Trips by National Park

Climb from Yosemite Valley's forested floor to the cloud-scraping South Rim on this 18-miler featuring trips to Taft Point, Sentinel Dome and Glacier Point.

Notch inimitable panoramas of Yosemite Valley from the soaring Glacier Point before tackling a steep descent from the South Wall on this staggeringly scenic 4.6-miler.

On this four-day trip through the Clark Range, push deep into Yosemite's backcountry to discover a wonderland of slickrock waterfalls, pristine alpine lakes and jagged peaks.

Climb through deep lodgepole forest toward the foot of the Cathedral Range on this 4-mile out-and-back to the peaceful Elizabeth Lake.

Big on views and short on distance, this out-and-back climbs to the granite-topped Lembert Dome: sprawling panoramas of Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding mountain country await.

On this 15-mile overnighter in Yosemite National Park, climb through wildflower-dotted meadows and whitebark pine forest en route to three remote lakes circled by towering granite peaks.

Visit some of the world's oldest and largest trees on this peaceful stroll to Yosemite's most remote giant sequoia grove.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll to the postcard-like May Lake before taking on the rugged ascent to the 10,850-foot Mount Hoffmann, which serves up a 360-degree display of every major peak in the park.

Wander along Yosemite's towering South Rim for unbeatable Valley panoramas from a series of high-country, cliff-edge vantage points.

Attain deep-forest tranquility on this leisurely amble to Yosemite's Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias, home to some of the largest living organisms on Earth.

Savor can't-miss Yosemite panoramas from the Valley's second-highest vantage point on this easy hike to the legendary Sentinel Dome.

Score some of the John Muir Trail's most classic views on this 31-mile section hike in Yosemite National Park that starts less than two hours from Bishop.

Cross elk-filled woods and bighorn-busy flats on this park's quiet side.

Venture off SoCal's coast for long beaches, hidden canyons, and sea life.

This magnificent, 55.5-mile northern loop accesses the moose-filled Waterton Valley backcountry, and finishes with a grand finale along the Highline Trail, a topo line below the Continental Divide.

As every student of wilderness knows, Denali’s rewards—raw Alaska, awe-inspiring wildlife, soul-quieting solitude—are commensurate with the challenges. Get them all on a 31.8-mile crown-jewel trip that climbs to Anderson Pass, the only nontechnical path across the Alaska Range.

Pack maximum Glacier highlights—densely stacked peaks, jewel-like turquoise pools, and blinding-white waterfalls—into three days with this 35.6-mile point-to-point from St. Mary to Two Medicine.

Discover a private paradise in Capitol Reef National Park by crossing the park's convoluted Waterpocket Fold on this 32-mile point-to-point.

This 10-mile, cathedral-like hallway in Capitol Reef National Park combines easy canyon hiking and foolproof routefinding with life-list sights.

Descend from Grandview Point for a lesser-hiked, four-day, point-to-point between rim and river.

Spend the night at a five-star campsite tucked in the broad slickrock bowls between Capitol Gorge and Pleasant Creek on this 7.7-miler in Capitol Reef National Park.

A forgotten explorer's route leads to 42-mile off-trail adventure--with several peak bagging options--and bona fide solitude in Yellowstone National Park.

Find unusual solitude at this popular alpine park on a 16.4-mile peakbagging overnight to the Continental Divide.

Go high above this tiny Lake Superior island for solitude, views, and one of Michigan's most incredible ridge hikes.

On this 13.7-mile out-and-back trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon tour rugged canyons, cross the Colorado River, and take in stunning river-to-rim views.

Get full-canyon views from Skeleton Point on this 7-mile drop into the Big Ditch.

Drop off the north rim on the North Kaibab Trail on 8.1-mile hike down to Bright Angel Canyon.

Multi-layered red rocks line mile-deep canyons and cactus flowers explode with pastels on this 9.7-mile out-and-back to Esplanade overlook.

You'll summit the highest point in Texas on this 8-mile overnight trip in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

On this climb from the Hoh River's silty riffles to high-country glacier views, you'll pass through a moss-hung rainforest that might be the lushest place in America.

Walk a scary-narrow rock fin to an airy summit.

Feel like you've notched a first ascent.

Climb without crowds to the state's top mountain view on this 9.6-mile out-and-back in Sequoia National Park.

This easy, 3-mile trail (out and back) visits Lassen's largest geothermal area—a steaming basin filled with boiling mud pots, belching fumeroles, and colorful hot springs.

This weeklong loop in the Cathedral Range is the epitome of Yosemite high country hikes: you'll climb past craggy granite, listen to babbling streams, and gaze at vibrant summer wildflowers.

This 83-mile, week-long transect of Glacier National Park on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail features turquoise pools, ragged peaks, and vibrant wildflowers.

This C-shaped, point-to-point from Many Glacier to Logan Pass cuts through the heart of Glacier's rugged high country and finishes with a grand finale along the Highline Trail.

Connect two remote lakes on this challenging off-trail alpine adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This rolling, 20.6-mile lasso, only a few miles from Longs Peak, climbs to views on Granite Pass, drops down Boulder Brook, then ascends to forested Storm Pass.

Hike one of the loneliest trails in Mount Rainier National Park on this 9.5-mile shuttle hike. You'll start high in alpine tundra, descend past a lovely lake, and trek through mossy old-growth forest.

From the highest point on the continent to world-class views deep in the Alaska Range, this bundle serves up a variety of trips in Denali National Park.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Wolf howls have echoed across Isle Royale National Park for decades. But with the once-widespread predators down to a single pack, the time to go hear--and maybe spot--them is now.

Wind through an isolated gorge with ancient art.

Circle through giant gorges and sleep at a riverfront campsite.

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

Our field scouts scrambled up airy ledges, trekked to giant arches, and dropped into deep gorges to bring you the best dozen trips in this slickrock paradise.

Explore peaks and forests in this coastal range.

Circle a glacial lake, see a waterfall, and explore a forgotten trail.

Sleep in a lake-dotted basin and scale an 11,000-foot peak.

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

Our map scouts scaled 13,000-foot peaks, trekked to hidden lakes, and explored glacier-carved canyons to bring you our 21 favorite routes in America's most vertiginous range.

Nearly 150 years after John Wesley Powell's pioneering trip through the Grand Canyon, the park still conceals remarkable places no humans have ever seen. Contributing editor John Harlin joins a crew of explorers on a journey of discovery.

Get a Denali-size adventure with Lower 48 effort.

Tour glacial valleys and navigate to off-trail lakes and waterfalls on this six-day circuit.

Hike cross-country to explore this secluded chain of hanging lakes.

Scramble up a 12.7-mile sneak route to Rocky Mountain National Park's highest peak.

David Howard investigates the mystery of 61 black-and-white negatives that are stirring up a hornet's nest of accusations, threats, and lawsuits.

More than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout. Meet the winners here, starting with Colleen Contrisciane-Lewis, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She earned the all-expenses-paid grand prize: an assignment to hike—and report on—her dream trip. Read about her 85-mile, weeklong transect of Glacier National Park on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail.

Cross elk-filled woods and bighorn- busy flats on this park's quiet side.

Venture off SoCal's coast for long beaches, hidden canyons, and sea life.

Go ahead, look again. And again. These images are worth a third, fourth, and then a tenth gaze.

For guaranteed solitude in the park's southwest reaches, explore this quiet loop during the off-season.

Come for the sheer, glaciated peaks, but be mesmerized by rain-fed waterfalls that pour down on all sides.