Where To See The Most Wonderful Wilderness In Your State And Beyond

Wild at heart

Worlds away from its thrumming cities, America's wild spaces are some of the most awe-inspiring in the world. Vast swaths of the country are given over to soaring snow-crowned peaks, thick, trail-laced forests, and sprawling lakes and rivers. Some places are easily accessible for hikers of all abilities; others are left to the pros.

Read on to discover the most spectacular slice of wilderness in your state and beyond...

Alabama: Sipsey Wilderness, William B. Bankhead National Forest

Alabama is better known for its history-rich cities and stellar soul food than its wide, open spaces – but that's not to say it's lacking in opportunity for outdoor adventure. One of the finest places to go off-grid is the Sipsey Wilderness in William B. Bankhead National Forest. The largest designated wilderness area in the state, it's a wonderland of limestone crags and terraced cascades, with miles of forested hiking trails.

Alaska: Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop

Alaska was made for larger-than-life, off-the-beaten-path adventures and many of the state's unspoiled wildernesses aren't accessible by road. That's true of the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, an area you can only reach via the Alaska Railroad, which slices through the center of the state. Drink in the ethereal ice-blue glacier, in the midst of the Chugach National Forest, before taking to the Placer River on a rafting trip with Chugach Adventures.

Arizona: Mazatzal Wilderness, Tonto and Coconino National Forests

Vast swaths of desert studded with cacti and fringed with hulking mountains: Arizona's backcountry is the stuff of American dreams and the Mazatzal Wilderness is the perfect example of it. Rugged trails beat into the raw terrain of the Sonoran Desert, alongside the twisting Verde River, and acres of pine-splashed mountains spike toward the sky. Its name comes from an Indigenous term meaning 'land of the deer,' so look out for wildlife as you hike. 

Arkansas: Upper Buffalo Wilderness Unit, Buffalo National River

The mighty Buffalo National River is one of the USA's great natural forces, snaking out for more than 150 untamed miles. The Upper Buffalo Wilderness Unit protects a mighty parcel of it, stretching through dense thickets of oak-hickory forest. The river is wild and unfettered in these parts and only pros should attempt activities on it. 

California: Six Rivers National Forest

It's in the Golden State's wild northern reaches that you'll find its most epic wilderness. That includes the Six Rivers National Forest. Nosing up towards the Oregon border, it's sliced through with more than 1,500 miles of streams and it covers dizzying jagged peaks. There are endless opportunities for adventure here, including raw, boots-on treks on more than 100 miles of hiking trails and rafting on waterways including the Smith River.

Colorado: McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area

Look once and you'd be forgiven for thinking this was the mighty Grand Canyon – but's actually the equally awe-inspiring McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in Colorado. Twisted red and orange rock ripples out for as far as the eye can see, with plunging canyons and the wiggling Colorado River. A favored area is the Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness, which spreads out for 75,000 eye-popping acres. 

Connecticut: Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted

Lose yourself in Peoples State Forest, a densely wooded wilderness that's as well known for its winter adventure opportunities as for its summer hikes. At a humble 3,124 acres, it's more diminutive than some giant wild spaces on this list, but it has standout spots including Matthies Grove with its teetering white pines. Take to the 14 miles of forest trails and you'll soon forget all about civilization. 

Delaware: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

The state of Delaware is regularly underrated, whether for its sandy beaches, culture-rich cities, or paradisiacal wildlife refuges. Bombay Hook is the latter, serving as a habitat for myriad species, from bald eagles to whitetail deer, plus all manner of migrating waterfowl. The landscapes alone are photo-worthy too: you'll see great sweeps of unspoiled tidal marshland, plus meadows, rivers, and mudflats.

Florida: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness, Everglades National Park

Florida's famous 'river of glass,' the sprawling Everglades, comprise some of the Sunshine State's most famous natural landscapes. But such is their sheer size that it's still easy to find remote pockets. Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness is a stirring designated wilderness covering large swaths of the park, and characterized by wildlife-rich waterways, home to dolphins, manatees, and turtles. 

