Trips

This bundle features a complete thru-hike in Death Valley National Park--where you'll see more Joshua trees and traveling rocks than people--plus four section hikes across the deep washes, alluvial fans, and isolated canyons that make this park one of a kind.

In this trip bundle, get the Narrows of the Virgin River--a life-list national park trip and one of the finest river gorges on Earth--plus five classic hikes through the redrock canyons of Zion National Park, including the breathtaking scramble up Angel's Landing.

Two rim-to-rim hikes, one solitude-filled backcountry loop, and two remote backpacking trips make up this bundle of epic hikes into the Big Ditch.

Hike cross-country to explore this secluded chain of hanging lakes on this challenging point-to-point in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Tour glacial valleys and navigate to off-trail lakes and waterfalls on this six-day circuit in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Climb past a glimmering highland lake to a lofty southern bald.

This 8-mile out-and-back, less than four miles northeast of Mount Rainier, leads to stunning views of glaciers, expansive valleys, and Washington's signature mountain.

Escape into tranquil, rolling woods in the foothills of the Appalachians.

Outdoor pros Sheri and Randy Propster will share their trail-tested tips in more than 60 events across the nation in 2012.

This 18.5-mile point-to-point in the eastern fringes of the park follows the Pacific Crest Trail across Cascade ridgelines to picture-perfect views of Rainier.

Snag a taste of some of the country's darkest skies on this 14.6 miles overnight shuttle hike in the Gila National Forest.

Notch an epic alpine challenge on this 13-mile loop that crests 10 of the Teton's tallest peaks.

Sleep in a lake-dotted basin and scale an 11,000-foot peak on this 28.2-mile lollipop loop in Grand Teton National Park.

Hike to a cliff-top vantage that overlooks Phantom Falls on this 7.3-mile figure-eight loop just 40 minutes from Chico.

Take a grand tour of the Tetons on a six-day trek past pinnacled peaks, wildflower meadows, and secluded lakes.

Circle a glacial lake, see a waterfall, and explore a forgotten trail on this 12.4-mile loop in Grand Teton National Park.

Snap shots that would make Ansel proud on this 11.5-mile out-and-back that climbs up the west side of the Tetons.

Take a different kind of backpacking trip in the concrete jungle.

Want low mileage and big views? Make a beeline to the Hurricane Ridge trailhead for this 5.6-mile out-and-back that rolls past far-reaching views on Sunrise Ridge.

Climb up and over Appleton Pass--and past huckleberries, western red cedar, and hemlocks--to soak in this chain of natural hot springs.

Trace the crest of the Tetons on this classic 38.1-mile point-to-point in Grand Teton National Park.

Hike through temperate rain forest alongside the Hoh River to the tip of the Blue Glacier--the largest glacier in Olympic National Park--and 7,980-foot Mt. Olympus towering above the ice.

Wander through maple-birch-pine forest with pace-slowing views of the world’s largest freshwater lake.

Climb to blufftop views of hardwood forest and rolling farmland in this little-known Iowa preserve.

Hike to a private lakeside retreat.

Breath easier in over 50,000 acres of protected forest, located just a short train ride from Manhattan.

Want the ultimate challenge? Traverse the entire Sandia in one marathon day on this 27.1-mile point-to-point that runs across the Sandia spine, racking up nearly 12,000 feet of elevation change.

Circle through giant gorges and sleep at a riverfront campsite on this 19.3-mile loop in Canyonlands National Park.

Irresistible to trail runners and hikers from all over the world, this classic, 7.1-mile climb to the Sandia Crest features sweeping vistas and challenging terrain.

Ride the park's famed 4WD road on this classic route in Canyonlands National Park.

Hike through old-growth forest to ridgetop views of Arkansas’s largest lake.

You'll explore some of most remote corners of Canyonlands National Park and paddle down the Colorado and Green Rivers on this multi-day, 55.2-mile packrafting route.

Hit up the park's highlights—slickrock scrambles, mesa-top views, and hoodoo-dotted canyons—on this seven-day trek in Canyonlands National Park.

Descend from a cliff-rimmed mesa to a trout-filled lake on this 22-mile, two-night loop

Climb 3,000 feet in 4.3 miles to a trout-filled tarn nestled in a granite cirque.

Explore 19th-century Ozark graveyards.

Snake along hidden inlets as you follow the shore of America’s largest inland peninsula.

Trek through the largest Union Civil War cemetery on this 10.8-mile loop (park documents call it 12.5).

This 6.6-mile loop visits 1,211-foot Wildcat Peak before dropping down the Conlon Trail to Wildcat Creek.

Hike 42.9 miles on the AT in 24 hours, in the process traveling across the borders of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

This 10.8 mile overnight shuttle hike features a prairie-covered ridge, miles of picturesque lakeshore, and a rarely-used backcountry campsite tucked away in a fern-studded hollow.

