Summer Adventures with the Piggyback Rider

Summer is officially here! Temperatures are rising, the trails are reopening and adventures can start to resume. In the midst of this pandemic, it's important to keep your distance, which makes hiking the trails the perfect way to get out and explore this summer. There are so many hiking trails and National parks all over the United States that it makes picking just one so hard! If you're up for an adventure this summer, grab your Piggyback Rider and take it with you to any one of these magical places. 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon, but a series of natural amphitheaters or bowls, carved into the edge of a high plateau. The most famous of these is the Bryce Amphitheater, which is filled with irregularly eroded spires of rocks called hoodoos. Perhaps every visitor to the park will spend at least some time marvelling at its four main viewpoints, all found within the first few miles of the park: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Hiking the Grand Canyon can be quite challenging and requires a fair amount of planning. The good news is that scenic trails are plentiful and some even feature paved paths for added convenience. Consider a day hike during the hotter summer months and be sure to stay hydrated throughout.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Visitors to Montana's Glacier National Park will have options galore when it comes to taking a memorable hike as the park boasts more than 700 miles of trails appealing to hikers of all abilities. The 10-mile Grinnell Glacier Trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic in America.

Yosemite National Park, California

Picturesque Yosemite National Park is a hiker's paradise, offering a handful of breathtaking trails ranging from easy to difficult. The epic Half Dome Hike is on most visitors' radar as its scenery is second to none, providing conquering hikers with an unbeatable view of the Yosemite Valley.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park is home to the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas and offers tremendous variety as visitors can choose from desert, mountain and even river hikes. What's more, elevations in the park range from 1,800 feet to 7,832 feet, meaning hikers can expect varying temperatures as well as a unique mix of plants and wildlife.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Visitors to Florida's Everglades National Park will be drawn to the self-guided Anhinga Trail, which winds through the park's sawgrass marsh, providing hikers with the opportunity to see alligators, turtles, herons and other animals in the wild.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Michigan's isolated Isle Royale National Park is among the country's least visited so hiking can be quite a unique experience. Catch a ferry to the Rock Harbor or Windigo areas and pick a short or long hike that works for you. Just be sure to pack accordingly to ensure you have enough of the right supplies to get you through the day.

For the full list of National Parks that are now reopen, click here.