Trails

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• 4C National Recreation Trail Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake to Neches Bluff, near Kennard) 20 miles Moderate Walnut Creek shelter camp, Pond camp, and dispersed sites; no permit found
• Achenbach Trail Loop Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit (Watford City) 18 miles Hard Backcountry camping anywhere that meets park setbacks, by free permit; no established sites
• Adventure Hiking Trail (O'Bannon Woods and Harrison-Crawford State Forest) O'Bannon Woods State Park and Harrison-Crawford State Forest, Indiana DNR (near Corydon, along the Ohio River) 25.5 miles Hard First-come trail shelters plus primitive camping; DNR asks overnight hikers to register
• Alaska Basin via Teton Canyon (Basin Lakes and Sunset Lake) Jedediah Smith Wilderness, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (Teton Canyon Trailhead near Alta, west side of the Tetons) 16.6 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit reported on national forest land
• Alice–Toxaway Loop Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Pettit Lake, south of Stanley) 18 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (free self-issued permit)
• Allegheny Front Trail Moshannon State Forest and Black Moshannon State Park (Centre County) 41.9 miles Moderate Primitive camping on state forest land; no camping found allowed on the state park section
• Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte Great Smoky Mountains National Park 10 miles Hard Shelter and lodge near summit only
• Amethyst Lake High Uintas Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Evanston Ranger District) 13 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Apostle Islands Lakeshore Trail to Mainland Campsite 1 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service (near Cornucopia) 12 miles Moderate Reservable backcountry campsite; permit required (Recreation.gov)
• Appalachian Trail: 100-Mile Wilderness Appalachian Trail, Monson to Abol Bridge 99.4 miles Hard Lean-tos and campsites along the trail; no permit for the Wilderness itself
• Appalachian Trail: Amicalola Falls to Woody Gap (Approach Trail and Springer Mountain) Amicalola Falls State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest (Dawsonville to Suches) 28.9 miles Hard Shelters and designated campsites; dispersed camping allowed in the national forest
• Appalachian Trail: Bear Mountain Bridge to Dover Oak Appalachian National Scenic Trail through Hudson Highlands, Fahnestock State Park, and Dutchess County 42.7 miles Moderate Shelters and designated campsites only; first come except where noted
• Appalachian Trail: Bigelow Range Bigelow Preserve (near Stratton) 16.3 miles Hard Lean-tos and tent sites below treeline; no camping above treeline
• Appalachian Trail: Caratunk to Monson Appalachian Trail between the Kennebec River and Monson 36.7 miles Hard AT lean-tos and campsites; no permit found
• Appalachian Trail: Carry Ponds and Pierce Pond to the Kennebec Appalachian Trail, Long Falls Dam Road to Caratunk 17.2 miles Moderate AT lean-tos at West Carry Pond and Pierce Pond; no permit found
• Appalachian Trail: Carter-Moriah and Wildcat Ridges (Route 2 to Pinkham Notch) White Mountain National Forest (Gorham to Pinkham Notch) 22 miles Hard Rattle River Shelter, AMC Imp Campsite (shelter and platforms), AMC Carter Notch Hut (reserved)
• Appalachian Trail: Culvers Gap to High Point Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Stokes State Forest and High Point State Park 13.6 miles Moderate Shelters only; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Dalton, Mount Greylock, and the Vermont Line (Gulf Road to the Massachusetts-Vermont Border) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Mount Greylock State Reservation, and Clarksburg State Forest area, northern Berkshires (Dalton, Cheshire, Adams, North Adams, Williamstown) 28.3 miles Hard Designated shelters and campsites, a town-run campsite in Cheshire; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Davenport Gap to Hot Springs (Max Patch) Pisgah National Forest, Appalachian Ranger District (Smokies boundary to the French Broad River) 34 miles Hard A.T. shelters and campsites (no permit); no camping on Max Patch
• Appalachian Trail: Delaware Water Gap to Culvers Gap Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Worthington State Forest, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Stokes State Forest 26.2 miles Moderate Designated backpacker site, NPS backcountry rules, AMC campsites (reserved), and Brink Road Shelter
• Appalachian Trail: Ethan Pond and Zealand Notch (Crawford Notch to Zealand) Crawford Notch State Park and White Mountain National Forest (Willey House Station Road to Zealand Road) 10.5 miles Moderate AMC caretaker shelter and tentsite (first come, first served); AMC hut by reservation
• Appalachian Trail: Four Ponds and Sabbath Day Pond Appalachian Trail between Route 17 (Height of Land) and Route 4, Four Ponds Public Reserved Land 13.1 miles Moderate Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to and tent area; Little Swift River Pond Campsite; no permit found
• Appalachian Trail: Front Royal to Harpers Ferry (the Roller Coaster) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Northern Virginia (US 522 near Front Royal to Harpers Ferry, WV) 54 miles Hard Shelters, established campsites, and a free hiker cabin; no permit found
• Appalachian Trail: Grafton Notch to Mahoosuc Notch Grafton Notch State Park and Mahoosuc Public Lands (near Newry) 22 miles Hard Lean-tos and tent platforms at Speck Pond and Full Goose; caretaker at Speck Pond
• Appalachian Trail: Great Falls, Rand's View, and Limestone Spring (US 7 to US 44) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, northwestern Connecticut (Falls Village to Salisbury) 10.3 miles Moderate One shelter (Limestone Spring); no other designated campsites; no reservations
• Appalachian Trail: Hanover to Glencliff (Smarts Mountain and Mount Cube) Dartmouth Outing Club section of the AT, White Mountain National Forest and private land (Connecticut River at Hanover to NH 25 at Glencliff) 43.7 miles Hard Free first-come shelters, a cabin, and tentsites; Forest Protection Area rules along the AT corridor
• Appalachian Trail: High Point to Wawayanda Appalachian National Scenic Trail, High Point State Park, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Wawayanda State Park 26.1 miles Moderate Shelters only; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Iron Mountain Gap to US 19E over Roan High Knob Cherokee National Forest / Pisgah National Forest (Appalachian Trail along the Tennessee–North Carolina line) 28 miles Hard Shelters and dispersed camping at established sites
• Appalachian Trail: Jug End to Upper Goose Pond (Jug End Road to US 20) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Beartown State Forest, and the Upper Goose Pond area, southern Berkshires (Sheffield to Lee) 33.5 miles Hard Designated shelters, campsites, and a caretaker-staffed cabin; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Kinsman Ridge (Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch) White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park (NH 112 to Franconia Notch) 16.3 miles Hard AMC shelters and tent pads (first come, first served); AMC hut by reservation
• Appalachian Trail: Lake Tiorati to Bear Mountain (Harriman) Appalachian National Scenic Trail through Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks 14.6 miles Moderate Stone trail shelters only; first come, first served; tent within 300 feet if full
• Appalachian Trail: Lehigh Gap to Delaware Water Gap Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Kittatinny Ridge (Lehigh Gap to Delaware Water Gap) 35.5 miles Hard Two shelters plus legal trailside camping for through hikers; one night per site
• Appalachian Trail: Lion's Head, Riga, and Bear Mountain (US 44 to the Massachusetts Line) Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Mount Riga State Park area, northwestern Connecticut (Salisbury) 7.4 miles Hard Two shelters and a designated campsite; no reservations
• Appalachian Trail: Mahoosucs from Gorham to Gentian Pond and Carlo Col White Mountain National Forest, Mahoosuc Range (Gorham and Shelburne) 15.4 miles Hard AMC shelters and tent platforms (Gentian Pond, Carlo Col) and Trident Col tentsite; first come, first served; no fee
• Appalachian Trail: Maine Junction to Hanover (Killington to the Connecticut River) Appalachian National Scenic Trail east of the Long Trail, Green Mountain National Forest and private land (Killington, Bridgewater, Pomfret, Hartford, Norwich; US 4 at Sherburne Pass to the Connecticut River at Hanover, New Hampshire) 44 miles Hard Free first-come shelters with privies; designated sites encouraged in the narrow trail corridor
• Appalachian Trail: Mount Moosilauke (Glencliff to Kinsman Notch) White Mountain National Forest (NH 25 at Glencliff to NH 112 at Kinsman Notch) 9.3 miles Hard Free first-come shelters with tent sites; Forest Protection Area rules along the AT corridor
• Appalachian Trail: Nantahala Outdoor Center to Fontana Dam (Cheoah Bald and Stecoah Gap) Nantahala National Forest (Nantahala Gorge to Fontana Lake) 29 miles Hard A.T. shelters and campsites (no permit until the Smokies)
• Appalachian Trail: Newfound Gap to Kuwohi Great Smoky Mountains National Park (ridge along the Tennessee–North Carolina line) 7.5 miles Hard Backcountry shelters (permit and reservation required)
• Appalachian Trail: Old Blue and the Bemis Range Appalachian Trail between South Arm Road (Andover) and Route 17 14.3 miles Hard Bemis Mountain Lean-to; no permit found
• Appalachian Trail: Pearisburg to Angels Rest and Docs Knob Shelter Appalachian National Scenic Trail on Pearis Mountain, Jefferson National Forest (Pearisburg, Giles County) 20.4 miles Hard A.T. shelter and small campsites; no permit
• Appalachian Trail: Pen Mar to Pine Grove Furnace Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Michaux State Forest (Pen Mar to Pine Grove Furnace State Park) 37.3 miles Moderate Shelters and trailside sites; one night per location in Michaux State Forest; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Pen Mar to Turners Gap Appalachian National Scenic Trail, South Mountain State Park (Pen Mar to Turners Gap) 24.6 miles Moderate Shelters and designated campsites only; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Piazza Rock to Saddleback and the Horn Appalachian Trail near Rangeley 14.8 miles Hard Piazza Rock Lean-to and tent area; no camping above treeline
• Appalachian Trail: Pine Knob, Pine Swamp, and Sharon Mountain (CT 4 to US 7) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, northwestern Connecticut (Cornwall Bridge to US 7 and CT 112) 11.5 miles Moderate One shelter and three designated campsites; no reservations
• Appalachian Trail: Port Clinton to Lehigh Gap Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Blue Mountain (Port Clinton to Lehigh Gap) 40 miles Hard Shelters and campsites; State Game Lands camping limited to through hikers, one night, near the trail
• Appalachian Trail: Sages Ravine, Mount Everett, and Jug End (Connecticut Line to Jug End Road) Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Mount Everett State Reservation, southwestern Massachusetts (Mount Washington and Sheffield) 9.5 miles Hard Designated shelters and campsites only; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Shenandoah National Park Appalachian National Scenic Trail through Shenandoah National Park (Rockfish Gap to Front Royal) 110 miles Moderate AT huts with designated tent sites for long-distance hikers, plus dispersed backcountry camping; permit required
• Appalachian Trail: St. Johns Ledges and the Housatonic River (CT 341 to CT 4) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, northwestern Connecticut (Kent to Cornwall Bridge) 11.1 miles Moderate One shelter and two designated campsites; no reservations
• Appalachian Trail: Summit Cut (US 58) to Fox Creek over Whitetop, Mount Rogers, and Grayson Highlands Appalachian National Scenic Trail through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (Jefferson National Forest) and Grayson Highlands State Park 24.3 miles Hard A.T. shelters and dispersed sites on national forest land; no camping in Grayson Highlands State Park
• Appalachian Trail: Sunset Field to the James River through Thunder Ridge and James River Face Wilderness Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Thunder Ridge and James River Face Wildernesses, Jefferson National Forest (Blue Ridge Parkway to the James River near Glasgow) 17.2 miles Hard A.T. shelters and dispersed sites on national forest land; no camping near the James River Footbridge
• Appalachian Trail: Ten Mile Hill to Mount Algo (Hoyt Road to CT 341) Appalachian National Scenic Trail, northwestern Connecticut (Sherman to Kent) 11.5 miles Moderate Shelters and designated campsites only; no reservations
• Appalachian Trail: The Crockers and Crocker Cirque Appalachian Trail between Route 27 and Caribou Valley Road (near Stratton and Sugarloaf) 15 miles Hard Crocker Cirque Campsite (tent platforms, privy, fire ring); no camping above treeline
• Appalachian Trail: Turners Gap to Harpers Ferry Appalachian National Scenic Trail, South Mountain State Park and C&O Canal (Turners Gap to Harpers Ferry) 15.6 miles Moderate Shelters and designated campsites only; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Unicoi Gap to Bly Gap (Tray Mountain to the North Carolina Line) Chattahoochee National Forest (GA 75 to the Georgia-North Carolina line) 27 miles Hard Shelters and campsites; dispersed camping allowed in the national forest
• Appalachian Trail: Upper Goose Pond to Dalton (US 20 to Gulf Road) Appalachian National Scenic Trail and October Mountain State Forest area, central Berkshires (Lee, Becket, Washington, and Dalton) 18.9 miles Moderate Designated shelters and campsites; first come, first served
• Appalachian Trail: Winding Stair Gap to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (Wayah and Wesser Balds) Nantahala National Forest (US 64 near Franklin to US 19/74 at Wesser) 27.8 miles Hard A.T. shelters and campsites (no permit)
• Appalachian Trail: Woody Gap to Unicoi Gap (Blood Mountain and Neels Gap) Chattahoochee National Forest and Blood Mountain Wilderness (GA 60 to GA 75, near Dahlonega and Blairsville) 30.8 miles Hard Shelters and campsites; bear canister required from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap in spring
• Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Bureau of Land Management, Safford Field Office (between Winkelman and Klondyke) 11 miles Moderate Dispersed camping; permit required for every day in the canyon
• Arc Dome Wilderness: Twin Rivers Loop Arc Dome Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Austin-Tonopah Ranger District (Toiyabe Range, north of Tonopah) 13 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no designated sites
• Archers Fork Loop Wayne National Forest, Marietta Unit (near New Matamoras) 14 miles Hard Dispersed camping; many established sites with fire rings; no permit
• Art Loeb Trail Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest (Davidson River near Brevard to Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp) 30.1 miles Hard Two shelters and dispersed campsites; first come, first served
• Assateague Island Backcountry Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland District (near Berlin) 8 miles Moderate Six designated backcountry sites; first-come permit from the Maryland ranger station
• Backbone Trail, Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie Ranger District (south of Natchitoches) 15 miles Moderate Primitive wilderness camping; no designated sites
• Baker Lake and Johnson Lake Loop Great Basin National Park (near Baker) 11.7 miles Hard Backcountry camping by free permit (required on this loop); no designated sites
• Bandelier Backcountry to Painted Cave Bandelier National Monument (Frijoles Canyon visitor center, near Los Alamos) 22 miles Hard Backcountry camping zones by free permit; designated closed areas
• Barnhardt and Y Bar Loop (Mazatzal Wilderness) Mazatzal Wilderness, Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District (south of Payson) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Bartram Trail to Cheoah Bald Nantahala National Forest (Nantahala Gorge, Winding Stairs parking area on US 19) 10.2 miles Hard Dispersed camping; summit camping on Cheoah Bald (no water)
• Batona Trail Brendan T. Byrne, Wharton, and Bass River State Forests 53 miles Moderate Designated state forest campgrounds only; permit required, reserve online
• Battelle Darby Creek Backpack Trail Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks (Columbus area) 10.7 miles Easy Four reservable backpacking sites; permit required
• Beartooth High Lakes: Island Lake to Night, Beauty and Native Lakes Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area, Shoshone National Forest (Island Lake Trailhead on the Beartooth Highway, US 212) 6.3 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry camping; no permit reported
• Bechler River Trail (Lone Star Geyser to Bechler Ranger Station) Yellowstone National Park, southwest corner (Lone Star Geyser Trailhead near Old Faithful to the Bechler Ranger Station and Cave Falls area) 30 miles Hard Designated Yellowstone backcountry campsites; permit required
• Bee Branch and the Big Tree Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest (Sipsey River Picnic Area, Winston County) 13 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Bell Mountain Wilderness Loop Mark Twain National Forest, Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District (near Belleview) 12 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Benton MacKaye Trail: Springer Mountain to the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge Chattahoochee National Forest (Springer Mountain to the Toccoa River, near Blue Ridge) 14.8 miles Hard Dispersed tent, tarp, and hammock camping; no shelters on the BMT here
• Big Boulder Lakes via Walker Lake Cecil D. Andrus–White Cloud Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Livingston Mill, south of Clayton) 17 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit; sign in at trailhead)
• Big Creek Lake (Bitterroot Mountains) Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest (Big Creek Trailhead near Victor) 18 miles Hard Wilderness camping; designated sites around the lake reported; no permit
• Big Frog Wilderness Loop Big Frog Wilderness, Cherokee National Forest (Polk County, near the Georgia line) 19.1 miles Hard Dispersed camping (no permit reported)
• Big Indian Gorge (Steens Mountain Wilderness) Steens Mountain Wilderness, BLM Burns District (South Steens Campground, Steens Mountain Loop Road, near Frenchglen) 16 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping at existing sites; no permit found
• Big Pine Lakes via the North Fork of Big Pine Creek John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest (Glacier Lodge Road, west of Big Pine) 13 miles Hard Wilderness camping with a quota permit
• Big Savage Hiking Trail Savage River State Forest, Maryland DNR (near Frostburg and Grantsville) 17 miles Easy Backcountry camping by self-registered permit; no designated sites on the trail
