Highline Trail

11.8 miles one-way, moderate to difficult

Often called the crown jewel of Glacier's trails, the Highline follows the Continental Divide with constant panoramic views. Wildlife sightings, including mountain goats and bighorn sheep, are common. For overnight hikers, Granite Park Campground sits near the trail, offering one of the park's most coveted backcountry sites.

Pitamakan-Dawson Loop

18.8-mile loop, difficult

This challenging loop in the park's quieter Two Medicine area offers spectacular alpine scenery with fewer crowds. The trail circles two stunning lakes and crosses two mountain passes. No Name Lake and Morning Star Lake campgrounds provide perfect overnight options along this route.

Backcountry Camping

The park's 65+ backcountry sites require permits, which can be reserved in advance (starting March 15) or obtained as walk-up permits. Popular sites include Elizabeth Lake, Cracker Lake, and Fifty Mountain. Each site typically accommodates 1-4 tents and includes food preparation areas, pit toilets, and food hanging devices for bear safety.

Frontcountry Camping

For those wanting established campgrounds with more amenities, Many Glacier Campground and Two Medicine Campground offer excellent tent sites with easy access to trailheads. These campgrounds provide flush toilets, potable water, and designated tent pads.

Teton Crest Trail

40 miles one-way, difficult

This iconic trail traverses the heart of the Teton Range, passing through wildflower meadows, over high mountain passes, and alongside alpine lakes. Camping options include Death Canyon Shelf, Alaska Basin, and the North Fork of Cascade Canyon—all offering stunning mountain views.

Paintbrush Canyon-Cascade Canyon Loop

19.2-mile loop, difficult

This challenging loop crosses Paintbrush Divide at 10,700 feet and passes Lake Solitude, offering spectacular views throughout. Holly Lake and North Fork camping zones provide perfect overnight stops, allowing you to break this strenuous hike into a 2-3 day adventure.

Backcountry Camping

Grand Teton's backcountry is divided into camping zones rather than specific sites. Popular zones include Death Canyon Shelf, North Fork Cascade Canyon, and Paintbrush Canyon. Permits are required for all overnight stays and can be reserved in advance (starting January) or obtained as walk-up permits (one-third of permits are held for walk-ups).

Frontcountry Camping

Jenny Lake Campground offers a tent-only camping experience with easy access to many trailheads. This campground is first-come, first-served and typically fills by mid-morning during summer months. Signal Mountain Campground also offers excellent tent sites with views of Jackson Lake.

The Narrows

16 miles one-way (top-down route), moderate to difficult

This iconic hike takes you through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, where walls rise 1,000 feet while the canyon narrows to just 20-30 feet wide. The top-down route requires a wilderness permit and offers designated camping sites along the Virgin River, creating an unforgettable overnight experience.

West Rim Trail

14.2 miles one-way, moderate

Starting at Lava Point and descending into the main canyon, this trail offers spectacular views throughout. Designated camping sites along the West Rim provide some of the park's most scenic overnight locations, with panoramic vistas of the canyon below.

Backcountry Camping

Zion's backcountry is divided into specific camping sites rather than zones. Popular options include the West Rim sites, La Verkin Creek sites, and designated areas in the Narrows. All require wilderness permits, which can be reserved three months in advance through the park's online system. A limited number of walk-up permits are available one day before your trip start date.

Frontcountry Camping

Watchman Campground offers excellent tent sites within walking distance of the Visitor Center and shuttle stops. South Campground is another good option for tent campers. Both campgrounds require reservations, which can be made up to six months in advance and typically fill quickly.

Seven Lakes Basin Loop

19-mile loop, difficult

This spectacular loop passes through subalpine meadows filled with wildflowers in summer and offers views of seven stunning alpine lakes. Heart Lake and Lunch Lake provide excellent camping opportunities with mountain views. The High Divide portion of the trail offers panoramic vistas of Mount Olympus and the Bailey Range.

South Coast Wilderness Trail

17 miles one-way, moderate

This unique coastal hike traverses beaches, headlands, and coastal forest. Camping on wilderness beaches like Toleak Point offers the rare experience of falling asleep to the sound of waves with no development in sight. Rope ladders and tidal crossings add adventure to this distinctive trail.

Backcountry Camping

Olympic requires wilderness permits for all overnight backcountry stays. The park uses a quota system for popular areas like Seven Lakes Basin, the Enchanted Valley, and coastal sites. Permits can be reserved up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Some areas have designated campsites, while others allow dispersed camping following Leave No Trace principles.

Frontcountry Camping

For tent campers looking to access trailheads easily, Deer Park Campground offers a high-elevation tent-only experience with stunning views. Graves Creek Campground provides riverside tent sites with access to the Enchanted Valley trail. Hoh Rain Forest Campground places you in the heart of the temperate rainforest with easy access to the Hoh River Trail.

