The Best Backpacking in New York
Looking for the best backpacking in New York? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New York. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top backpacking spots in and near New York
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Tuxedo Park, New York
Backpack Harriman State Park
4.718 mi / 1200 ft gainWhile the first day is a bit longer and less exciting in terms of frequent landmarks, its a relaxing hike through rocky, wooded, forest among bountiful blueberry bushes and the occasional raspberry bush. Enjoy the isolation on this leg. The second day is packed with frequent and beautiful landmar...Read more -
Elka Park, New York
Backpack the Eastern Half of Devil's Path in the Catskill Mountains
5.014 mi / 3900 ft gainThe Eastern half of Devil's Path has four major summits: Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf and Plateau. Each summit is a straight climb up and down, then back up to as much as 3,900 ft. There are some sparse sections of level ground, but most is a steep descent uphill or steep slide downhill. Your ...Read more -
Phoenicia, New York
Hike Mt. Wittenberg
4.3Looking for a great day hike in the Catskill region of NY? Then you should definitely look into and consider tackling Mt. Wittenberg then. A challenging climb up but a very rewarding summit view.Starting at Woodland Valley Campgrounds visitor registration house (where you can pay for parking for ...Read more -
Lake Placid, New York
Hike Phelps and Tabletop Peaks
12.6 mi / 3300 ft gainThe Adirondack Loj is a BEAUTIFUL place to go to, even if you do not plan on hiking. Located just ten minutes outside of the famous Lake Placid, you do not want to miss visiting this alluring Loj in the woods.Starting from Lot number 1 from the Adk Loj, begin hiking the 2.1 miles to Marcy Dam. Th...Read more -
Elka Park, New York
Backpack Devil's Path in the Catskills
24.2 mi / 9000 ft gainDevil's Path is roughly more than 24 miles long, althought it feels like an eternity of milage. Going thru the summits of Indian head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, Hunter, and Westkill Mountains.Its brutal. Its painful, Its unique. Be prepared for anything and everything. You will encounter wild lif...Read more -
Indian Lake, New York
Hike Snowy Mountain Fire Tower
4.77.5 mi / 2142 ft gainSnowy Mountain is the largest mountain in this region of the Adirondacks, and with a 2100'+ elevation gain over the 3.5 mile ascent is actually more work than some of the famed High Peaks. Going north on Rt 30, the parking lot is marked as Snowy Mountain on the right hand side. If you make it to ...Read more -
Brooktondale, New York
Camp at the Shindagin Hollow Lean-To
4.51 mi / 150 ft gainFrom the parking spot on Prospect Valley Rd., cross the footbridge as part of the Finger Lakes Trail due East. The trail will be marked with white blazes. As you follow the blazes you will hike up for about 0.5 miles, increasing elevation by about 150ft, and then down 30-50 ft for 0.2 miles befo...Read more -
Windham, New York
Backpack the Catskill's Escarpment Trail
32.4 mi / 8000 ft gainThe Escarpment Trail runs the length of the Catskill Escarpment. The Escarpment rises steeply from the valley below forming the northeast corner of the Catskill Mountains. It offers great views toward the Adirondack Mountains to the north and the great Hudson River to the east. The trail is moder...Read more -
Lake Placid, New York
Hike Algonquin Peak
4.8Algonquin Peak, the second highest peak in New York, is one of the best hikes up in the Adirondack's. If you are looking for a challenging hike with views of the Adirondack park then this is a perfect hike.Starting at the Adirondack Loj, locate the trail head at the end of the parking lot. After ...Read more -
Big Indian, New York
Camp on Giant Ledge
4.01.5 mi / 975 ft gainGiant Ledge is a great hike in the Catskills if you are looking for something short, with incredible views, and camping options. There are not many hikes with better views then this in the Catskills, so why not spend as much time as possible up there? There are a few camping spots you can grab w...Read more -
Beacon, New York
Malouf's Mountain Camp on Mt. Beacon
7.02 mi / 2087 ft gainStarting in the quaint town of Beacon there are a couple of options for hikes of varying difficulty. From the station the walk is about 1.5 miles to the trail heads, alternatively if you choose to stay the night at Malouf's Mountain Sunset Campground you can arrange for the host to meet you, take...Read more -
Keene Valley, New York
Backpack the Dix Range
4.517 miDay 1The trail begins about a mile past the intersection of Rt. 73 and Rt. 9 just east of a bridge over the North Fork Boquet River. Note: this trail is unmarked, so be sure to have an accurate map of the area. I recommend going to The Mountaineer store in Keene Valley and asking one of the cler...Read more -
Keene Valley, New York
Nippletop, Indian Head, Gothics
5.021.55 mi / 7631 ft gainWe completed this loop over the course of 3 days in late June, however for those who pack extraordinarily light and/or travel extraordinarily fast, this loop could be completed in 2 days. There are also a plethora of trail intersections to either extend or shorten your loop to different preferenc...Read more -
Elka Park, New York
Camp at Sugarloaf Mountain in the Catskills
4.06 mi / 1500 ft gainBegin by parking at the end of Mink Road in Elka Park (GPS:N42 08.593, W74 09.479). It will be a .7 mile hike to camp. Follow the rocky woods road to the junction where there is a SPRING sign. Continuing straight will take you to the water source. If you do not need water, turn left when you see ...Read more -
Big Indian, New York
Hike to Balsam Mountain in the Catskills
5.4 mi / 2910 ft gainTimeline: Weekend, though can easily be done as an overnight trip or just a day hike Summary: Day 1: Hike to camp (0.7 miles, 340' elevation gain) Day 2: Hike to Balsam Mountain and back to camp (4 miles round-trip) Day 3: Relax & hike back to car (0.7 miles) Details: Park the car at McKinle...Read more -
Lake Pleasant, New York
Backpack to Cedar Lakes Lean-to #2 in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness
5.3 mi / 705 ft gainKnow before you go! It’s a bumpy road in and a bumpy road out so be sure your vehicle is ready to handle a long, winding dirt and rocky road back to the trail head. The road is approximately 7 miles to the trailhead starting on Jessup River Road off of State Route 30 in Speculator, NY. Follow Jes...Read more
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