The Ultimate Guide to Hiking & Backpacking in America’s National Parks

The best way to experience our national parks? On foot. From rugged mountains to hidden canyons, these parks offer the best trails for adventure seekers.

I’ve spent decades exploring and creating art inspired by our national parks, and let me tell you, there’s no better way to experience them than by lacing up your boots and hitting the trail. With 63 national parks, each offering something unique, picking a "best" is impossible. So instead, here are my top picks for backpackers looking for adventure—each one inspiring a National Park Poster in my collection.

Yosemite: Best of the West

Ansel Adams didn’t make this place famous for nothing. Yosemite is THE national park, with towering granite walls, massive waterfalls, and legendary trails.

Skip the crowds and hike Mt. Watkins for panoramic views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and the Valley—without the foot traffic.

Great Smoky Mountains: Best of the East

The most visited national park in the U.S. still has its quiet corners—you just have to hike a little deeper. Misty peaks, wildflower-strewn meadows, and the highest concentration of black bears in the Lower 48 make this a dream for any adventurer.

The Appalachian Trail slices through the Smokies for 72 miles. It’s an unforgettable journey across state lines and through some of the oldest mountains on Earth.

Grand Canyon: Most Iconic

It’s grand for a reason. The canyon is more than just a breathtaking view from the rim—its depths are an adventure playground of rock layers and hidden gems.

Rim to Rim. 24 miles, thousands of feet of elevation change, and a journey through time. Make it a two-day trek and sleep under the stars at Phantom Ranch.

Kings Canyon & Sequoia: Best for Thru-Hikers

Big trees, big mountains, big adventure. SEKI is home to ancient sequoias and epic backcountry routes that rival anything on the John Muir Trail.

The High Sierra Trail is a 72-mile adventure across the Sierra, ending at Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48.

Olympic National Park: Best Variety

One park, three epic landscapes: rugged coastline, temperate rainforest, and glaciated peaks. Olympic has it all. Walk past sea stacks on the coast, trek through lush, moss-draped forests, or climb high for sweeping views of the Olympic Range. With over 600 miles of trails, you’ll never run out of new places to explore.

Take on the Elwha River Trail for a 45-mile backcountry adventure past towering firs, glacial rivers, and deep solitude.

Canyonlands: Best for Solitude

Love Utah's red rock but hate the crowds? Canyonlands is your answer. The Needles, the Maze, and Island in the Sky offer breathtaking sandstone formations, slot canyons, and endless miles of desert wilderness.

The Salt Creek-Lavender Canyon Loop showcases arches, Ancestral Puebloan rock art, and wide-open canyon views.

Denali: The Wildest

No trails. No reservations. No limits. Denali is a true backcountry experience, where you navigate open tundra and raging rivers with nothing but your instincts and a map.

Do your research, get your permit, and explore the Thorofare River region for some of the best untamed wilderness in the world.

Zion: Most Otherworldly

Zion is like Mars but with better weather. Hike narrow slot canyons, navigate steep ridges, and soak in the colors of towering sandstone cliffs.

The Subway (bottom-up) route leads you through emerald pools and slickrock wonderlands—no technical skills required, just a sense of adventure.

North Cascades: Best for Alpine Adventures

Think the Alps, but right here in the U.S. Glaciers, jagged peaks, and lush valleys make this one of the most rewarding (and underrated) backpacking destinations.

Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm for jaw-dropping alpine views and possible mountain goat sightings.

Glacier: Best Natural Features 

Turquoise lakes, glacial valleys, and more waterfalls than you can count. Glacier is a paradise for hikers who want to see America’s last great ice age in action.

Grinnell Glacier offers a front-row seat to one of the park’s last remaining active glaciers.

Each of these parks has inspired my National Park Posters collection, capturing the beauty and adventure that makes them special. If you love exploring the wild, you’ll love bringing a piece of it home with you. Check out the posters, find your favorite park, and get ready for your next big adventure!

For more than 50 years, I’ve been exploring, photographing, and creating artwork that celebrates our national parks. Every trail, every peak, every hidden gem I’ve discovered has fueled my passion for capturing the essence of these incredible places. National Park Posters is my way of sharing that passion with fellow adventurers like you. Whether you're reminiscing about past hikes or dreaming up new ones, there's a poster to inspire every journey. So, grab your gear, hit the trail, and let the parks—and my art—fuel your next adventure!