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  • United States

    Looking for the best backpacking in United States? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around United States. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Backpacking Spots in and near United States

    • Winthrop, Washington

      Heather-Maple Pass Loop

      5.0
      7.5 mi / 2185 ft gain
      Note to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail...
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    • Mount Judea, Arkansas

      Hike Sam's Throne

      5.0
      0.5 mi
      This hike starts at the Sam's Throne Campground parking area. Once you walk to the end of the campground there is a fence with three different entrances that all lead to different trails. Take the middle trial for the shortest and easiest hike to the bluffs. This hike is very easy and only tak...
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    • Ludington, Michigan

      Hike to Big Sable Point Lighthouse

      4.7
      3.6 mi
      Big Sable Point Lighthouse is perhaps one of the most scenic locations in Michigan. A 3.6 mile round trip hike along the Lake Michigan shoreline will bring you to the destination, which is nestled among sprawling sand dunes. Each evening, it offers a stunning sunset along the sandy beaches.A shor...
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    • Mammoth Lakes, California

      Duck Lake via Duck Pass Trail

      4.7
      9.29 mi / 1880 ft gain
      The Duck Pass trail in the John Muir Wilderness combines breathtaking views, wildflowers and plenty of icy mountain lakes for swimming into a trail that is moderate in both difficulty and distance. With multiple lakes along the way to pitch your tent and plenty of day hike options from a base cam...
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    • Junction City, California

      Canyon Creek Lakes

      4.3
      14.35 mi / 2605 ft gain
      Numerous starting points with over 550 miles of trail and easily 50+ different featured trails depending on length and what type of activity you are are looking for. One of the more popular trails, and rightfully so, is Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This 16 mile roundtrip hike has an overall elevatio...
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    • Del Rio, Tennessee

      Max Patch to Hot Springs, N.C. via Appalachian Trail

      3.0
      14.06 mi / 2966 ft gain
      Make a weekend trip from Max Patch to Hot Springs N.C., and be sure to soak in the natural hot springs at the old inn after your hike! This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the French Broad River. You can break this up however you like, this i...
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    • Bolinas, California

      Glen Camp Loop via the Palomarin Trailhead

      4.7
      15.72 mi / 3091 ft gain
      Day 1 Before heading to the trailhead, make sure to stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to pick up your permit. To stay overnight in Point Reyes, you must stay at one of the trail camps.   Camping anywhere else in the park is not allowed.   Permits for the trail camps can be booked up to 6 mo...
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    • Los Olivos, California

      Backpack Zaca Ridge

      5.0
      7.32 mi / 2077 ft gain
      From Santa Ynez, CA take Armour Rd until it hits Happy Canyon Rd, and make a left. Follow this scenic drive through vineyards and oak shaded pastures into the Angeles National Forest. A half-mile section of asphalt is rough from winter storms, so drive slow. The road becomes Sunset Valley Rd and ...
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    • San Diego County, California

      Hike to the Goat Canyon Trestle

      5.0
      7 mi
      The main attraction of this hike is the wooden trestle. This engineering marvel was built in 1932 and still remains the tallest and longest curved wooden trestle in the U.S.This hike is recommended for the physically and mentally prepared. From Mortero Palms, it's a 3.5 mile (7 miles roundtrip) t...
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    • Silver Plume, Colorado

      Grays and Torreys Peaks

      4.3
      7.97 mi / 3458 ft gain
      At about an hour's drive from Denver, Grays Peak (14,270 ft./4338m) and its sister mountain, Torreys Peak (14,267 ft./4337m), are two of the most popular 14ers in the state. Because of this, a wealth of information is available on the internet. Rather than go into all the details of the technical...
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    • Marblemount, Washington

      Sahale Glacier Camp via Cascade Trailhead

      5.0
      11.09 mi / 4183 ft gain
      As an initial note, to spend an overnight at Sahale Glacier Camp, you need to obtain a permit at the North Cascades Ranger Station in Marblemount, Washington. Permits are limited, so get there early or call in advance. To start, go to Marblemount, WA and then drive ~23 miles east on Cascade Rive...
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    • Concrete, Washington

      Anderson and Watson Lake

      5.68 mi / 1165 ft gain
      The drive up to the starting point of the trail to Anderson and Watson Lake was easy, but at the end it gets a little tricky - the service road is sharp gravel and runs for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Some spots are steep and there are large potholes, but slow and steady wins the race. There...
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    • Santa Barbara County, California

      Beach Camp on Santa Rosa Island

      5.0
      19.72 mi / 3097 ft gain
      Channel Islands National Park is California's least visited National Park. If you visit, you will see many unique plants and animals, including a rare native fox species, and Torrey Pines, only found here and in a small grove near San Diego. This adventure is not for the inexperienced. There is ...
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    • North Bend, Washington

      Bandera Mountain

      4.4
      7.8 mi / 3176 ft gain
      This hike has unreal views of Mount Rainier. On a great clear spring day, the mountain is out. It's right in your face. It's incredible. If you tackle this hike in the spring the bear grass and wildflowers are alive and blooming towards the top and it makes for some fantastic picture-taking. Once...
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    • Point Reyes Station, California

      Coast Campground via Laguna Trailhead

      4.3
      4.02 mi / 633 ft gain
      This campground is the closest you can get to staying overnight on Pt. Reyes coastline if you're backpacking in. Once you get there, enjoy the view! The easiest way to get to the camp is from the slightly uphill hike along the Laguna Trail and the Firelane Trail. The trailhead for the Laguna Tra...
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    • Forks, Washington

      Rialto Beach to the Sea Stacks

      4.7
      1.06 mi / 26 ft gain
      Before you start this hike, you'll need to pick up a permit at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, WA - (360) 565-3100. The trail itself starts at Rialto Beach, which is at the end of Mora Road in La Push. There's a large parking lot for overnight campers so there shouldn't be any ...
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