Top 10 Backcountry Camping Spots in the USA

1. Glacier National Park (Montana) – This “Crown of the Continent” offers jagged peaks, glacial valleys, and alpine lakes framed by old-growth forests. Hikers can traverse over 700 miles of trails through pristine wilderness – from the Hidden Lake Overlook to Grinnell Glacier. Nearly 95% of the park is designated wilderness, promising solitude and dramatic scenery.

• Highlights: Trek the Continental Divide Trail (a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail), camp beside gem-like lakes (e.g. Heart, Lake McDonald, Saint Mary), and spot mountain goats, grizzlies, and vibrant wildflower meadows. Sunset views from Piegan Pass or Iceberg Lake are spectacular.
• Access & Permits: A wilderness permit (obtained via Recreation.gov) is required for all overnight backcountry trips. Permits are booked in advance (or via walk-up quotas) and carry a $10 reservation fee plus $7 per person/night.

2. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) – One of the world’s most spectacular erosion spectacles, the Grand Canyon is a mile-deep chasm carved by the Colorado River, with incomparable rim-to-rim vistas. The vast canyon walls glow in reds and golds at sunrise and sunset. Backcountry adventurers can descend from the South or North Rim into the canyon, camping by the river or on remote side canyons.

• Highlights: Hike the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail into the inner canyon, backpack the Rim-to-Rim route (Crossing via North Kaibab Trail), or explore side trails like Deer Creek and Tanner. Don’t miss sunrise at Desert View or nights filled with starlight in the canyon’s solitude.
• Access & Permits: A backcountry camping permit is required for any overnight stay inside the canyon. Apply through the Grand Canyon Backcountry Information Center; quotas limit sites, so plan early. Note that North Rim access is seasonal (mid-May to mid-Oct).

3. Yosemite National Park (California) – Iconic granite cliffs and thundering waterfalls define Yosemite’s high Sierra wilderness. Towering monoliths like El Capitan (3,000+ ft vertical) and Half Dome dominate valleys, and over 94% of Yosemite’s 1,200 sq mi is remote backcountry. Forested canyons and high alpine meadows reward backpackers in every season.

• Highlights: Follow the John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail through Yosemite’s backcountry (e.g. from Tuolumne Meadows to the Merced River), camp near high-country lakes like Lyell or Cathedral, and see falls (Vernal, Nevada) from less-traveled angles. Rock climbers relish Cathedral Lakes and the Starr King region.
• Access & Permits: Wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight trips in Yosemite. Permits can be reserved up to 24 weeks in advance on recreation.gov. Always check for bear-bag regulations and trail conditions.

4. Redwood National & State Parks (California) – Towering coast redwoods (the world’s tallest trees) grow alongside foggy ferns, coastal prairies, and wild beaches. Fern Canyon’s cascading greenery and misty redwood groves embody primeval majesty. Elk graze near the coast at Prairie Creek, and Gold Bluffs Beach provides ocean camping amid the forest.

• Highlights: Backpack the Tall Trees Grove for cathedral-like forests and the ancient Redwood Creek. Camp at Gold Bluffs Beach to experience the Pacific shoreline’s sunset after hiking Fern Canyon (famous from Jurassic Park). Spot Roosevelt elk on lush prairies.
• Access & Permits: Backcountry permits are required year-round and must be reserved online. Only specific backcountry sites (Elk Flat, Redwood Creek, and trail-accessed sites) are available, so book well in advance at recreation.gov. A separate parking permit is also needed for Tall Trees Trailhead.

5. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) – The Teton Range soars above Jackson Hole, with majestic alpine vistas and pristine glacial lakes. Granite peaks like the Cathedral Group are reflected in Lake Jenny and Leigh Lake. Backcountry routes thread through subalpine meadows, forests, and high passes.

• Highlights: Backpack Cascade Canyon into remote paintbrush-lined valleys, summit rugged peaks (e.g. Mount Owen), or traverse the North or South Loop over Death Canyon Shelf. Lake camping sites (Third Lake, Shadow Mountain) combine lakeside serenity with mountain views.
• Access & Permits: Permits are required for all overnight backcountry camping in Grand Teton. Apply via recreation.gov starting in January for summer trips; walk-up permits are also available a day or two before departure. Group sizes over 6 require designated group sites.