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Georgia: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

There's something magical and mysterious about swampland in the South and that rings true for this giant waterbody in southeastern Georgia. A bounty of wildlife lives in this refuge, which protects the headwaters of the Suwannee and St Marys rivers. Hike on wooden boardwalks or take to the waters on a kayak and keep your eyes peeled for the likes of American alligators, snapping turtles and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

Hawaii: Wilderness Area of Haleakalā, Haleakalā National Park

America's wild spaces don't come much more rugged than this. A hike in the Wilderness Area of Haleakalā National Park (which protects the dormant Haleakalā Volcano) is best left to those with experience, given the stark environs, sheer remoteness, and changeable conditions. If you're a pro up for the challenge, the region can be reached by two soaring trailheads: the Halemauʻu or Keoneheʻeheʻe. The volcano summit soars to an eye-watering 9,740 feet. 

Idaho: Sawtooth Wilderness

When it comes to mind-boggling landscapes, the state of Idaho is criminally underrated – and this incredible slice of wilderness is one reason to take note. The Sawtooth Wilderness is a world of thrusting granite peaks, thickly forested valleys, and gin-clear high alpine lakes. Trails wriggle alongside waterways including the Boise River and strike through meadows scattered with seasonal wildflowers.

Illinois: Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

Think of Illinois and the first thing that might spring to mind is Chicago – but there's more to the Prairie State than the Windy City, including this rocky wonderland. The aptly named Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is characterized by mushrooming rock formations and thick forest: explore on the quarter-mile Observation Trail, which offers sweeping vistas of the unusual terrain.

Indiana: Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Hoosier National Forest

Taking over some 12,953 acres of the Hoosier National Forest, the Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers pure, unbridled adventure. Strike out on the 36 miles of trails, which snake through serene hardwood forest and fringe glassy Monroe Lake. The lake is popular with kayakers too, as well as campers who pitch up on its wooded banks. 

Iowa: Loess Hills State Forest

Iowa is often written off as a flyover state, but its natural bounty might just surprise you. Spreading out over 11,484 acres, Loess Hills State Forest swoops towards Iowa's western fringes, covering a striking natural ridge known as the Loess Hills. Enveloped within the area, you'll find scenic overlooks, fishing lakes and sweeps of dense forest, all sewn together by some 60 miles of hiking trails.

Kansas: Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

You might not know that these stirring landscapes exist in the Sunflower State. A camera-loving patchwork of wetlands, salt marshes and grassy prairies opens out in the center of Kansas and provides a critical habitat for a bounty of migratory waterfowl. Trails strike into the varied ecosystems, offering a chance to spot everything from herons and egrets to prairie dogs. 

Kentucky: Daniel Boone National Forest

While Kentucky is better known for its free-flowing bourbon than its wild spaces, the Bluegrass State has natural wonders aplenty. There are oodles of remote pockets in the Daniel Boone National Forest, which gobbles up great tracts of eastern Kentucky. Areas of note include the Beaver Creek Wilderness, known for its sheer sandstone bluffs and natural arches. And don't miss a trek to Vanhook Falls, a near 40-foot cascade accessed via the Sheltowee Trace Trailhead. 

Louisiana: Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge

Nothing screams 'Southern USA' like acres of remote Spanish-moss-coated swampland – and that's exactly what you'll find at the  Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge. It parcels up a breathtaking 15,000 acres of snaking bayous and photogenic bottomland hardwood forest that's a haven for critters and birdlife. Come to canoe or kayak on the waters, or drink in the views from the dedicated hiking and ATV trails. 

Maine: Isle au Haut, Acadia National Park

The rocky shores and rippling peaks of Acadia National Park form some of New England's finest wilderness – and, within that, Isle au Haut is one of the park's most remote areas. Accessible only by ferry, the island has almost no services – but what it lacks in creature comforts, it makes up for with raw, real beauty. Visit for rugged stony beaches, pin-drop-quiet marshlands, and a freshwater lake, all joined up by some 18 miles of hiking trails. 

