Popular Long Distance Hiking Trails

Embracing the Wild: Premier Multi-Day Backpacking Adventures in the U.S.

For many outdoor enthusiasts, true immersion in nature comes from carrying everything needed on your back, spending nights under a canopy of stars, and finding solitude miles from the nearest road. The United States offers an exceptional array of long-distance, multi-day hikes that require this self-sufficiency, challenging hikers to connect deeply with the wilderness and discover breathtaking landscapes.

These journeys, while incredibly rewarding, demand a higher level of preparedness and a thorough understanding of backcountry protocols. Unlike day hikes or hut-to-hut treks, multi-day backpacking trips require you to be entirely self-sufficient, relying on your gear and skills for safety and comfort.

Paramount Backpacking Safety & Preparedness:

Your backpacking trip’s success and safety hinge on meticulous planning and adherence to established backcountry principles.

  • Comprehensive Itinerary and Emergency Plan: Beyond telling someone where you’re going, provide specific details: your exact route, planned campsites each night, expected return date, and emergency contact information. Discuss what to do if you don’t check in.
  • Backcountry Navigation Proficiency: While GPS devices are invaluable, carry a physical map and a compass and know how to use them. Batteries die, and technology can fail. Understand how to read terrain and identify landmarks.
  • Water Management Strategy: Identify reliable water sources along your route. Carry sufficient capacity and a dependable water filter or purification tablets. Never assume a water source will be available.
  • Bear and Wildlife Awareness: Many of these trails traverse active bear country. Research local regulations regarding food storage (often requiring bear canisters or proper hanging). Know how to behave around wildlife to ensure safety for both you and the animals.
  • Leave No Trace Principles: This is not optional; it’s fundamental. Pack out everything you pack in (including human waste in designated areas or via catholes), stay on durable surfaces, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and plan ahead and prepare.
  • Physical Conditioning: Multi-day treks with a full pack are physically demanding. Engage in targeted training (hiking with a weighted pack, cardio, strength training) months before your trip.
  • Mental Fortitude: Backpacking can be challenging. Be prepared for discomfort, changing plans, and periods of solitude. A positive attitude and problem-solving mindset are invaluable.

Essential Backpacking Gear (Beyond the Ten Essentials):

In addition to the standard Ten Essentials, multi-day backpacking necessitates specific equipment for overnight stays and sustained wilderness living:

  • Tent/Shelter: Lightweight, appropriate for expected weather, and suitable for the number of occupants.
  • Sleeping Bag: Rated for the lowest temperatures you might encounter.
  • Sleeping Pad: For insulation from the ground and comfort.
  • Backpack: Sized appropriately for your trip length and gear, with a comfortable fit.
  • Backpacking Stove & Fuel: For cooking meals and boiling water.
  • Cookpot & Utensils: Lightweight and durable.
  • Dehydrated Food: Sufficient calories for your entire trip, plus extra.
  • Bear Canister/Bag: If required or recommended for food storage in bear country.
  • Water Filter/Purifier: For safe drinking water from natural sources.
  • Waste Management: Trowel for catholes, or wag bags/pack-out bags if required (e.g., Lost Coast).
  • Repair Kit: Duct tape, cordage, patching materials for gear.

Premier U.S. Multi-Day Backpacking Adventures (Requiring a Tent):

Here are six of the United States’ most spectacular long-distance backpacking trails, each demanding a tent for overnight stays:

1. John Muir Trail (California): Sierra Nevada Masterpiece

  • Distance: Approximately 211 miles (340 km) from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney.
  • Elevation Gain: Over 46,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, with numerous high passes (e.g., Forester Pass at 13,153 ft / 4,009 m).
  • Sightseeing Hotspots: Arguably America’s most iconic wilderness trail, traversing the breathtaking High Sierra Nevada. Experience majestic granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes, lush meadows, and deep canyons. Highlights include Half Dome, Devils Postpile, Kings Canyon, and the summit of Mount Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.).
  • Important Information: A highly sought-after permit is required, often through a lottery system for entry dates. Bear canisters are mandatory. Water is generally plentiful but should be filtered. Navigation can be challenging in snow years; experience with high-altitude travel is recommended. Most hikers take 2-3 weeks.
  • Best Time to Go: Mid-July to mid-September, after snowmelt and before early winter storms.

