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:

Dec 20, 2022Christmas market at Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Mar 28, 2023The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Dec 12, 2020What are we looking at?
Sep 12, 2020A city, a cliff, a canyon…and cheese
Aug 30, 2020Hay, what s up?
Jul 12, 2018Provence blooms with lavender at Sénanque Abbey
Sep 28, 2024National Public Lands Day
Jan 19, 2020Ready. Set. Snow.
Feb 27, 2022International Polar Bear Day
Aug 1, 2019Hawaii Volcanoes National Park turns 103
Sep 5, 20221934 Labor Day parade, Gastonia, North Carolina
Feb 12, 2025Celebrating Charles Darwin
Feb 27, 2024International Polar Bear Day
Sep 9, 2023Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Nov 7, 2024Vancouver Coastal Sea wolves, Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
Jun 1, 2021Pretty poetic for a pit
Apr 27, 2024National Go Birding Day
Feb 12, 2022Darwin s Arch
Jun 3, 2023National Trails Day
Aug 26, 2024Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Jul 22, 2023National Hammock Day
May 26, 2020It s tree-climbing season
Apr 27, 2021Design for Each and All
Jan 22, 2022Martinique
Aug 20, 2022World Honey Bee Day
Nov 16, 2018Ancient art in the Amazon
Dec 8, 2025Christmas lights in Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
Sep 12, 2025In the Red Sea for World Dolphin Day
Aug 24, 2025European fallow deer in England