Trips

Trek a high-mountain route bookended by colorful canyons.

Take a walk on the Florida Trail's wild side over this 5.6-mile out-and-back through lush riverine habitat.

Bag one of the Smokies' most thrilling peaks on this 12.6-mile shuttle hike that takes in ridgetop views before tackling a rocky, high exposure descent.

End your hike with a splash on this 2.8-mile out-and-back to a Pisgah National Forest swimming hole oasis.

Walk the wilderness that bridges North and South Carolina on a 33-mile shuttle hike that samples lush riverside trail and ridgetop views.

Tour proposed new acres for this idyllic preserve on a 9-mile loop bordered by the Cranberry and Williams Rivers.

Explore wetlands and wooded hills in Illinois's largest state park.

Trek past cloud-scraping peaks and shimmering lakes en route on this 8.1-miler in the untamed Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Enjoy the views and high elevation while looping around Long Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Prepare for an onslaught of steep climbs and descents on this scenic, but strenuous roller-coaster hike that traces trickling streams and Black Creek's slow-flowing waters.

This strenuous, 4.7-mile loop links a string of remote waterfalls and rocky coves tucked into the inner reaches of Clark Creek Natural Area.

Roll through remote longleaf pine forests en route to a fish-filled lake on this section hike along the Tuxachanie Trail, a 23-mile long trail in southern Mississippi.

On the edge of Chattahoochee National Forest, this 13.4-mile loop treks up several Blue Ridge peaks and meanders through north Georgia wildflowers and hardwood forest.

Birders take note: The shallow depths of Horseshoe Lake and the grain-rich fields of Walkers Island attract an unusually wide range of feathered fliers to this 3.8-mile loop just outside St. Louis.

Explore a 59-acre lake and get a bird's-eye view of a buzzing wetland on this 2.9-mile hike through an historic state park in central Illinois.

Get up-close and personal with Boulder's signature Flatirons on this popular 2.9-mile loop that leads to a rocky perch high above Chautauqua Park.

Nestled between Nederland and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area, this 4.3-mile lollipop trail reveals mountain vistas en route to a 19th-century homestead.

Experience world class fly-fishing, wildlife sightings, and to-die-for campsites on this 16.2-mile out-and-back to the second largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park.

Tour a lesser-traveled corner of Yellowstone National Park on this 8.6-mile loop that boasts vast lodgepole pine forests and massive meadows that stretch for miles.

Link Shoshone Lake to Lewis Lake on this 11.1-mile loop in Yellowstone National Park.

Visit a remote, backcountry thermal vent that steams up from the Pitchstone Plateau on this 9.4-mile out-and-back in Yellowstone National Park.

Experience the grandeur of Yellowstone National Park on this 14.4-mile out-and-back that crosses picturesque meadows and traces a trout-filled stream.

Trace the rim of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on this 4.8-mile out-and-back that features a plummeting waterfall, a small wooded lake, and five-star, across-the-expanse views.

Beat the crowds and enjoy the company of distant mountains and wildlife on this moderate, 7-mile loop in the northwest region of Yellowstone National Park.

Wildlife sightings and striking views highlight this strenuous, 17.7-mile shuttle hike that spans the length of Specimen Ridge in Yellowstone National Park.

In the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, this 5.6-mile ridgeline hike climbs through hemlock and chestnut oak to a watchtower overlook of Blue Ridge and Pisgah peaks.

Conquer two 6,000-foot peaks in Pisgah National Forest on this 3-mile trek that straddles the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Perfect for a trail run, a mountain bike ride, or short dayhike, this 3.5-mile figure-eight in Long Hunter State Park roams reservoir bluffs outside Nashville.

Climb to dizzying views of the Glacier Peak Wilderness on this strenuous, 13.5-mile trek that traces a knife-edge ridge and ascends the rocky summit of Mount David.

Tour wildflower-filled meadows and trace the tops of rugged, basalt cliffs on this picturesque, 9.6-mile loop in Wenatchee National Forest.

An invigorating climb at the base of Lookout Mountain, this 5.4-mile lollipop loop follows a bustling creek into a forest thick with trees and elk.

Hike past massive boulders, red barrel cacti, and restless tumbleweeds to a shady oasis on this 3-mile out-and-back in Joshua Tree National Park.

This popular 1.5-mile climb leads to a panoramic view of valleys, mountains, deserts, and one really cool rock formation.

This 7.4-mile out-and-back rolls over hills dotted with spiky yuccas, ocotillos, and cactus before dropping into the lush Lost Palms Oasis in Joshua Tree National Park.

Sample nature trails that weave through Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a bird-watching haven tucked between the Mojave and Colorado deserts.

In 2.6 miles, you'll explore abandoned mine sites, learn about desert fauna, and scramble up Mastodon Peak for wide-open views of Joshua Tree National Park.

Dip into river-cut canyons and explore the homeland of the Ancestral Pueblo on this 19.8-mile trip in New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument.

Introducing the Pecos: this 15.5-miler, cruises classic trails in the Sangre De Cristo range for a peek at 12,000-foot peaks, alpine lakes, and an intro to the 223,667-acre wilderness in Santa Fe’s backyard.

Hike or bike this 2.9-mile sampler of St. Paul's Bruce Vento Regional Trail. Easy access paths are perfect for families and for sampling the city's recent restoration efforts.

Take a break from baiting hooks and hit the trail for this 4.8-mile loop around Shabbona Lake. You're guaranteed to catch lake views, dense woodland silence, and wetland vistas.

Wind through wildflowers and climb more than 2,000 feet on this 12-mile out-and-back in the Pecos Wilderness that visits an alpine lake below Santa Fe Baldy.

