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:

Nov 17, 2025National Take a Hike Day
Nov 27, 2022Cecropia leaf and lobster claw petals in Mexico
Oct 18, 2025Silbury Hill for International Archaeology Day
Aug 24, 2026Brooklyn Bridge, New York City
Jul 24, 2023Cousins Day
Oct 10, 2021A shell of many colors
Jan 17, 2019A wassailing we go
Jan 8, 2026Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
Jan 2, 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
Jun 13, 2022Okavango Delta, Botswana
Apr 6, 2019Make way for robots
Oct 24, 2024Bodie State Historic Park, California
Apr 17, 2024Black bear cub emerging into spring
Mar 27, 2023New York City skyline
May 15, 2019Basking in the glow
Jun 25, 2018Tracking ships on the Day of the Seafarer
Jan 19, 2021The ruins of a Maya superpower
Dec 20, 2020Dressed for winter fun
May 22, 2023International Day for Biodiversity
May 31, 2018Leaves of Grass
Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy
Sep 24, 2019With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
Jan 28, 2022Short-eared owl
Feb 2, 2020Hut, hut, hike!
Mar 10, 2022Bobbio, Italy
Apr 3, 2018The village of Castelluccio above the Piano Grande, Umbria, Italy
Jul 8, 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
Oct 28, 2018Do spirits haunt the Gardens of Versailles?
Aug 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea
Feb 12, 2023Blue-footed booby, Galápagos Islands