• Big South Fork: Angel Falls Overlook and Grand Gap Loop Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (Tennessee side, Leatherwood Ford area) 11.3 miles Moderate Backcountry camping at existing sites (permit required)
• Big South Fork: John Litton Route Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (Tennessee) 27 miles Hard Backcountry camping at existing sites (permit required)
• Big South Fork: John Muir Route Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (mostly Tennessee; confirm northern end) 39 miles Hard Backcountry camping at existing sites (permit required)
• Big Thicket Turkey Creek Trail Big Thicket National Preserve, Turkey Creek Unit (near Kountze and Warren) 15 miles Easy At-large backcountry camping with a free permit
• Big Timber Canyon to Twin Lakes (Crazy Mountains) Crazy Mountains, Custer Gallatin National Forest, Yellowstone Ranger District (Halfmoon Campground trailhead, northwest of Big Timber) 8.4 miles Hard Dispersed national forest camping at alpine lakes; no permit reported
• Bighorn Crags to Ship Island Lake Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, Salmon-Challis National Forest (North Fork Ranger District) 22 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit found)
• Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Loop Birkhead Mountains Wilderness, Uwharrie National Forest (Tot Hill Farm trailhead, near Asheboro) 11.3 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness campsites; first come, first served
• Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (Eagle Creek to Blacktail) Yellowstone National Park and Custer Gallatin National Forest (Eagle Creek Campground near Gardiner to Blacktail Deer Creek Trailhead) 12.9 miles Hard Designated Yellowstone backcountry campsites; permit required
• Black Creek Trail (End to End) De Soto National Forest, De Soto Ranger District (Brooklyn to Wiggins area) 40 miles Moderate Primitive camping at least 150 feet off the trail; no overnight camping at the landings
• Black Creek Wilderness: Highway 29 to Fairley Bridge De Soto National Forest, Black Creek Wilderness (north of Wiggins) 10 miles Moderate Primitive camping at least 150 feet off the trail; no overnight camping at the landings
• Black Elk Peak via Willow Creek and Lost Cabin Trail Black Elk Wilderness, Black Hills National Forest (near Hill City) 10 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-registration at the trailhead
• Black Elk Wilderness Loop via Grizzly Bear Creek Black Elk Wilderness, Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park (Sylvan Lake) 27.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-registration at trailhead kiosks
• Black Forest Trail Tiadaghton State Forest (Slate Run, Lycoming County) 42.8 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land; no permit for one night at a site
• Black Mountain Crest Trail: Bowlens Creek to Mount Mitchell Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, and Mount Mitchell State Park (near Burnsville) 12 miles Hard Primitive campsites in the national forest, mainly at Deep Gap; first come, first served
• Black Range Crest Trail to Hillsboro Peak Aldo Leopold Wilderness, Gila National Forest (Emory Pass on NM 152) 10.2 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Blodgett Canyon to Blodgett Lake Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest (Blodgett Creek Trailhead near Hamilton) 25.2 miles Hard Dispersed creekside and lake camping; no permit
• Blue Lakes (Mount Sneffels Wilderness) Mount Sneffels Wilderness, Uncompahgre National Forest, Ouray Ranger District (East Dallas Creek, near Ridgway) 7 miles Hard Camping at Lower Blue Lake only; no camping at Middle or Upper Blue Lakes
• Boardstand-Old Military Road Loop Ouachita National Forest and Talimena State Park (Winding Stair Mountain and Holson Valley, northeast of Talihina) 22.1 miles Hard Primitive campsites in the national forest; no permit found
• Bonanza Trail Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Lee Canyon to Cold Creek) 16 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no designated sites
• Borden Creek and the Sipsey River Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest (south of Moulton) 8 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Border Route Trail Superior National Forest and BWCAW (Gunflint Trail to the Swamp River) 65 miles Hard Designated campsites; BWCAW quota permit May 1-Sept. 30 for overnight trips
• Boulder Chain Lakes via Red Ridge Pass Cecil D. Andrus–White Cloud Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Livingston Mill, south of Clayton) 20.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit; sign in at trailhead)
• Boulder Mail Trail (Boulder to Escalante via Death Hollow) Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, BLM (between Boulder and Escalante) 15.6 miles Hard Dispersed camping; free BLM permit required; pack out human waste
• Boulder Pass Trail: Bowman Lake to Kintla Lake Glacier National Park, North Fork (Bowman Lake, Brown Pass, Hole in the Wall, Boulder Pass, Kintla Lakes) 38 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds; NPS wilderness permit required
• Boy Scout Trail (Joshua Tree National Park) Joshua Tree National Park, National Park Service (Keys West Backcountry Board to Indian Cove) 8 miles Moderate One of 14 designated backcountry sites; permit reserved on Recreation.gov
• Breakneck Pond (Bigelow Hollow and Nipmuck State Forest) Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest, Connecticut DEEP (Union, on the Massachusetts line) 6.1 miles Moderate Three designated backpack sites; reservations by permit; one night per stay
• Bryce Canyon Under-the-Rim Trail Bryce Canyon National Park (Rainbow Point to Bryce Point) 22.9 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites; permit and bear canister required
• Buckeye Trail to Ottawa Overlook (Brecksville Reservation) Brecksville Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks (next to Cuyahoga Valley National Park) 6.2 miles Moderate Three permit-only backcountry tent sites; one night maximum
• Buffalo River Trail: Boxley to Ponca Buffalo National River, National Park Service (Boxley Valley to Ponca, Upper District) 11 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping (no permit reported); established sites at Arrington Creek
• Buffalo River Trail: Kyles Landing to Pruitt Buffalo National River, National Park Service (Upper District, between Kyles Landing and Highway 7) 16 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry camping (no permit reported); NPS campgrounds at Kyles Landing, Erbie, and Ozark
• Buffalo River Trail: Ponca to Kyles Landing Buffalo National River, National Park Service (Upper District, Ponca Wilderness) 10 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping (no permit); NPS campgrounds at Steel Creek and Kyles Landing
• Burroughs Range: Slide, Cornell, and Wittenberg Slide Mountain Wilderness, Catskill Forest Preserve (Ulster County) 10.5 miles Hard Designated primitive campsites in the Slide-Cornell col; at-large camping below 3,500 feet; Terrace Mountain lean-to
• Butte Lake, Snag Lake, and Cinder Cone Loop (Lassen Volcanic) Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service (Butte Lake, northeast corner of the park) 12.5 miles Hard Backcountry camping by zone; wilderness permit required (no quota)
• Butterfield Hiking Trail (Devil's Den State Park) Devil's Den State Park and Ozark National Forest (Lee Creek Valley, near West Fork) 15 miles Hard Dispersed camping in the national forest only; free permit required
• C&O Canal Towpath: Little Orleans to Paw Paw Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (Little Orleans to Paw Paw, mileposts 140.9 to 156) 15.4 miles Easy Free first-come hiker-biker campsites; one night per site
• Canaan Mountain and Table Rock Loop Canaan Mountain Backcountry, Monongahela National Forest (from Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis) 17.8 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry camping and three first-come shelters; no permit
• Canal Loop Trail (Land Between the Lakes) Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, USDA Forest Service (North Welcome Station, near Grand Rivers) 11 miles Moderate Dispersed camping 50 feet off the trail; camping permit required
• Caney Creek Wilderness (Caney Creek and Buckeye Trails) Caney Creek Wilderness, Ouachita National Forest (southeast of Mena) 10.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Canyon Creek Lakes (Trinity Alps Wilderness) Trinity Alps Wilderness, Shasta-Trinity National Forest (Canyon Creek Road, north of Junction City) 15.6 miles Hard Wilderness camping with a free, self-issued permit (no quota)
• Carter Caves Cross Country (4C's) Trail Carter Caves State Resort Park, Kentucky State Parks (near Olive Hill) 8.3 miles Moderate Two reservable backcountry campsites; permit required
• Cathedral Pass Loop (Pasayten) Pasayten Wilderness, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (Thirtymile trailhead, north of Winthrop) 44.7 miles Hard Dispersed camping; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Catoctin Mountain Park Adirondack Shelters Catoctin Mountain Park, National Park Service (near Thurmont and Sabillasville) 6 miles Moderate Two reservable three-sided shelters; reservation required, no walk-ins
• Cave Run Lake: Buck Creek and Sheltowee Loop Daniel Boone National Forest (Clear Creek and Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area, near Salt Lick) 13.5 miles Moderate Dispersed national forest camping with lake and road setbacks
• Centennial Trail: Alkali Creek to Pilot Knob Fort Meade Recreation Area (BLM) and Black Hills National Forest (near Sturgis and Nemo) 37 miles Hard Dispersed national forest camping, plus campgrounds at Alkali Creek and Dalton Lake
• Centennial Trail: Big Pine to Wind Cave Black Elk Wilderness, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park 38 miles Hard Dispersed in the national forest and wilderness; French Creek Natural Area only in Custer State Park; free permit for Wind Cave's northwest backcountry
• Centennial Trail: Pilot Knob to Samelius Peak (Pactola and Sheridan Lake) Black Hills National Forest (Pactola Reservoir, Sheridan Lake, near Hill City) 29 miles Hard Dispersed national forest camping away from the reservoirs; designated sites only near developed lakes
• Charles C. Deam Wilderness: Sycamore Loop and Grubb Ridge Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Hoosier National Forest (south of Bloomington, on Monroe Lake) 10 miles Moderate 25 designated backcountry campsites plus dispersed camping with setbacks; no permit
• Charon's Garden Wilderness Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Cache area) 3 miles Hard Designated backcountry camp area; Recreation.gov permit required
• Chattooga River Trail (Georgia: US 76 to Sandy Ford) Chattooga Wild and Scenic River corridor, Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia-South Carolina line, east of Clayton) 11 miles Moderate Dispersed camping with setbacks from the river and roads; no permit required
• Chena Dome Trail Chena River State Recreation Area, Alaska State Parks (Chena Hot Springs Road, east of Fairbanks) 29 miles Hard Dispersed camping; one first-come, first-served trail shelter
• Chesler Park Loop and Druid Arch (Needles) Canyonlands National Park, The Needles District (Elephant Hill Trailhead) 10.7 miles Hard Designated backpacking sites (Chesler Park CP1-CP5, Elephant Canyon EC1-EC3); permit required
• Chicago Basin via Needle Creek (by Train from Durango) Weminuche Wilderness, San Juan National Forest (Needleton train stop, Animas River canyon) 13 miles Hard Dispersed camping in Chicago Basin; free self-issued wilderness registration
• Chief Benge Scout Trail: High Knob to Little Stony Creek Clinch Ranger District, Jefferson National Forest (High Knob, Bark Camp Lake, and Hanging Rock, near Norton) 18.7 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry sites plus seasonal Forest Service campgrounds at High Knob Lake and Bark Camp Lake
• Chilkoot Trail (U.S. Side) Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, National Park Service (Dyea, near Skagway) 33 miles Hard Designated campgrounds only; permit required
• Chimney Pond and Katahdin Baxter State Park (near Millinocket) 6.6 miles Hard Reserved lean-tos and bunkhouse at Chimney Pond Campground
• Chinese Wall Loop from Benchmark Bob Marshall Wilderness, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (Benchmark, Sun River, Moose Creek, Burnt Creek) 57.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping in the closure zone below the Wall
• Chiricahua Crest Trail (Rustler Park to Chiricahua Peak) Chiricahua Wilderness, Coronado National Forest, Douglas Ranger District (Rustler Park, southeast Arizona) 11 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Chuck Keiper Trail Sproul State Forest (PA 144 between Renovo and Snow Shoe) 47.3 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land; no permit for one night at a site
• Cirque of the Towers via Big Sandy and Jackass Pass Bridger Wilderness (Bridger-Teton National Forest) and Popo Agie Wilderness (Shoshone National Forest), Big Sandy Trailhead south of Pinedale 18 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping within a quarter mile of Lonesome Lake
• Citrus Hiking Trail (Withlacoochee State Forest) Citrus Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida Forest Service (near Inverness) 39.1 miles Hard Designated primitive camp zones (first come, first served) and reserved recreation-area campgrounds
• Cloudland Canyon Backcountry Loop (with Sitton's Gulch and the West Rim) Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia State Parks (Lookout Mountain, near Trenton) 2 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites; reservations required
• Cohos Trail: Nash Stream Forest (Stark to Gadwah Notch) Nash Stream Forest and Kauffmann Forest (Stark, Stratford, and Columbia) 25.2 miles Hard Cohos Trail Association shelters and a tent platform; first come, first served
• Colorado Bend State Park Backpacking Loop Colorado Bend State Park (about 30 miles west of Lampasas) 18.6 miles Moderate Two hike-in backcountry areas (Windmill and River); reserve online
• Colorado Trail Segment 1 (Waterton Canyon to the South Platte River) Waterton Canyon and Pike National Forest (Littleton, near Denver) 16.8 miles Moderate Dispersed camping after Strontia Springs Dam; no camping in Waterton Canyon
• Colorado Trail Segment 25 (Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road) San Juan National Forest (Molas Pass, south of Silverton) 20.4 miles Hard Dispersed camping along the trail; Little Molas Lake Campground near the start
• Columbine Canyon to Gold Hill (Columbine-Twining Trail) Columbine-Hondo Wilderness, Carson National Forest (Columbine Campground to Taos Ski Valley) 14 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping
• Conasauga River Trail (Cohutta Wilderness) Cohutta Wilderness, Chattahoochee National Forest, Conasauga Ranger District (Betty Gap to FS 17B, near Ellijay and Crandall) 13.1 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permits
• Conecuh Trail Conecuh National Forest, Conecuh Ranger District (Open Pond, south of Andalusia) 20 miles Moderate Dispersed camping along the trail, with restrictions during deer season
• Congaree National Park Backcountry: Boggy Gut (River) Trail Congaree National Park, Harry Hampton Visitor Center (about 30 minutes from Columbia) 11.1 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping by free permit; no designated sites
• Conundrum Hot Springs (Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness) Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River National Forest, Aspen Ranger District (Conundrum Creek Trailhead, near Aspen) 17 miles Hard 20 designated campsites; advance overnight permit required
• Coosa Backcountry Trail (Vogel State Park) Vogel State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest, including Blood Mountain Wilderness (US 19/129, south of Blairsville) 12.9 miles Hard Backcountry camping by permit; sites first come, first served
• Copper Ridge and Chilliwack River Loop North Cascades National Park, via Hannegan Pass in the Mount Baker Wilderness (east of Glacier) 34 miles Hard Designated backcountry camps; park permit required for every night
• Coyote Gulch (Hurricane Wash to the Escalante River) Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Escalante District (Hole-in-the-Rock Road, near Escalante) 24.6 miles Moderate Dispersed camping at existing sites; free permit required; pack out human waste
• Crabtree Trailhead to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness) Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus National Forest, Summit Ranger District (near Pinecrest) 8 miles Moderate Wilderness camping with a free permit (no quota); one-night limit at Bear Lake
• Crag Camp and Gray Knob (Northern Presidentials) White Mountain National Forest, Randolph Mountain Club camps on Mt. Adams (Randolph) 6 miles Hard RMC cabins and shelter; first come, first served; overnight fee; no reservations
• Craig Lake State Park Backcountry Craig Lake State Park (near Michigamme) 8 miles Moderate Reserved designated backcountry sites; check in at Van Riper State Park
• Cranberry Lake 50 Five Ponds Wilderness and Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, Adirondack Park (Cranberry Lake and Wanakena) 50 miles Moderate Lean-tos and designated primitive sites; first come, first served
• Cranberry Wilderness Big Beechy and Middle Fork Loop Cranberry Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (Gauley and Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger Districts; North Fork/Big Beechy trailhead on the Highland Scenic Highway, WV 150) 16.7 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Crater Lake and Lone Eagle Peak via Cascade Creek (Indian Peaks Wilderness) Indian Peaks Wilderness, Arapaho National Forest, Sulphur Ranger District (Monarch Lake, near Granby) 14.4 miles Hard 12 designated campsites at Crater and Mirror Lakes; permit required June 1 to September 15
• Crescent Lake via Crescent Creek and Carter Lake Trails Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Kenai Peninsula, near Cooper Landing and Moose Pass) 17.7 miles Moderate Designated campsites; two reservable public-use cabins
• Croom Hiking Trail (Withlacoochee State Forest) Croom Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida Forest Service (near Brooksville) 7.8 miles Moderate Primitive camp zones (reserve in advance) and developed campgrounds
• Crosby-Manitou State Park Backpack Sites George H. Crosby Manitou State Park (near Finland) 4.8 miles Hard 21 reserved backpack-only campsites
• Crow Pass Trail (Girdwood to Eagle River) Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park (Iditarod National Historic Trail, Girdwood to Eagle River Nature Center) 22.8 miles Hard Established backcountry campsites; one reservable public-use cabin near the pass
• Cruiser Lake Trail Voyageurs National Park (Kabetogama Peninsula) 8 miles Hard Designated backcountry sites on interior lakes; reservation required