2. Wonderland Trail (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington): Circumnavigating a Volcano

  • Distance: Approximately 93 miles (150 km) loop around Mount Rainier.
  • Elevation Gain: About 22,000 feet (6,700 m) of cumulative elevation gain, with significant ascents and descents daily.
  • Sightseeing Hotspots: This trail offers continuous, unparalleled views of Mount Rainier’s glaciers, waterfalls, and diverse ecological zones (lowland forests, subalpine meadows, alpine scree fields). Cross numerous river valleys and witness stunning vistas of the surrounding Cascade Range.
  • Important Information: Highly competitive permits are required for specific campsites and must be obtained in advance. Bear canisters or proper food hanging are necessary. Water sources are generally abundant but require filtering. River crossings can be hazardous, especially in early season. Most hikers complete it in 7-12 days.
  • Best Time to Go: Mid-July to early September, when snow has largely melted from higher passes and wildflowers are in bloom.

3. Teton Crest Trail (Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming): Alpine Grandeur

  • Distance: Approximately 40-50 miles (65-80 km), depending on starting/ending points and side trips.
  • Elevation Gain: Ranges from 9,000-12,000 feet (2,700-3,600 m) of cumulative gain, with several passes above 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
  • Sightseeing Hotspots: Considered one of the most scenic trails in the Rockies, offering breathtaking views of the iconic Teton Range, including the Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and Teewinot Mountain. Traverse high alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and rocky passes. Opportunities to spot moose, elk, and bear.
  • Important Information: Highly sought-after backcountry permits are required, often via a lottery system or walk-up availability. Bear canisters are mandatory. Snow can linger on high passes well into summer. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons; start early. Typically hiked over 4-6 days.
  • Best Time to Go: Late July to mid-September, once most snow has melted from high passes.

4. Lost Coast Trail (Northern California): Remote Coastal Trek

  • Distance: Northern Section: 25 miles (40 km) one-way; Southern Section: 24 miles (38.6 km) one-way.
  • Elevation Gain: Relatively low for the Northern Section (around 1,000 ft cumulative), but includes frequent ascents and descents for the Southern Section, which goes inland.
  • Sightseeing Hotspots: Experience California’s last undeveloped coastline, a rugged and wild stretch where the mountains meet the sea. Hike on remote black sand beaches, through coastal forests, and past tide pools. Opportunities for wildlife viewing include seals, sea lions, and migrating whales.
  • Important Information: Tide charts are critical! Sections of the trail are impassable at high tide, requiring careful timing. Permits are required and can be competitive. Bear canisters are mandatory. Water sources are available but must be filtered. Shuttle services are typically needed for point-to-point hikes. Dispersed camping is allowed on beaches, requiring careful site selection.
  • Best Time to Go: Spring and Fall offer the most moderate temperatures and fewer fog days. Summer can be foggy but generally clear.

5. Cohos Trail (New Hampshire): Wild Northern New Hampshire

  • Distance: Approximately 170 miles (274 km).
  • Elevation Gain: Around 30,000 feet (9,100 m) of cumulative elevation gain. While not as high in elevation as the White Mountains, it features rugged terrain with numerous ascents and descents.
  • Sightseeing Hotspots: This trail takes you through the wildest and most remote parts of northern New Hampshire. Experience vast forests, stunning views of the Presidential Range, expansive wetlands, and the remote sections of Dixville Notch. It offers a true wilderness experience away from the crowds of the popular AT sections.
  • Important Information: This trail is less developed than the AT, with fewer shelters and more emphasis on self-reliance and map-and-compass navigation. Bear hangs or bear canisters are recommended. Water sources are generally plentiful but should be filtered. Resupply points are spaced out, requiring careful planning.
  • Best Time to Go: June through October, with peak fall foliage in late September/early October. Be prepared for black flies and mosquitoes in early summer.

6. Superior Hiking Trail (Minnesota): Lake Superior’s Ridge

  • Distance: Approximately 310 miles (500 km) from Jay Cooke State Park to the Canadian border.
  • Elevation Gain: Undulating terrain with numerous short, steep climbs and descents, totaling significant cumulative gain over its length (e.g., ~40,000-50,000 feet for a thru-hike).
  • Sightseeing Hotspots: Follows the dramatic ridgeline overlooking Lake Superior, offering continuous stunning views of the “Big Lake,” cascading waterfalls, deep gorges, and lush boreal forests. Pass through numerous state parks and quaint North Shore towns.
  • Important Information: The trail features designated backcountry campsites (free and plentiful, but first-come, first-served) that are tent-only. Water sources are generally abundant but require filtering. Moose and bear are present; food storage precautions are advised. Trail sections vary in difficulty, making it suitable for section hiking.
  • Best Time to Go: May-October. Late spring/early summer for lush greenery; fall for spectacular foliage. Be aware of biting insects in early summer.

Embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip is a profound way to engage with the natural world. By embracing thorough preparation, adhering to safety protocols, and respecting the environment, you can unlock unparalleled experiences on these incredible trails across the United States. Happy trails, and may your tent be pitched under the most beautiful skies!