The Great American Backpacking Bucket List : 33 Must-Do Treks
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This article has make up updated . It was to begin with publish in March 2018 .
Prior to the covid-19 pandemic , many were call on their attention to international destinations when considering a grand outside adventure . Jet-setting to far-flung destinations own nearly become too easy . But the challenge and shut borders of the last yr own all of us looking at our home turf for that future adventure . Fortunately , as Americans , we do n’t have to face far . Enter the Great American Backpacker ’ s Bucket List , with adequate homegrown adventure to hold still the nearly challenging backpacker in use for years to come .
Ranging from a mere overnight to a week in the good deal to living change thru-hikes , this list make something for everyone . See what trips might equal closer to you than you think , or take this as inspiration to volume that trip out West that you ’ ve always been wanting to do .
Northeast and Midwest
- Lakeshore-North Country Trail : Miners Beach To Beaver Creek : Explore the rugged shores of Michigan ‘s Upper Peninsula .
- Mount Marcy , Mount Skylight + Gray Peak Loop : Take the lesser traveled and more strenuous track to New York ‘s highest summit .
- The Pemigewasset Loop : Hike an amazing loop in New Hampshire ‘s southern White Mountains .
- Presidential Traverse : Widely considered New England ‘s toughest raise .
- White Rock-Shores Lake Loop: Tackle this 12-mile loop in the Ozarks over ridgelines , through old-growth hallows , with horizon over the Arkansas Valley .
- Snickers Gap to Keys Gap: Travel on base beyond the 1,000 mile score on the AT ( northbound hikers ) on this 13.4-mile trip to Raven Rocks and love the scenic view over the Shenandoah Valley .
Southeast
- Mount Sterling Via Big Creek Loop : Camp next to one of the Southeast ‘s most scenic lookout tower in Great Smoky Mountain National Park .
- Art Loeb Trail : Find why National Geographic predict this one of the top 30 Backpacking trip in the United States
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- Standing Indian Loop : A utter three-day loop for when one night in the wood just equal n’t plenty .
- Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Loop : Head off the crowds in one of North Carolina ‘s more remote wilderness areas .
- Gregory Bald + Shuckstack Fire Tower Via Twentymile Loop : Considered by many to be Great Smoky Mountain National Park ‘s most scenic summit .
Rocky Mountains
- Pawnee And Buchanan Pass Loop : The premier backpacking trip in the Indian Peaks Wilderness .
- Devils Thumb + Kings Lake Loop : The best single dark backpacking trip in the Indian Peaks Wilderness .
- Fancy Pass , Missouri Lakes Loop : Raise this popular loop in the Holy Cross Wilderness .
- Four Pass Loop : Colorado ‘s most desired backpacking trip .
- Cirque Of The Tower : See the best of Wyoming ‘s Wind River Range .
- Teton Crest Lead : The iconic backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park .
- Gunsight Pass Trail : Cut through the center of Glacier National Park .
- Dawson + Pitamakan Pass : Search the lesser traveled but no less grand Two Medicine area in Glacier National Park .
Southwest and California
- West Rim Trail , Lava Point To Zion Canyon : Hike high above the striking western portion of Zion National Park .
- Havasu Falls Hike Via Havasupai Trail : Camp near a beautiful scenic Arizona oasis at Havasu Falls .
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- South Kaibab + Bright Angel Trails : Raise to the ass of the Grand Canyon and back .
- Glacier Pass , Sawtooth Pass + Big Five Lakes Hiking Loop : See some of what the best of Sequioa National Park has to extend .
- John Muir Trail ( JMT ) : Settle in California ‘s Sierra Nevada traverse Yosemite to Mount Whitney and affect by many as the premier boost trail in the United States .
- Gila Middle Fork: Hike into the Gila Wilderness and camp near the Jordan Hot Springs .
- Outer Mountain Loop: Choose the long way around in Big Bend National Park on the 21-mile outer loop through canyons and over 6,000-foot grassy height .
Pacific Northwest
- Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail ( PNT ) : Done with your Triple Crown ? Take on the next large thru-hike in the Pacific Northwest
- Enchantment Lakes Thru-Hike : While getting the license for this may exist the toughest portion , you ‘ll be glad you got it on this incredible trip through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness .
- Timberline Trail : Band the towering Mount Hood in northern Oregon .
- Three Sister Loop : Meet every angle of the great concentration of 10,000-foot peaks in the Cascades .
- Hoh to Sol Duc Via High Divide Trail : From rainforest to alpine tundra , see it all on this loop in Olympic National Park .
- Grand Pass Loop : Trek high alpine passes and wind-swept ridges on this loop in Olympic National Park .
- Purple Pass Hiking Loop : Difficult to make to , and a mass less difficult to leave , hike this scenic loop in North Cascades National Park .
Looking for your next pail list backpacking adventure ? Well discover trails , download offline map and navigate your adventures using the
Featured Adventure
Pawnee and Buchanan Pass Loop
Presidential Traverse
Gunsight Pass Trail
Devils Thumb + Kings Lake Loop
Lakeshore-North Country Trail : Miners Beach to Beaver Creek
Mount Marcy , Mount Skylight + Gray Peak Loop
Teton Crest Trail
West Rim Trail , Lava Point to Zion Canyon
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You May As well Enjoy
Sundance Loop
Blackmer and Boulder Run Loop
Moab Rim Trail
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