9 Best Backpacking Trips in the US Plus Tips on Gear

From the rugged coast of California to the serene beauty of Alaska, the United States is full of incredible backpacking destinations.

[{"selector":"#anim-5b3009b1-61cb-4a62-af6b-bd7d59aae809","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":475,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25d99c55-4678-49f4-9027-8b54b7ac7d32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -165.98786%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":475,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d12f9841-db04-4270-8016-1333eca12267","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-266453fb-b0e9-4fdd-9bd2-fc9d09c327a8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2016c0b5-90e0-4150-bf79-f1e9dae41672","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

In this article, we’ll cover some of the best backpacking trips throughout the US so you can confidently plan your next great adventure!

[{"selector":"#anim-25e337a0-c44c-4dd3-83e2-1cb62af1cdf1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95e3fbf0-fcb8-4168-a5fa-c320cf11b726","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3bf1f15-15a1-4efd-a5dc-fcc0612ce0f5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-125.64102%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

9 Best Backpacking Trips in the US

[{"selector":"#anim-b4e00afc-8248-45f9-b1ba-3c77a116198e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98883e5e-1287-4ae9-8993-4d9de7520b6c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.45741%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Grand Canyon National Park is an iconic destination for anyone planning to go backpacking in the US. This natural wonder stretches a whopping 277 miles long and 18 miles wide.

[{"selector":"#anim-cae02914-b1f0-4a0e-95c7-87f85f24b11e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44f3a25a-60f2-4f9a-ba28-6be30e84ebd1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.77419%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14f00e96-3825-4457-8f6b-bcb3783b2e2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72b64228-2dbb-4eb6-910a-ed600e95c573","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

2. Pemigewasset Loop, New Hampshire

[{"selector":"#anim-6313cd34-9e4c-4bc1-bf80-da65432e7147","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1811e937-97af-4b99-978c-5a7ffa9db5f1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.58442%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-69988771-00a9-44d7-b10b-a440bc0bc1e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a880834-6519-479a-aa01-32fbc0a0c9c4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.55173%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2d27e16-f486-4d40-9ef1-87e0cf3d27a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Self-Guided Tours

[{"selector":"#anim-de7c27ae-8f7d-4481-b1db-2a6e6e5878e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":650,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c3a2cd4-fe35-413d-b45e-12aa7db47228","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":650,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dacb170e-97ea-48eb-851d-5b85711b279e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f1f16a6b-fb67-428c-930b-aa3afa488880","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.03449%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1dfdd132-09bd-4abb-b546-44bb41ae32ce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ffca49d6-2e0a-4a1b-a92d-068381d111e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

3. The John Muir Trail

[{"selector":"#anim-11384164-584f-472e-9fde-b63f94bb489a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":650,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd2a8922-e6dd-4202-9f1d-320f2a88e220","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-127.54717%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":650,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-48f52e1e-642e-4889-b63d-36ad4761ad7c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32204568-bc22-4124-b094-f8613cd0b99e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.58974%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e42f9c32-d485-4750-aaf1-190d1bfe3327","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

swipe up for more

More from the happiness function

[{"selector":"#anim-8bdec126-1e74-49a3-80b0-c8d7928959e3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2dcab9e0-2fb0-48f1-a50c-be18be7ac9de","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce096fc7-2921-4e4a-9d00-4bbeb2d62fbd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -129.17562%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f736c4fd-6e76-4d60-9fba-048ada457198","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3923c65f-b070-4c33-a929-d1439b8afd75","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -323.45678%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-453d295f-b452-4f29-8b68-378c920ec6a6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b78f359-ef36-4c98-9dfd-27f220b0c475","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -446.68908%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2408a0db-179f-4ef1-9995-819f0ccb7a74","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2709e219-1063-4bed-a088-1456360bf8b6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -569.92138%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb4e92a3-5913-41a8-8876-19f6b9ed5956","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b771ae23-66a7-4bc9-8c38-ee5627505fd4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -387.30155%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53bbbf1f-e5b9-488d-955d-a1bac41d5807","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-374a9577-18ec-4443-9a5b-b327ff71eb22","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -465.12995%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f88c9bbf-275f-44d7-aa85-fe13cd6f3f45","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8a19809-f569-4008-b7f8-f7d831c0ff08","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -569.92138%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67d011ea-13b5-4c40-8e90-f250626cff76","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7cb79d07-1f3d-4174-80ba-268061bcb169","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2210.10149%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc4eec64-b8a3-4c15-a8d4-eb254d91bdf8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6cb6ab67-905e-43ce-b0bb-b989e885e35b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -1660.10135%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28f4aa52-bb2b-4a88-84df-80180620f8f0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-73439989-f42f-400a-ad92-f9cc2d540516","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -1101.01015%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

9 Best Backpacking Trips in the US Plus Tips on Gear

From the rugged coast of California to the serene beauty of Alaska, the United States is full of incredible backpacking destinations.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the best backpacking trips throughout the US so you can confidently plan your next great adventure!

9 Best Backpacking Trips in the US

Grand Canyon National Park is an iconic destination for anyone planning to go backpacking in the US. This natural wonder stretches a whopping 277 miles long and 18 miles wide.

1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

2. Pemigewasset Loop, New Hampshire

The Pemigewasset Loop in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is an unforgettable backpacking trip for experienced adventurers.

Self-Guided Tours

This 33-mile loop crosses four mountain ranges, with several challenging ascents and descents along the way.

3. The John Muir Trail

The John Muir Trail is one of the most iconic backpacking trails in the US.

swipe up for more

Find out more about the best backpacking trips in the US!

More from the happiness function

12 Incredible Hiking Trails in Arkansas You Cannot Miss

3.

What to Wear Hiking: Perfect Spring Hiking Outfit Ideas for Women

2.

15 Great Places to Travel in the US on Vacation

1.