From the beautiful slickrock canyon region in southern Utah to the impressive volcanic glaciated landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, there are hikes available to satisfy your adventurous desires. Just continue scrolling to discover your next less-traveled hiking trail in the magnificent American West.
Sylvania Wilderness
The Sylvania Wilderness, located in the Ottawa National Forest, is a remarkable hidden gem. Covering an area of 18,327 acres, it contains protected wilderness with numerous trails and lakes to explore. I discovered this amazing place when I realized that the boundary waters were too far for a weekend getaway. However, visiting in late August can be uncertain; not only is the weather scorching, but it is also the peak season for blackflies, which can be bothersome. Nonetheless, if you have five days and enjoy paddling, I highly recommend this destination as it is only around eleven hours away. A bonus point is that there are hardly any crowds, making it even more appealing.
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
This spot, like many others on my list, came to my attention while I was traveling. My group and I were returning from a week-long trip to Michigan’s upper peninsula and we were in need of accommodation for the night. The eastern coast of Lake Michigan offers numerous beaches and breathtaking sights.
The sand dunes in Nordhouse are truly remarkable (it’s even included twice on this list). It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite places in the whole state of Michigan. Located just up the coastline from Ludington, Nordhouse is situated within the Manistee National Forest and covers an impressive 3,450 acres of stunning freshwater coastline, pine forests, and enormous sand dunes. Remarkably, Nordhouse Dunes is the sole wilderness in the southern part of the Michigan Peninsula and is accessible to the public all year round, although the unpaved road may be difficult to traverse in snowy winter conditions. The cost for an overnight camping permit is a mere $5 per day or $15 per week if you’re keen on spending more time at the beach. However, it’s important to note that Nordhouse can get quite crowded during the peak season of June-July, with the easiest section of beach being only a mile away. Nevertheless, if you’re determined to escape the crowds, a short stroll north or south along the coastline will lead you to your own little piece of paradise, where you can frolic in the water and witness some truly breathtaking sunsets.
Granite Basin Loop
To avoid the crowds of Grand Teton National Park, you can explore the western slope of the Tetons, where you will find magnificent mountain views and beautiful alpine lakes. A helpful suggestion is to utilize llamas, as they can carry a greater weight compared to their own body weight. This will allow you to move more easily and fully relish the granite spires.
The Lost Coast
The Lost Coast is one of the two wilderness beach hikes found in the Western US, offering nature lovers a valuable opportunity. It interrupts human development along the California coastline, with the rugged King Range acting as a natural obstacle that prevents roads from being built, allowing for extraordinary off-the-beaten path beach hiking in this area.
Sahale Arm Trail
You can experience alpine vistas, peaceful meadows, and rugged mountain views by taking this lesser-known route in North Cascades National Park. A helpful suggestion is to end your hike at the Sahale Glacier backcountry campsite, where you can enjoy the windswept views of the glacier and its wildlife, which include black bear, marmot, and ptarmigan.
Salt Creek Canyon Trail
In Canyonlands National Park, the Needles District is the ideal location for hikers seeking an alternative experience. Here, one can cherish remarkable ruins, abundant rock art, grand arches, and immense canyon walls.
Halls Creek
Most hikers are discouraged from embarking on overnight backcountry adventures in Capitol Reef National Park due to difficult water sources and extreme remoteness. However, located near Lake Powell in the park’s Waterpocket Fold district, Halls Creek offers an ideal environment for overnight hikers with abundant water sources, breathtaking scenery, and the absence of other people.
Halls Creek links two of Capitol Reef’s remarkable canyons, Lower Muley Twist and the Halls Creek Narrows, which are similar in size and beauty to the renowned Virgin River Narrows in Zion National Park, but receive only 0.01% of the visitors.
Charles Deam Wilderness
I would not have anticipated that there was anything particularly thrilling concealed in Indiana; however, the Hoosier NF offers 203,000 acres available for recreational purposes, featuring 266 miles of trails to discover. Additionally, it contains the lone wilderness region in Indiana, known as the Charles C. Deam wilderness, which covers 12,000 acres with 57 miles of designated trails as well as numerous unofficial trails leading to hidden ruins and century-old cemeteries dating back to the time when the area was populated by farmers prior to the Great Depression. Moreover, the area is also home to Lake Monroe, the largest lake located entirely within Indiana.
One of the things I enjoy most is waking up early on a Saturday and going west to the Axsom Branch Trailhead. From there, it’s a moderate 4-mile hike to the shore of Lake Monroe where you can relax and spend the day by the water. You can swim, watch fishermen, and observe other boats passing by. As the sun sets on the opposite side of the lake, you can either hike back to the car or, if you’re a backpacker, set up camp near the shore and enjoy a night under the stars.
Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak
This hike, which has the greatest elevation gain of any hike under 20 miles in the USA, begins below sea level and reaches the summit of Telescope Peak, standing at 11,043 feet. Telescope Peak, the highest point in Death Valley National Park, offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada and Mount Whitney. It’s no wonder that this route is off-the-beaten-path!
While it is possible to start from a higher point, embarking on a remarkable off-the-beaten-path adventure involves hiking all the way from the salt formations of Badwater Basin to the bristlecone pine forests situated at the pinnacle of Death Valley National Park.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The lakeshore safeguards 42 miles of unspoiled Michigan coastline on Lake Superior in addition to 73,236 acres filled with waterfalls, hiking trails, stunning beaches, towering bluffs, and scattered small lakes. The most ideal method to observe the coastline is by boat, either by booking a tour from Munising or obtaining a backcountry permit to kayak northward along the shore. However, it is important to note that before reaching the first accessible beach, there are 11 miles of steep rocky cliffs, so it is crucial to be knowledgeable about the water and weather conditions before embarking on the journey. Aside from the plethora of water-based adventures, there are also over 100 miles of trails available for backpacking and day hiking expeditions. To maximize the experience, it is recommended to start from the park’s eastern side along County Highway 720 and head west towards the lake. For a peaceful day by the beach, it is advised to travel north to twelve-mile beach, while those seeking waterfalls and steep rock cliffs should head south to Chapel Beach, an exceptional location along the shore. It is worth mentioning that permits may be challenging to obtain, so it is advisable to apply early through an online platform.
