Travel is more a part of being human than most people realize. For thousands of years, our species has migrated, from the frozen north to the fatal desert, from the mountains at the top of the world down to the lowest valleys. It’s in our nature to explore and experience life, and traveling makes this all possible.

While some love a good, old-fashioned road trip, others are a bit more adventurous. Those intrepid souls who choose to get out of their cars and feel their feet against the Earth are the true explorers in our modern time, and it’s turned into a great pastime for some.

Where a car can get you across the country, hiking and backpacking will get you face-to-face with Mother Nature. As an adventurous spirit, you probably know that it’s only by experiencing nature firsthand where we can come to understand our inherent connection with the natural world.

If you’re planning on taking a trip to a remote trailhead, depending on how far of a drive it will be, you’re going to be better off getting a rental car for an extended cross country trip, not only for car wear and tear purposes, but for safety purposes as well. Here we’ll detail a few interesting places perfect for hiking and backpacking.

Lost Creek Wilderness

Also known as Goose Creek, Lost Creek Wilderness is situated in the Pike National Forest region of Colorado, and contains the town of Bailey. This area is composed of nearly 120,000 acres of pristine wilderness, with great elevation gains and views that aren’t for the faint of heart in some locations. The region gets its name from the creek that flows through the area, disappearing at times through the primordial rock formations, and reemerging first as the sound of running water, then as a glimmer between rocks as you gain elevation along the trail. Along the trail, you’ll come across old hand-hewn cabins that early settlers built when surveying the region. A note of caution though: this area is home to many wild bears and the occasional mountain lion, so it’s best to travel with others.

Along with your backpack and gear, make sure you’re equipped to fend off any local wildlife you may come across.

Painted Desert

The Painted Desert is also known as the Badlands of the Southwest. This stretch of rolling, high desert sits firmly on the Colorado Plateau and runs from the eastern end of the Grand Canyon down into the Petrified National Forest. The Painted Desert is generally accessed through the Petrified National Forest, so it’s a great “twofer” if you’re up for a panoramic adventure. Though you’re not allowed to camp in the park, you are able to hike out beyond the Lithodendron Wash (a mile or so from the parking area) and pitch a tent for the night if you so desire.

The Park Rangers at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park are very knowledgeable about the area, and they’ll be the first to tell you that they might get just a few people every year who choose to hike through the desert to camp. It’s also good to note that campfires are not allowed, so you’ll need to bring a light source or camp stove.

If you’re up for a spooky overnight adventure in the middle of a quiet desert, this is the place to be. It’s here where you’ll witness a brilliant play of colors at sunset, a blanket of brilliant stars at night, and you’ll come to intimately know the deafening sounds of silence.

Beaver Lake

Situated in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, Beaver Lake is actually a manmade reservoir from the White River with over 400 miles of shoreline amid numerous natural caves, petrified wood, and tall limestone bluffs. Beaver Lake is also home to the once historic resort town of Monte Ne which once was home to two of the tallest log buildings in the world. Most of the town is now submerged within the lake, and is often the destination for scuba divers. Aside from the lake, which also contains several beaches where nudists are welcome, the surrounding landscape will delight the outdoorsman with numerous hiking trails, primitive camping sites, and natural hot springs.

You never truly know a place until you get out of the car and explore. No matter where you’re headed, dare to touch the face of nature, and in doing so, the experience will be more rewarding than the trip itself.