Things to do

Backcountry Camping in national parks

The National Park Service lists 57 things to do tagged “Backcountry Camping” in 24 parks and sites. Isle Royale National Park has the most (25). Each listing links to the NPS page with details. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated · NPS Data API

Showing 57 of 57 listings.

ListingParkTime neededSeasonNotes
Backcountry Camp at Big Thicket National PreserveBig Thicket National Preserve—Year-round—
Backcountry Camp at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkHawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park——Reservation, Fee
Backcountry Camping at Pictured RocksPictured Rocks National Lakeshore1-14 Days—Reservation, Fee
Backcountry Camping at Wind CaveWind Cave National Park—Year-round—
Backcountry Camping in CanyonlandsCanyonlands National Park1-14 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Backcountry Camping in the Otis Pike WildernessFire Island National Seashore1-4 Days—Reservation, Fee
Backcountry Hiking and CampingBryce Canyon National Park—Year-roundReservation, Fee
Backpack in Olympic National ParkOlympic National Park—Year-roundReservation, Fee
Backpack the Craters of the Moon WildernessCraters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve—Year-round—
Backpacking at ArchesArches National Park——Reservation, Fee
Backpacking Big BendBig Bend National Park—Year-roundReservation, Fee
Backpacking in DenaliDenali National Park & Preserve2 DaysYear-roundReservation
Backpacking in the MonumentColorado National Monument1-7 DaysSpring, Summer, FallReservation
Backpacking PreparationGuadalupe Mountains National Park——Reservation, Fee
Black Rock Zone BackpackingJoshua Tree National Park2-15 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Boy Scout Trail Zone BackpackingJoshua Tree National Park2-15 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Camp at Kontrashibuna LakeLake Clark National Park & Preserve2-7 DaysYear-round—
Eagle Mountains Zone BackpackingJoshua Tree National Park2-15 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Feldtmann Loop Section 1: Hike from Windigo to Feldtmann LakeIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Feldtmann Loop Section 2: Hike from Feldtmann Lake to Siskiwit BayIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Feldtmann Loop Section 3: Hike from Siskiwit Bay to Island MineIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Feldtmann Loop Section 4 / Greenstone Ridge: Hike from Island Mine to WindigoIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Get a Backcountry Camping PermitGreat Basin National Park1-14 DaysYear-round—
Greenstone Section 1: Hike from Lookout Louise to Mount FranklinIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Greenstone Section 2: Hike from Mount Franklin to Mount OjibwayIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Greenstone Section 3: Hike from Mount Ojibway to Chickenbone LakeIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Greenstone Section 4: Hike from Chickenbone Lake to Hatchet LakeIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Greenstone Section 5: Hike from Hatchet Lake to Ishpeming TowerIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Greenstone Section 6: Hike from Ishpeming Tower to South DesorIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Greenstone Section 7: Hike from South Desor to Island MineIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT)Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park5-6 DaysWinter, Spring, FallReservation, Fee
Harbor to Hills Section 1: Hike from Rock Harbor to Three MileIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Harbor to Hills Section 2: Hike from Three Mile to Daisy FarmIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Harbor to Hills Section 3: Hike from Daisy Farm to Moskey BasinIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Harbor to Hills Section 4: Hike from Moskey Basin to Lake RichieIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Harbor to Hills Section 5: Hike from Lake Richie to West ChickenboneIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Daisy Farm TrailIsle Royale National Park1-3 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Huginnin LoopIsle Royale National Park4-8 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Mount Franklin TrailIsle Royale National Park1-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Mount Ojibway TrailIsle Royale National Park1-3 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Tobin Harbor TrailIsle Royale National Park2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Juniper Flats Zone BackpackingJoshua Tree National Park2-15 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Lake Powell Shoreline Primitive CampingGlen Canyon National Recreation Area1-14 DaysYear-round—
Maze Zone BackpackingJoshua Tree National Park2-15 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Minong Section 1: Hike from McCargoe Cove to Todd HarborIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Minong Section 2: Hike from Todd Harbor to Little ToddIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Minong Section 3: Hike from Little Todd to North DesorIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Minong Section 4: Hike from North Desor to WindigoIsle Royale National Park1 DaySpring, Summer, Fall—
Overnight on McKittrick RidgeGuadalupe Mountains National Park2-3 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Overnight on Wilderness RidgeGuadalupe Mountains National Park2-3 DaysWinter, Spring, FallReservation, Fee
Pine City Zone BackpackingJoshua Tree National Park2-15 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Plan a Backcountry TripNorth Cascades National Park2-14 DaysYear-round—
Plan a Backpacking TripCumberland Island National Seashore1-7 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Primitive Roadside CampsitesBig Bend National Park—Winter, Spring, FallReservation, Fee
Remote Base CampingLake Clark National Park & Preserve2-14 DaysSummerReservation
Visit the Great Kobuk Sand DunesKobuk Valley National Park1-5 DaysSummer, Fall—
Wilderness Camping at Mount Rainier National ParkMount Rainier National Park2-14 DaysYear-roundFee

Parks with the most backcountry camping listings

Other activities

HikingSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingMuseum ExhibitsFront-Country HikingGuided ToursJunior Ranger ProgramScenic DrivingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPaddlingPicnickingBikingBackcountry HikingPark FilmHands-OnArts and CultureSelf-Guided Tours - AutoStargazing

Sources

  • National Park Service Data API — things to do (developer.nps.gov), snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Listings, seasons and fees can change; confirm on nps.gov. The NPS does not endorse this site.