Best National Parks for Backpacking (Ranked)

Best National Parks for Backpacking (Ranked)

There’s backpacking, and then there’s backpacking in a national park. I’ve spent the better part of fifteen years hauling a pack through America’s wildest landscapes, and nothing compares to the experience of walking deep into land that’s been protected for generations. The trails are well-maintained, the scenery is world-class, and the wilderness feels genuinely untouched in ways that are increasingly rare.

But not all national parks are created equal when it comes to multi-day backpacking. Some have hundreds of miles of backcountry trails with well-spaced campsites and reliable water sources. Others are better suited for day hikes or car camping. After logging thousands of trail miles across the system, I’ve ranked the ten best national parks for backpacking based on trail quality, scenery, wilderness experience, permit accessibility, and overall adventure factor.

Whether you’re planning your first overnight trip or your fiftieth, this list will help you pick your next destination. Just be warned: once you’ve tasted backcountry camping in these places, frontcountry campgrounds will never feel the same.

The 10 Best National Parks for Backpacking

#1. Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite earns the top spot not just for its jaw-dropping granite walls and waterfalls, but for the sheer depth of its backcountry. Most visitors never leave the Valley floor, which means the 800+ miles of trails beyond it feel remarkably uncrowded. This is a backpacker’s park through and through.

Best Trail: The John Muir Trail (JMT) begins right here at Happy Isles, heading 211 miles south to Mount Whitney. But if you don’t have three weeks to spare, the High Sierra Camps Loop (approximately 32 miles) gives you a stunning sampler of alpine meadows, granite domes, and high passes over 4-5 days.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. Elevation ranges from 4,000 feet in the Valley to over 10,000 feet on the high passes. Expect significant daily elevation gain on most routes.

Permit Info: Wilderness permits are required year-round and are highly competitive for popular trailheads like Happy Isles and Glacier Point. The lottery opens 24 weeks in advance on recreation.gov. About 40% of permits are held back for walk-up availability starting at 11 AM the day before your trip at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center.

Best Season: July through September. Snow lingers on high passes well into July most years, and some routes stay snow-covered into August after heavy winter seasons.

Pro Tip: If you can’t get a permit out of the Valley, try starting from trailheads on the less popular east side via Tioga Pass. Mono Meadow and the Hetch Hetchy area also have much easier permit availability and equally spectacular scenery.

#2. Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier is raw, wild backpacking at its finest. This is grizzly country, and you’ll feel it every step of the way. The park’s 734 miles of trail wind through some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in the lower 48, with turquoise lakes tucked beneath jagged peaks and glacially carved valleys that stretch to the horizon.

Best Trail: The Northern Highline to Granite Park Chalet and on to Goat Haunt via the Belly River drainage is an unforgettable 4-5 day traverse covering roughly 50 miles. For something shorter, the Gunsight Pass Trail (20 miles point-to-point) packs three passes and stunning lake views into a 2-3 day trip.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. Trails are well-maintained but the mountain terrain is relentless. Creek crossings can be dangerous during spring snowmelt, and weather changes fast at elevation.

Permit Info: Backcountry permits are required and go through an advance reservation system on recreation.gov starting in mid-March. Competition is fierce for popular zones. Walk-up permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis 24 hours in advance, but expect to line up early during peak season.

Best Season: Mid-July through mid-September. The window is narrow here. Going-to-the-Sun Road typically doesn’t fully open until early July, and high passes may hold snow even later.

Pro Tip: Carry bear spray and know how to use it. This isn’t optional. I’ve had more grizzly encounters in Glacier than anywhere else, including one uncomfortably close meeting near Elizabeth Lake. Hang food properly or use park-provided bear poles at designated sites.

#3. Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic is three parks in one. You can hike through moss-draped temperate rainforest in the morning, traverse alpine meadows in the afternoon, and camp on a wild Pacific beach by evening. No other park in the country offers this kind of ecological diversity on a single trip.