• Cumberland Island Wilderness Campsites (Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, Brickhill Bluff) Cumberland Island National Seashore, National Park Service (ferry from St. Marys) 21 miles Moderate Reserved wilderness campsites; no campfires
• Cumberland Trail: North Chickamauga Creek Gorge to Stevenson Branch Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park / North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park (near Chattanooga) 9.5 miles Hard Designated backcountry sites (reservation required)
• Cutler Coast Fairy Head Loop Cutler Coast Public Land (Cutler) 9.7 miles Moderate Five designated tent sites; first come, first served
• Dan Moller Trail and Cabin Tongass National Forest, Juneau Ranger District (Douglas Island, Juneau) 6 miles Moderate Reservable public-use cabin; dispersed camping nearby
• Danby State Forest: Finger Lakes Trail and Abbott Loop Danby State Forest, NYSDEC Region 7 (near Ithaca) 16.7 miles Moderate Two lean-tos, designated primitive sites, and at-large camping on state forest land
• Dawson-Pitamakan Loop Glacier National Park, Two Medicine (No Name Lake, Dawson Pass, Pitamakan Pass, Oldman Lake) 19 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds; NPS wilderness permit required
• Deboullie Gardner Loop and Pond Trails Deboullie Public Lands (North Maine Woods, south of St. Francis) 7.8 miles Moderate Primitive pondside sites with privies and fire rings; first come, first served
• Deep Creek, Pole Road Creek, and Noland Divide Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Deep Creek, near Bryson City) 18.4 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites (permit and reservation required)
• Deer Haven (Badlands) Badlands National Park, Badlands Wilderness Area (Conata Picnic Area) 5 miles Moderate Open backcountry camping; no permit required; register at the trailhead
• Deer Mountain Trail and Shelter Tongass National Forest (Ketchikan) 5.7 miles Hard Small first-come trail shelter; dispersed camping
• DeSoto State Park Backpacking Campsites DeSoto State Park, Alabama State Parks (Lookout Mountain, northeast of Fort Payne) 5 miles Moderate Two designated backpacking campsites with shelters (reserve or first come)
• Devil's Path (Prediger Road to Spruceton Road) Indian Head Wilderness and Hunter-West Kill Wilderness, Catskill Forest Preserve (Greene County) 25.2 miles Hard First-come lean-tos and designated tent sites, plus at-large camping below 3,500 feet
• Devils Dome Loop Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Pasayten Wilderness, off State Route 20 (east of Ross Lake) 41 miles Hard NPS-permitted camps on Ross Lake; dispersed and shelter camps in the Pasayten
• Dinosaur Valley Primitive Hike-in Camping Dinosaur Valley State Park (Glen Rose) 5 miles Moderate Seven primitive hike-in sites in the Acro Ridge backpacking area, 1 to 2.5 miles in across the Paluxy River
• Dolly Sods North Loop (Bear Rocks, Raven Ridge, Rocky Ridge) Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (Cheat-Potomac Ranger District; Bear Rocks trailhead on Forest Road 75) 12.3 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping at existing sites; no permit
• Dolly Sods Red Creek, Rocky Point, and Lions Head Loop Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (Cheat-Potomac Ranger District; Red Creek trailhead near Laneville) 8.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping at existing sites; no permit
• Doughton Park: Basin Cove Loop Doughton Park, Blue Ridge Parkway (Longbottom Road access, near Laurel Springs) 17.6 miles Hard Designated backcountry campground (eight sites); NPS permit required
• Dry River Trail to Lakes of the Clouds Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest (Crawford Notch) 12.6 miles Hard Dry River Shelter #3 and signed designated tentsites; no camping within 200 ft of trails otherwise
• Duck Harbor Lean-tos on Isle au Haut Acadia National Park, Isle au Haut (ferry from Stonington) 7.6 miles Moderate Five reserved lean-tos at Duck Harbor Campground; no other camping on the island
• Dugger Mountain via the Pinhoti Trail Dugger Mountain Wilderness, Talladega National Forest, Shoal Creek Ranger District (near Piedmont) 8.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; shelter north of the wilderness (no permit reported)
• Eagle Cap Lakes Basin via the West Fork Wallowa River Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Wallowa Lake Trailhead, south of Joseph) 33 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Columbia River Gorge and Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, Mt. Hood National Forest (near Cascade Locks) 26.1 miles Hard Backcountry camps above High Bridge; designated sites at Wahtum Lake
• Eagle Rock Loop Ouachita National Forest, Caddo/Womble Ranger District (west of Glenwood) 26.8 miles Hard Dispersed camping (no camping in the Albert Pike area); no permit reported
• East Fork State Park Backpack Trail East Fork State Park, Ohio State Parks (Clermont County, east of Cincinnati) 16 miles Moderate Two backpack camps with Adirondack shelters; free permit required; one night per site
• Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha (Desolation Wilderness) Desolation Wilderness, Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (Echo Summit, near South Lake Tahoe) 12.2 miles Moderate Wilderness camping by destination zone; overnight permit required year-round
• Eklutna Lakeside Trail Chugach State Park, Alaska State Parks (Eklutna Lake, northeast of Anchorage) 25.4 miles Moderate Backcountry campgrounds along the trail; reservable cabins and a hut
• Elk River Hiking Trail Elk City Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Montgomery County, near Independence) 15 miles Hard Primitive camping on Corps land; sources differ on where
• Elkhorn Crest Trail (Marble Pass to Anthony Lakes) Elkhorn Mountains, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and North Fork John Day Wilderness (west of Baker City) 24 miles Hard Dispersed camping, mostly at lakes below the crest
• Ellicott Rock Wilderness: Chattooga River Trail to Ellicott Rock Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Sumter National Forest (Andrew Pickens Ranger District), where South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia meet; Burrells Ford Road off SC 107 8 miles Moderate Primitive wilderness camping (no designated sites, no permit); groups of 6 or fewer
• Enchanted Valley via the East Fork Quinault Olympic National Park, Quinault Rain Forest (Graves Creek Trailhead, east of Lake Quinault) 26 miles Hard Established camps with privies; reserved wilderness permit required
• Escarpment Trail (East Windham to North-South Lake) Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness, Elm Ridge Wild Forest, and Kaaterskill Wild Forest, Catskill Forest Preserve (Greene County) 23.9 miles Hard Two first-come lean-tos with tent sites, plus at-large camping below 3,500 feet
• Fall Creek to Moose Lake Salmon-Challis National Forest, Lost River Ranger District (Pioneer Mountains, Wildhorse Creek area) 9.5 miles Hard Dispersed lakeside camping (no permit found)
• False Cape State Park via Back Bay False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Sandbridge, Virginia Beach) 13.8 miles Moderate Reserved primitive tent sites in four camping areas
• Fern Lake and Cub Lake Loop (Old Forest Inn and Fern Falls) Rocky Mountain National Park, National Park Service (Moraine Park, west of Estes Park) 10 miles Moderate Designated wilderness campsite; wilderness permit required
• Fiery Gizzard Trail (Grundy Forest to Foster Falls) Fiery Gizzard / South Cumberland, Cumberland Plateau 12.5 miles Hard Designated backcountry campgrounds, reservation required
• Fire Island Wilderness (Watch Hill to Smith Point) Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, Fire Island National Seashore (Long Island) 7 miles Moderate Permit required (Recreation.gov); dispersed camping in two zones, no assigned sites
• First Creek Trail to First Creek Lake (Mammoth Cave) Mammoth Cave National Park backcountry, north side 6.3 miles Moderate Designated backcountry campsites; permit required (Recreation.gov)
• Fish and Owl Canyons Loop Bears Ears National Monument, Cedar Mesa, BLM Monticello Field Office (off Utah Highway 261) 15.6 miles Hard Existing dispersed campsites; Cedar Mesa overnight permit required
• Flagg Mountain and the Pinhoti's Southern End Weogufka State Forest, Alabama Forestry Commission (Coosa County, near Weogufka) 6 miles Moderate Primitive sites, tent platforms, and a small shelter (reservations through the caretaker)
• Flat Mountain Pond Sandwich Range, White Mountain National Forest (Bennett Street trailhead, Sandwich) 9.6 miles Moderate Free first-come Forest Service shelter with overflow tent area
• Florida Trail along the Suwannee River (Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek) Suwannee River Water Management District lands and Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area (near Live Oak and Jasper) 10.3 miles Moderate Designated campsites and random camping on Water Management District land; river camp closed
• Florida Trail on the Cross Florida Greenway (Ross Prairie to Santos and Beyond) Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Florida State Parks Office of Greenways and Trails (south of Ocala) 43.8 miles Moderate Designated primitive campsites with a free permit; developed campgrounds at trailheads
• Florida Trail through Big Cypress National Preserve (Oasis to I-75) Big Cypress National Preserve, National Park Service (Oasis Visitor Center, Ochopee) 30.7 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites; free backcountry permit required
• Florida Trail through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor Counties, south of Tallahassee) 56 miles Hard Designated campsites by permit; only for hikers crossing the entire refuge
• Florida Trail through the Bradwell Bay Wilderness Bradwell Bay Wilderness, Apalachicola National Forest (south of Tallahassee, near Sopchoppy) 12 miles Hard Very few campsites; Bradwell Island is the only one in the bay
• Florida Trail, Little Big Econ State Forest (Econlockhatchee River) Little Big Econ State Forest, Florida Forest Service (Oviedo, Chuluota, and Geneva, east of Orlando) 9.8 miles Moderate Reserved designated campsites at West Camp
• Florida Trail: Alexander Springs to Juniper Springs (Ocala National Forest) Ocala National Forest, U.S. Forest Service (Alexander Springs to Juniper Springs) 16.9 miles Moderate Dispersed camping outside general gun season; developed campgrounds at both ends
• Florida Trail: Green Swamp West to Richloam Green Swamp West (Southwest Florida Water Management District) and Richloam Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest (near Dade City and Ridge Manor) 26 miles Moderate Designated campsites; free online registration (Green Swamp) and primitive camp zones (Richloam)
• Florida Trail: Hopkins Prairie to Lake Delancy (Ocala National Forest) Ocala National Forest, U.S. Forest Service (north of SR 40, near Salt Springs) 20.4 miles Moderate Dispersed camping outside general gun season; Hopkins Prairie, Grassy Pond, and Lake Delancy campsites
• Florida Trail: Juniper Springs to Hidden Pond (Juniper Prairie Wilderness) Juniper Prairie Wilderness, Ocala National Forest (Juniper Springs Recreation Area, east of Silver Springs) 12 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping year-round; Hidden Pond is the popular site
• Foothills Trail: Laurel Valley to Table Rock (Sassafras Mountain) Foothills Trail over Sassafras Mountain to Table Rock State Park, Pickens County 13 miles Hard Primitive camping along the trail (no permit); no camping on the Sassafras summit or in Table Rock State Park's trail system
• Foothills Trail: Oconee State Park to Upper Whitewater Falls Foothills Trail, Sumter National Forest (Andrew Pickens Ranger District) and Ellicott Rock area, Oconee County, to Upper Whitewater Falls (North Carolina line) 28 miles Hard Primitive camping along most of the trail (no permit); no camping in Oconee State Park; Burrells Ford walk-in Forest Service campground
• Foothills Trail: Upper Whitewater Falls to Laurel Valley (Jocassee Gorges) Foothills Trail through Duke Energy land, Gorges State Park (North Carolina) and the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges, Oconee and Pickens counties 32.6 miles Hard Primitive camping near the trail (no permit); no camping in the Whitewater Falls corridor
• Forney Ridge and Forney Creek Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Kuwohi Road, above Bryson City) 19 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites (permit and reservation required)
• Four Pass Loop (Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness) Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River National Forest (Maroon Lake, near Aspen) 26 miles Hard Zone-based camping with an advance overnight permit; designated sites at Crater Lake and Geneva Lake
• Franconia Ridge via Liberty Spring Tentsite Franconia Notch and Franconia Ridge, White Mountain National Forest (Lincoln/Franconia) 14 miles Hard AMC caretaker tentsite (first come, first served); AMC hut by reservation; no camping above treeline
• Freezeout Trail and Webster Lake Loop Baxter State Park, north end (Matagamon Gate) 35 miles Moderate Reserved backcountry lean-tos and tent sites
• French Creek Natural Area Custer State Park (near Custer) 12 miles Hard Primitive camping anywhere in the canyon bottom; self-registration required
• Frozen Head State Park Backcountry Frozen Head State Park, Cumberland Mountains (Morgan County) 14 miles Hard Designated backcountry sites (reservation required)
• Gahuti Backcountry Trail (Fort Mountain State Park) Fort Mountain State Park, Georgia State Parks (between Chatsworth and Ellijay) 8.2 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites by permit; reserve in advance
• Garden of the Gods Wilderness Loop (River to River Trail) Garden of the Gods Wilderness, Shawnee National Forest (near Herod) 15 miles Moderate Dispersed camping, no permit (wilderness rules apply)
• Gila Middle Fork–West Fork Loop Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (from Gila Cliff Dwellings) 35 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Gila River Trail: Grapevine to Sapillo Creek Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (Wilderness Ranger District) 30 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Glacial Lakes State Park Backpack Sites Glacial Lakes State Park (near Starbuck) 4 miles Moderate Four reservable backpack sites
• Glacier Trail to Phillips and Double Lakes Fitzpatrick Wilderness, Shoshone National Forest (Trail Lake Trailhead near Dubois) 22 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit reported
• Glade Creek Trail (New River Gorge) New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (Glade Creek trailhead at the end of Glade Creek Road, off WV 41 near Prince) 11.2 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry camping under park rules
• Goat Rocks: Snowgrass Flat and Goat Lake Loop Goat Rocks Wilderness, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Snowgrass Trailhead, south of Packwood) 13 miles Hard Established backcountry sites; no camping at Snowgrass Flat or Shoe Lake Basin; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Godwin Trail and the Bald Knob–Clear Springs Wildernesses Bald Knob and Clear Springs Wildernesses, Shawnee National Forest (near Alto Pass, Union County) 15 miles Hard Dispersed camping, no permit (not in natural areas)
• Goodwater Loop at Lake Georgetown Lake Georgetown, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Georgetown) 26.9 miles Moderate Three free primitive hike-in camps (Cedar Hollow, Sawyer, Walnut Springs); first come
• Goose Creek Trail and the Shafts (Lost Creek Wilderness) Lost Creek Wilderness, Pike National Forest (Goose Creek Trailhead, south of Bailey) 12.7 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued permit at the trailhead
• Gore Lake (Eagles Nest Wilderness) Eagles Nest Wilderness, White River National Forest (Gore Creek Trailhead, East Vail) 12 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued registration required
• Grace Ridge Trail (Kachemak Bay State Park) Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska State Parks (across Kachemak Bay from Homer, water taxi access) 9 miles Hard Campsites and yurts at both trailheads; undeveloped sites on the ridge approach
• Grafton Loop Trail Grafton Notch area, Newry 38.6 miles Hard Designated primitive campsites and AT lean-tos; no fires
• Grand Gulch: Kane Gulch to Bullet Canyon Bears Ears National Monument, Cedar Mesa, BLM Monticello Field Office (Utah Highway 261) 23 miles Hard Existing dispersed campsites; Cedar Mesa overnight permit required
• Grand Island Perimeter Loop Grand Island National Recreation Area, Hiawatha National Forest (Munising) 23 miles Moderate Reserved designated campsites (Recreation.gov) during peak season
• Grandaddy Basin Loop High Uintas Wilderness, Ashley National Forest (Grandview Trailhead) 14.5 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Grandfather Mountain Backcountry: Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Calloway Peak Grandfather Mountain State Park (Boone Fork parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway near MP 300) 6.5 miles Hard Designated backcountry sites and one shelter; reservation required
• Gray's Arch and Hanson's Point Loop Red River Gorge Geological Area, Daniel Boone National Forest (Tunnel Ridge Road, near Slade) 7.3 miles Moderate Dispersed, with setbacks; overnight parking permit required
• Great Gulf Trail to Spaulding Lake (Great Gulf Wilderness) Great Gulf Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest (Route 16, north of Pinkham Notch) 13 miles Hard Designated wilderness campsites in the lower valley; no camping above the Sphinx Trail
• Great Range Traverse High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Roostercomb trailhead to the Garden, Keene Valley) 23 miles Hard Designated sites and lean-tos only (Sno-bird, Slant Rock, Bushnell Falls, Johns Brook Valley); first come, first served
• Great Sand Dunes Backcountry (Camping on the Dunes) Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, National Park Service (San Luis Valley) 3 miles Moderate Non-designated camping in the Dunes Backcountry, or designated Sand Ramp Trail sites; permit required
• Green Lakes via Fall Creek Three Sisters Wilderness, Deschutes National Forest (Cascade Lakes Highway, west of Bend) 8.4 miles Moderate Designated campsites only (within 15 feet of a campsite post); Central Cascades Wilderness overnight permit
• Green Ridge Hiking Trail and C&O Canal Loop Green Ridge State Forest and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (near Flintstone and Little Orleans) 36 miles Moderate State forest backpack camping by registration; free first-come C&O hiker-biker sites on the towpath
• Greenleaf State Park: Ankle Express Trail Greenleaf State Park and Camp Gruber (near Braggs) 18 miles Hard Two primitive trail camps (Mary's Cove and North Primitive); register at the trailhead
• Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cades Cove; the bald sits on the Tennessee–North Carolina line) 11.4 miles Hard Backcountry campsites (permit and reservation required)
