25 Epic Backpacking Trips

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.