Best Trail: The Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier (36 miles round trip) takes you from the heart of the rainforest to the base of Mount Olympus over 3-4 days. For coastal backpacking, the South Coast Wilderness Route from Oil City to Third Beach (17 miles) is a challenging but rewarding 2-3 day trek along sea stacks and tide pools.

Difficulty: Moderate. The rainforest trails are relatively gentle in grade, but expect muddy conditions year-round. The coastal routes require tide chart navigation and rope-assisted headland crossings.

Permit Info: Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays. Reservations are available through recreation.gov starting in late February for the upcoming season. Some areas like the Enchanted Valley and coastal routes are quota-managed. Walk-up permits are available at ranger stations.

Best Season: July through September for the alpine zones. The rainforest trails are accessible year-round but are soggiest from October through May. Coastal routes are best in summer when tides are more predictable.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip the Enchanted Valley if you can get a permit. The old chalet sitting beneath thousand-foot waterfalls is one of the most photographed backcountry scenes in America, and it’s even better in person. Check recent trail reports for river crossing conditions, as the Quinault can become impassable after heavy rain.

#4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Backpacking the Grand Canyon inverts everything you know about hiking. You descend first, losing thousands of feet of elevation into a landscape that spans two billion years of geological history. Then you have to climb back out. It’s brutal, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.

Best Trail: The classic Rim-to-Rim (South Kaibab to North Kaibab, roughly 21 miles) is a bucket-list trek that drops you 4,700 feet from the South Rim to the Colorado River before climbing 5,800 feet to the North Rim. Plan 3-4 days. For a longer adventure, the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R) is the ultimate Grand Canyon challenge at about 42 miles.

Difficulty: Strenuous. The elevation profile is punishing, temperatures at the canyon bottom regularly exceed 100°F in summer, and water sources are limited on some routes. This is not a park for beginners.

Permit Info: Backcountry permits are required and managed by the park’s Backcountry Information Center. The earliest you can apply is four months before the first of the month your trip starts. Popular corridor camps like Bright Angel and Cottonwood fill up fast. The process involves submitting a request form and hoping for the best.

Best Season: March through May and September through November. Summer temperatures at Phantom Ranch can be deadly (literally). Winter brings snow and ice to the rims, making trail conditions unpredictable.

Pro Tip: Carry more water than you think you need, and plan your hiking around heat. Start before dawn, rest in shade during midday, and finish in the cooler evening hours. I made the mistake of hiking the Bright Angel Trail in June once. Never again. Also, the South Kaibab has no water, so fill up before you start your descent.

#5. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain doesn’t get the backpacking credit it deserves. While most visitors stick to Trail Ridge Road and the Bear Lake corridor, the park has over 350 miles of trail and some of the most accessible alpine lake camping in the country. The high elevation means you’re above treeline quickly, walking through tundra meadows ringed by 13,000-foot peaks.

Best Trail: The Tonahutu Creek to North Inlet Loop (roughly 27 miles) is a perfect 3-day circuit that crosses the Continental Divide at 11,800 feet with relatively moderate grades. For something more ambitious, the Continental Divide Trail through the park offers 30+ miles of high-altitude traversing.

Difficulty: Moderate. The elevation (most trails start above 8,000 feet) is the main challenge. Afternoon thunderstorms are nearly guaranteed in summer, so plan to be below treeline by early afternoon.

Permit Info: Backcountry camping permits are required from May through October. Reservations open on recreation.gov on March 1 for the entire season. Unlike Yosemite or Glacier, permits here are significantly easier to get, especially for less popular zones on the west side of the park.

Best Season: Late June through September. Snow can linger on high passes into early July. September offers fewer crowds, golden aspens, and bugling elk.

Pro Tip: The west side of the park near the Grand Lake entrance is dramatically less crowded than the east side. Trailheads like the Tonahutu and East Inlet have abundant permit availability even on peak summer weekends. Acclimate for a day before hitting the trail if you’re coming from sea level.

#6. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

These twin parks in the southern Sierra Nevada offer some of the most spectacular high-country backpacking anywhere. Towering granite peaks, impossibly deep canyons, and crystal-clear alpine lakes define the landscape. It feels like Yosemite’s backcountry without the name recognition or the permit headaches.

