Trips by National Park

Destinations Editor Maren Horjus shares four spooky, Halloween-ready tales from her new book, Haunted Hikes.

Sick of the snow? South Florida is your ticket to sun, warmth, and wildlife.

All hikes end. Sometimes that's a blessing.

Hike up to 9,000', set up camp, and put on your best suit or dress and enjoy a chilled cocktail.

NPS to pay $6.8 million for Nature Conservancy land.

When the Americans with Disabilities Act required better trail access for all, Yosemite saw an opportunity.

In Canyonlands’ backcountry, a family learns that the wonder of our parks belongs to anyone who goes looking for it.

You voted, we listened. Meet Clay Hanna, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Supervisor for Grand Teton National Park, a model for his peers, a protector of visitor experiences, and one heckuva ranger.

In the early days of Yosemite, a woman could be anything—including herself

Some people fall for the parks so hard, they can’t bring themselves to leave.

Don't let the manicured paths trick you: Workers in Washington state's mountains wage an endless war to keep the trails open.

Yellowstone National Park, Montana

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Cross 70 miles of one of Alaska's loneliest wilderness areas to peek into North America's past.

Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

Olympic National Park, WA

Check out Madison Perrins and Aidan Lynn-Klimenko's author page.

Check out Dennis Lewon's author page.

For backpackers, there’s nothing better in the entire park system. How much of it can one hiker see in a week?

Finding a hike of your own is as easy as getting off the trail—and this Sierra spot makes it easy.

It may be in a popular park, but you won't find any crowds on this underappreciated trail.

Get wet in late summer when the Queets River is easily crossed to see a rainforest most hikers never knew existed in Olympic National Park, Washington.

Negotiate a climb just shy of 14,000-feet. Hike MT. Meeker's solitary trails escaping the mobs of people across the valley on Longs Peak ridge.

At eight thousand feet in Guadalupe Mountains, the Texan desert seemingly stretches forever.

Sequoia National Park, California

This remote park saves its best for hikers willing to tackle long miles and steep climbs. Our insider dishes the best ways to see its best views.

These 10 miles of pure Alaska experience are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 9 miles of mountain madness, from Paintbrush Divide to Hurricane Pass, are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 15 miles of beachfront property are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 21 miles of Yosemite highlights are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

This half-mile of backcountry geysers is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 9 miles of Grand Canyon essence are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 8 miles of Appalachian dream are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

This mile of slot canyon is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 6 miles of pristine wilderness are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

This mile of heart-pounding mountain climbing is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 4 miles of rugged coastline are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 9 miles of wildflower-studded meadow are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

These 5 miles of sky island are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

This half-mile of thrilling scramble is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

This mile of towering redwoods is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

This mile of otherworldly rock pinnacles is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

The Tetons are showy enough to make roadside views almost as good as the backcountry ones. Almost. This wilderness lake is a haul to reach, but the journey is just as good as the destination.

By Melissa Avery

Explore Badlands National Park's trailless interior on a backpacking trip along Spring Draw Creek.

Hike past expansive beaver ponds and prime elk habitat on this loop through Yellowstone’s scenic northwest corner.

Take the lesser-traveled route up one of Shenandoah National Park's most storied peaks.

Find solitude in Yellowstone's mountainous northwest corner.

Score Swiss-Alps scenery without the trans-Atlantic flight.

Why visit iconic Glacier Point with the rest of the tourists when you can ski there—and have it all to yourself?

Our expert's top tips for hiking Big Bend National Park in spring

Lose yourself in the Lower 48's wildest park.

Our expert reveals his top dayhikes, overnights, and tricks for your best trip ever.

Try your luck at finding solid ground—in order to see a Technicolor sunset and flocks of cormorants.

Navigate your own route through grizzly terrain in Elias National Park, all to access seldom-seen panoramas of the 16,000-foot Wrangell Mountains.

Get the story behind Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah—and how to see it yourself.

Get a front row seat of retreating glaciers on this challenging 8-mile out-and-back to the Harding Icefield. No crampons or ice axes are needed during the summer hiking months.

Squeeze this 4.3-mile dayhike in before the ferry departs for the mainland. Highlights: super rare pine trees and breezy views of the mighty Pacific.

One great thing about being out on the trail is allowing your schedule to be ruled by the rising and setting sun. Here are the best sunrises and sunsets you photographed and submitted to our photo contest this year.

See the best the Big Ditch has to offer with these stunning photos from Matt & Agnes Hage.

Trek along a series of High Sierra lakes nestled in sculpted granite basins below towering alpine peaks on this 11.6-mile out-and-back.

In America's most celebrated park, adventure doesn't begin at the trailhead; it begins at trail's end.

Thanks to only a little elevation gain, this 7-mile loop offers flatlanders great rewards (big views, wildlife, solitude) without much suffering. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen.

Take this 8.8-mile out-and-back dayhike or overnight to escape high-season crowds; it stitches together a lesser-known route leading to a photo-worthy waterfall.

This 4.2-mile out-and-back hike is a local's favorite, climbing gently from the flood-torn banks of the Moormans River to one of the most impressive waterfalls in the park.

Windswept ridges, jigsaw peaks, and a bulldozing glacier are just few of the highlights on this 9.8-mile half-circle route near Going-to-the-Sun and Matahpi Peaks.

This old 11.1-mile carriage loop is a family-friendly adventure complete with lakes, streams, easy walking, and beautiful ocean vistas. Open to cyclists and hikers.

Hike across twisted, tortured landscape on this 11.2-mile overnighter through the High Chisos Mountains to the South Rim escarpment. Bring plenty of water; this is dry country.

Get high fast on this 9.1-mile, out-and-back to Fern and Spruce lakes, which sit in gorgeous alpine valleys beneath the Little Matterhorn and several other commanding peaks.

Wander from bubbling cascades to scenic balds to wide ridgelines to old-growth forest on this classic 12.5-mile, 2-day loop in the shadow of several 5,000-foot peaks.

Can't afford a full week in Glacier? Try this daylong sampler, a 5.2-mile hike that passes waterfalls and jagged peaks, climbing to an alpine lake pinched in by 3,000-foot walls.

Gurgling mountain streams and peaceful vistas line this 9-mile loop in southern Shenandoah National Park

Capture the renowned mystique of Lake Superior's solitary atoll on this 61.2-mile traverse of Isle Royale, a pristine archipelago untouched by development and home to thriving wolf and moose populations.

This 6.6-mile out-and-back canyon hike is fantastically verdant and loaded with glistening cascades, including the park's second highest waterfall.

From the Chisos Mountains to the Chihuahuan Desert, this 3- or 4-day hike samples it all.

Camp under sharp peaks and sharper stars on this 4-day, 20-mile tour along the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. Summits, swimming holes, and trout abound.

A 24-miler in the the Big Bend's remote west corner.

Paddle the Rio Grande through massive gorges on this exciting overnight. This 22-mile trip is easily done in 2 days.

Explore a desert moonscape of otherworldly cacti on this 4.2-mile hike to an abandoned gold prospect. Take plenty of water and sunscreen.

Enjoy the quiet trails and scenic views of Yosemite Valley's less-traveled twin on this 28.7-mile overnighter. Early season is marked by waterfalls surging with spring meltoff.