Just minutes from downtown, this 9.4-mile loop in the Boise foothills offers a quick escape from the city on one of the newest sections of the Ridge to Rivers trail system.

Climb to a lonely lookout on Loneman Mountain on this 15.6-mile out-and-back that reveals quiet views across Glacier National Park.

Popular with Blue Ridge Parkway travelers for more than 150 years, this steep, 3.2-mile out-and-back climbs to the rocky summit of one of Virginia's highest peaks.

Is it a meteorite or a salt formation? Gather your own conclusions about the origins of this mysterious ring of rock on this challenging, 7.6-mile loop in Canyonlands National Park.

This 3.4-miler tours historic sites in one of Indiana's first settlements and crosses the Little Calumet River floodplain in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Escape the hustle of city life on this quiet, 1.4-mile loop in Emmenegger Nature Park that climbs a riverside bluff overlooking the Meramec River.

Hike through three ecological zones in east Texas’s carnivore country.

This 8.1-mile hike skirts wind-scoured lakes and scrambles up the edge of a waterfall before arriving at Sky Pond, where crumbling spires stretch 2,000 feet into the air.

This 5.4-mile out-and-back in Rocky Mountain National Park leads to The Loch, a mountain lake ringed by spectacular granite cliffs.

Nibble wild blueberries as you climb to dramatic views of 20,320-foot Mount McKinley on this easy, 4.3-mile out-and-back in the Talkeetna Range.

This crowd-free, 4.2-mile hike in Red Rock Canyon features five-star views of the Sandstone Bluffs. You may even spot a flock of the area's resident bighorn sheep.

Peek into a wildflower-filled ravine, a ruddy-colored seep spring, and the Hornbeam Nature Preserve on this rugged 1.1-mile loop in Indiana's third largest state park.

Grab your skis or snowshoes to experience this wintry route that climbs past snowy landscapes to Montgomery Pass, a ridge-top lookout in Colorado's Medicine Bow Mountains.

Tour two mountain lakes en route to Emerald Lake, a picturesque tarn with stunning views of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, on this popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Epic, glacial-era geology and rugged mountain views from the Continental Divide are the highlights of this 4- or 5-day point-to-point in Glacier National Park's northwest corner.

Your best bet for planning the perfect Yellowstone trip, short of seeking out Yogi Bear himself.

Loop around sinkholes on this easy, 2.6-mile lollipop loop that skirts a historic cave and a frog-filled pond in St. Louis' Cliff Cave Park.

Hoodoos in Missouri? This 2-mile loop dips into a river valley jam-packed with sandstone formations and trickling cascades—-including the rocky, 50-foot face of Headwall Falls.

Combining rugged hill climbs through pine and hardwood, with a leisurely stroll along the Little Missouri River, this 26.4-mile loop may be the best in the Ouachita Mountains.

One of Oklahoma's best weekend trips, this 21.7-mile loop circles Winding Stair Mountain for an up-close view of the Ouachita National Forest's most scenic stretch.

Dip into the 8,900-acre McGee Creek Natural Scenic Area for an easy out-and-back that peeks into Bugaboo Canyon and some of Oklahoma’s least-traveled territory.

Oak forest, marshes, and small lakes highlight the rolling terrain on this 2.6-mile loop in Lakewood Forest Preserve.

Inspire your inner thru-hiker on this easy 2-miler in Yankee Springs Recreation Area that samples the North Country Trail with a climb to a glacier-formed depression.

First time backpackers in tow? Hit this easy 4.3-miler in Beech Creek National Scenic Area. It has prime campsites and a bail-out option mid-way.

Go off the beaten path to witness the forging of this new trail and get your first taste of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Recreation Area.

This 4-mile out-and-back in Tiger Mountain State Forest climbs through lush forest to Poo Poo Point, a grassy perch overlooking the Issaquah Alps.

Dip your toes in an alpine lake in the shadow of towering mountain crags on this 8-mile Cascades classic in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Hop on the Appalachian Trail at its halfway point and navigate creek crossings and a steep boulder scramble to above-the-trees vistas of Michaux State Forest.

Dupe the daytrippers on this rugged trail to brilliantly colored backcountry cliffs and hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Conquering two of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot summits, this 7-mile out-and-back ascends the spine of Mount Osceola before scrambling up a narrow rock passage to a Mount Washington overlook.

A mild Catskills out-and-back, this 6.3-miler on the Long Path climbs gentle grades through light spruce forest to Windham High Peak and views south of the Blackhead Mountains.

Trek to the border of New Jersey along PA's finest section of the Appalachian Trail.

This 8.5-mile loop in Cape Perpetua Scenic Area hugs the Oregon coast before heading inland to lush old-growth forest and views of the Coast Range and Pacific Ocean.

Snow-fed cascades, vibrant wildflower meadows, and dizzying Cascade vistas highlight this 7.9-mile out-and-back in Mount Rainier National Park.

This 7.7-miler in the northern Cascades climbs through wildflower-dotted meadows along Johnson Ridge en route to awe-inspiring views from Scorpion Mountain.

This trio of trails tours the rim of a ravine down to a waterfall that plunges 104-feet into an aquamarine pool feeding DeSoto Falls Lake.

This short hike is a lesser used approach to view Desoto Falls from the canyon rim. Views of the falls and river are beautiful.

This 17.3-mile Adirondack adventure leads to the 4,000-foot summits of Macomb Mountain, Hough Peak, and The Dixes.

This 3.9-mile loop through Stone Mountain State Park wanders chestnut oak forest and offers views from the park's signature massive granite domes.