Best Trail: The High Sierra Trail (72 miles from Crescent Meadow to Mount Whitney) is one of the great American backpacking routes, crossing the Great Western Divide and finishing at the highest point in the contiguous US. Plan 6-8 days. For a shorter trip, the Rae Lakes Loop (42 miles) through Kings Canyon delivers world-class Sierra scenery in 4-5 days.

Difficulty: Strenuous. The High Sierra Trail involves multiple passes above 10,000 feet, with the Whitney summit at 14,505 feet. The Rae Lakes Loop crosses Glen Pass at 11,978 feet. Both require solid fitness and high-altitude experience.

Permit Info: Wilderness permits are required. Reservations are available through recreation.gov starting March 1 for the summer season. The Rae Lakes Loop and HST starting permits are competitive but not as brutal as JMT permits. Walk-up permits are available at ranger stations, with 25% of quota held for day-before issuance.

Best Season: July through September. The high passes are typically snow-free by mid-July, though conditions vary by year. Late September brings chilly nights but spectacular fall color in the lower elevations.

Pro Tip: The Rae Lakes Loop is often overshadowed by the JMT, but it’s honestly a more achievable and equally beautiful trip for most backpackers. Bear canisters are required throughout both parks. Don’t try to get away with hanging food; the bears here are exceptionally clever.

#7. North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades is the most underrated backpacking destination in the national park system. Often called the “American Alps,” this rugged corner of Washington state sees a fraction of the visitors that comparable parks receive. The result is genuine solitude in a landscape of jagged peaks, more than 300 glaciers, and valleys blanketed in old-growth forest.

Best Trail: The Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm trail (12 miles round trip) offers a stunning day hike or overnight to a glacial camp at 7,600 feet. For a true backcountry experience, the Copper Ridge Loop (34 miles, 4-5 days) traverses high ridgelines with views into Canada and the Picket Range.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. Trails are steep and rugged, and route-finding can be challenging in poor weather. The park’s remoteness means self-sufficiency is essential.

Permit Info: Free backcountry permits are required and can be reserved through recreation.gov starting in mid-March. Walk-up permits are available at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. Quotas exist for popular areas like Cascade Pass and Copper Ridge but availability is generally better than at comparable parks.

Best Season: Mid-July through September. The mountains here get enormous snowfall, and high routes may not clear until late July or even August in heavy snow years.

Pro Tip: If you want the alpine experience without the crowds, this is your park. I’ve done the Copper Ridge Loop in late August and saw maybe six other parties the entire trip. Bring a good rain jacket regardless of the forecast. The Cascades create their own weather.

#8. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend is the outlier on this list, and that’s exactly why it belongs here. Desert backpacking is a fundamentally different experience: the silence is deeper, the night skies are darker, and the landscape feels ancient in a way that even the Sierra can’t match. This is backpacking stripped down to its essence.

Best Trail: The Outer Mountain Loop (30 miles, 3-4 days) circles through the Chisos Mountains, combining desert lowlands with surprisingly lush highland forest and stunning canyon views. For a shorter trip, the South Rim Trail (12-14 miles as a loop) offers 2,000-foot cliff views over the Rio Grande.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, primarily due to heat and water scarcity rather than technical terrain. The Outer Mountain Loop has some exposed, hot sections through the desert that demand careful planning.

Permit Info: Free backcountry permits are required and can be obtained at the Panther Junction Visitor Center. No advance reservations for backcountry zones. This is one of the easiest parks in the system for spontaneous backpacking trips.

Best Season: November through March. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F in the desert lowlands, making multi-day trips dangerous. Winter is pleasant in the desert but can bring freezing temperatures in the Chisos Mountains at night.

Pro Tip: Water is the limiting factor here. Cache water at road crossings before starting the Outer Mountain Loop, and carry at least a gallon per person per day in the desert sections. The reward for dealing with the logistical challenges is near-total solitude. I did the Outer Mountain Loop in February and didn’t see another person for two full days.

