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Best Backpacking Trails in California

Browse 17 backpacking trails across 183 miles (295 km) in California.
Default image for John Muir Trail (Duck Pass Trailhead to Vermillion Valley Resort), a 47.6-mile trail in Mammoth Lakes, CA (US)
47.6 Miles
76.6 km
Strenuous One-Way

John Muir Trail (Duck Pass Trailhead to Vermillion Valley Resort)

Mammoth Lakes, California
Default image for Matlock Lake, a 7.3-mile trail in Independence, CA (US)
7.3 Miles
11.7 km
Moderate Out-and-Back

Matlock Lake

Inyo National Forest, California
Default image for Loch Leven Lakes, a 8.0-mile trail in Emigrant Gap, CA (US)
8 Miles
12.9 km
Moderate Out-and-Back

Loch Leven Lakes

Tahoe National Forest, California
Default image for Salmon Creek Trail, a 10.0-mile trail in Big Sur, CA (US)
10 Miles
16.1 km
Moderate Out-and-Back

Salmon Creek Trail

Big Sur, California
Default image for Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley, a 37.0-mile trail in Wawona, CA (US)
37 Miles
59.5 km
Strenuous One-Way

Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley

Yosemite National Park, California
Default image for Gridley Trail to Nordhoff Peak, a 13.5-mile trail in Ojai, CA (US)
13.5 Miles
21.7 km
Strenuous Out-and-Back

Gridley Trail to Nordhoff Peak

Los Padres National Forest, California
Default image for Parker Lake Trail, a 3.8-mile trail in June Lake, CA (US)
3.8 Miles
6.1 km
Hard Out-and-Back

Parker Lake Trail

Inyo National Forest, California
Default image for San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail, a 11.0-mile trail in Riverside County, CA (US)
11 Miles
17.7 km
Strenuous Out-and-Back

San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail

Mount San Jacinto State Park, California
Default image for Ohlone Wilderness Trail, a 28.0-mile trail in Livermore, CA (US)
28 Miles
45.1 km
Strenuous One-Way

Ohlone Wilderness Trail

Ohlone Regional Wilderness, California
Default image for The Gate and South Gate Loop Trail - Squaw Meadow, a 5.0-mile trail in McCloud, CA (US)
5 Miles
8 km
Moderate Loop

The Gate and South Gate Loop Trail - Squaw Meadow

Shasta-trinity National Forest, California
Default image for Simpson Reed Trail, a 0.6-mile trail in Crescent City, CA (US)
0.6 Miles
1 km
Easy Loop

Simpson Reed Trail

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California
Default image for River Beach Trail, a 0.5-mile trail in Crescent City, CA (US)
0.5 Miles
0.8 km
Easy Out-and-Back

River Beach Trail

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California
Showing 1 to 12 of 17 Hiking Trails

Trails by Category

Scenic mountain view representing vista trails
Vista Trails
Scenic gorge of cascades representing waterfall trails
Waterfall Trails
Rugged mountain terrain representing summit trails
Summit Trails
Scenic mountain view representing dog-friendly trails
Dog-Friendly Trails

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