National Take a Hike Day Nov 17, 2023

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:

Jan 23, 2024Atolls in the Maldives
Sep 20, 2018May we have this dance?
Mar 20, 2023Spring equinox
Jan 11, 2022Porcupine
Mar 24, 2022Red squirrel
Oct 7, 2019From the mind of Frank Gehry
Dec 25, 2022Merry Christmas!
Jul 13, 2022International Rock Day
Sep 1, 2021It s National Mushroom Month!
Sep 17, 2021Eye of the cave
Apr 18, 2019Stop and see the flowers
May 25, 2022The Alhambra in Granada, Spain
Jun 8, 2026World Oceans Day
Jul 27, 2025Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Jun 27, 2018In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
Feb 12, 2018National Museum of African American History and Culture
Jul 21, 2023Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
Mar 23, 2021Uncommon clouds are gathering
Aug 31, 2024Tassili n’Ajjer, Sahara, Algeria
May 13, 2024Fish River Canyon, Namibia
May 6, 2026Thunderstorm above the plains, Bulgaria
Apr 15, 2020Art and soul
Feb 28, 2020Looking down on the Otter
May 22, 2018Happy birthday to Crater Lake National Park
Jun 15, 2018Ready for takeoff
Jul 29, 2020Góða ólavsøku, from the Faroes!
Feb 18, 2023Eben Ice Caves, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Mar 25, 2022Tolkien Reading Day
Jul 9, 2026Rice fields at Sapa, Lào Cai, Vietnam
Jul 18, 2020The moth wonderful time of the year