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
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Supai, Arizona
Confluence of the Colorado River and Havasu Creek
5.016.62 mi / 4199 ft gainHike: Starting from the Havasupai campgrounds, which is a 10 mile hike in itself from Hualapai Hilltop, the trail goes past Mooney Falls to Beaver Creek for 4 miles. The elevation gain is limited but makes up for difficulty with route finding. Getting to Beaver Falls will require creek crossings ...Read more -
Tyro, Virginia
Spy Rock via Cash Hollow
4.95.71 mi / 1191 ft gainThe hike is part of the George Washington National Forest, and can easily be combined with nearby Crabtree Falls (300ft cascading waterfall with a hike to the top). The entire trip is 5.7 miles, and there are nice campsites at the base of the summit (no water source) if you want to add on this pr...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes
4.94.51 miFrom the Bear Lake Trailhead, the path to Nymph Lake is a moderate paved trail. At the lake there are several places to sit and take in the scenery. This is also where you'll find the most people. From here, continue up the trail towards Dream Lake. On the way, the trail forks. The left will take...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Park Butte Lookout
4.57.64 mi / 2100 ft gainThis place is really the stuff of fairy tales. Where else can you find a tiny cabin with 360-degree views of stunning mountain scenery? To the west, you can see all the way to Bellingham and the Puget Sound. To the south and east lie the jagged North Cascades. And the entire northern horizon is ...Read more -
Linn County, Oregon
Coffin Mountain Fire Lookout
5.02.67 mi / 873 ft gainCoffin Mountain Fire Lookout is a beautiful day hike that takes you to its summit at 5771 feet elevation, covering roughly 1070 feet elevation gain. To get to the Coffin Mt. trailhead from Detroit OR, travel east on Highway 22 for approximately 19.5 miles to Forest Road 11 (Straight Creek Road)....Read more -
Ronald, Washington
Marmot and Jade Lakes via Deception Pass Trail
5.020.29 mi / 4370 ft gainThe road in is passable with basically any vehicle, though there are some potholes to be avoided. Start at the Deception Pass Trailhead near the parking lot. There is a quick and easy 4.5 miles as you pass Hyas Lake, then you start climbing up to the trail junction for Tuck and Robin Lakes and th...Read more -
Compton, Arkansas
Big Bluff via the Centerpoint Trailhead
4.96.21 mi / 991 ft gainThis adventure begins at the Counterpoint Trailhead just north of Ponca, AR. Follow the trail downhill for about 2.7 miles until you reach a split in the trail. Take the trail off to the right and follow it for another .5 miles until you reach the Big Bluff area. There is a lot of area to expl...Read more -
Lumpkin, Georgia
Canyon Loop
4.42.15 mi / 236 ft gainMiniscule compared to the Grand Canyon, this vibrant-colored canyon offers a unique adventure unlike any other in Georgia. The most popular way to explore the canyon is through the 4.8 mile Canyon Loop Trail in the Providence Canyon Outdoor Recreation Area. ($5 for parking) The White Blaze Canyo...Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Art Loeb Trail
4.830.07 mi / 7467 ft gainStart at The Davidson River Campground just outside of Brevard, NC (276 Pisgah Ranger District). Have a shuttle car or a friend waiting at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout camp for the finish line. Hop on the 30.1 mile long Art Loeb Trail at the trailhead in the Davidson River Campground. Pull into th...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike to Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff
5.010.68 mi / 3982 ft gainThe Alum Cave trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, 8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Starting from the parking lot the trail gently wind...Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Looking Glass Rock
4.65.43 mi / 1572 ft gainThis is a really nice, moderately difficult hike along a cascading creek, up switchbacks, and through wildflower fields. A couple miles in, you'll reach a helipad that is used for rescuing injured rock climbers - Looking Glass Rock is a popular destination for world class climbing. There is a sma...Read more -
Linville, North Carolina
Shortoff Mountain Summit
4.84.64 mi / 1178 ft gainStart your hike from the Shortoff Mountain Trail off of Wolf Pit Road at the base of Lake James. From the summit there is a small grassy area off a side trail that provided awesome cliff side views of the Gorge and Linville River! You can setup after making the hour and a half trek (maybe just in...Read more -
Detroit, Oregon
Battle Ax Mountain
5.05.09 mi / 1594 ft gainWith no officially marked trailhead, this hike begins slightly west of Elk Lake in Marion County. Take Highway 22 to Detroit, OR. East of the bridge over Breitenbush River, turn onto (FR) Forest Road 46, with signs pointing to Breitenbush River. After 4.5 miles turn left at a sign for Elk Lake, a...Read more -
Bolinas, California
Point Reyes' Wildcat Camp via Coast Trail
5.011.19 mi / 1926 ft gainIn order to make this trip possible, go to recreation.gov and make a reservation for Wildcat Camp (available year-round). On your way to the trailhead, make sure to stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to grab your camping permit. For more information, visit: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvis...Read more -
Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
Mount Rogers via Appalachian Trail
5.09.1 mi / 1549 ft gainFirst of all, who doesn't love wild ponies! There are tons of ponies here, and although they are wild, they are not afraid of people and you can get pretty close (just don't feed them!). Once you enter Grayson Highlands State Park, you will see a parking lot for Massie Gap a few miles in, par...Read more -
Sierra, California
Rae Lakes Loop
5.039.08 mi / 7316 ft gainDay one: After checking in with the park ranger and getting your required permits you will start your hike along a 1.8 mile stretch along the south fork of the Kings River. At this point, people typically go clockwise toward Paradise Valley but you can also go counterclockwise along Bubbs Creek. ...Read more