National Take a Hike Day Nov 17, 2023

National Take a Hike Day

Take a hike, buddy! No, not the "get out of here" version but the "get out there" version. It"s time to lace up those boots and take advantage of our national trails, which span over 91,000 miles. Back in the 1960s, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Trails System Act into law, to preserve, promote, and develop scenic and historic trails across the country. Can"t decide where to start? Our homepage image offers up one option which is awash with fall colors—Copper Falls State Park in Wisconsin. With 17 miles of trails along the Bad River, past waterfalls and ancient lava flows, this park has a lot to offer. Whether it"s a rugged mountain path, a serene forest walk, or an oceanside stroll, this country has a trail waiting for you. But remember to respect nature, follow "leave no trace" principles, and take nothing but photographs. Happy hiking!

© Big Joe/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nov 17, 2018A bird of beauty
Nov 17, 2019Remembering the Velvet Revolution
Nov 17, 2020Take a hike near Lovers Lane
Nov 17, 2021Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Nov 17, 2022National Take a Hike Day
Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scottish Highlands
Nov 17, 2025National Take a Hike Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 7, 2025Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława, Poland
Dec 7, 2018Honoring our fallen heroes
Sep 3, 2025Annivesary of the Wilderness Act of 1964
Jun 5, 2018Up, up, and away for Hot Air Balloon Day
May 29, 2023Memorial Day
Jul 20, 2018Composite of photographs from the Apollo 15 mission
Feb 17, 2019Flock online for the Great Backyard Bird Count
Jan 23, 2021A sleeping green giant
May 29, 2020It s Bermuda s big day
Feb 24, 2025Group of giant cuttlefish, Whyalla, South Australia
Feb 17, 2025Presidents Day
Nov 19, 2018A narrow passage
Mar 18, 2023Gamboa Crater, Mars
Sep 24, 2023World Rivers Day
Jun 15, 2018Ready for takeoff
Oct 15, 2024Great wildebeest migration at Mara River, Kenya
Mar 29, 2023Manatee Appreciation Day
Apr 3, 2024Find a Rainbow Day
Sep 28, 2021The snows of Fuji
Feb 19, 2022Mount Logan in Yukon, Canada
Nov 28, 2022Red Planet Day
Jul 23, 2020At the foot of Dubrovnik s Gibraltar
Aug 26, 2021What are these creatures?
Dec 14, 2021American robin
Jan 23, 2019Celebrating Pie Day is as easy as, well…
May 16, 20193,000 years of history
Jul 2, 2018Keep watching the skies
Jun 3, 2023National Trails Day
Jun 24, 2026Pollinator Week
Jan 31, 2020Dance of the egret