Hiking offers an affordable way to explore nature, but travel costs, park fees and gear expenses can add up quickly. For outdoor enthusiasts looking to hit the trails without breaking the bank, choosing the right destinations and cutting costs creatively can make a big difference.

Yosemite National Park isn’t just one of America’s most famous outdoor spots. It’s packed with surprising facts that even regular visitors might not know. The California park covers more than 750,000 acres, and 95 percent of it is designated wilderness. That means most visitors only see a small part of what Yosemite really offers.

Submitted photo For the past decade, James Holloway has traded the comfort of four walls for the vast freedom of trails that stretch through America’s most breathtaking wilderness. At 39, the seasoned backpacker from Flagstaff, Arizona , has logged thousands of miles in boots, with the latest being a seven-day trek through Glacier National Park in Montana — a journey he says “challenged everything I’ve learned in ten years.” I've made every mistake you can imagine “Overpacke