Best National Park Backpacking Trips
According to the National Park Service, there were almost 312,000,000 visits to U.S. National Parks in 2022. I guide backpacking trips in 2 of the most-visited National Parks. One of my biggest takeaways? You don’t have to walk very far to lose the crowds. Because of that, it is my absolute favorite way of seeing our parks.
The first time I went to Yellowstone National Park with my family, we joined the crowds and did a few short day hikes. It was such a mind-blowing, unique landscape, but to be honest, I didn’t think I’d ever go back. The crowds were enough to deter me. That all changed when a friend convinced me to go backpacking for 5 days and we saw far more bison and elk than people! Fast-forward a handful of years, and now I spend about 40 nights each year in the backcountry of Yellowstone.
We are incredibly lucky to have such insanely beautiful spaces to explore in our National Parks. I know it can be overwhelming to decide what to do first, so let’s go over the Best National Park Backpacking Trips to get you started! Since these are very popular (for good reasons), I’ll also offer an alternate trip for each area in case you can’t snag the permit you’re hoping for or you just want more solitude.
BECHLER RIVER TRAVERSE
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Distance: 35 miles | Duration: 4-6 days | Best Time to Go: July or August
The Bechler River Traverse is indescribably amazing. Wildlife, epic rivers, towering waterfalls, geysers, hot springs (including 2 that you can soak in!), gorgeous meadows, lush forests, and solitude. What more could you ask for?
Best Route: Lone Star Trailhead to the Bechler Ranger Station. You’ll still have some uphill sections, but the trajectory of the hike is downhill when you go in this direction.
Go with a guide: Bechler River Traverse
Highlights:
- Lone Star Geyser – This is my favorite geyser in the entire park. In my opinion, it’s far better than Old Faithful and you might share the view with a handful of people rather than hundreds.
- Mr. Bubbles – Mr. Bubbles is a steam vent in the middle of a pool of water that makes you feel like you’re in a giant natural hot tub (you can actually soak in this one!). Combine that with a gorgeous river and epic backdrop, and you’ve got the ingredients for a memory you wont’t forget.
- Dunanda Falls – Close your eyes and imagine a 100-foot waterfall. Near the base of this waterfall are multiple hot spring pools mixing with the cold water from the waterfall so that you can safely soak in them. The mist from the falling water and sunlight streaming in through the lush forest around you creates huge rainbows to complement the already-insane backdrop. Pretty dreamy, right? I dare you to feel like anything other than the luckiest person on Earth when you’re there.
- Waterfalls and river crossing – Dunanda isn’t then only waterfall you’ll see on this hike. This area is covered in unique, breathtaking waterfalls. Be sure to always take the labeled spur trails for the best views. The Bechler area of Yellowstone gets some of the highest snowfall amounts in the whole park. The river valleys here lend themselves to some amazing campsites and exciting river crossings.
- Berry picking – From late July thru early September, look out for delicious wild berries! Especially in Bechler Canyon, you can find huckleberries, grouse berries, wild raspberries, and thimble berries. (Never eat anything that you are not 100% sure of, another reason to go with a local guide!)
safety Considerations
It is important to note that you typically do not want to go near any thermal feature. The Earth’s crust can be thin enough to fall through, and even if the water is not hot enough to scald you (which it normally is), it can be acidic enough to disintegrate anything that enters it. That’s what makes Mr. Bubbles and Dunanda Falls so special and rare!**
Be sure to know safe river crossing techniques. Especially in the spring and beginning of summer, the rivers can be swollen and too swift to safely cross. Always check with the Backcountry Office to learn the most recent conditions, and know your limits. Yellowstone is grizzly country! Make sure you know how to safely recreate around wildlife. Bring what you need to be able to hang your food and all scented items on the food-hanging pole at your campsite.
Alternate: Gallatin Skyline
If rewarding challenge, solitude, and deep wilderness are high on your priorities, this trip should absolutely be considered one of the best national park backpacking trips.
Grand Canyon RIM-TO-RIM
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Distance: 24 miles | Duration: 4 days | Best Time to Go: May, September, October
Can you believe that only 5% of Grand Canyon visitors ever hike below the rim? Knowing what is in the Canyon and not visible from the top, this statistic blows my mind! The best way to experience the grandiosity is by spending time IN IT, and the Rim-to-Rim adventure is the best way to get an idea of all it offers. With endless views, lush plant life and flowing water in the desert, insane geology, an bragging rights, this trip definitely belongs on any list of the best national park backpacking trips.
Best Route: North to South
The optimal way to hike this trip is to start at the North Rim and end at the South Rim (shuttle required). Spend night 1 at Cottonwood Campground, 7 miles from where you started on the North Rim. Hike down to the Colorado River and Bright Angel Campground on your second day, making sure to spend time at the Historic Phantom Ranch (don’t forget to bring money for an ice-cold lemonade!) and soak up the scenery on a beach by the Colorado River. On Day 3, cross the Colorado River and start up the Bright Angel Trail to spend your last night at Havasupai Garden, a jungle-like spring-fed oasis. Make sure to hike out to Plateau Point for sunset! You won’t want to miss it. This is a great way to split up your hike out and be able to soak up one more night in the Canyon. Your last day is only 4.5 miles back up to the South Rim, where cold beer and pizza await.
Go with a guide: Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
Highlights:
- Changing ecosystems – Because there is an elevation change of 6,000 feet from rim to river, you pass through multiple ecosystems when hiking rim to rim. 5 of the 7 Life Zones are found within the Grand Canyon! Pay attention to how the flora and fauna change as you descend and ascend, and you’ll surely be amazed at the diversity you’ll see.
