Things to do

Backcountry Hiking in national parks

The National Park Service lists 58 things to do tagged “Backcountry Hiking” in 22 parks and sites. Valles Caldera National Preserve has the most (8). Each listing links to the NPS page with details. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated · NPS Data API

Showing 58 of 58 listings.

ListingParkTime neededSeasonNotes
Alamo Boundary TrailBandelier National Monument2-3 HoursSpring, Summer, FallFee
Backcountry Hiking South BluffScotts Bluff National Monument60-180 MinutesYear-round—
Backpack the Baker & Johnson Lakes LoopGreat Basin National Park1-14 DaysYear-roundReservation
Backpack the Brooks Range's Arctic WildernessGates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve—Summer, Fall—
Backpacking in Wrangell-St EliasWrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve—Year-round—
Cerro Grande TrailBandelier National Monument2-5 HoursYear-roundFee
Chopawamsic BackcountryPrince William Forest Park1-14 DaysYear-roundReservation, Fee
Day Trip or Backpack Hike to Coyote GulchGlen Canyon National Recreation Area1-14 DaysYear-roundReservation
Explore the Yapashi PuebloBandelier National Monument8-10 HoursYear-roundFee
Follow Ancient Footpaths on the Zuni-Acoma TrailEl Malpais National Monument2-8 HoursYear-round—
Hat ShopBryce Canyon National Park3-4 Hours——
Hike Anderson Bay LoopVoyageurs National Park90-150 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Black Bay Beaver Pond TrailVoyageurs National Park30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hike Cathedral ValleyCapitol Reef National Park—Spring, Summer, FallFee
Hike in Aniakchak's WildernessAniakchak National Monument & Preserve———
Hike in the South (Waterpocket) DistrictCapitol Reef National Park—Year-roundFee
Hike Kab-Ash TrailVoyageurs National Park1-5 DaysYear-round—
Hike Medano Lake and Mount HerardGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve8-12 HoursSummer, Fall—
Hike Sand Creek LakesGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve10-15 HoursSummer, Fall—
Hike the Big Savage Mountain TrailPotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail1-2 DaysSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Bouchoux Trail to Jensen's LedgesUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River2-5 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Boxley to PruittBuffalo National River—Year-round—
Hike the Bull Canyon TrailDinosaur National Monument1-5 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Cecil Cove LoopBuffalo National River5-8 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Cerro Abrigo LoopValles Caldera National Preserve3-4 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike the Cerro Del Medio LoopValles Caldera National Preserve7-8 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike the Cerro Seco LoopValles Caldera National Preserve5-7 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike The Chilkoot Trail With Your DogKlondike Gold Rush National Historical Park1-7 DaysSummerReservation, Fee
Hike the Cobey Pond TrailUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River1-2 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Confluence TrailDinosaur National Monument30-120 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Cruiser Lake TrailVoyageurs National Park4-8 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Damascus Forest TrailUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Frijoles Canyon & Rim TrailBandelier National Monument7-8 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Garita TrailValles Caldera National Preserve3-5 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike the Highland RouteGreat Basin National Park1-2 DaysSummer—
Hike the Indios Creek TrailValles Caldera National Preserve2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike the Jones Hole TrailDinosaur National Monument2-10 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Locator Lake TrailVoyageurs National Park2-5 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Minisink Battleground Park Trail SystemUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River30-120 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Mongaup River TrailUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River45-90 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Monroe Run Trail and Meadow Mountain TrailPotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail4-7 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Mukooda TrailVoyageurs National Park2-3 HoursSpring, Summer—
Hike the Northwest Rim TrailValles Caldera National Preserve9-10 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike the Ruple Point TrailDinosaur National Monument4-12 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the San Antonio Mountain TrailValles Caldera National Preserve5-6 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation, Fee
Hike the Snake Divide RouteGreat Basin National Park7-12 HoursSummer—
Hike the Sulphur & Alamo Canyon LoopValles Caldera National Preserve6-8 HoursSpring, Summer, FallFee
Hike the Tusten Mountain TrailUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike to Big BluffBuffalo National River4-6 HoursYear-round—
Hike to Hemmed-in HollowBuffalo National River4-6 HoursYear-round—
Hiking Off Trail in DenaliDenali National Park & Preserve2-12 HoursSpring, Summer, FallReservation
Keet Seel HikeNavajo National Monument—SummerReservation
Laurel Highlands Day Hike to Youghiogheny OverlookPotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail4 Hours——
Long TrailsBandelier National Monument4-10 HoursYear-roundFee
Riggs Spring LoopBryce Canyon National Park4-5 Hours—Reservation
Swamp Canyon LoopBryce Canyon National Park3-4 Hours——
Take 12 to West BranchTallgrass Prairie National Preserve4-12 HoursYear-round—
The Frijolito Loop TrailBandelier National Monument2-4 HoursYear-roundFee

Parks with the most backcountry hiking listings

Other activities

HikingSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingMuseum ExhibitsFront-Country HikingGuided ToursJunior Ranger ProgramScenic DrivingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPaddlingPicnickingBikingBackcountry CampingPark 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.