Maryland: Assateague Island National Seashore

The image of feral horses silhouetted against an orange sunset forms a classic scene of Assateague Island National Seashore, a protected swath of the Maryland and Virginia coast. Other draws include windswept, grass-flecked beaches the color of champagne and isolated campgrounds that allow you to get back to nature. There's a paved biking trail affording stellar views too. 

Massachusetts: Bash Bish Falls State Park

In the far western reaches of the state, where the urban hub of Boston is a distant memory, you'll find Bash Bish Falls State Park. Despite its remote location, the site remains pretty popular given the sheer beauty of the natural spectacle. Enveloped by thick forest, which puts on a spectacular show during fall, Bash Bish Falls cascades some 80 feet over a rocky gorge into a sapphire pool.

Michigan: Isle Royale Wilderness, Isle Royale National Park

A large swath of Michigan's remote Isle Royale National Park has been designated pure 'wilderness.' The wild island spreads out in Lake Superior and is pockmarked with hundreds of little lakes and fish-rich ponds. On your adventures – whether via forest-trimmed hiking trails or paddling routes – you'll share the wild land with timber wolves, foxes, beavers, and giant moose. 

Minnesota: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest

As its name suggests, water is the drawcard of this bountiful Wilderness Area enveloped within the sprawling Superior National Forest. An eye-watering 1,200 miles of canoe routes lace the wilderness, which is also characterized by woodland, sand-trimmed shores and jagged bluffs sculpted by glaciers. The water should be calling, but those who prefer dry land can choose between 12 nature-rich hiking trails. 

Mississippi: Island Wilderness, Gulf Islands National Seashore

Drawn to the coasts of Florida and California, few outsiders know the beauty of Mississippi's sugar-white shores. But the Gulf Islands National Seashore protects a great swath of it (swooping into the Sunshine State too). Mississippi's Horn Island and Petit Bois Island together comprise the Seashore's untouched Island Wilderness, described by the National Park Service as 'the only remaining examples of undisturbed natural coast.' Expect secluded sands, wildflowers, and animals such as alligators and turtles.

Missouri: Piney Creek Wilderness, Mark Twain National Forest

A wonderfully wild swath of the rippling Mark Twain National Forest, the Piney Creek Wilderness, which scoots out from the western edge of Table Rock Lake, is all lush, forested ridges and wriggling streams. The star is namesake Piney Creek, a snaking waterway that drains into Table Rock Lake. Explore the wilderness on hiking trails hemmed in by oak, hickory, and sycamore trees.

Montana: Gates Of the Mountain Wilderness Area

Montana is well known for its incredible wild landscapes and the Gates Of the Mountain Wilderness Area will disappoint no visitor to Big Sky Country. Like much of Montana's spectacular backcountry, it's characterized by thrusting snow-capped mountains, glossy lakes, and tightly knitted forests. The wilderness is revealed by 53 miles of trails.

Nebraska: Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

This sweeping escarpment in the far west of Nebraska draws adventure seekers with its rugged trails beating through pine-covered canyons and its soaring observation decks. Keen hikers are joined by wildlife such as bighorn sheep, bobcats and deer, and there's also a nature center so you can learn all about the wilderness.

Nevada: Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is perhaps one of the most underrated in the USA, with its sprawling network of subterranean caves and its sky-piercing peaks. Those after raw adventure should beeline for Wheeler Peak – a groomed trail beats its way some 3,000 feet toward the summit. There's also a 12-mile scenic drive that brings you face-to-face with the mountain. 

New Hampshire: Pemigewasset Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest

The far-reaching White Mountain National Forest is New Hampshire's pride and joy and one of the finest natural areas in New England. Parceled up within it is the Pemigewasset Wilderness, which was once home to a vast logging railroad network. Now it's a true wilderness, having regenerated from decades of logging, and wild hiking trails ripple through its 45,000 acres. 