An 8.1 mile out and back that offers hikers sweeping views of Indian Peaks Wilderness, a waterfall and an alpine lake to cool off in before heading back down.

Climb the 18th-highest Catskill peak with a stop for amazing views from Giant Ledge on this 6.7 mile out-and-back.

This 10-miler to a 4,430-foot summit is great for dayhikes, especially in the non-green season (after the leaves fall). There are several campsites along the way if you want to overnight.

No need to fight the crowds in Glacier or Yellowstone. Montana is full of life-list trips--you just have to know where to look.

Trace a West Virginia ridgeline in the Alleghenies, show your family eight waterfalls on one Pennsylania hike, check out a rare moonbow in Kentucky, and go on nine more adventures.

The little-known Absaroka (ab-SOAR-kuh) Mountains are the largest single range in the Rockies, and they undoubtedly form the wild core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In their northern extremities, the Absarokas manifest their grandeur as steep, rugged spires, thanks to cliff-friendly blends of granite and gneiss. There among the pinnacles you'll find all the mountain wildlife of Yellowstone (mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, wolves and bears both black and brown), but with bigger, badder scenery and far fewer people.

Check out Steve Howe's author page.

The Missions stand out even in northwest Montana, a region with no shortage of steep, crazed peaks. Travel in this glacially eroded landscape of dense evergreen forest, hidden lakes, tusk-like 9,000-foot summits and long, knife-edged ridgelines can be described in three simple terms: Steep. Rocky. Strenuous. Basecamping is the best plan.

Fewer than 300 miles of trail crisscross the 158,615-acre Anaconda-Pintler, but only 45 miles along the CDT qualify as busy. At this northern latitude, treeline sits around 9,000 feet, and timberline regions are like bonsai gardens writ large; an aesthetic blend of spruce, fir, and the whimsical larch. The best way to experience it? A multiday immersion trek trip.

Rugged, scenic, and lightly traveled, the Beaverheads rise above Big Hole Valley's broad meadows as a skyline full of 10,000 foot summits with alpine lakes pooling at their feet. Outside of Montana, this place would be on every hiker's tick list, but here it fades into obscurity behind Glacier and the northern Bitterroots that loom above Missoula. Explore them shoreline to summit on these two hikes.

Gobble the PCT's tastiest morsel.

Four days on New England's idyllic waterways. Is it enough to win a father's blessing for his daughter's new life?

Climb sandstone outcroppings and spot raptors on this wildlife-packed ridgeline.

Traverse craggy cliffs flanking America's first national river.

Explore an alpine oasis amid volcanic terrain along the crest of the Cascades.

You're in mid-season shape; reap the rewards on some of the country's steepest hikes.

Meet a Texas reader who chose Big Bend National Park for her inaugural backpacking trip.

Starting August 1, 2013 we're challenging our readers to hike 1,000,000 collective trail miles! Find out how you can participate.

Spy diverse swamp wildlife in one of the newest national parks.

Trek through wide-open desert and ascend big-view mountains in the still-wild West.

Pass sparkling alpine lakes on this easy weekend through volcanic high country.

Join Backpacker magazine photo editor, Genny Fullerton, and Backpacker contributing photographer, Steve Howe, on a four-day, three-night backpacking photo safari where you'll learn what it takes to shoot images worthy of publication.

A team of BACKPACKER and CLIMBING staffers head to the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado June 6-9, 2013.

Can you walk off a war? A veteran who served in Iraq embarks on a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail to find out.

The Great Walks are New Zealand's premier walking tracks. They take the walker on an incredible journey through some of the best scenery in the country.

Spot waterfalls and wildflowers on a rainforest loop into one of the gorge's wildest canyons.

Paddle to explore beach, dunes, and maritime forest on an uninhabited barrier island.

Join editor-in-chief Dennis Lewon for a hike--and cancer-fighting concert--in the Rockies.

These men and women were photographed as they thru-hiked the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. They each walked more than 2,000 miles—enduring the Smokies, the Shenandoahs, and the White Mountains—to get

This tireless trail angel is firing up a new generation of backcountry stewards.

Our second-annual Adventures Denver is a family friendly day of fun in the outdoors trying out new gear and activities...for free!

On June 22, 2013 we'll help bring the outdoors to life with our popular Central Park adventure day!

Traverse a primeval landscape of cypress swamp, hardwood hammocks, and pinelands.

Warm up for hiking season with a mellow escape to a maze of limestone plateaus.

Explore a slot canyon and soak in a warm backcountry pool in the country's first designated wilderness.

Beachside trek meets pub crawl meets castle tour on Europe's newest long trail, the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, officially opened in May 2011. We have the beta on its highlights.

Climb hiker-friendly 16,000-foot summits--and maybe nab a first ascent--on a shoestring budget, plus get an unchaperoned glimpse of Tibetan culture.

A slick drop-bottom feature sets this tough, smooth-rolling duffel apart.

Test yourself on these wild routes.