• Grewingk Glacier Lake (Glacier Lake and Saddle Trails) Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska State Parks (across Kachemak Bay from Homer, water taxi access) 5 miles Moderate Beach and backcountry campsites (Glacier Spit, Rusty's Lagoon, Grewingk Lake)
• Guadalupe Peak Wilderness Campground Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Pine Springs) 8.4 miles Hard Designated wilderness campground (5 sites); Wilderness Use Permit required
• Gunsight Pass Trail Glacier National Park (Jackson Glacier Overlook to Lake McDonald Lodge) 20.6 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds; NPS wilderness permit required
• Haleakalā Crater Traverse (Keoneheʻeheʻe to Palikū, Hōlua, and Halemauʻu) Haleakalā National Park, Summit District (East Maui) 20 miles Hard Two wilderness tent areas (Hōlua and Palikū); NPS permit on Recreation.gov required
• Haleakalā via Kaupō Gap (Keoneheʻeheʻe to Palikū and down the Kaupō Trail) Haleakalā National Park and Kaupō ranch lands (East Maui) 18 miles Hard Palikū wilderness tent area (or cabin, reserved separately); NPS permit on Recreation.gov required
• Harrison Lake (Selkirk Mountains) Idaho Panhandle National Forests (Pack River, north of Sandpoint) 4.6 miles Moderate Dispersed lakeside sites (no permit reported)
• Havasu Falls (Havasupai Indian Reservation) Havasupai Indian Reservation, administered by the Havasupai Tribe (Hualapai Hilltop, northwest Arizona) 20 miles Hard Havasupai Campground only; tribal reservation required (3-night stays)
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Coastal Backcountry: Keauhou and Halapē Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Kīlauea's south coast, Hawaiʻi Island) 18 miles Hard Designated coastal backcountry campsites with shelters; NPS permit required
• Hawn State Park: Whispering Pine Trail Hawn State Park, Missouri State Parks (near Ste. Genevieve) 10 miles Easy 10 designated backcountry sites; reservation or walk-up registration
• Hazel Creek: Proctor to Bone Valley Great Smoky Mountains National Park (north shore of Fontana Lake, by boat shuttle) 12 miles Moderate Designated backcountry campsites (permit and reservation required)
• Hazel Mountain, White Rocks and Hazel River Loop Shenandoah National Park, Central District (Meadow Spring parking, Skyline Drive mile 33.5) 8.5 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
• Heart Lake and Latir Mesa (Latir Peak Wilderness) Latir Peak Wilderness, Carson National Forest (Cabresto Lake, near Questa) 9 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; existing sites at least 300 feet from Heart Lake
• Heart Lake and Mount Sheridan Yellowstone National Park (Heart Lake Trailhead, South Entrance area) 23.7 miles Hard Designated Yellowstone backcountry campsites; permit required
• Hennepin Canal Towpath (Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park) Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Rock Falls to Colona, with the visitor center near Sheffield) 100 miles Easy Designated primitive campgrounds at locks and bridges; first come, first served
• Henry W. Coe State Park: Coe Ranch to Mississippi Lake Henry W. Coe State Park, California State Parks (Coe Ranch Entrance, east of Morgan Hill) 24 miles Hard Designated sites in the western area; dispersed in outlying zones; first-come permit
• Hercules Glades Wilderness to Long Creek Falls Mark Twain National Forest, Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District (near Bradleyville) 6.6 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Hickory Creek Trail (Hickory Creek Wilderness) Hickory Creek Wilderness, Allegheny National Forest (Bradford Ranger District) 11.6 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Hidden Forest Cabin and Hayford Peak Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Sheep Range (north of Las Vegas) 12 miles Hard Backcountry camping allowed on the refuge; camping near the historic cabin
• High Country Pathway Pigeon River Country State Forest (near Vanderbilt and Atlanta) 80 miles Hard State forest campgrounds along the route, plus dispersed camping with a posted registration card
• Highland Mary Lakes and Verde Lakes Loop Weminuche Wilderness, San Juan National Forest (Cunningham Gulch, east of Silverton) 7.7 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Highline Trail to Fifty Mountain Glacier National Park (Logan Pass to The Loop via Granite Park, Fifty Mountain, and Flattop) 30.8 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds; NPS wilderness permit required
• Hilgard Basin via Sentinel Creek Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Taylor-Hilgard Unit), Custer Gallatin National Forest (Potamogeton Park Trailhead off Beaver Creek Road, near Hebgen Lake) 17.4 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping at alpine lakes; no permit reported
• Hill Country State Natural Area Backcountry Camps Hill Country State Natural Area, Texas State Parks 6.5 miles Moderate Three hike-in backcountry camping areas (Wilderness, Butterfly Springs, Hermit's Shack)
• Hoh River Trail to Glacier Meadows Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest (end of Upper Hoh Road, east of US 101) 34.8 miles Hard Designated camps and river gravel bars; reserved wilderness permit required
• Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area Huron National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forests 7.6 miles Moderate Walk-in sites and dispersed camping; no permit found
• Horse Thief Spring Loop Ouachita National Forest, Winding Stair Mountain (Cedar Lake, south of Heavener) 12.7 miles Hard Primitive camping in the national forest; car camping at Cedar Lake
• Horseshoe Basin (Pasayten) Pasayten Wilderness, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (Iron Gate trailhead, west of Loomis) 14 miles Moderate Dispersed camping; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Hyalite Lake via Hyalite Creek Trail Hyalite Canyon, Custer Gallatin National Forest (Hyalite Creek Trailhead, south of Bozeman) 11 miles Moderate Dispersed camping at the lake; no camping within 1/2 mile of the road end except designated sites
• Ice Age Trail: Harrison Hills Segment Lincoln County Forest (between Tomahawk and Merrill) 15.6 miles Hard Primitive first-come lakeside sites (county forest)
• Ice Age Trail: Jerry Lake to Mondeaux Dam Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Medford-Park Falls Ranger District (Taylor County) 21.8 miles Moderate Primitive national forest camping; no permit
• Ice Age Trail: Kettle Moraine Northern Unit Shelters Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit, Wisconsin DNR (near Campbellsport) 31 miles Moderate Reservable trailside shelters only; one night per site
• Ice Age Trail: Kettle Moraine Southern Unit Shelters Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit, Wisconsin DNR (Whitewater to Eagle) 33 miles Moderate Three reservable trailside shelters only; one night per site
• Ice Lake and the Matterhorn (Eagle Cap Wilderness) Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Wallowa Lake Trailhead, south of Joseph) 15.4 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping at the lake; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Ice Lakes Basin (near Silverton) San Juan National Forest, Columbine Ranger District (South Mineral Creek, west of Silverton) 9 miles Hard Established campsites in the lower basin; designated camping areas only along South Mineral Road
• Illinois River Trail (Kalmiopsis Wilderness) Kalmiopsis Wilderness, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (Briggs Creek near Selma to Oak Flat near Agness) 29.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping
• Indian Cave State Park: Hardwood Trail and Shelters Indian Cave State Park (near Shubert) 7.1 miles Hard Adirondack shelters and trail campsites; check in at the park
• Indian Heaven Lakes Loop via Thomas Lake Indian Heaven Wilderness, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Thomas Lake Trailhead, Forest Road 65) 15 miles Moderate Designated sites near Thomas and Blue lakes; dispersed elsewhere; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Indian Pass Through-Hike (Adirondak Loj to Upper Works) High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid, to Upper Works, Newcomb) 9.5 miles Hard Lean-tos and established sites along the trail; first come, first served
• International Appalachian Trail through Katahdin Woods and Waters Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (east of Baxter State Park) 28.9 miles Hard Designated lean-tos and campsites; walk-ups allowed, reservations encouraged
• Irish Wilderness: Whites Creek Trail Mark Twain National Forest, Eleven Point/Doniphan Ranger District (off Highway J, south of US 60) 18.6 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Iron Mountain Trail: Damascus to Mount Rogers (2026 Appalachian Trail Detour) Iron Mountain, Flat Top, and Mount Rogers trails, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest (Damascus to Deep Gap) 20.9 miles Hard Historic shelters, a designated campsite, and dispersed sites on national forest land; no permit
• Isle Royale Feldtmann Loop Isle Royale National Park (Windigo) 30.1 miles Moderate First-come, first-served campgrounds; free small-party permit
• Isle Royale Greenstone Ridge Trail Isle Royale National Park (Windigo to Rock Harbor) 41.7 miles Hard First-come, first-served campgrounds with shelters and tent sites; free small-party permit
• Isle Royale Minong Ridge Trail Isle Royale National Park (McCargoe Cove to Windigo) 32.1 miles Hard First-come, first-served campgrounds; free small-party permit
• Itasca State Park Backcountry: Hernando DeSoto Lake Itasca State Park (near Park Rapids) 5.5 miles Moderate Reservable backpack sites (11 in the park)
• Jacks River Trail to Jacks River Falls (Cohutta Wilderness) Cohutta Wilderness, Chattahoochee National Forest, Conasauga Ranger District (Dally Gap to Alaculsy Valley, near Chatsworth) 16.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; check for restrictions near Jacks River Falls and Beech Bottom
• Jackson Red Ground Trail (Blackwater River State Forest) Blackwater River State Forest, Florida Forest Service (Red Rock to Karick Lake, northeast of Milton) 21.2 miles Moderate Designated campsites and shelters along the trail; developed campground at Karick Lake
• James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail (Black Rock Mountain State Park) Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia State Parks (Mountain City, Rabun County) 7.2 miles Hard Four designated backcountry campsites; advance reservations required
• Jay Cooke State Park Backcountry Jay Cooke State Park (near Carlton) 5.9 miles Moderate Four backpack sites south of the St. Louis River; reservation required
• Jefferson Park via Whitewater Trail Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette National Forest (near Detroit) 11 miles Moderate Designated sites near the lakes; Central Cascades Wilderness overnight permit
• Jewel Basin: Picnic Lakes to Black Lake Jewel Basin Hiking Area, Flathead National Forest (Camp Misery Trailhead, near Bigfork) 7 miles Moderate Dispersed camping allowed anywhere in the hiking area; no permit
• Johns Brook Valley to Mount Marcy High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park (the Garden trailhead, Keene Valley) 18 miles Hard Lean-tos and designated sites in Johns Brook Valley; first come, first served
• Johnson Lake Loop (Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness) Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (Middle Fork Trailhead off Moose Lake Road, south of Philipsburg) 16 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; mandatory free registration at the trailhead
• Johnson Pass Trail Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Kenai Peninsula, Iditarod National Historic Trail) 23 miles Moderate Designated backcountry campsites, most with bear-resistant food lockers
• Jordan Valley Pathway Jordan River Valley state forest land (near Alba and Mancelona) 18.8 miles Moderate Pinney Bridge hike-in state forest campground only; first come, first served
• Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock: Naked Ground and the Hangover Loop Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, Nantahala National Forest (near Robbinsville) 13.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit for individuals; group limit 10)
• K'esugi Ridge Trail Denali State Park, Alaska State Parks (Parks Highway, north of Talkeetna) 27.4 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; designated area near Skinny Lake
• Kab-Ash Trail to Red Pine and Blueberry Ridge Voyageurs National Park (Kabetogama and Ash River) 6.4 miles Hard Two reservable primitive hike-in sites
• Kalalau Trail (Kēʻē Beach to Kalalau Beach) Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park and Hāʻena State Park, Hawaiʻi State Parks (north shore of Kauaʻi) 22 miles Hard Two authorized camping areas (Hanakoa and Kalalau); state camping permit required
• Katahdin Lake and Martin Ponds Baxter State Park, Katahdin Lake sector (Avalanche Field, Roaring Brook Road) 4.6 miles Moderate Three reserved backcountry lean-tos (Martin Ponds, North and South Katahdin Lake)
• Kekekabic Trail Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Gunflint Trail to Snowbank Lake Road) 41 miles Hard BWCAW designated campsites; quota permit May 1-Sept. 30, self-issued Oct. 1-April 30
• Kendrick Peak (Kendrick Mountain Wilderness) Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, Kaibab National Forest (northwest of Flagstaff) 9 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported); no camping at the trailhead
• Kentucky Trail (Big South Fork) Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky side (near Pine Knot) 19 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping with NPS setbacks; permit required
• Keowee-Toxaway State Park: Raven Rock Trail Keowee-Toxaway State Park, Lake Keowee, Pickens County (SC 11) 4.2 miles Hard Four designated backcountry trailside sites
• Kilkenny Ridge Trail White Mountain National Forest, Kilkenny section (Stark to Jefferson) 25.8 miles Hard Free Forest Service tentsites (Rogers Ledge, Unknown Pond) and the Mt. Cabot cabin; first come, first served
• Kings Mountain National Recreation Trail Loop (Garner Creek Campsite) Kings Mountain National Military Park and Kings Mountain State Park, on the North Carolina line 16 miles Hard One designated backcountry campsite (Garner Creek); free permit, first come, first served
• Kings Peak via Henrys Fork High Uintas Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Mountain View Ranger District) 26.2 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit; Dollar Lake and Henrys Fork Lake are common base camps
• Kisatchie Loop: Backbone, Sandstone, and Caroline Dormon Trails Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie Ranger District (south of Natchitoches) 28 miles Moderate Primitive camping along the trails; walk-in sites at Kisatchie Bayou Campground
• Knobstone Trail North: Leota to Delaney Park Jackson-Washington State Forest, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry (near Salem) 24 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; register with DNR dispatch
• Knobstone Trail South: Deam Lake to Leota Clark State Forest and Jackson-Washington State Forest, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry (north of Louisville) 26 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; register with DNR dispatch
• La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons (Lee Pass Trailhead, off I-15) 14 miles Moderate Thirteen designated creekside sites; wilderness permit required
• Lake Chicot Loop, Chicot State Park Chicot State Park (north of Ville Platte) 20 miles Moderate Six backcountry campsites along the trail; check in with the park
• Lake Colden via Marcy Dam and Avalanche Pass High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Adirondak Loj trailhead, Lake Placid) 12 miles Hard Lean-tos and designated campsites at Marcy Dam and Lake Colden; first come, first served
• Lake Maria State Park Backpack Sites Lake Maria State Park (near Monticello) 2 miles Easy 17 reservable backpack sites; no drive-in campground
• Lake of the Ozarks State Park: Woodland Trail Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Missouri State Parks (Kaiser) 3.4 miles Moderate One designated backpack camp; registration required
• Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) Ouachita National Forest, Caddo-Womble Ranger District (south shore of Lake Ouachita, near Mountain Pine) 38.7 miles Hard Dispersed camping in the national forest; Corps of Engineers and state park campgrounds along the route
• Lamoille Lake to Liberty Lake (Ruby Mountains) Ruby Mountains Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (top of Lamoille Canyon, southeast of Elko) 8.4 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping on established sites; no permit
• Laurel Fork Trail and Dennis Cove Loop Cherokee National Forest, Carter County (Pond Mountain area) 19 miles Hard Dispersed camping; AT shelters; Dennis Cove Campground nearby
• Laurel Fork Wilderness South Loop Laurel Fork South Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (Forest Road 14, Middle Mountain Road, south of US 33 at Wymer) 10.3 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Laurel Ridge State Park and Ohiopyle State Park (Ohiopyle to Seward) 70 miles Hard Eight reserved shelter areas only; one night per area
• Lawn Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park) Rocky Mountain National Park, National Park Service (Lawn Lake Trailhead, Fall River Road, Mummy Range) 12.8 miles Hard Designated wilderness campsites; wilderness permit required
• Lightning Spring and Bybee Creek, Crater Lake Crater Lake National Park (West Rim Drive) 8.4 miles Moderate Designated backcountry sites assigned with a free permit, or dispersed camping by permit
• Limpia Canyon Primitive Area (Davis Mountains) Davis Mountains State Park 10.4 miles Hard Six primitive hike-in campsites (up to 4 people each)
• Linville Gorge: Shortoff Mountain via Wolf Pit Linville Gorge Wilderness, Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest (Wolf Pit Road trailhead, near Lake James) 4.6 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness campsites; permit required on weekends and holidays, May through October
• Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest (Mosquito Flat, end of Rock Creek Road) 7.2 miles Moderate Wilderness camping with a quota permit
• Little Yosemite Valley and Half Dome Yosemite Wilderness, Yosemite National Park (Happy Isles, Yosemite Valley) 15 miles Hard Designated backpackers' campground; wilderness permit required
• Logan Trail at Tar Hollow Tar Hollow State Park and State Forest (near Kingston and Chillicothe) 21 miles Hard Backpack camp at the fire tower, first come, first served, registration required; a second forest camp reported on the South Loop
• Lone Peak via Jacob's Ladder Lone Peak Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (above Draper) 15.6 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit found
• Lone Star Hiking Trail: Central Section Sam Houston National Forest (Stubblefield to FM 945) 60 miles Moderate Dispersed camping most of the year; designated camps only from Sept. 26 to Jan. 8