#9. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Isle Royale is the least-visited national park in the lower 48, and it offers something no other park on this list can: true island wilderness. Getting here requires a ferry or seaplane, and once you arrive, there are no roads, no cell service, and no easy way out. It’s just you, the wolves, the moose, and 165 miles of trail through boreal forest and rocky Lake Superior shoreline.

Best Trail: The Greenstone Ridge Trail runs the full 40-mile length of the island from Windigo to Rock Harbor, typically done in 4-5 days. It follows the island’s central spine with sweeping views of Lake Superior on both sides.

Difficulty: Moderate. The trails aren’t particularly steep, but the remoteness and changeable Lake Superior weather add a mental challenge. Mosquitoes and black flies can be brutal in June and early July.

Permit Info: A park entrance fee and campground registration are required. No quotas or advance permits needed for most backcountry camps, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis with three-night limits per site. This makes Isle Royale one of the most spontaneous backpacking destinations in the park system.

Best Season: Late July through August. The park is only open from mid-April to late October, and the bug season makes early summer trips miserable. Late summer brings warm-enough weather for swimming in Lake Superior (barely) and manageable insect levels.

Pro Tip: Book your ferry early, especially if you want to take the Ranger III from Houghton. Bring a water filter since you’ll be drinking from Lake Superior and inland lakes. Keep your eyes and ears open for moose, particularly around lakes and boggy areas at dawn and dusk. I spotted seven moose in four days on my Greenstone Ridge through-hike.

#10. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah is proof that you don’t need to fly to the West Coast for quality backpacking. This Blue Ridge park offers over 500 miles of trail, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, all within a day’s drive of a quarter of the US population. The hardwood forests, cascading waterfalls, and rolling mountain vistas create a gentler but no less satisfying backpacking experience.

Best Trail: A section hike of the Appalachian Trail through the park (101 miles, 7-10 days for the full traverse) is a classic East Coast backpacking experience. For a shorter trip, the Old Rag Circuit combined with a Whiteoak Canyon loop makes for a rewarding 2-day trip covering roughly 15 miles with dramatic rock scrambling.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Elevation gains are manageable compared to western parks, and the trail network is extensive and well-marked. Humidity and summer heat are the main physical challenges.

Permit Info: Free backcountry camping permits are required and can be obtained online through recreation.gov or at entrance stations and visitor centers. There are no quotas, making this one of the most accessible backpacking parks in the country. Backcountry camping rules require you to camp at least 20 yards from a trail and out of sight of other parties.

Best Season: May through June for wildflowers, and October for fall foliage that rivals anything in New England. Summer is hot and humid but manageable at elevation. Winter backpacking is possible for experienced hikers.

Pro Tip: Time your trip for mid-October and you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular fall color shows in the country. The AT shelters fill up fast during peak leaf season, so plan on tent camping. Skyline Drive crossings make it easy to set up resupply points for longer section hikes.

Permit Planning Guide: How to Secure Your Backcountry Permit

The permit process is the single biggest source of frustration for national park backpackers. Each park has its own system, timeline, and quirks. Here’s how to navigate them without losing your mind.

Recreation.gov Lottery Systems

Most popular parks now use recreation.gov for advance permit reservations. These typically open on a specific date (March 1 for many parks) and operate either as a lottery or first-come, first-served system. For lottery-based permits, you submit your preferred dates and trailheads during a window, and winners are selected randomly. This is how the John Muir Trail permits work, and demand outstrips supply by roughly 10 to 1.

• Submit early but strategically. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for multiple date windows and alternative trailheads.
• Check for cancellations. Permits get returned constantly as people’s plans change. Check recreation.gov regularly in the weeks before your desired date.
• Create your account and save your payment info before the reservation window opens. Systems crash on opening day, and seconds matter in first-come, first-served launches.

Walk-Up Permits

Nearly every park holds back a percentage of permits (usually 25-40%) for day-before or day-of walk-up distribution. This is your backup plan and sometimes your best bet. Here’s how to make it work:

• Arrive at the wilderness center or ranger station as early as possible. For popular parks like Yosemite, people line up before the office opens.
• Be flexible on your itinerary. The ranger may have availability on a different trailhead or date than you originally wanted.
• Have a backup trip planned. If your first choice is full, ask what’s available and be willing to pivot.
• Midweek trips (Tuesday-Thursday starts) have dramatically better walk-up availability than weekend starts.

