America's Wild Camp & Overland Trail Circuit

Set up base camp among the dense hardwoods of the Ozarks. Prepare your outdoor kitchen setup and settle in for open-fire camp cooking.

Stage your vehicle at the Kyle's Landing access area within the Ponca Wilderness to access the rugged canyon trail systems.

Tackle the unmaintained Indian Creek drainage. Expect slippery rock ledges, creek crossings, and technical footing alongside rushing water.

Explore the unique subterranean grotto of Arkansas Falls, where a powerful torrent of water surges directly out of a dark limestone cave system.

Reach the crux of the Indian Creek route. When tackling the slickrock bluffs, maintain three points of contact, grip the fixed ropes securely, and lean back into the incline.

Climb inside the colossal Eye of the Needle rock arch, an immense natural geological feature framing the high Ozark bluffs.

Drive through the valley pastures of Ponca to spot free-roaming elk herds grazing in the meadows during dawn and dusk.

Disperse camp next to the secluded waters of Hurricane Creek. The creek provides ambient sounds for the campsite and an ideal setting for outdoor Dutch-oven cooking.

Hike the short but steep boulder trail into the deep rock amphitheater of Pam's Grotto to admire its secluded waterfall.

Take a steep uphill climb to the Arkansas Sphinx, a distinctive natural stone pinnacle overlooking the deep forested mountain valley.

Experience authentic Ozark homestead life with hand-milked cows, hydroponic fodder tours, goat hiking, and farm-to-table dinners featuring locally roasted pumpkin and heritage ingredients.

Camp under the shadow of Blue Mountain. Study the exposed uplifted rock strata along the creek bed while preparing campfire skillet breakfasts.

Put in your kayaks at the Glenwood River Access (34°19'13.5"N 93°32'31.1"W) for a scenic float trip down the Caddo River toward the Amity takeout.

Disperse camp near Big Piney Creek and hike off-trail down into Bear Creek to discover multi-tiered waterfalls and secluded swimming holes.

Explore the ghost town hub of Terlingua. Check out local desert art murals, spray paint artwork, and unique hand-crafted frontier gear.

Hike the arid desert system of the Lajitas trails with views over surrounding canyons and native flora like ocotillo and prickly pear.

Grab fresh pizza at Long Draw Pizza, a local desert outpost in Terlingua that offers warm refuge during breezy desert evenings.

Camp under the cypress trees along the turquoise waters of the Guadalupe River. Hit the mountain bike trails and watch for nine-banded armadillos in the underbrush.

Enjoy license-free recreational fishing right from the river banks of the park, casting for native bass and catfish in the calm pools.

Unload inflatable stand-up paddleboards and float across the deep blue alpine waters of Lake Nighthorse, set beneath pine-covered bluffs.

Camp high in the mountains at South Mineral Campground. Positioned right beside the creek and trailhead for Ice Lake, it is an unbeatable basecamp for alpine trekking.

Stop at a shaded day-use park on the edge of Ketchum for recovery stretching, mobility work, and trail trip prep.

Inflate your paddleboards at Pettit Lake. The turquoise water and dramatic granite peaks of the Sawtooth Range make this hidden gem one of the most serene paddle spots in the state.

Retreat to a secluded dispersed creek campsite located off non-motorized spur tracks in the Sawtooth National Forest, ideal for off-grid solitude.

Hike the 2.7-mile Pyramid Point Trail through beech-maple forests up to a high sandy crest with sweeping panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.

Tackle the grueling 3.5-mile round-trip Sleeping Bear Dunes Trail across unending rolling sand hills directly down to the crystal-clear Lake Michigan shoreline.

Settle into your campsite among northern woods at the national lakeshore campground, unwinding by the fire with a bowl of homemade baked potato soup after a day on the sand.