• Lone Star Hiking Trail: Lake Conroe Section Sam Houston National Forest (Richards to Stubblefield) 40 miles Moderate Dispersed camping most of the year; designated camps only from Sept. 26 to Jan. 8
• Lone Star Hiking Trail: Winters Bayou and Tarkington Section Sam Houston National Forest (FM 945 to FM 1725, near Cleveland) 27 miles Moderate Dispersed camping most of the year (none in Big Creek Scenic Area); designated camps only from Sept. 26 to Jan. 8
• Long Trail: Breadloaf Wilderness (Middlebury Gap to Lincoln Gap) Long Trail, Breadloaf Wilderness, Green Mountain National Forest (Ripton, Hancock, Granville, Warren, Lincoln; VT 125 to Lincoln Gap Road) 17 miles Hard Free first-come shelters and lodges with privies; wilderness rules; two-night shelter limit
• Long Trail: Bromley Mountain, Griffith Lake, and Baker Peak (VT 11/30 to USFS 10) Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, Green Mountain National Forest, Peru Peak and Big Branch Wildernesses (Peru, Mount Tabor, Danby; VT 11/30 to USFS 10) 17.3 miles Hard Free first-come shelters and a caretaker-staffed tenting area at Griffith Lake; designated sites only near the lake
• Long Trail: Camel's Hump (Appalachian Gap to the Winooski River) Long Trail through Camel's Hump State Park (Fayston, Huntington, Duxbury; VT 17 at Appalachian Gap to Duxbury Road near the Winooski River) 18.7 miles Hard GMC shelters, a lodge, and the Hump Brook Tenting Area only; no camping above 2,500 feet; two-night limit
• Long Trail: Jay Peak to Journey's End (Jay Pass to the Canadian Border) Long Trail over Jay Peak and the northern ridges, state and private land (Westfield, Jay, Troy, North Troy; VT 242 at Jay Pass to the U.S.-Canada border and Journey's End Road) 13.3 miles Hard Free first-come shelters and camps with privies; no tenting above 2,500 feet
• Long Trail: Johnson to Jay Pass (Belvidere Mountain and Hazen's Notch) Long Trail through Long Trail State Forest and other state and private land (Johnson, Eden, Belvidere, Lowell, Montgomery, Westfield; VT 15 to VT 242 at Jay Pass) 37.9 miles Hard Free first-come shelters and camps with privies; no tenting above 2,500 feet
• Long Trail: Killington Peak (Clarendon Gorge to US 4) Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, Green Mountain National Forest and state land (Clarendon, Shrewsbury, Mendon, Killington; VT 103 to US 4) 17.4 miles Hard Free first-come shelters only; no camping except at shelters in the Killington area
• Long Trail: Little Rock Pond, White Rocks, and Clarendon Gorge (USFS 10 to VT 103) Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, Green Mountain National Forest (Mount Tabor, Wallingford, Clarendon; USFS 10 to VT 103) 14.8 miles Moderate Free first-come shelters and a caretaker-staffed tenting area at Little Rock Pond; designated sites only near the pond; no camping near Clarendon Gorge
• Long Trail: Monroe Skyline (Lincoln Gap to Appalachian Gap) Long Trail over Mount Abraham, Lincoln Peak, and Mount Ellen; Green Mountain National Forest, ski-area land, and state land (Lincoln, Warren, Fayston; Lincoln Gap Road to VT 17) 11.5 miles Hard Free first-come shelters and a lodge; no tenting above 2,500 feet
• Long Trail: Mount Mansfield (Winooski River to Smugglers' Notch) Long Trail through Bolton and Mount Mansfield State Forest (Duxbury, Bolton, Underhill, Stowe; Duxbury Road and US 2 to VT 108 in Smugglers' Notch) 26.1 miles Hard GMC shelters, lodges, and the Twin Brooks Tenting Area only; no camping on Mount Mansfield's natural area or above 2,500 feet
• Long Trail: Route 9 to Kelley Stand Road (Glastenbury Mountain) Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, Glastenbury Wilderness, Green Mountain National Forest (Woodford, Glastenbury, Stratton; VT 9 to Kelley Stand Road) 22.1 miles Hard Four free, first-come shelters with privies; wilderness rules in the Glastenbury Wilderness
• Long Trail: Sterling Pond and Whiteface Mountain (Smugglers' Notch to Johnson) Long Trail on state land north of Smugglers' Notch (Cambridge, Stowe, Morristown, Johnson; VT 108 to VT 15) 15 miles Hard Free first-come shelters, including a caretaker-staffed pond; no tenting above 2,500 feet
• Long Trail: Stratton Mountain and Stratton Pond (Kelley Stand Road to VT 11/30) Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, Green Mountain National Forest and Lye Brook Wilderness (Stratton, Winhall, Manchester; Kelley Stand Road to VT 11/30) 17.5 miles Hard Free first-come shelters, a caretaker-staffed pond with designated tenting areas; no camping on Stratton Mountain
• Long Trail: Williamstown to Route 9 (Southern Terminus, Seth Warner, and Harmon Hill) Long Trail/Appalachian Trail from the Massachusetts line to VT 9, Stamford, Readsboro, Woodford, and Bennington area (approach from Williamstown or North Adams, Massachusetts) 17 miles Moderate Two free, first-come shelters with privies; camp at designated sites
• Loon Lake Loop (Payette National Forest) Payette National Forest, McCall Ranger District (Chinook Campground, north of McCall) 10.9 miles Moderate Dispersed lakeside sites (no permit reported)
• Loowit Trail Around Mount St. Helens Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (common starts: Climbers Bivouac, Ape Canyon, Windy Ridge) 30 miles Hard Dispersed camping outside the restricted blast-zone segment; no permit required
• Lost Coast Trail (Mattole to Black Sands Beach) King Range Wilderness, King Range National Conservation Area, Bureau of Land Management (Humboldt County) 24.6 miles Hard Beach and creek-mouth camping with a wilderness permit
• Lost Lake and Primrose Trails Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Iditarod National Historic Trail, north of Seward) 14.8 miles Hard Designated campsites, some with bear boxes; one reservable cabin off the Lost Lake Trail
• Lost Maples East and West Trail Loop Lost Maples State Natural Area (near Vanderpool) 10.4 miles Moderate Primitive hike-in camping areas A, B, D, E, F, G, H; sites not assigned
• Lost Twin Lakes from West Tensleep Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest (West Tensleep Trailhead north of Ten Sleep) 12 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued registration required
• Low Gap Trail, Morgan-Monroe State Forest Morgan-Monroe State Forest Back Country Area, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry (south of Martinsville) 10 miles Hard Backcountry camping in the Back Country Area with registration
• Lower Muley Twist Canyon and Halls Creek Loop Capitol Reef National Park, Waterpocket District (Burr Trail Road) 22.8 miles Hard At-large backcountry camping; free permit required
• Loyalsock Trail Loyalsock State Forest and Worlds End State Park (Lycoming and Sullivan Counties) 59.2 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land; designated sites only in Worlds End State Park
• Lusk Creek Wilderness Loop Lusk Creek Wilderness, Shawnee National Forest (near Eddyville, Pope County) 25.5 miles Hard Dispersed camping, no permit (wilderness rules apply; none in the nature preserve)
• Maah Daah Hey Trail: Burning Coal Vein to Rough Rider State Park Little Missouri National Grassland, Medora Ranger District (south of Medora) 47.2 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national grassland; Forest Service campgrounds at Burning Coal Vein and Coal Creek; state park campground at the north end
• Maah Daah Hey Trail: Magpie to CCC Campground Little Missouri National Grassland, Medora and McKenzie Ranger Districts (south of Watford City) 46 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national grassland; Forest Service campgrounds at Magpie, Bennett (side trail), and CCC
• Maah Daah Hey Trail: Rough Rider State Park to Magpie Little Missouri National Grassland and Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit (Medora) 50 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national grassland; Forest Service campgrounds at Wannagan, Elkhorn, and Magpie; backcountry camping by free permit inside the national park
• Main Eagle Creek to Eagle Lake (Eagle Cap Wilderness) Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Main Eagle Trailhead, near Boulder Park Campground) 13.4 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Mallard-Larkins: Smith Ridge to Heart Lake Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (north of the North Fork Clearwater River) 16.5 miles Hard Dispersed lakeside camping (no permit reported)
• Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail Loop Huron-Manistee National Forests (near Mesick and Wellston) 20 miles Moderate Dispersed and established primitive sites; no permit required
• Manning Camp via Douglas Spring Trail (Saguaro National Park) Saguaro Wilderness, Rincon Mountain District, Saguaro National Park (east of Tucson) 24.8 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds only; backcountry permit required
• Marion Lake and Granite Canyon (Teton Village tram to Granite Canyon) Grand Teton National Park (Teton Village and Granite Canyon Trailhead, south end of the park) 15 miles Hard Grand Teton backcountry camping zones; permit required
• Marten and Kelly Lakes via Trap Creek Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Trap Creek, west of Stanley off Idaho Highway 21) 10 miles Moderate Dispersed lakeside camping (no permit found)
• Marufo Vega Trail Big Bend National Park (Rio Grande, above Boquillas Canyon) 14 miles Hard Desert wilderness zone camping; permit required
• Massanutten Trail: Signal Knob Loop Massanutten Mountain, George Washington National Forest (Fort Valley Road near Strasburg and Front Royal) 10.2 miles Hard Dispersed primitive campsites; no permit found
• Mauna Loa Summit Cabin via the Observatory Trail Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Loa summit (reached from Mauna Loa Observatory Road off Highway 200, Hawaiʻi Island) 12 miles Hard Backcountry cabin (Mauna Loa Summit Cabin); NPS permit required
• McDill Point via the Pinhoti and Cave Creek Trails Cheaha Wilderness, Talladega National Forest, Talladega Ranger District (next to Cheaha State Park) 7 miles Moderate Dispersed campsites near the overlook (no permit reported)
• McGee Creek Natural Scenic Recreation Area McGee Creek State Park, McGee Creek Natural Scenic Recreation Area (near Atoka) 9.1 miles Moderate Designated backpacker camps only; free self-registration permit
• McKittrick Canyon to McKittrick Ridge Guadalupe Mountains National Park (McKittrick Canyon) 15.2 miles Hard Designated wilderness campground (McKittrick Ridge); Wilderness Use Permit required
• Meramec State Park: Wilderness Trail Meramec State Park, Missouri State Parks 8.3 miles Easy Eight designated backpack camps; free registration required
• Mid State Trail: Little Juniata River to Detweiler Run Rothrock State Forest (Barree to Detweiler Junction) 32 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land, one night per location; none in Natural Areas or the State College water authority watershed
• Middle Fork Gila to Jordan Hot Springs Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (near Gila Cliff Dwellings) 13.6 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Minister Creek Trail Allegheny National Forest (Minister Creek Recreation Area, Bradford Ranger District) 6.3 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry sites (Triple Forks); six-site campground at the trailhead
• Missouri Lakes and Fancy Pass Loop (Holy Cross Wilderness) Holy Cross Wilderness, White River National Forest, Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District (near Minturn) 8.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping with a free self-registration permit
• Mistymoon Lake and Cloud Peak from West Tensleep Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest (West Tensleep Trailhead north of Ten Sleep) 23 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued registration required
• Mogollon Crest Trail to Mogollon Baldy Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (Sandy Point, east of Glenwood) 23.6 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit; no camping at the lookout
• Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Monadnock State Park to Mount Sunapee State Park (Jaffrey to Newbury), mostly private land 49 miles Hard Five free lean-tos and one tent platform site; designated sites only, first come, first served
• Monarch Lakes (Mineral King) Sequoia National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Mineral King, east of Three Rivers) 8.4 miles Hard Backcountry camping area with a bear box and pit toilet; wilderness permit required
• Mount Adams: Round the Mountain, PCT and Highline Traverse Mount Adams Wilderness, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Cold Springs to Muddy Meadows trailheads, north of Trout Lake) 21 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Mount Baldy Loop (East and West Baldy Trails) Mount Baldy Wilderness, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (AZ 273, near Greer and Sunrise) 16 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; groups of 6 or fewer for camping
• Mount Cammerer via Low Gap and the Appalachian Trail Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cosby, Tennessee) 11.2 miles Hard Backcountry shelters and campsite (permit and reservation required)
• Mount Greylock Hopper Loop: Money Brook, Wilbur's Clearing, and the Summit Mount Greylock State Reservation (Williamstown, North Adams, Adams, New Ashford, Lanesborough) 11 miles Hard Free first-come lean-to shelters year-round; reservable hike-in Sperry Road Campground in season
• Mount Moriah via Hendrys Creek and The Table Mount Moriah Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and BLM (northern Snake Range, near Baker) 19 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no designated sites
• Mount Pleasant Loop (Henry Lanum Trail) Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area, George Washington National Forest (Hog Camp Gap area, Amherst County) 6.2 miles Moderate Dispersed summit and ridge campsites; first come, first served
• Mount Rogers and Wilburn Ridge Loop from Fairwood Valley (Old Orchard, The Scales, Thomas Knob) Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Lewis Fork Wilderness, Jefferson National Forest (VA 603 near Troutdale and Konnarock) 21.4 miles Hard Dispersed camping and Appalachian Trail shelters on national forest land; no permit
• Mount Rogers Loop from Massie Gap (Wilburn Ridge, Rhododendron Gap, and Pine Mountain) Grayson Highlands State Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest (near Mouth of Wilson and Troutdale) 15.2 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national forest land only; no backcountry camping in the state park; overnight parking by reservation
• Mount Sterling Fire Tower and Campsite 38 Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Mount Sterling Gap, above Cataloochee) 5.5 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsite (permit and reservation required)
• Mount Timpanogos via Timpooneke Mount Timpanogos Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Pleasant Grove Ranger District) 15.7 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping in Timpanogos Basin; no permit found; rules unconfirmed
• Mount Whitney Trail (Overnight) Mount Whitney Zone, John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest (Whitney Portal, west of Lone Pine) 22 miles Hard Designated camping areas; lottery permit required
• Mount Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail (Baldy Saddle) Mount Wrightson Wilderness, Coronado National Forest, Nogales Ranger District (Madera Canyon, south of Tucson) 10.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping at the trailhead
• Mountain Bridge Wilderness: Jones Gap–Caesars Head Loop Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area (Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks), northern Greenville County 28.5 miles Easy Designated trailside campsites; reservation and check-in required
• Mountain Lake Wilderness Loop: War Spur, Lone Pine Peak, and Wind Rock Mountain Lake Wilderness, Eastern Divide Ranger District, Jefferson National Forest (VA 613 near Mountain Lake and Newport) 8.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit; groups of 10 or fewer
• Muliwai Trail to Waimanu Valley Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR), Hāmākua Coast, near Waipiʻo Valley 18 miles Hard Nine designated campsites in Waimanu Valley; state camping permit required
• Mullica River Trail Wharton State Forest (Batsto to Atsion) 9.4 miles Moderate Hike-in or paddle-in wilderness campground; permit required, reserve online
• Myakka Hiking Trail (Myakka River State Park) Myakka River State Park, Florida State Parks (near Sarasota) 39 miles Moderate Six designated primitive campsites; reservations required
• Nahmakanta Great Circle Trail and Debsconeag Backcountry Nahmakanta Public Lands (Jo-Mary Road, west of Millinocket) 30 miles Moderate Primitive pondside campsites with privies and fire rings; first come, first served
• Nāpau Trail to Nāpau Crater (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes) Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Kīlauea East Rift Zone, Hawaiʻi Island) 12 miles Hard One backcountry campsite near the Nāpau Crater overlook (two tents); NPS permit required
• Natchaug and Nipmuck Trails (Goodwin State Forest to Bigelow Hollow) Goodwin, Natchaug, and Nipmuck State Forests and Yale-Myers Forest (Hampton to Union, northeastern Connecticut) 32 miles Hard Designated backpack sites only; permit by application; one night per site
• Naturalist Basin via the Highline Trail High Uintas Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Mirror Lake Highway) 13 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Necklace Valley Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (Foss River Road, near Skykomish) 18 miles Hard Dispersed camping at established sites; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Neighbor Mountain and Jeremys Run Loop Shenandoah National Park, North District (Elkwallow, Skyline Drive mile 24) 14 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
• Neusiok Trail Croatan National Forest (Pine Cliff Recreation Area to Oyster Point, near Havelock and Newport) 20.4 miles Moderate Three trail shelters and dispersed campsites; first come, first served
• New England Trail: Mount Grace to Royalston Falls New England National Scenic Trail (Metacomet-Monadnock Trail), Mount Grace State Forest, Warwick State Forest, and Royalston Falls Reservation (Warwick and Royalston) 9.6 miles Moderate First-come lean-tos at Mount Grace and Royalston Falls; reservable cabin and tent platforms on Stratton Mountain
• Newfound Gap to Icewater Spring Shelter and Charlies Bunion Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Appalachian Trail along the Tennessee–North Carolina line) 8 miles Hard Backcountry shelter (permit and reservation required)
• Newport State Park: Europe Bay Loop and Backpack Sites Newport State Park, Wisconsin DNR (Door County) 7 miles Moderate Designated hike-in backpack sites; reservation required
• Noland Creek to Mill Creek Campsite Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Lakeview Drive, the 'Road to Nowhere,' near Bryson City) 8.2 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites (permit and reservation required)
• Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Manistee National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forests (between Manistee and Ludington) 6.5 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• North Circle Loop Glacier National Park (Many Glacier, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Belly River, Stoney Indian Pass, Fifty Mountain, Granite Park) 52 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds; NPS wilderness permit required
• North Country Trail: Lonetree Wildlife Management Area Lonetree Wildlife Management Area (Harvey) 32 miles Moderate Free primitive campgrounds with pumps along the trail; camping elsewhere on the WMA allowed unless posted (state rules)
• North Country Trail: Porcupine Lake Wilderness to Drummond Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (between Grand View and Drummond) 14 miles Moderate Dispersed national forest camping; no permit
• North Country Trail: Rainbow Lake Wilderness Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (near Drummond) 7.9 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• North Country Trail: Route 59 to Red Bridge Allegheny National Forest, Allegheny (Kinzua) Reservoir 12.5 miles Moderate Dispersed camping with reservoir and road setbacks; Chappel Fork Shelter; Red Bridge campground at the end
• North Country Trail: Sheyenne National Grassland Sheyenne National Grassland, Sheyenne Ranger District (Lisbon) 30 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on the grassland away from trailheads; Jorgen's Hollow Campground near the eastern trailhead
• North Fork Mountain Trail Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Monongahela National Forest (Cheat-Potomac Ranger District; Smoke Hole Road near Petersburg to US 33 west of Franklin) 24 miles Hard Dispersed ridgetop camping; no permit
• North Loop Trail to Charleston Peak Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (northwest of Las Vegas) 20.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no designated sites
• North Manitou Island Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (ferry from Leland) 14.2 miles Moderate Wilderness dispersed camping by backcountry permit, plus an 8-site village campground
• North Sylamore Creek Trail Ozark National Forest (Blanchard Springs area, near Big Flat) 23.4 miles Hard Backpack camping permitted along the trail; fee campgrounds at Barkshed, Gunner Pool, and Blanchard Springs
• North-South Trail (Rhode Island) Western Rhode Island, Massachusetts line (Buck Hill Management Area) to Blue Shutters Beach, Charlestown 77 miles Moderate Designated camping only: state and private campgrounds near the trail, plus the Frosty Hollow backcountry area in Arcadia; no dispersed camping
• North/South Trail, North End (Land Between the Lakes) Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, USDA Forest Service (North Welcome Station near Grand Rivers to Golden Pond) 31 miles Moderate Dispersed camping 50 feet off the trail, plus backcountry shelters; camping permit required
• Northville-Placid Trail: Benson to Piseco Silver Lake Wilderness and Jessup River Wild Forest, Adirondack Park (Benson Road to Piseco) 30.7 miles Moderate Lean-tos and undeveloped sites on state land; first come, first served
• Northville-Placid Trail: Long Lake to Lake Placid High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Long Lake to Averyville Road, Lake Placid) 38 miles Hard Lean-tos and designated tent sites; first come, first served
• Northville-Placid Trail: Piseco to Lake Durant West Canada Lake Wilderness, Moose River Plains, and Blue Ridge Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Piseco to Lake Durant) 43.4 miles Hard Lean-tos, primitive sites, and a state campground at the north end; first come, first served on the trail
• Oak Mountain State Park Backcountry (Blue and White Trails) Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama State Parks (Pelham, south of Birmingham) 13 miles Hard Designated backcountry sites (reserve by phone, register before sunset)
• Obed Wild and Scenic River: Cumberland Trail to Devils Breakfast Table Obed Wild and Scenic River, Cumberland Plateau (Morgan and Cumberland counties) 14.2 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping (free permit required); Rock Creek Campground at the trailhead
• Obsidian Trail to Obsidian Falls Three Sisters Wilderness, Willamette National Forest (McKenzie Highway, OR 242) 10.6 miles Hard Limited-entry overnight permit for the Obsidian area; no camping within 100 feet of water
• Ocean to Lake Trail: Luckey Hammock to Kitching Creek (Jonathan Dickinson State Park) Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area, Riverbend Park, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Jupiter area) 10.7 miles Hard Designated campsites only (Luckey Hammock, Cypress Creek East, Kitching Creek)
• Odum Scout Trail from High Falls Cheaha Wilderness, Talladega National Forest, Talladega Ranger District (near Pyriton) 9.4 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Old Loggers Path Loyalsock State Forest (Masten, Lycoming County) 27.8 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land; two first-come lean-tos
• Olympic South Coast: Third Beach to Oil City Olympic National Park coast, between La Push and the Hoh River mouth 17 miles Hard Beach and bluff camps above the tide line; reserved wilderness permit required
• One Horse Gap Loop Shawnee National Forest, North Benham Ridge area (near Herod, Pope County) 20 miles Moderate Dispersed camping, no permit
• Otter Creek Trail (Otter Creek Wilderness) Otter Creek Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (Cheat-Potomac Ranger District; Dry Fork trailhead off WV 72 and Condon Run trailhead on Forest Road 91) 11.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Ouachita Trail: Flatside Wilderness (Oak Mountain Shelter to Brown Creek Shelter) Flatside Wilderness, Ouachita National Forest, Jessieville-Winona-Fourche Ranger District (west of Lake Maumelle) 15.1 miles Hard Trail shelters at each end; dispersed wilderness camping
• Ouachita Trail: Queen Wilhelmina State Park to US 71 Ouachita National Forest and Queen Wilhelmina State Park (Rich Mountain, northwest of Mena) 16.5 miles Hard Dispersed camping in the national forest; no stealth camping inside the state park
• Ouachita Trail: Talimena State Park to Winding Stair Ouachita National Forest and Talimena State Park (Winding Stair Mountain, northeast of Talihina) 23.7 miles Hard Trail shelters, primitive campsites, and a backpackers camp at Winding Stair Campground
• Ouachita Trail: Winding Stair to Queen Wilhelmina State Park Ouachita National Forest, Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness, and Rich Mountain (Big Cedar area to the Arkansas line) 27.9 miles Hard Trail shelters and primitive campsites in the national forest
• Outer Mountain Loop Big Bend National Park (Chisos Mountains and desert) 30 miles Hard Desert wilderness zones plus designated High Chisos backpacking sites; permit required
• Overland Lake from Ruby Valley (Ruby Mountains) Ruby Mountains Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (east side of the range, Ruby Valley) 11.4 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping at the lake; no permit
• Ozark Highlands Trail: Hurricane Creek Wilderness (Big Piney to Fairview) Hurricane Creek Wilderness, Ozark National Forest, Big Piney Ranger District 20 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Ozark Highlands Trail: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain Lake Fort Smith State Park and Ozark National Forest (Boston Mountains) 17.4 miles Hard Dispersed camping along the trail after about mile 5; White Rock Mountain campground at the end
• Ozark Highlands Trail: Richland Creek Wilderness (Fairview to Richland Creek) Richland Creek Wilderness area, Ozark National Forest, Big Piney Ranger District (near Ben Hur and Pelsor) 19.4 miles Hard Dispersed camping (no permit reported); Richland Creek Campground at the east end
• Ozark Trail: Between the Rivers Section Mark Twain National Forest, Eleven Point Ranger District (Carter, Ripley, and Oregon counties) 29 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on national forest land
• Ozark Trail: Blair Creek Section Mark Twain National Forest, Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry, and Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Shannon County) 27 miles Moderate Dispersed camping; rules differ on national forest, Pioneer Forest/state park, and National Park Service land
• Ozark Trail: Courtois Section Mark Twain National Forest and Huzzah Conservation Area (Crawford and Washington counties) 48 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on national forest land; designated camping only on Huzzah Conservation Area
• Ozark Trail: Current River Section Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Peck Ranch Conservation Area, and Mark Twain National Forest (Shannon and Carter counties) 30 miles Moderate Dispersed camping under NPS and Forest Service rules; no camping in Peck Ranch
• Ozark Trail: Eleven Point Section Mark Twain National Forest, Eleven Point Ranger District (Oregon County) 29 miles Easy Dispersed camping on national forest land; Greer and McCormack Lake campgrounds
• Ozark Trail: Karkaghne Section Mark Twain National Forest, Potosi/Fredericktown and Salem Ranger Districts (Reynolds and Shannon counties) 29 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on national forest land; Sutton Bluff campground
• Ozark Trail: Middle Fork (John Roth Memorial) Section Mark Twain National Forest, Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District (Iron and Reynolds counties) 24 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on national forest land
• Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section Johnson's Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain State Parks, Mark Twain National Forest, and MDC land (Iron and Reynolds counties) 35 miles Easy Dispersed camping with free state park registration; no-camping zones and a campfire ban on park land
• Ozark Trail: Trace Creek Section Mark Twain National Forest, Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District (Washington and Iron counties) 26 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on national forest land; Hazel Creek and Council Bluff campgrounds nearby
• Ozette Triangle (Cape Alava and Sand Point) Olympic National Park coast, Lake Ozette (end of Hoko-Ozette Road, off SR 112) 9.2 miles Easy Beach camps at Cape Alava and Sand Point; permits limited year-round
• Pachaug-Nehantic Loop and Mount Misery (Pachaug State Forest) Pachaug State Forest, Connecticut DEEP (Voluntown and Griswold, eastern Connecticut) 31 miles Moderate Designated backpack lean-tos only; permit by application; one night per site
• Pacific Crest Trail: Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass (Section J) Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests (I-90 to U.S. 2) 71 miles Hard Dispersed camping at lakes and established sites; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Paddy Creek Wilderness: Big Piney Trail Mark Twain National Forest, Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District (Texas County, southwest of Rolla) 17 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Paint Rock Unit to Camp Hennessy Yellow River State Forest, Paint Rock Unit (Allamakee County, north of Waukon Junction) 3 miles Moderate Walk-in backpack camp
• Paintbrush Canyon and Cascade Canyon Loop (Paintbrush Divide and Lake Solitude) Grand Teton National Park (String Lake Trailhead) 19 miles Hard Grand Teton backcountry camping zones and Holly Lake sites; permit required
• Palmetto Trail: Swamp Fox Passage Francis Marion National Forest, between Awendaw (US 17) and US 52 near Moncks Corner 47 miles Moderate Designated primitive campsites only; 3-night maximum stay
• Pamelia Lake and Hunts Cove Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette National Forest (near Detroit) 11 miles Hard Backcountry camping; Central Cascades Wilderness overnight permit
• Panther Den Wilderness Loop Panther Den Wilderness, Shawnee National Forest and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (near Goreville and Makanda, Union County) 7 miles Moderate Dispersed camping on Forest Service land, no permit; no camping on the refuge
• Paria Canyon (White House to Lees Ferry) Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Bureau of Land Management (Arizona-Utah border, near Page and Kanab) 38 miles Hard Dispersed camping on benches above the river; overnight permit required
• Peacock Flats via the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road Mokulēʻia and Kuaokalā Forest Reserves, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (northwest Oʻahu, Waiʻanae Range) 8 miles Moderate Designated forest reserve campsites with shelters (also reachable by 4WD); state camping permit required
• Pecos Baldy Lake via Jacks Creek Pecos Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest (Jacks Creek Trailhead, near Cowles) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping within 200 feet of the lake basin
• Pedernales Falls Wolf Mountain Trail and Primitive Area Pedernales Falls State Park (Blanco County) 8.3 miles Moderate Hike-in primitive campsites in the Wolf Ridge area, 2 to 3 miles from the trailhead
• Peekamoose-Table Trail (Long Path: Peekamoose Road to Denning Road) Sundown Wild Forest and Slide Mountain Wilderness, Catskill Forest Preserve 8.8 miles Hard Bouton Memorial lean-to; designated campsites near both ends; at-large camping below 3,500 feet
• Pemi Loop (Pemigewasset Loop) Pemigewasset Wilderness and Franconia Ridge, White Mountain National Forest (Lincoln) 31 miles Hard AMC caretaker tentsites and shelters (first come, first served); AMC huts by reservation; no camping above treeline
• Perry Lake Trail Perry Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jefferson County, north of Lawrence) 29 miles Hard Camping only at Corps campgrounds on the route; no camping on the trail itself
• Pharaoh Lake Loop Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Pharaoh Lake Road trailhead, near Schroon Lake) 12.6 miles Moderate Lean-tos and designated tent sites; first come, first served
• Pictured Rocks Chapel and Mosquito Beach Overnight Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Chapel Road trailhead) 10.6 miles Moderate Designated backcountry campgrounds (Chapel Beach, Mosquito River) by Recreation.gov permit
• Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Munising to Grand Sable) 42.4 miles Moderate Designated backcountry campgrounds by Recreation.gov permit
• Pigeon Roost Trail (Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area) Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Arkansas State Parks (south shore of Beaver Lake, Benton County) 8.5 miles Moderate Five designated primitive campsites only; reservation required
• Pinchot Trail Pinchot State Forest, Thornhurst Tract (Lackawanna County) 22.2 miles Moderate Primitive camping on state forest land; no permit for one night at a site
• Pine Mountain Trail (F.D. Roosevelt State Park) F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Georgia State Parks (Pine Mountain, near Warm Springs) 23 miles Hard Designated backcountry campsites by permit
• Pine Mountain Trail, Birch Knob Section Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail (Breaks Interstate Park near Elkhorn City to US 23 at Pound Gap) 28 miles Hard Designated sites and one shelter; no camping in state nature preserves
• Pine Mountain Trail, Highland Section Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (Pound Gap at US 23 to US 119) 16 miles Hard Designated sites and shelters; no camping in state nature preserves
• Pine Ridge Trail Nebraska National Forest, Pine Ridge Ranger District (Chadron) 40 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national forest land; primitive camping at some trailheads
• Piney Creek Wilderness Mark Twain National Forest, Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District (near Shell Knob) 12.1 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Pinhoti Lake District: Pine Glen to Coleman Lake Talladega National Forest, Shoal Creek Ranger District (near Heflin) 8 miles Moderate Trail shelter and dispersed sites; developed campgrounds at both ends
• Pinhoti Trail in Georgia: Snake Creek Gap to Dug Gap Chattahoochee National Forest, Conasauga Ranger District (GA 136 to Dug Gap Mountain, near Dalton) 15.4 miles Hard Primitive dispersed campsites along the ridge; no permits
• Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail Steese National Conservation Area, Bureau of Land Management (Steese Highway, northeast of Fairbanks) 27 miles Hard Dispersed camping; two first-come, first-served trail shelters
• Platte River Wilderness: Douglas Creek Trail Platte River Wilderness, Medicine Bow National Forest (Pelton Creek and Douglas Creek trailheads, south of Laramie near Foxpark) 9.5 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; 100 feet from water and trails
• Point Reyes Coast Trail to Wildcat Camp Phillip Burton Wilderness, Point Reyes National Seashore (Palomarin Trailhead, near Bolinas) 11.2 miles Moderate Reserved hike-in campground (Recreation.gov)
• Porcupine Mountains Big Carp River and Lake Superior Trail Loop Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (M-107 and Lake of the Clouds) 18.6 miles Hard Reserved designated backcountry sites (LS and BC sites) and trailside cabins
• Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Presque Isle to M-107) 16 miles Hard Reserved designated backcountry sites (LS sites) and trailside cabins
• Potawatomi Trail and Blind Lake Pinckney Recreation Area, Michigan DNR (near Pinckney) 17 miles Moderate Blind Lake rustic hike-in campsites; reservation, one night only
• Powwow Trail Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (near Isabella) 30.2 miles Hard BWCAW designated campsites (two primitive); quota permit May 1-Sept. 30
• Preparation Canyon State Park Hike-In Sites Preparation Canyon State Park, Loess Hills State Forest (Monona County, near Pisgah) 5 miles Moderate Ten hike-in sites, first come, first served; self-register
• Presidential Traverse (Appalachian Trail over the Presidentials) White Mountain National Forest (Randolph to Crawford Notch) 21.4 miles Hard AMC huts (reserved), RMC cabins and shelters (first come), Forest Service and AMC tentsites; no camping above treeline
• Queens River Loop Sawtooth Wilderness, Boise National Forest side (Queens River Trailhead near Atlanta) 30 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (Sawtooth Wilderness permit)
• Quehanna Trail Moshannon and Elk State Forests, Quehanna Wild Area (Parker Dam State Park trailhead) 73.7 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land; no permit for one night at a site
• Rae Lakes Loop Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Road's End, Cedar Grove) 41.4 miles Hard Wilderness camping with a permit; camping limits at Paradise Valley and Rae Lakes
• Rainbow Basin (Rainbow Lakes) Boise National Forest, Mountain Home Ranger District (Trinity Mountains, Elmore County) 8.8 miles Moderate Dispersed lakeside sites (no permit found)
• Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail (Tuxedo to Jones Point) Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks 22.2 miles Hard Stone trail shelters only; first come, first served; tent within 300 feet if full
• Ramseys Draft Wilderness Loop Ramseys Draft Wilderness, George Washington National Forest (North River Ranger District; Mountain House on US 250 west of Staunton) 15.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no designated sites
• Rancherias Loop Big Bend Ranch State Park (Bofecillos Mountains) 19 miles Hard Backcountry zone camping, choose your own site; permit required
• Rawah Lakes and Camp Lakes Loop (Rawah Wilderness) Rawah Wilderness, Roosevelt National Forest, Canyon Lakes Ranger District (West Branch Trailhead, Laramie River Road) 23.9 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; 200-foot setback from lakes, streams, and trails
• Raymer Hollow and Collie Ridge Loop (Mammoth Cave) Mammoth Cave National Park backcountry, north side (Lincoln and First Creek trailheads) 16.5 miles Moderate Designated backcountry campsites; permit required (Recreation.gov)
• Reavis Ranch (Superstition Wilderness) Superstition Wilderness, Tonto National Forest (east of Phoenix) 18 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Red Castle Lakes High Uintas Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Mountain View Ranger District) 20 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit; most sites in forest around Lower Red Castle Lake
• Red Cedar Hiking Trail, Giant City State Park Giant City State Park, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (near Makanda, Jackson and Union Counties) 12 miles Hard One designated backpack campsite at about the halfway point; permit from the park required
• Red Pine Lakes Lone Peak Wilderness, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Little Cottonwood Canyon) 7 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping in a protected watershed; no permit
• Redfish Lake to Alpine and Baron Lakes Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Redfish Lake, south of Stanley) 16.6 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (free self-issued permit)
• Reed Lakes Trail Hatcher Pass State Management Area, Alaska State Parks (Archangel Road, north of Palmer) 8.6 miles Moderate Dispersed camping near Lower and Upper Reed Lakes
• Resurrection Pass Trail Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Kenai Peninsula, Hope to Cooper Landing) 38.5 miles Moderate Designated campsites with bear lockers; eight reservable public-use cabins
• Resurrection River Trail Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Exit Glacier Road, near Kenai Fjords National Park) 9 miles Hard Primitive campsites; one first-come, first-served cabin past the Martin Creek ford
• Ridge Trail (Cumberland Gap National Historical Park) Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, National Park Service (along the Kentucky-Virginia line) 21 miles Hard Five designated backcountry campsites; free permit picked up in person
• Riprap and Wildcat Ridge Loop Shenandoah National Park, South District (Riprap parking, Skyline Drive mile 90) 9.8 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
• River Ridge Backpack Trail, Forest Glen Preserve Forest Glen Preserve, Vermilion County Conservation District (near Westville and Georgetown) 11 miles Moderate Designated backpack campsites (Group Camp and East Camp); advance registration required
• River to River Trail: Elizabethtown to Garden of the Gods (via High Knob) Shawnee National Forest, from the Ohio River at Elizabethtown (Hardin County) to Garden of the Gods 21.6 miles Moderate Dispersed camping, no permit (not at the High Knob overlook)
• Roan Highlands: Carvers Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap Roan Highlands, Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests (Appalachian Trail along the Tennessee–North Carolina line) 11 miles Moderate Dispersed camping at established sites; shelters
• Roaring Plains Circuit (Hidden Passage and Canyon Rim) Roaring Plains West Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (Cheat-Potomac Ranger District; South Prong trailhead on Forest Road 19) 12.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Robbers Cave State Park Backpacking Loop Robbers Cave State Park, San Bois Mountains (north of Wilburton) 11.5 miles Hard Hike-in backcountry campsites; permit from the park office required
• Rock Castle Gorge Loop (Rocky Knob) Rocky Knob Recreation Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service (near Woolwine, Parkway mileposts 167-169) 10.8 miles Hard Eight designated backcountry sites; Recreation.gov permit required
• Rockytop and Big Run Loop Shenandoah National Park, South District (Browns Gap, near Skyline Drive mile 83) 14.3 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
• Rogue River Trail: Grave Creek to Marial Wild and Scenic Rogue River, BLM Medford District (Grave Creek, west of Merlin and Galice, to Marial) 24 miles Hard Dispersed riverside and creekside camping (no permit for self-supported hikers); Tucker Flat Campground near the end; private lodges by reservation
• Root Glacier Trail and Jumbo Creek Camping Area Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, National Park Service (Kennecott, near McCarthy) 4 miles Moderate Primitive camping area with bear-resistant food boxes and an outhouse
• Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail Ruby Mountains Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Lamoille Canyon to Harrison Pass, southeast of Elko) 38 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Russell Pond via Roaring Brook Baxter State Park (near Millinocket) 14.4 miles Moderate Reserved lean-tos, tent sites, and bunkhouse at Russell Pond Campground
• Russian Lakes Trail Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Kenai Peninsula, near Cooper Landing) 21.8 miles Moderate Designated campsites; three reservable public-use cabins
• Sage Creek Wilderness (Badlands) Badlands National Park, Badlands Wilderness Area (near Wall) 14 miles Hard Open backcountry camping; no permit required; register at the trailhead
• Sahale Glacier Camp via Cascade Pass North Cascades National Park, end of Cascade River Road (east of Marblemount) 11.8 miles Hard Designated high camp at the toe of Sahale Glacier; park permit required
• Salt Creek Canyon (Cathedral Butte to Peekaboo) Canyonlands National Park, The Needles District (Cathedral Butte Trailhead) 22.5 miles Hard Designated sites SC1-SC4 and Peekaboo plus the Salt and Horse at-large zone; permit and hard-sided food canister required
• Sam A. Baker State Park: Mudlick Trail Sam A. Baker State Park, Missouri State Parks (near Patterson) 10.8 miles Easy Dispersed camping along the trail, two designated backpack camps, three CCC stone shelters (Oct. 1-May 15); free registration
• San Gorgonio via the Vivian Creek Trail San Gorgonio Wilderness, San Bernardino National Forest and Sand to Snow National Monument (Forest Falls) 16.2 miles Hard Designated wilderness camps only; free permit required
• San Jacinto Peak via Round Valley (from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway) Mount San Jacinto State Park and State Wilderness (Long Valley, above Palm Springs) 11 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds only; camping permit required
• San Pedro Parks via the Vacas Trail San Pedro Parks Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest (Vacas/San Gregorio Lake Trailhead, near Cuba) 16.5 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping
• Sand Lakes Quiet Area Pathway Pere Marquette State Forest (near Williamsburg, east of Traverse City) 7.4 miles Moderate Walk-in backcountry sites at Sand Lake No. 1; state forest campground at Guernsey Lake
• Sand Ridge State Forest Yellow Trail Sand Ridge State Forest, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (near Forest City and Manito, Mason County) 14.8 miles Moderate Designated backcountry sites (12 in the forest); permit from forest headquarters required
• Sandy Neck Backcountry Camping via the Marsh Trail Sandy Neck Beach Park, Town of Barnstable (Cape Cod) 6.6 miles Moderate Reserved permit: five primitive tent sites and one lean-to
• Santa Fe Companion Trail (Cimarron National Grassland) Cimarron National Grassland, USDA Forest Service (Morton County, near Elkhart) 19 miles Moderate Dispersed camping allowed on the trail, with Forest Service restrictions
• Savage Gulf East Loop: Hobbs Cabin, Sawmill, Horsepound Falls, and Suter Falls Savage Gulf State Park, Cumberland Plateau (Grundy and Sequatchie counties) 26 miles Hard Designated backcountry campgrounds and a cabin, reservation required
• Savage Gulf West Loop: Stone Door, Laurel Falls, Alum Gap, Greeter Falls, and Blue Hole Savage Gulf State Park, Cumberland Plateau (Grundy County, Stone Door area) 9 miles Hard Designated backcountry campground, reservation required
• Sawtooth Lake via Iron Creek Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (near Stanley) 10 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (free self-issued permit)
• Sawyer Pond Sawyer Pond Scenic Area, White Mountain National Forest (Kancamagus Highway and Sawyer River Road, Livermore/Bartlett) 9 miles Moderate Designated tent platforms and a shelter; free, first come, first served
• Selway River Trail Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Nez Perce-Clearwater and Bitterroot National Forests (Race Creek near Lowell to Paradise near Darby, Montana) 50 miles Hard Dispersed riverside wilderness camping (no permit for hikers reported)
• Seven Brothers Lakes Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest (east side, west of Buffalo) 11.2 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued registration required
• Seven Devils Loop Hells Canyon Wilderness, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (Seven Devils Mountains, near Riggins) 28 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Seven Lakes Basin and High Divide Loop Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Valley (Sol Duc Trailhead, end of Sol Duc-Hot Springs Road) 18.2 miles Hard Designated sites only, limited year-round; reserved wilderness permit required
• Shawnee State Forest Backpack Trail Shawnee State Forest, Ohio Division of Forestry (west of Portsmouth) 46.4 miles Hard Seven designated backpack camps; free self-registration permit; first come, first served
• Sheltowee Trace: Cumberland Falls to Bark Camp Creek Sheltowee Trace Section 27, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and Daniel Boone National Forest, London Ranger District (near Corbin) 9.1 miles Hard Dispersed national forest camping; no permit found
• Sheltowee Trace: Yamacraw to Yahoo Falls (Big South Fork) Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky side (near Whitley City) 8.2 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping with NPS setbacks; permit required
• Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches Olympic National Park coast, reached across Makah Reservation land (south of Neah Bay) 8 miles Moderate Beach and forest-edge camping above the tide line; park wilderness permit and Makah Recreation Pass required
• Shining Rock via Old Butt Knob and Shining Creek Shining Rock Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest (Big East Fork trailhead on US 276, near Canton) 11 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness campsites; first come, first served
• Shoshone Lake and Shoshone Geyser Basin (DeLacy Creek to Lone Star Geyser) Yellowstone National Park (DeLacy Creek and Lone Star Geyser trailheads, Old Faithful to West Thumb road) 21.2 miles Moderate Designated Yellowstone backcountry campsites; permit required
• Siamese Ponds via the East Branch Sacandaga Siamese Ponds Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Eleventh Mountain trailhead, Route 8, near Bakers Mills) 12 miles Moderate Sacandaga Lean-to plus designated sites near the river and at Lower Siamese Pond; first come, first served
• Sisters Mirror Lake via Wickiup Plain Three Sisters Wilderness, Deschutes National Forest (Cascade Lakes Highway, west of Bend) 8.5 miles Moderate Backcountry camping; Central Cascades Wilderness overnight permit
• Sky High Lakes Loop from Lovers Camp (Marble Mountain Wilderness) Marble Mountain Wilderness, Klamath National Forest (Lovers Camp, near Fort Jones) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no wilderness permit required (California Campfire Permit needed for stoves)
• Sky Lakes Basin Loop from Cold Springs Sky Lakes Wilderness, Fremont-Winema and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests (west of Klamath Falls) 14.6 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry camping; 100 feet from lakes, 50 feet from streams
• Skyway–Chinnabee–Pinhoti Loop (Pin-Chin-Sky) Cheaha Wilderness and Talladega National Forest, Talladega Ranger District (Adams Gap, south of Cheaha State Park) 17 miles Hard Dispersed camping; one trail shelter (no permit reported)
• Slough Creek Trail (First and Second Meadows) Yellowstone National Park, northern range (Slough Creek Trailhead near Slough Creek Campground, Tower area) 8.6 miles Moderate Designated Yellowstone backcountry campsites; permit required
• Snake River Trail to Kirkwood Ranch Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Idaho side of the Snake River (Pittsburg Landing, west of White Bird) 10 miles Moderate Developed backcountry campground at Kirkwood Ranch; dispersed beyond
• Snow Lake and Gem Lake (Snoqualmie Pass) Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (Alpental, Snoqualmie Pass) 10 miles Moderate Established lakeside sites; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Snowbank Lake Trail Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Snowbank Lake Road, near Ely) 24 miles Hard BWCAW designated campsites; quota permit May 1-Sept. 30, self-issued Oct. 1-April 30
• Snowy Range Gap Lakes and Medicine Bow Peak Loop Snowy Range, Medicine Bow National Forest (Brooklyn Lake area west of Laramie and Centennial) 15.6 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national forest land; no camping within 500 feet of Highway 130 outside campgrounds
• Soldier Creek Wilderness: Trooper and Boots and Saddle Trails Nebraska National Forest, Pine Ridge Ranger District (near Crawford) 10.5 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping; developed campground at the trailheads
• Solitude Loop (Solitude Trail #038) Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest (west of Buffalo and east of Ten Sleep) 59 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued registration required
• South Fork Spanish Creek to Mirror Lake Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks Unit), Custer Gallatin National Forest (Spanish Creek Trailhead, off US 191 between Bozeman and Big Sky) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit reported
• South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails to Bright Angel Campground Grand Canyon National Park, National Park Service (South Rim corridor trails) 16.5 miles Hard Designated campground; backcountry permit required
• South Manitou Island Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (boat access from Leland) 7.4 miles Hard Three designated campgrounds by backcountry permit (Bay Campground closed in 2026)
• South Rim and the High Chisos Big Bend National Park (Chisos Mountains) 12.5 miles Hard 42 designated High Chisos backpacking sites; permit required
• Spence Field and Rocky Top via Anthony Creek and Bote Mountain Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cades Cove area) 13.2 miles Hard Backcountry campsites and shelters (permit and reservation required)
• Spruce Knob and Seneca Creek Loop Spruce Knob-Seneca Creek Backcountry, Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Monongahela National Forest (Cheat-Potomac Ranger District; Spruce Knob summit area) 16.5 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; no permit
• St. Mary's Wilderness Loop Saint Mary's Wilderness, George Washington National Forest (Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District; Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 23) 15.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping with setbacks; no permit found
• Standing Indian Mountain Loop (Lower Ridge, Appalachian Trail, Kimsey Creek) Southern Nantahala Wilderness, Nantahala National Forest (Standing Indian Basin, west of Franklin) 11 miles Hard A.T. shelter and dispersed campsites (no permit for individuals)
• Standing Stone Trail Rothrock and Buchanan State Forests, State Game Lands (Cowans Gap State Park to Detweiler Run) 84.2 miles Hard Primitive sites and shelters on state forest and park land; no camping on State Game Lands or private land
• Stanley Hot Springs via Boulder Creek Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (Wilderness Gateway Campground on the Lochsa River, U.S. 12) 10 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping near the springs (no permit reported)
• Stephens State Forest Woodburn Backpack Trail Stephens State Forest, Woodburn Unit (Clarke County, about an hour south of Des Moines) 6 miles Moderate Five designated pack-in sites, first come, first served
• Stockton Island: Presque Isle to Quarry Bay Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service (boat access from Bayfield) 7.2 miles Hard Designated island campsites; permit required (Recreation.gov)
• Stone Mountain State Park: Widow's Creek Backcountry Sites Stone Mountain State Park (backpack parking lot, near Roaring Gap) 6 miles Moderate Four designated primitive sites; reservation required
• Stough Creek Lakes from Worthen Meadows Popo Agie Wilderness, Shoshone National Forest (Worthen Meadows Reservoir near Lander) 20.1 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit reported
• Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop (Strawberry, High, and Slide Lakes) Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, Malheur National Forest (Strawberry Campground, south of Prairie City) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping at lakes
• Sundance Pass (Lake Fork to West Fork Rock Creek) Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Custer Gallatin National Forest (Lake Fork and West Fork Rock Creek trailheads near Red Lodge) 21 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit reported
• Superior Hiking Trail: Bean and Bear Lakes (Silver Bay to Tettegouche) Superior Hiking Trail (Penn Boulevard, Silver Bay, to the Highway 1 trailhead) 11.1 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Superior Hiking Trail: Carlton Peak and Oberg (Temperance River to Lutsen) Superior Hiking Trail (Temperance River State Park to Lutsen Mountains) 17.5 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Superior Hiking Trail: Gooseberry Falls to Beaver Bay Superior Hiking Trail (Gooseberry Falls State Park to Lax Lake Road, Beaver Bay) 16.5 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Superior Hiking Trail: Grand Marais to Judge Magney Superior Hiking Trail (Pincushion Mountain Trailhead to Judge C.R. Magney State Park) 24.1 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Superior Hiking Trail: Hovland to the Northern Terminus Superior Hiking Trail (Cook County Road 70 to Otter Lake Road and the 270 Degree Overlook) 24.7 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Superior Hiking Trail: Lake Agnes and Lookout Mountain (Lutsen to Cascade River) Superior Hiking Trail (Lutsen Mountains to Cascade River State Park) 17.4 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Superior Hiking Trail: Section 13 and Sonju Lake (Finland to Crosby-Manitou) Superior Hiking Trail (Lake County Road 6 to George H. Crosby Manitou State Park) 19.4 miles Hard First-come designated SHT campsites; no permits, fees, or reservations