Parks with Easy Permit Access

If the permit game stresses you out, several excellent parks make it simple:

• Big Bend: Walk-up only, no advance reservations needed, rarely fills.
• Isle Royale: No backcountry quotas for most sites.
• Shenandoah: Free permits, no quotas, available at entrance stations.
• Rocky Mountain: Advance reservations available, but west-side trailheads rarely reach quota.
• North Cascades: Quotas exist but availability is generally good outside peak weekends.

When to Go: Seasonal Overview

Park	Peak Season	Best Months	Avoid
Yosemite	Jul-Sep	August, September	Oct-May (snow on passes)
Glacier	Jul-Sep	Late July, August	Oct-Jun (snow, closures)
Olympic	Jul-Sep	August	Nov-Mar for alpine routes
Grand Canyon	Mar-May, Sep-Nov	April, October	Jun-Aug (extreme heat)
Rocky Mountain	Jul-Sep	July, September	Nov-May (deep snow)
Sequoia/Kings Canyon	Jul-Sep	August, September	Oct-Jun (pass closures)
North Cascades	Jul-Sep	Late July, August	Oct-Jun (heavy snow)
Big Bend	Nov-Mar	February, March	Jun-Sep (deadly heat)
Isle Royale	Jul-Aug	Late July, August	Nov-Apr (park closed)
Shenandoah	May-Jun, Oct	October, May	Jul-Aug (humidity)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to backpack in national parks?

Yes, virtually all national parks require a backcountry camping permit for overnight stays. The process and cost vary by park. Some parks like Shenandoah offer free, self-issued permits with no quotas, while others like Yosemite and Glacier have competitive quota systems that require advance reservations through recreation.gov. Always check the specific park’s website for current permit requirements before your trip, as policies change frequently.

Which national park is best for beginner backpackers?

Shenandoah and Rocky Mountain are the most welcoming parks for first-time backpackers. Shenandoah offers moderate terrain, easy permit access, and the comfort of Skyline Drive crossings where you can bail out if needed. Rocky Mountain provides accessible alpine scenery with well-maintained trails and campsites. Both parks have excellent ranger programs that can help you plan an appropriate first trip. I’d recommend starting with a one-night out-and-back trip of 6-10 miles total before committing to a longer multi-day route.

How far in advance should I plan a national park backpacking trip?

For popular parks like Yosemite, Glacier, and the Grand Canyon, start planning 6-12 months in advance. Permit reservation windows typically open 3-6 months before the trip date, and you’ll want time to research routes, arrange transportation, and prepare physically. For less competitive parks like Big Bend, Isle Royale, or Shenandoah, 1-2 months of planning is usually sufficient. Regardless of the park, always have a backup plan in case your preferred permits don’t come through.

What’s the hardest national park to get a backpacking permit for?

The John Muir Trail starting permits through Yosemite are consistently the most competitive in the system, with success rates often below 10% in the lottery. Grand Canyon permits for corridor camps like Bright Angel and Cottonwood are also notoriously difficult, especially for spring and fall dates. Glacier’s popular zones like the Belly River drainage and Gunsight Pass fill quickly in the March reservation window. Your best strategy for any of these is to apply for the lottery, check for cancellations regularly, and be prepared to try for walk-up permits as a backup.

Is backpacking in national parks safe?

National park backpacking is generally very safe when you prepare properly. The biggest risks are environmental rather than human: dehydration in desert parks, hypothermia from sudden weather changes, altitude sickness at high elevations, and wildlife encounters in bear country. Carry the ten essentials, file a trip plan with someone at home, know basic wilderness first aid, and check current conditions with park rangers before heading out. Bear canisters or proper food storage are required or strongly recommended in most western parks. Cell service is nonexistent in most backcountry areas, so carry a satellite communicator or personal locator beacon for emergencies.

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