BEFORE YOU HIKE

Plan Ahead – Use Common Sense!

American Hiking has made every effort to obtain accurate information possible about these hikes. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in the following hike descriptions. Local conditions, law and management policy can change, so be sure to research all hikes carefully, and always contact the relevant local land management authority before attempting any of these hikes. Always be prepared with the 10 essentials before attempting any of these hikes, and be advised that a detailed map and compass are REQUIRED, especially given that several of these hikes involve cross-country travel.

Leave No Trace – Always!

American Hiking Society reminds you of your responsibility to present and future generations to leave the land and trails in at least the same condition as you found them. The easiest way to do this is to understand and follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. Learn more.

Statement of Release of Liability

By clicking "I agree" the user hereby agrees to hold American Hiking Society and other parties selected by he sole discretion of American Hiking Society harmless for any injury, reasonably anticipated or not, that could result from the pursuit of any hike listed as part of the "Best BLM Hikes" page, or from any information contained in these pages or provided or suggested by American Hiking Society. American Hiking Society makes no claims as to the accuracy or applicability of any information contained herein. It is the sole responsibility of the user to independently verify any information relevant to the safe, orderly and legal pursuit of any hikes listed herein.

Furthermore, the user understands that changes in law, management policy, weather or local conditions can render the attempt of any listed hikes dangerous, illegal or inadvisable and agrees to hold American Hiking Society not liable for injuries, fines or difficulties that arise in connection with the pursuit of these hikes.

BEST BLM HIKES

American Hiking Society Announces Best Trails in the West

Do you like to get outside to escape the crowds? Are you looking for "undiscovered" places to see waterfalls, lonely trails and towering peaks?

Many BLM lands are unique and wild, offering exceptional views, few people, and a rare opportunity to experience the "wild west" in the same way the pioneers did hundreds of years ago. But, because many of these fantastic landscapes aren't very well known, it's hard to find information about exceptional hikes on BLM lands. To encourage people to enjoy and steward trails on BLM lands, American Hiking Society launched a search in summer 2007 for the "Best BLM Hikes" in the west.

Winning hikes feature midnight sun, knee-deep wildflowers, petroglyphs and the opportunity to experience traditional western lifestyles. Best yet, most of these hikes are part of a new system of BLM lands known as the National Landscape Conservation System – 26 million acres of the best places to experience the history and wild beauty of the west.

Learn more about American Hiking's work to protect and promote the Conservation System.

Click on the hike names below to explore some of the hidden treasures of the west.

Hike: Virgin Peak Hike Nearest City: Las Vegas, Nevada Management Area: Gold Butte Area of Critical Environmental Concern		Hike: Continental Divide Trail Nearest City: Rio Puerco, NM Management Area: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Ignacio Chavez WASA

Hike: Cow Creek Wilderness Hike Nearest City: Great Falls Montana Management Area: Upper Missouri River Breaks NM, Cow Creek Wilderness		Hike: Little Blitzen Gorge Hike Nearest City: Burns, OR Management Area: Steens Mountain NCA

Hike: Fisher Towers Hike Nearest City: Moab, Utah Management Area: Fisher Towers Wilderness Study Area		Hike: Lost Coast Trail Nearest City: Arcata, California Management Area: King Range NCA

Hike: Kingston Range Wilderness Hike Nearest City: San Bernadino, CA Management Area: Kingston Range Wilderness		Hike: Lovell Canyon, AKA "Anniversary Narrows" Hike Nearest City: Las Vegas, Nevada Management Area: Muddy Mountains Wilderness

Hike: Calico Tank Hike Nearest City: Las Vegas, Nevada Management Area: Red Rock Canyon NCA		Hike: White Rock Loop Hike Nearest City: Las Vegas, Nevada Management Area: Red Rock Canyon NCA

Hike: Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail Nearest City: Fairbanks, Alaska Management Area: Steese NCA		Hike: Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Trail Nearest City: Lees Ferry, Arizona Management Unit: Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

Hike: Mill Creek Canyon Trail Nearest City: Moab, Utah Management Area: Mill Creek Canyon WSA		Hike: Main Wash Hike Nearest City: Las Vegas, Nevada Management Area: Sloan Canyon, NCA