New Jersey: Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Did you know that the Garden State was home to landscapes like these? The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge conserves a swath of New Jersey's shores, encompassing a large tapestry of salt marshes, plus meadows and forests. It's a hugely important flyover area for migratory birds too: keep your eyes peeled for species such as bald eagles and horned grebes, as well as mammals like deer, otters, and muskrats. 

New Mexico: Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness

The Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness looks like something from another planet. Oddly mushrooming rock formations litter the badlands landscape, their shapes resembling dwellings from Star Wars' Tatooine. There's sparse vegetation here, but hardy shrubs that do survive include pinon-juniper and sagebrush, which appear in diminutive scatterings. It's truly out of this world. 

New York: High Peaks Wilderness Area

The High Peaks Wilderness Area is exactly what it sounds like. It's one of the largest designated wilderness areas east of the mighty Mississippi and it unfolds in great tracts of rippling, forest-covered mountains. Knitted into the landscape are two of the state's highest summits: Mount Marcy and Algonquin Peak at 5,344 feet and 5,114 feet respectively. Soaring, high-altitude lakes and rushing waterfalls complete the picture.

North Carolina: Linville Gorge Wilderness

Western North Carolina is knitted with peaks and the Linville Gorge Wilderness, folded into the Pisgah National Forest, showcases some of the best of them, alongside the dramatic ravine that gives the wild area its name. To the east unfurls Jonas Ridge, and to the west, it's soaring Linville Mountain – together they create the dramatic gorge, through which snakes the rushing Linville River.

North Dakota: North Unit, Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Characterized by roaming bison, stark, undulating badlands, and epic scenic roads, Theodore Roosevelt National Park unfolds in the rugged western part of North Dakota. The wildest bit of all is the North Unit, which is bisected by the 14-mile scenic drive. You'll rise up above the soul-stirring badlands landscape as you edge towards Oxbow Overlook, a dizzying pull-out offering sweeping panoramas.

Ohio: Hell Hollow Wilderness Area

Don't be put off by the macabre name of this forested wilderness. Hell Hollow apparently earned its moniker due to the area's steep hills, which made access difficult (the creek valley is still reached via some 262 timber steps). Still, it's worth it to be immersed in nature, exploring a creek-sculpted gorge that plunges for 100 feet and looking out for the abundant birdlife that call the hollow home.

Oklahoma: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

When it comes to wild spaces, Oklahoma is grossly underrated. The state is sewn with rocky mountains, grassy prairie flecked with wildflowers, and glossy lakes and rivers, and you can find it all at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, in Oklahoma's southwestern flanks. Hit the trails and have your camera ready for wildlife including longhorns, elk, and bison. There are opportunities for camping and kayaking too.

Oregon: Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Oregon has endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, from traversing volcanic landscapes sculpted over millennia to trekking across windswept beaches edged by misty maritime forests. In little-visited Eastern Oregon, there are natural jewels aplenty. Among them is the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, which is home to the deepest river gorge in all of North America. Besides the ravine, there's epic whitewater along the Snake River and forested backcountry scattered with hiking trails.

Pennsylvania: Allegheny Islands Wilderness

A tangle of seven islands is protected by the sweeping wilderness area, characterized by the rushing Allegheny Wild and Scenic River. You'll feel light years from Pennsylvania's biggest cities – buzzing Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – as you strike deep into forests thick with maple and sycamore trees. There aren't maintained trails, but it's still a popular place for primitive camping. 

Rhode Island: Block Island National Wildlife Refuge

This bird's-eye snap shows off the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge in all its glory. The island refuge is distinguished by lush vegetation and blonde sandy shores papered with beach grass, and it offers a haven for myriad wildlife species. The threatened piping plover finds refuge on the island, alongside other birdlife including the American oystercatcher and the snowy owl.

