We get it, trails are usually better when there’s less people on them.
If you’re looking for lesser-known (and less crowded) thru-hiking trails this year, we’ve got you covered.
If you can keep a secret, check out this list of 10 secret hiking trails they don’t want you to know about!
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail – Florida
The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail is a 101 mile trail located in the Florida National Scenic Trail that traces a path around the actual Lake Okeechobee.
It’s a great spot for a warm-weather thru-hike but, with 23 access points, it’s also a great trail for a variety of day hikes.
Half of this trail is paved, so if you want to travel by wheels (we’re talking biking or rollerblading), it’ll be easy for you to get from one access point to another.
Think you’ll want to stay overnight? There are 14 campsites available near the trail that you can use on a first come first served basis.
There are no fees or permits required for this trail, but we do recommend packing a lot of sunscreen and bug spray for the Sunshine State.
Mischa Mokwa Adventure Trail – Virginia & Kentucky
The Mischa Mokwa Adventure Trail is a 20-mile trail through Cumberland Gap National Park.
With an elevation of over 4,000 ft and a fairly remote location, we recommend this trail to our experienced hikers who are ready and prepared to take on a challenge!
This trek will take you through the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains, giving you great views of the rolling hills, caves, and forests the area is so well known for.
With this length and elevation, we recommend that you make this a multi-day trip and elect to stay overnight in one of the trail’s designated campsites.
Before you go, make sure to secure a back-country permit for your party, and familiarize yourself with any specific regulations.
Finally, this trail is point-to-point, which means you will end 20 miles away from where you started.
We recommend bribing a friend to come and pick you up, or driving one car to the end point before you hop on the trail!
Greenstone Ridge Trail – Michigan
The Greenstone Ridge Trail is a 40 mile trail through the gorgeous Isle Royale National Park in Michigan.
This trail will take you through remote wilderness, queuing you up for some incredible scenic views along the way!
Most backpackers take anywhere from 5 to 8 days to complete the trail, so we recommend this trek for intermediate hikers looking to advance their backpacking skills.
With a variety of campsites along the way, this trek is ideal for large groups of adventurers that want to explore Michigan’s natural spaces.
However, if you are hiking with more than seven people, you’ll need advanced reservations to camp.
All hikers are required to pay an entrance fee of $7 a day. To learn more about group hiking, fees, transportation, and to see recommended itineraries, check out the Greenstone Ridge Trail website here.
Lone Star Hiking Trail – Texas
The Lone Star Hiking Trail is a gorgeous point-to-point trail that takes you 96 miles through the Sam Houston National Forest.
Because summers in Texas can get muggy, we recommend that you hike this one in the fall, winter, or spring for the most comfortable experience.
This trail is filled to the brim with incredible tree-laden landscapes, beautiful wildflowers, and breathtaking views.
With an elevation gain of 3,576 ft over the 92 miles, this is a fairly gradual trek, leaving you focusing more on getting the best picture than getting up the tallest hill.
There are a variety of designated campsites along the trail, including more accommodating recreational camping areas, designated hunter camps, and more remote designated primitive camps.
When it is not hunting season, backpackers can choose any spot along the trail for camping as long as they take the appropriate precautions outlined on this website.
Ozark Highlands Trail – Arkansas
You better believe we love the Ozarks at Wilderness Times!
The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) takes you through 218 miles of the most gorgeous and rugged parts of Arkansas, including Lake Fort Smith State Park, the Ozark National Forest, and the Buffalo National River.
The best time to do this trek is in the fall, winter, or spring when the weather is more moderate.
Whenever you decide to go, this well-blazed trail will take you through incredible sites like the Boston Mountains, Sylamore, and Lake Norfolk.
Camping is absolutely allowed along the OHT, but you’ll have a hard time finding many established public campgrounds.
The park asks that campers pick any spot along the trail 200 feet out of sight and away from any water source.
One final thing. Hunting is allowed for most of the year on the OHT, so the park recommends that backpackers wear bright flare colors on their packs and bodies as they hike. Gotta stay safe out there!
Cascade Canyon Trail – Wyoming
Want to experience the Rocky Mountains, without all the crowds you’ll find in Yellowstone? Cascade Canyon Trail is the spot for you!
This trail takes hikers through a 9.1 mile out and back path in Grand Teton National Park.
This is a great trail if you want a more challenging day hike, or if you’re just flexing your beginner backpacking muscles.
This hike will take you from the famous Jenny Lake all the way to the base of the Grand Tetons.
It is a gorgeous hike that winds through mountain vistas and gorgeous alpine lakes. This is also a great hike for spotting wildlife, since moose and bears are commonly seen in the area.
Grand Teton requires guests to purchase day passes for their travels through the park, and to reserve campgrounds ahead of time.
Check out this website for more information before you head over!
Centennial Trail – South Dakota
The Centennial Trail will take you through 125 miles of the beautiful Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
This trail is best to tackle in the spring, summer, or fall (South Dakota gets COLD in the winter), and can take anywhere from 5 to 8 days to complete.
We recommend this trail to our intermediate to advanced hikers for one reason alone: elevation.
The over 24,500 feet of elevation gain spans through almost the entirety of the trail, meaning it will almost always feel like you are going up or down!
Even with that gain, this is an amazing trail that’s super easy to follow. And don’t worry, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views of the Black Hills for the entirety of the trek.
North Slaughter Canyon Trail – Carlsbad, New Mexico
The North Slaughter Canyon Trail is a perfect challenge for any advanced hiker who wants a gorgeous getaway in Carlsbad National Park.
This trek is a 11.1 mile out and back trail with a 2,040 ft elevation gain.
The challenge of this trek is in the rock scramble, which can be fairly steep and difficult for non-experienced hikers (see our article on hiking difficulty levels).
If you think you’re up for it, you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous view of the surrounding scenery and canyons.
Let’s be clear. We always recommend sturdy footwear for hikes, but we definitely recommend it for North Slaughter Canyon. You’ll want firm footing on the rocks as you climb up this one.
Depending on where you go, you might need to pay a fee. Check out the Carlsbad National Park website for more information.
High Sierra Trail – California
With 70 miles of beautiful landscape to take in, the High Sierra Trail is a gorgeous point-to-point trail in the wilderness of Sequoia National Park.
With an elevation gain of 16,427, this is a hike for intermediate to advanced adventurers.
Along with beautiful views of the National Forest, you’ll also take on steep ascents and creek crossings, and the ever changing weather of California.
This hike is a wilderness wonderland filled with mountains, forests, and lakes that will make you stop and take a picture.
Depending on what trails you plan to take and how often you want to camp, you may need to check out the different permit options available in the National Forest.
You can check out potential itineraries and required permits by clicking on the links we’ve included.
The Enchantments Traverse – Washington State
Coming in at 18.5 miles, The Enchantments Traverse is an advanced trek through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
With 4,845 feet in elevation gain and a variety of rock scrambles and bushwhacking, this is a great hike if you’re looking for a challenge.
You’ll take in all the best sights of the Pacific Northwest on this hike, including glacial lakes, runoff streams, and beautiful granite rock formations that you won’t want to miss.
While it’s possible to complete this one in a single day, we recommend tackling this hike over the course of two days for the most enjoyable trip.
Permits are required for overnight campers, which you can read up on here.
Let Us Know How It Goes!
We can keep a secret if you can!
Whether you go out for a day or a week, we hope you enjoy exploring these lesser-known (and lesser-traveled) paths.
Please let us know how it goes for you and your crew!
Have any other suggestions for less crowded hikes? Feel free to add them to the comments below!