6. Olympic National Park (Washington) – A treasure trove of ecosystems, Olympic NP features glacier-clad peaks, old-growth rainforests, and a 100-mile wild Pacific coastline. Hike through moss-draped forests in the Hoh or Queets Rainforest, summit snowy Mount Olympus, or camp beside alpine lakes. The diversity is unmatched – snowfields drain into anadromous rivers, and beach camping offers unique sunsets.

• Highlights: Backpack the Hoh River Trail to Enchanted Valley (“Valley of 10,000 Trees”), trek the Hurricane Ridge and High Divide loop (lupine-filled slopes), or walk the coastal Cape Alava trail among driftwood and tidepools. The seasonally constrained Enchanted Valley and Seven Lakes Basin operate on quotas.
• Access & Permits: Backcountry (wilderness) camping permits are required year-round in Olympic. Quotas apply in popular zones (Seven Lakes, Royal Lake, etc.). Permits are obtained through recreation.gov (released each spring) or by calling the Wilderness Information Center.

7. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Minnesota) – A waterway wilderness of 1,000+ lakes, islands, and pine forests along the U.S.-Canada border. Paddlers and hikers portage between lakes, camping on sandy beaches or rock shores. The still waters reflect endless skies, and quiet campsites feel truly remote.

• Highlights: Paddle multi-day routes (e.g. entry via Echo, Basswood, or Saganaga Lake) to experience moose sightings and loons at dawn. Fish for walleye and trout, hike short portage trails to hidden inland lakes, and fall color in September can be stunning. The interconnected lakes make each trip a unique labyrinth of wilderness.
• Access & Permits: Permits are required year-round for all overnight visits to the BWCAW. From May–Sept, quotas limit entry at each entry point (booked via recreation.gov or designated outfitters). After Oct 1, self-issued permits are used. Only registered entry points are legal (leave no trace rules strictly enforced).

8. Big Bend National Park (Texas) – A desert mountain wilderness where the Rio Grande carves temple-like canyons and the Chisos Mountains rise abruptly from the desert. Wide-open skies and dark nights make stargazing legendary. Cacti bloom in spring, and desert wildlife (javelina, roadrunners) abound.

• Highlights: Hike the South Rim trail for panoramic vistas of the desert floor, or tackle Emory Peak (the Chisos highpoint). Explore canyons like Santa Elena or Dog Canyon, float the Rio Grande through limestone gorges, and soak in the hot springs by the river. A backpack up Punta de Burro in the Chinati Mountains (backcountry land of Big Bend) is very remote.
• Access & Permits: All backcountry camping sites require a free permit. Permits are obtained at Chisos Basin or Panther Junction visitor centers. There is no quota system – first-come is fine – but check seasonal closures (summer monsoons) and carry ample water.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina/Tennessee) – Ancient Appalachian peaks draped in temperate forests – home to over 19,000 species of plants and animals. Misty ridgelines, rhododendron tunnels, and cascades like Laurel Fork define the landscape. Though heavily visited, the Smokies’ vast backcountry offers solitude along the Appalachian Trail and other trails.

• Highlights: Camp along the 70+ mile Appalachian Trail corridor (e.g. Mt. LeConte area), or explore less-traveled areas like the Smoky Mountain crest or Cataloochee. Summer wildflowers, autumn foliage, and historic homestead sites (old farms and mills) make backcountry hikes rich in variety. Night skies can reveal the Milky Way in remote coves.
• Access & Permits: A backcountry permit is required for any overnight camping. Permits (with a small fee) can be reserved online or in-person at visitor centers up to 6 months ahead. Permits limit group size (usually max 5 persons) and require identification of specific shelters or campsites.

10. Canyonlands National Park (Utah) – A labyrinth of canyons and mesas carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. The park’s four districts (Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, rivers) share a primitive desert feel with hoodoos, arches, and buttes at every turn. The landscape feels endless, with sweeping overlooks and slot canyons in the Needles.

• Highlights: Hike Mesa Arch at dawn (Island in the Sky) and continue to Upheaval Dome; explore the Needles District’s colorful spires (Chesler Park loop, Elephant Canyon); or attempt the extremely remote Maze (permit only, hike or 4WD). River trips through Cataract Canyon are also a possibility.
• Access & Permits: All overnight backcountry travel requires a permit. Designated backcountry campsites exist (especially near trails), but some river- or 4x4-trips also need special permits. Apply via recreation.gov or the visitor center. The Maze and Gooseneck require advance planning and self-sufficiency.

Sources: Authoritative park websites and guides were used to identify each location’s natural highlights and permit rules. Each area offers unforgettable scenic beauty and backcountry adventure for prepared hikers and campers.