Backpacking is the ultimate way to remove yourself from the comforts of your usual routine, connect with the outdoors, and find the explorer in you. There's nothing quite like the feeling you get from waking up surrounded by nothing but beautiful scenery and maybe a few friends. Finding the time and figuring out where to go can be tough so we've taken care of the latter for you. Check out this list of 25 epic backpacking trips and get ready to leave the real world behind for a night or two...or more.
1. Death Canyon
Distance: 26-30 miles total | Location: Wyoming | Learn more.
Photo: Kathleen Morton
2. The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim
Distance: 47 miles total | Location: Arizona | Learn more.
Photo: Rob Witt
3. Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells
Distance: 28 miles total | Location: Colorado | Learn more.
Photo: Kevin Kaminski
4. Redwood National and State Park
Distance: 6 miles total | Location: California | Learn more.
Photo: Austin Trigg
5. Havasu Falls
Distance: 20-36 miles total | Location: Arizona | Learn more.
Photo: Bernini Ngo
6. Evolution Basin via South Lake
Distance: 38 miles total | Location: California | Learn more.
Photo: Greg Owens
7. Wind River Range - Island Lake
Distance: 22 miles total | Location: Wyoming | Learn more.
Photo: Greg Owens
8. Sahale Glacier Camp
Distance: 12 miles total | Location: Washington | Learn more.
Photo: Scott Kranz
9. Mount Assiniboine Sunshine Village to Mount Shark
Distance: 34.6 miles total | Location: Alberta | Learn more.
Photo: Talia Touboul
10. Sawtooth Lake
Distance: 10 miles total | Location: Idaho | Learn more.
Photo: Dusty Klein
11. Amethyst Basin
Distance: 12 miles total | Location: Utah | Learn more.
Photo: Conor Barry
12. Sam Knob Loop
Distance: 12 miles total | Location: North Carolina | Learn more.
Photo: Steve Yocom
13. Red Castle and Red Castles Lakes
Distance: 25 miles total | Location: Utah | Learn more.
Photo: Sam Watson
14. Bear Rocks
Distance: 12 miles total | Location: West Virginia | Learn more.
Photo: Christin Healey
15. McKittrick Ridge Campground
Distance: 20 miles total | Location: Texas | Learn more.
Photo: Andrew Miller
16. Hurricane Creek
Distance: 6 miles total | Location: Arkansas | Learn more.
Photo: John Chau
17. Isle Royale National Park - The Minong Ridge
Distance: 30-45 miles total | Location: Michigan | Learn more.
Photo: Joe Whitson
18. Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt. Washington
Distance: 9 miles total | Location: New Hampshire | Learn more.
Photo: Shannon Kalahan
19. Spade and Venus Lakes
Distance: 28 miles total | Location: Washington | Learn more.
Photo: Jason Zabriskie
20. Shortoff Mountain Summit
Distance: 4.4 miles total | Location: North Carolina | Learn more.
Photo: Justin Costner
21. Howe Sound Crest Trail
Distance: 18 miles total | Location: British Columbia | Learn more.
Photo: Matthew Hosford
22. Garibaldi Lake
Distance: 11.8 miles total | Location: British Columbia | Learn more.
Photo: Emily Haggar
23. Tuck and Robin Lakes
Distance: 16 miles total | Location: Washington | Learn more.
Photo: Jason Zabriskie
24. Reflection Canyon
Distance: 18-20 miles total | Location: Utah | Learn more.
Photo: Kathleen Buenviaje
25. Backpack The Enchantments via Stuart Lake Trailhead
Distance: 18 miles total | Location: Washington | Learn more.
Photo: Sam Patterson
Remember to always Leave No Trace when you are backpacking.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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