Hikes and campgrounds across America

Yellowstone has lots of amazing natural features to explore, but sometimes it's the unassuming trail that delivers the most surprising enjoyment. Wraith Falls is not one of Yellowstone's biggest or boldest waterfalls, but the 0.8-mile round trip hike to the 100-foot streaking cascade is as pleasant as it is easy. After making a beeline across a grassy meadow to the creek below Wraith Falls, the trail turns uphill, climbing fifty feet (out of a total of 100 feet of elevation gain) in the last tenth of a mile to a viewpoint of Wraith Falls. ...Read more.

While Boiling River Trail is about as easy and straightforward as they come, the destination is completely unconventionally. The 1.25-mile round trip hike ends at one of America's strangest swimming holes where a stream of water cooked by Yellowstone's hydrothermal features mixes with cold river water. Wear your bathing suit and take a dip in this remarkable hot springs! ...Read more.

Yellowstone National Park has 12 developed campgrounds with over 2,000 available campsites during the peak summer season. Reservations are accepted at several of the park's campgrounds, Bridge Bay Campground, Canyon Campground, Fishing Bridge RV Campground, Grant Campground, and Madison Campground. These campgrounds are operated by a private company, Xanterra Parks and Resorts. ...Read more.

Crypt Lake Trail is consistently ranked as one of the top hiking trails in the Canada Rockies. To reach the trailhead, you must first take a 15-minute ferry across Upper Waterton Lake. From there it is a 10.8-mile round trip hike to a sparkling turquoise lake cradled by horseshoe-shaped cliffs. You'll gain 2,300 feet along the way, passing waterfalls, crawling through a tunnel, and clinging to chains bolted along a narrow ledge. ...Read more.

Picture yourself standing on the Continental Divide overlooking a crackling glacier that feeds a string of sparkling turquoise lakes. That is only part of the panorama you'll enjoy from Glacier Overlook, a no-nonsense notch on a section of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park named the Garden Wall. Approached from the west, Glacier Overlook offers a window looking east over a glacier and a trio of subalpine lakes. ...Read more.

Rarely does a trail deliver as many breathtaking views as Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. This is one of the most incredible day hikes in Glacier (and therefore anywhere on the planet). Highline Trail begins on the Continental Divide, delivering lofty views right from the start. Things are pretty level for the first three miles, making it easy for less ambitious hikers to still snag some great views. ...Read more.

Grinnell Lake Trail offers a level hike along a string of glacier-fed lakes. The trail departs from Many Glacier Hotel on the northeast side of Glacier National Park. There are trails along opposite sides of two beautiful subalpine lakes preceding Grinnell Lake, as well as a short spur to a waterfall, that give hikers a few options. Also, a ferry service that transports guests from Many Glacier Hotel across the first two lakes for those who prefer less hiking and more on-the-water leisure. ...Read more.

Glacier National Park has over 1,000 campsites spread among 13 drive-up campgrounds. There is also an array of trail camps for backpackers. Reservations are accepted at 2 of the park's 13 campgrounds, Fish Creek Campground on the west side and Saint Mary Campground on the east side of the park. Lake McDonald from Fish Creek Campground Most campgrounds in Glacier National Park are situated in pine forests, often nestled next to lakes or creeks. ...Read more.