Extreme temperatures and a lack of water make backpacking in the Grand Canyon especially challenging. "Know and respect your limitations," the National Park Service's website cautions.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona —
Extreme temperatures and a lack of water make backpacking in the Grand Canyon especially challenging. "Know and respect your limitations," the National Park Service's website cautions.
Katherine Dorsett Bennett/CNN
Wild Goose Island is one of Glacier National Park's most photographed locations. More than 700 miles of trails make this park a backpacker's dream.
Glacier National Park, Montana —
Wild Goose Island is one of Glacier National Park's most photographed locations. More than 700 miles of trails make this park a backpacker's dream.
NPS photo
Visitors may see bighorn rams in Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park, Montana —
Visitors may see bighorn rams in Glacier National Park.
David Restivo/National Park Service
In Yellowstone, backpackers may see bears from March through November. Yellowstone National Park is primarily in Wyoming, but small parts of the park are also located in Montana and Idaho.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming —
In Yellowstone, backpackers may see bears from March through November. Yellowstone National Park is primarily in Wyoming, but small parts of the park are also located in Montana and Idaho.
National Park Service/Jim Peaco
Most backpackers visit Denali between late May and early September.
Denali National Park, Alaska —
Most backpackers visit Denali between late May and early September.
NPS photo
North Cascades National Park contains more than 300 glaciers.
North Cascades National Park, Washington —
North Cascades National Park contains more than 300 glaciers.
NPS photo