• Susquehannock Trail System Susquehannock State Forest (Potter and Clinton Counties) 83.4 miles Hard Primitive camping on state forest land; ten first-come trail shelters
• Swift Camp Creek Trail (Clifty Wilderness) Clifty Wilderness, Red River Gorge Geological Area, Daniel Boone National Forest (Wolfe County) 6.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping with setbacks; overnight parking permit required
• Sycamore Canyon via the Parsons Trail Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District (north of Clarkdale) 8 miles Moderate Dispersed camping only upstream of Parsons Spring (no camping on the lower trail)
• Taconic Crest Trail (Hancock, Massachusetts, to Petersburgh, New York) Pittsfield State Forest (MA), Hopkins Memorial Forest (MA), and Taconic Ridge State Forest (NY), along the Massachusetts-New York-Vermont border 37 miles Hard Primitive camping in New York's Taconic Ridge State Forest; reservable Berry Pond Campground in Massachusetts
• Tahoe Rim Trail: Mount Rose Summit to Brockway Summit (Relay Peak) Mount Rose Wilderness and the north rim of the Tahoe Basin (Mount Rose Highway, Nevada, to Highway 267 at Brockway Summit, California) 20.2 miles Hard Dispersed, near the trail; no wilderness permit
• Tahoe Rim Trail: Spooner Summit to Kingsbury North (South Camp Peak) Carson Range above the east shore of Lake Tahoe (U.S. 50 at Spooner Summit to Kingsbury Grade, near Stateline) 12.9 miles Moderate Dispersed, near the trail on established sites; dry camping
• Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit (Marlette Peak) Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and national forest land in the Carson Range (Mount Rose Highway to U.S. 50, east shore of Lake Tahoe) 24.1 miles Hard Designated campground only (Marlette Peak) between Tunnel Creek and Spooner Summit; free, no reservations
• Tea Creek and Gauley Mountain Loop Tea Creek Backcountry, Monongahela National Forest (Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District; Highland Scenic Highway, WV 150, near Marlinton) 12.7 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping and two trail shelters; no permit
• Tecumseh Trail (Morgan-Monroe to Yellowwood and the Hoosier) Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Yellowwood State Forest, and Hoosier National Forest (between Martinsville and Monroe Lake) 42 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping on state land and three shelters; register with the forest office
• Tejas Trail and the Bowl Loop Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Pine Springs) 12.7 miles Hard Designated wilderness campgrounds (Pine Top, Tejas); Wilderness Use Permit required
• Teton Crest Trail (Granite Canyon or the tram to String Lake) Grand Teton National Park, Jedediah Smith Wilderness (Caribou-Targhee National Forest) and Bridger-Teton National Forest (Teton Pass, Granite Canyon or Teton Village to String Lake) 39 miles Hard Grand Teton backcountry camping zones (permit required); no permit on national forest land in Alaska Basin
• The Beaten Path (East Rosebud to Clarks Fork) Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Custer Gallatin National Forest (East Rosebud Trailhead near Alpine to Clarks Fork Trailhead near Cooke City) 26 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• The Enchantments Through-Hike Enchantment Permit Area, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (near Leavenworth) 18 miles Hard Limited-entry overnight permit by zone (May 15 to Oct. 31); no dogs or campfires
• Thirteen Falls Loop (Garfield, Owl's Head, and Galehead) Pemigewasset Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest (Gale River Loop Road, Bethlehem/Franconia) 30.3 miles Hard AMC caretaker tentsite and shelter (first come, first served); AMC hut by reservation; dispersed wilderness camping under Forest Service rules
• Thompson Creek and the Eye of the Needle Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest (Thompson Trailhead on FR 208) 6 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping (no permit reported)
• Thornton Lakes North Cascades National Park, off State Route 20 (east of Marblemount) 10.4 miles Hard Three designated sites at lower Thornton Lake; park permit required
• Thorofare Trail (Nine Mile Trailhead to the Thorofare Ranger Station) Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Lake east shore and the upper Yellowstone River (Nine Mile Trailhead on the East Entrance Road) 66.2 miles Hard Designated Yellowstone backcountry campsites; permit required
• Thousand Island Lake via the River Trail Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest (Agnew Meadows, near Mammoth Lakes) 16 miles Hard Wilderness camping with a quota permit; camping closures near lake outlets
• Three Ridges and Mau-Har Trail Loop Three Ridges Wilderness, George Washington National Forest (Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District; Reeds Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway and VA 664) 13.2 miles Hard AT shelters and dispersed campsites; no permit found
• Three Sisters Loop Three Sisters Wilderness, Willamette and Deschutes National Forests (between Sisters and Bend) 46 miles Hard Backcountry camping with designated-site and no-camping zones; Central Cascades Wilderness overnight permit
• Thunder Lake (Wild Basin, Rocky Mountain National Park) Rocky Mountain National Park, National Park Service (Wild Basin, southeast corner of the park) 13.6 miles Hard Designated wilderness campsites (3 individual, 1 group, 1 stock at Thunder Lake); wilderness permit required
• Thunder Swamp Trail Delaware State Forest (southern Pike County, PA 402) 18.3 miles Moderate Primitive camping on state forest land; none in the natural areas
• Tillamook Head Trail to Hikers' Camp (Oregon Coast Trail) Ecola State Park and Elmer Feldenheimer State Natural Area (between Seaside and Cannon Beach) 8 miles Moderate Three first-come, first-served hike-in shelters (four bunks each) for Oregon Coast Trail backpackers
• Timberline Trail Around Mount Hood Mount Hood Wilderness, Mt. Hood National Forest (Timberline Lodge) 40 miles Hard Backcountry camping outside meadows; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Titcomb Basin via Elkhart Park and Island Lake Bridger Wilderness, Bridger-Teton National Forest (Elkhart Park Trailhead near Pinedale) 29 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no campfires at Island Lake and above
• Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Austin-Tonopah Ranger District, and Arc Dome Wilderness (Toiyabe Range, between Austin and Tonopah) 63 miles Hard Dispersed camping; no designated sites or campgrounds on the trail
• Torreya Hiking Trail: Rock Creek and Torreya Challenge Loops (Torreya State Park) Torreya State Park, Florida State Parks (north of Bristol, Liberty County) 12.9 miles Hard Three primitive backpacking campsites; fee camping (confirm reservation process)
• Tracy Ridge Outer Loop Tracy Ridge National Recreation Area, Allegheny National Forest (Bradford Ranger District) 13.3 miles Moderate Dispersed camping (not within 1,500 feet of the reservoir); hike-in Handsome Lake and Hopewell campgrounds; NCT shelters
• Trampas Lakes and Hidden Lake Pecos Wilderness, Carson National Forest (Trampas Campground, Forest Road 207) 12 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; at least 300 feet from all lakes
• Trans-Catalina Trail Santa Catalina Island, Catalina Island Conservancy (Avalon to Parsons Landing and Two Harbors) 38.5 miles Hard Five designated campgrounds only; reservations required
• Trappers Lake and Wall Lake Loop (Flat Tops Wilderness) Flat Tops Wilderness, White River National Forest (Trappers Lake, near Meeker) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping within 1/4 mile of Trappers Lake
• Tully Trail Loop with Royalston Falls Shelter Tully Lake, Royalston Falls Reservation, and Royalston and Warwick State Forests, North Quabbin Region (Royalston, Orange, Warwick) 22 miles Hard One first-come lean-to on the trail; reservable walk-in campground at the trailhead
• Turkey Creek Hot Springs Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (north of the town of Gila) 8.3 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit
• Turquoise Lake and Crescent Lake, Mission Mountains Mission Mountains Wilderness, Flathead National Forest (Glacier Creek Trailhead, near Condon) 11.1 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping within 1/4 mile of Glacier Lake
• Tuxachanie Trail De Soto National Forest, De Soto Ranger District (near Saucier) 11.9 miles Moderate Primitive camping at least 100 feet from the trail; group camping at Airey Lake by Forest Service permit
• Twin Valley Trail Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks, Five Rivers MetroParks (near Germantown, south of Dayton) 27 miles Moderate Three backcountry camp areas; permit and reservation required
• Two Lakes Loop Trail Hoosier National Forest, Tell City Ranger District (Indian Lake and Celina Lake, off State Highway 37 south of I-64) 15.7 miles Hard Dispersed camping with Forest Service setbacks, no permit
• Two Pan Loop: Minam Lake, Ivan Carper Pass, and Mirror Lake Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Two Pan Trailhead, Lostine River Road south of Lostine) 21 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; free self-issued wilderness permit
• Uinta Highline Trail High Uintas Wilderness, Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests (McKee Draw to Hayden Pass) 104 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness and national forest camping; no permit
• Upper Canyon Loop and North Prong Primitive Camp Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway (near Quitaque) 6.7 miles Moderate Primitive hike-in campsites (North Prong and South Prong areas, 16 sites); reservation required
• Upper Holland Lake and Sapphire Lakes Loop Swan Range, Flathead National Forest (Holland Lake, near Condon) 12 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping at the lakes
• Upper Paddock and Talkington Loop Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit (Medora) 15.4 miles Hard Backcountry camping anywhere that meets park setbacks, by free permit; no established sites
• Upper Palisades Lake via Palisades Creek Caribou-Targhee National Forest (Palisades Creek, near Swan Valley and Irwin) 14 miles Hard Established backcountry campsites (no permit reported)
• Upper Priest Lake via the Navigation Trail Idaho Panhandle National Forests (Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area, north of Nordman) 12 miles Easy Primitive boat-in/hike-in campgrounds with bear boxes
• Uwharrie National Recreation Trail Uwharrie National Forest (NC 24/27 trailhead to Jumping Off Rock, near Troy) 20 miles Moderate Dispersed campsites, plus Yates Place Camp and West Morris Mountain Campground near the trail
• Vernon and Ardeth Lakes from Pettit Lake Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Tin Cup Trailhead at Pettit Lake) 25 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping (free self-issued permit)
• Vesuvius Backpack Trail Wayne National Forest, Ironton Unit (Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, north of Ironton) 16 miles Hard Dispersed camping outside the recreation area boundary; no permit
• Virgin Falls Trail Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park (Virgin Falls State Natural Area) 8.6 miles Hard Designated backcountry sites, reservation required
• Virginia Triple Crown Loop: McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon's Tooth Appalachian National Scenic Trail (National Park Service corridor) and Jefferson National Forest, Catawba Valley (VA 311 near Salem and Catawba) 35 miles Hard Designated shelters and campsites only in the A.T. corridor; dispersed camping on the national forest sections
• Waimea Canyon: Kukui Trail to Wiliwili Camp and Koaiʻe Canyon Waimea Canyon State Park and Puʻu ka Pele Forest Reserve (west Kauaʻi); camps managed by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife 12 miles Hard Designated canyon camps with shelters (Wiliwili, Kaluahaulu, Hipalau, Lonomea); state camping permit required
• Walls of Jericho (Alabama Trailhead) James D. Martin–Skyline Wildlife Management Area, Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust (Jackson County, north of Scottsboro) 7 miles Hard Two designated primitive camping areas (first come, first served)
• Wanless Lake, Cabinet Mountains Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, Kootenai National Forest (Trail 924, near Noxon) 18.6 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping at the lakes
• Waterloo-Pinckney Trail Waterloo and Pinckney Recreation Areas, Michigan DNR (near Chelsea and Pinckney) 36 miles Moderate Designated hike-in and rustic campgrounds only; reservations
• West Clear Creek via Trail #17 (Bull Pen) West Clear Creek Wilderness, Coconino National Forest (east of Camp Verde) 12 miles Moderate Dispersed wilderness camping (no quota or permit reported)
• West Fork Gila River to White Creek Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (from Gila Cliff Dwellings) 30 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit; no camping inside the national monument
• West Fork Rio Santa Barbara to the Santa Barbara Divide Pecos Wilderness, Carson National Forest (Santa Barbara Campground, near Peñasco) 24 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; lake setbacks apply
• West Rim Trail (Pine Creek Gorge) Tioga State Forest (Ansonia to Blackwell, Tioga and Lycoming Counties) 30.5 miles Moderate Primitive camping on state forest land; permit rules for the gorge need confirming
• Wheeler Peak via Horseshoe and Lost Lakes Wheeler Peak Wilderness, Carson National Forest (East Fork and Middle Fork trailheads, south of Red River) 13.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; at least 300 feet from the lakes
• White Pine Backcountry Campground (Platte Plains) Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (south of Empire, off M-22) 4 miles Easy Six-site backcountry campground; permit required
• White Pine Lake from Tony Grove Logan Canyon, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Logan Ranger District) 7.6 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry camping around the lake; no permit found
• White Rock–Shores Lake Loop Ozark National Forest, Boston Mountain Ranger District (north of Mulberry) 13 miles Hard Dispersed camping on the trail; campgrounds and cabins at both ends
• Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail Kisatchie National Forest, Calcasieu Ranger District, Evangeline Unit (near Alexandria and Woodworth) 26 miles Moderate Dispersed camping near the trail; one primitive camp
• Wild Oak National Recreation Trail George Washington National Forest (North River Ranger District, near Stokesville and Braley Pond) 26.3 miles Hard Dispersed primitive camping; no permit found
• Wild River State Park Backpack Sites Wild River State Park (near Center City) 4.7 miles Moderate Seven reservable hike-in sites (plus canoe-in sites)
• Wild River Wilderness: Carter Dome and Perkins Notch Loop Wild River Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest (east of Pinkham Notch) 21 miles Hard Free Forest Service tentsites (Spruce Brook, Perkins Notch); no camping within 200 ft of trails except at designated sites
• Wildcat Hollow Trail Wayne National Forest, Athens Unit (near Corning and Burr Oak State Park) 15.6 miles Moderate Dispersed camping; dozens of established sites; no permit
• Wilderness of Rocks Loop (Pusch Ridge Wilderness) Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Coronado National Forest (Mount Lemmon, north of Tucson) 10 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; overnight groups limited to 6 in the bighorn sheep area
• Williwaw Lakes Chugach State Park, Alaska State Parks (Anchorage Hillside, Glen Alps or Prospect Heights trailheads) 12 miles Moderate Dispersed camping near the lakes
• Willow Lake (Sangre de Cristo Wilderness) Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Rio Grande National Forest (Willow Creek Trailhead, Crestone) 10 miles Hard Designated camping zone below the lake; no camping at the lakeshore
• Wind Cave Backcountry: Highland Creek and Centennial Loop Wind Cave National Park (near Hot Springs) 23.2 miles Moderate Dispersed in the northwest backcountry; free permit required
• Winsor Trail to Lake Katherine and Spirit Lake Pecos Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest (Winsor Trailhead, Santa Fe Ski Basin) 15 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping within 200 feet of lakes
• Wonderland Trail Mount Rainier National Park (common starts: Longmire, Sunrise, Mowich Lake) 93 miles Hard Designated wilderness camps only; permit by lottery, reservation or walk-up
• Woodridge Park and the George Latham Trail Woodridge Park, Clinton Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Douglas County, near Lawrence) 4.5 miles Moderate Primitive sites along the trail; tent camping allowed throughout the park
• Yellow River State Forest Backpack Trail Yellow River State Forest, Paint Creek Unit (Allamakee County, near Harpers Ferry) 14.3 miles Hard Designated backpack camps, first come, first served; sign in at forest headquarters
• Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail (Selinde Roosenburg Memorial) Zaleski State Forest, Ohio Division of Forestry (around Lake Hope State Park) 29 miles Moderate Three designated backpack camps; free self-registration permit; first come, first served
• Zealand to Guyot and the Bonds Zealand Notch and the Bonds, White Mountain National Forest (Zealand Road, Bethlehem) 15.8 miles Hard AMC caretaker shelter and tentsite (first come, first served); AMC hut by reservation
• Zion Narrows Top-Down (Chamberlain's Ranch to Temple of Sinawava) Zion National Park (North Fork of the Virgin River, near Springdale) 16 miles Hard Twelve designated river campsites; one night only; permit required
• Zion West Rim Trail (Lava Point to the Grotto) Zion National Park (Kolob Terrace to Zion Canyon, near Springdale) 14.2 miles Hard Nine designated backpacking sites; wilderness permit required
• Zirkel Circle: Gilpin Lake and Gold Creek Lake Loop (Mount Zirkel Wilderness) Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Routt National Forest, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District (Slavonia Trailhead, north of Steamboat Springs) 10.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no camping or campfires within 1/4 mile of Gilpin, Gold Creek, and Three Island Lakes

Difficulty markers follow trail-map convention: green for easy, blue for moderate, black for hard. Distances are round trip unless a page says otherwise.