath.
Explore a wild shore bypassed by modern development.
Beat the heat with a soak in a secret swimming hole.
Soak in a series of refreshing swimming holes in Sequoia National Park.