Continental Divide Loop via Tonahutu Creek

27-mile loop, difficult

This spectacular loop crosses the Continental Divide at Flattop Mountain and traverses some of the park's most scenic high-country terrain. Multiple backcountry sites along the route allow for a 3-4 day journey through alpine meadows, forests, and tundra, with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Wild Basin to Thunder Lake

12 miles round-trip, moderate

This less-crowded trail follows North St. Vrain Creek through forests and meadows to Thunder Lake, nestled in a dramatic cirque beneath 13,000-foot peaks. The Thunder Lake backcountry site offers one of the park's most scenic camping locations.

Backcountry Camping

Rocky Mountain features over 120 designated backcountry sites, each accommodating 1-3 tents. Popular areas include Thunder Lake, Andrews Creek, and Timber Lake. Wilderness permits are required and can be reserved starting March 1 for the summer season. A limited number of permits are held for walk-up visitors.

Frontcountry Camping

For tent campers looking to access trailheads easily, Moraine Park Campground offers spectacular mountain views and frequent elk sightings. Glacier Basin Campground provides excellent tent sites with easy access to the Bear Lake Road corridor trails. Both require reservations during peak season (May-September).

High Sierra Trail

72 miles one-way, difficult

This epic trail crosses the Sierra Nevada from west to east, starting among giant sequoias and ending at Mount Whitney. Precipice Lake and Hamilton Lake offer some of the most spectacular camping locations, with dramatic mountain scenery reflected in crystal-clear alpine waters.

Rae Lakes Loop

41.4-mile loop, difficult

One of the most popular backcountry routes in the Sierra Nevada, this loop passes through glacially carved canyons, over a high mountain pass, and around the stunning Rae Lakes basin. Multiple designated camping areas along the route make it ideal for a 3-5 day backpacking trip.

Backcountry Camping

Wilderness permits are required for all overnight backcountry stays. The parks use a quota system for trailheads rather than specific campsites. Once on the trail, camping is allowed in most areas following Leave No Trace principles and specific park regulations (such as camping at least 100 feet from water sources). Permits can be reserved beginning in March for the summer season.

Frontcountry Camping

Lodgepole Campground offers excellent tent sites with easy access to the Giant Forest area. Cold Springs Campground in the Mineral King area provides a more remote tent camping experience with access to spectacular high-country trails. Both require reservations during peak season.

Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm

12 miles round-trip, difficult

This spectacular trail climbs from Cascade Pass to Sahale Glacier Camp, one of the most dramatically situated backcountry sites in the National Park System. Perched at 7,600 feet, the camp offers 360-degree views of glaciated peaks and deep valleys. Permits for this coveted site are highly competitive.

Thunder Creek to Fourth of July Pass

13 miles one-way, moderate

This less-traveled route follows Thunder Creek through old-growth forest before climbing to subalpine terrain with mountain views. Multiple backcountry camps along the way make it ideal for a multi-day trip, with opportunities to extend your journey into more remote areas of the park.

Backcountry Camping

North Cascades uses a permit system for all overnight backcountry stays. The park has designated campsites rather than zones, with each site accommodating a limited number of tents. Popular sites include Sahale Glacier Camp, Copper Ridge, and Thornton Lakes. Permits can be reserved beginning in March, with a portion held for walk-up visitors.

Frontcountry Camping

Colonial Creek Campground on Diablo Lake offers excellent tent sites within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area (part of the North Cascades complex). This campground provides easy access to several trailheads. Nearby Newhalem Campground also offers good tent sites in a forested setting along the Skagit River.

Backcountry Permits

Most national parks require wilderness permits for all overnight backcountry stays. These permits often use quota systems to limit the number of campers in specific areas, helping preserve wilderness character and minimize environmental impact. Reservation windows vary by park but typically open 3-6 months in advance. Mark your calendar and be ready to apply the moment reservations open for popular destinations.

Frontcountry Campgrounds

Established campgrounds in national parks also require reservations during peak season (typically May through September). These reservations typically open six months in advance on Recreation.gov and can fill within minutes for popular parks. Having a frontcountry camping reservation for the night before and after your backcountry trip provides convenient staging areas.

• Plan ahead and prepare - Know regulations, weather forecasts, and terrain challenges before you go
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces - Stick to established trails and campsites
• Dispose of waste properly - Pack out all trash and learn proper human waste disposal for your destination
• Leave what you find - Preserve the past and natural features

• Minimize campfire impacts - Use a stove for cooking and follow fire regulations
• Respect wildlife - Observe from a distance and never feed animals
• Be considerate of other visitors - Keep noise levels down and yield to others on trails