- Mind-blowing geology – This is a place where having an expert by your side is extremely beneficial. You’ll descend through geology spanning from 220 million years old to 1.8 billion years old. You don’t want to pass by fossils and ancient reptile tracks without even realizing what you missed! There is nowhere else in the world quite like Grand Canyon National Park, but the awe increases ten-fold when you know what you’re looking at. This is such a large part of what makes this hike one of the best national park backpacking trips.
- Water in the desert – For much of this hike, you’ll be in a desert oasis. Whether you are hiking along Bright Angel Creek, wading in the mighty Colorado River or relaxing on a beautiful beach by its shore, or soaking your feet in the lush ecosystem of Garden Creek, you’ll have plenty of appreciation for the availability of water on this hike. It is incredibly special to have access like this, so please protect our resources!
- Ribbon Falls – A sacred place for the Zuni people, please approach with this site with respect. When you are standing in front of this absolutely breathtaking waterfall, it will be so easy to feel its sacredness. I have been here at least 20 times, and I can’t imagine passing by without paying a visit.
- Phantom Ranch – In operation since 1922, this place is pure magic. Though reservations are extremely competitive, if you are lucky, you will get a spot in a cabin and be served a steak dinner at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Even if you are camping at nearby Bright Angel Campground, you can still buy an ice-cold lemonade, a cold beer or glass of wine, or a cold candy bar. Make sure to bring the address for a loved one back at home.. you can also mail a post card here that will be sent by mule from the bottom of the Grand Canyon!
Safety Considerations
Training is essential to be able to enjoy any backpacking trip, but it is even more imperative before hiking in the Grand Canyon. This trip is extremely physically challenging, even for seasoned backpackers. If you are new to hiking in the desert, please do you due diligence and know how to keep yourself safe and healthy. Electrolytes are essential, and you must pay attention to the weather.
There is a 20-25 degree difference between the rim and inner-canyon temperatures due to the elevation change. Staying safe might mean hiking in the dark (counter-intuitive for most, I know!). Inner-canyon temperatures can soar well over 100 in the summer, and last October, there were record-high temps and snow on the rim in the same month! The North Kaibab Trail on the North Rim is closed due to snow until May (or whenever it is melted). You also want to be sure to avoid the heat of the summer months.
Alternate: Hermit Loop
This is one of my personal favorites, and might even beat out a rim-to-rim when thinking about the best national park backpacking trips. More solitude and multiple opportunities to make it to the mighty Colorado River are a couple of the many highlights of this hike.
HALF DOME AND CLOUD’S REST
Yosemite National Park, CA
Distance: 28 miles | Duration: 5 days | Best Time to Go: July-September
When it comes to being “iconic,” this trip takes the cake. Hike from the gorgeous Tuolumne Meadows up into the high country before spending a couple days summiting two of Yosemite’s most iconic peaks, and by end the trip, dropping into the heart of Yosemite Valley. Yosemite has so much to offer, and this backpacking trip makes the list of the best national park backpacking trips because it has it all. Serene meadows, alpine lakes, two summits, and incomparable views. You’ll be able to say you’ve “experienced Yosemite” with confidence after backpacking this route.
Best Route: Tuolumne Meadows to Happy Isles
Go with a guide: Clouds Rest & Half Dome
Highlights:
- Tuolumne Meadows – By beginning here, you’ll have more solitude and be able to truly experience the high country, all while getting to camp alongside any number of incredible alpine lakes.
- Cloud’s Rest – This is an awe-inspiring summit overlooking Yosemite Valley. If you can make it up for sunrise, you’ll have panoramic views of the light slowly flooding the valley floor, and likely far more solitude than you’ll find on Half Dome. It also towers over Half Dome and gives you a bird’s eye view of what you’ll summit the following day.
- Half Dome – If heights and exposure aren’t your thing, you’ll want to stop at Sub-Dome. Otherwise, ascend the notorious chains up the side of Half Dome. You’ll never forget the experience. It will be unlike any other hike or summit you have ever done, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views at the top! Spend time up here – you just worked hard to get there, so enjoy it!
- Mist Trail – The aptly-named Mist Trail is so worth dealing with the crowds! Stay patient, be kind, and enjoy the beauty. Huge, rushing waterfalls will steal the show, all while soaking you as you hike alongside them. End the trip by descending into the valley along the Merced River.
Safety Considerations
Half Dome is a challenging permit to get, and don’t bother going if you don’t have one. They’ll have a ranger stationed there to make sure no one is sneaking by. Also, don’t forget Yosemite is bear-country. Do not feed or approach wildlife, and be sure to have proper food storage. Bear cans are absolutely necessary here, both for your safety and the protection of the bears.
Alternate: High Sierra Loop
Arguably the prettiest part of the Sierra Nevada Range, this trip won’t disappoint. You’ll experience canyons, alpine lakes, meadows, mountainous terrain, and wildflowers to boot. This should be on everyone’s list of best national park backpacking trips.
Planning your next national park backpacking trip
The more I explore our National Parks by way of backpacking, the harder it is to pick “the best.” These are some of the most iconic and breathtaking trips with the biggest wow-factors, but I could keep writing for days when listing the best national park backpacking trips! It is truly endless, and while it can be hard to narrow things down and choose, what a great predicament to be in. Have fun exploring, and I hope to see you out there!