South Carolina: Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

The South Carolina coast is seriously precious and this wildlife refuge protects an unspoiled string of fragile and wildlife-rich barrier islands. It's a true natural playground with sweeping salt marshes, winding bayous, and bird-filled forests, and it provides a haven for many creatures. Almost 300 bird species have been known to grace these shores, including American oystercatchers and black skimmers. It's a home for alligators and turtles too.

South Dakota: South Unit, Badlands National Park

If you're looking for the real 'Wild West,' this rugged national park delivers. Badlands National Park is exactly what it sounds like: a wild area of jagged and ridged badlands, sacred to the Indigenous Lakota people, featuring stark mesas, plunging ravines and seemingly endless grassy prairies. The South Unit is the most undeveloped area: that means wildlife reigns supreme, with species ranging from bison to bighorn sheep.

Tennessee: Bald River Gorge Wilderness

Carved out by the restless Bald River, this craggy gorge is located within the Cherokee National Forest in the far southeast of the state. Hikers who strike into this rugged terrain will be richly rewarded with hushed woodland and striking cascades like the one pictured. The wilderness puts on an especially good show in fall, when the usually emerald canopy is alive with reds, oranges, and russets.

Texas: Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Texas's sheer enormity means it's not hard to find truly wild places – and choosing the state's finest wilderness is no easy feat. There's something extra special about the striking Guadalupe Mountains, though. A large swath of their namesake national park is designated wilderness, and it's distinguished by ultra-craggy flaxen mountains, sprawling desert, and some of the darkest skies in all of America.

Utah: Desolation Canyon Wilderness

Utah is another state that spoils visitors with its natural bounty – from Mars-like red landscapes in the south to almost alpine mountain views in the north. For a wonderfully remote adventure, strike into the Desolation Canyon Wilderness, in the east of the Beehive State. As its name suggests, the showpiece is the echoing ravines carved out by the Green River. You can take rafting trips on the waterway, keeping your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep and elk.

Vermont: Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area

It's known for its excellent ski resorts and cute towns, but Vermont has some stellar wilderness areas up its leafy sleeve too. Among them is the Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area, which covers nearly 5,000 acres and protects a so-called 'boreal bog' formed of evergreen scrub. There are also forests layered with maples and rippling sedge meadows, and the area is a home for wildlife including deer, black bear, and snapping turtles.

Virginia: Shenandoah Wilderness, Shenandoah National Park

Epic sunsets and blazing fall color are the drawcard of Shenandoah National Park, which comprises a large swath of designated wilderness. Expect undulating peaks heaving under the weight of thick forest and meadows dense with wildflowers, all bisected by hundreds of miles of hiking trails. While on the ground, be aware of resident wildlife including bears, bobcats, and groundhogs.

Washington: Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Washington's natural prowess is well known and there are endless epic wildernesses to explore. But perhaps none more stirring than the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area towards the center of the state. It includes the aptly named Enchantments (pictured), a breathtaking area of granite peaks and glossy lakes hemmed in by woodland. The region is crisscrossed with challenging hiking trails too.

West Virginia: Glade Creek, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

At the time of writing, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve remains America's newest national park and it wows visitors with its epic bridge, world-class river rafting and hiking over forested clifftops. Almost all of the park is relatively quiet, but Glade Creek is especially so. The richly forested area includes the abandoned ruins of an old lumber hamlet, as well as primitive campgrounds and a pretty little bridge that crosses the waterway. 

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Islands Wilderness

Wrapped around parts of both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, Wisconsin has some epic shorelines and isles. Wisconsin Islands Wilderness conserves Gravel Island, Spider Island and Hog Island, all limestone atolls that spike out from mighty Lake Michigan. While it's not possible to access the isles on foot, boaters can drink in their beauty from the water and watch for birdlife including gulls and cormorants. 

Wyoming: Thorofare, Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is probably America's most famous wilderness, known for heavily trafficked wonders such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful Geyser. But there are plenty of ultra-remote pockets of the USA's first national park too. The Thorofare is known as a truly secluded slice of the wild: spreading out in Wyoming's far northwest, it's a faraway land of mountains and meadows dominated by bears and wolves. 

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