Backcountry camping in U.S. national parks provides opportunities to explore remote wilderness beyond developed campgrounds. According to the National Park Service (NPS), over 2.5 million people obtain backcountry permits annually. Parks that rank among the best for this activity were chosen based on trail networks, access to permits, ecological diversity, and established backcountry zones. Below are ten standout national parks where backcountry camping offers both challenge and reward.
Yellowstone National Park: Vast Wilderness Across Three States
Yellowstone protects over 2.2 million acres, with more than 1,000 miles of trails and 293 designated backcountry campsites. Permits are required and can be reserved online or in person. Popular routes include the Thorofare Trail, leading 30 miles into one of the most remote areas in the continental U.S. Campers encounter geothermal basins, grizzly bear habitat, and pristine lakeshores, with backcountry regulations emphasizing food storage due to high wildlife activity.
Glacier National Park: Alpine Lakes and Remote Trails
Glacier offers 65 designated backcountry campgrounds connected by 700 miles of trails. The park issues about 30,000 backcountry permits annually, with highly sought-after routes including the 50-mile Northern Traverse and the Highline Trail. Many sites sit beside glacial lakes or alpine meadows with views of rugged peaks. Reservations open 120 days in advance, and campers must be prepared for bear encounters and sudden weather shifts.
Yosemite National Park: Iconic Wilderness Beyond the Valley
Yosemite has 750 miles of trails and 13 trailhead-based permit zones for overnight use. Each year, roughly 45,000 backcountry permits are issued, with top destinations including Little Yosemite Valley, the John Muir Trail corridor, and alpine basins near Tuolumne Meadows. Elevations range from 4,000 to over 11,000 feet, offering diverse conditions. Wilderness permits double as campfire permits, though seasonal restrictions often apply due to wildfire risk.
Grand Canyon National Park: Rim-to-River Wilderness Routes
The Grand Canyon has over 500 backcountry campsites divided among corridor, threshold, and wild zones. The Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails are the most traveled, while remote areas like the Tonto Trail and Kanab Creek require strong navigation skills. The park processes more than 12,000 backcountry permit requests annually, with corridor permits most competitive. Water sources are limited, and hikers must plan carefully for distances exceeding 20 miles between reliable springs.
Rocky Mountain National Park: High-Altitude Backcountry Zones
Covering 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park designates over 200 wilderness campsites accessible by trail. Elevations from 8,000 to 12,000 feet make acclimatization important. Popular routes include the 25-mile loop through Thunder Lake and Lake Verna, as well as remote basins near Longs Peak. Permits, capped at 60 people per night per zone, are issued via a lottery system, with July and August being the busiest months.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Dense Forest and Remote Ridges
With 800 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites and shelters, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited U.S. park offering extensive backcountry options. The Appalachian Trail runs for 71 miles through the park, intersecting with sites like Spence Field and Mount Le Conte. Permits are required and must be reserved online. Black bear density is among the highest in the country, and strict food storage regulations apply.
Olympic National Park: Three Ecosystems in One Park
Olympic’s 876,000 acres span coastline, temperate rainforest, and alpine terrain, making it one of the most diverse backcountry destinations. The park has over 130 wilderness campsites. The 17-mile Hoh River Trail leads into glacier-capped Mount Olympus, while coastal routes like the Ozette Triangle traverse remote beaches. Annual backcountry permits number around 10,000. Tides and river crossings make route planning essential, particularly along the rugged Pacific coast.
Denali National Park: True Alaskan Wilderness
Denali covers 6 million acres, with no designated trails or campsites in most of its backcountry. Instead, it’s divided into 87 permit units, each limiting the number of campers to reduce impact. Only about 2,000 backcountry permits are issued each year. Campers must navigate tundra, braided rivers, and glacial valleys, with frequent wildlife sightings including caribou and grizzly bears. The absence of trails makes Denali one of the most authentic wilderness experiences in North America.
Canyonlands National Park: Desert Solitude and Remote Canyons
Canyonlands offers 47 backcountry campsites across four districts, each with distinct terrain. The Maze district is one of the least accessible areas in the NPS system, requiring high-clearance vehicles and extensive route-finding. The Needles district provides multi-day backpacking among sandstone spires, while the Island in the Sky has limited but scenic sites overlooking canyons. Water sources are scarce, and permits must be reserved in advance for all overnight trips.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: Sierra Nevada Wilderness Routes
Together, these parks protect over 800,000 acres of wilderness with 800 miles of trails. Iconic backcountry routes include the Rae Lakes Loop, a 41-mile circuit through alpine basins, and sections of the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. The parks issue around 25,000 wilderness permits each season, with quotas at popular trailheads like Mineral King and Roads End. Campsites often sit beneath giant sequoias or beside high-elevation glacial lakes.
