Looking for trips where I don’t need to rent a car

U.S.

Plenty out there, so off the top of my head (note:some may involve a rideshare shuttle) and having done a number of my western suggestions .…

In season (well gear dependent), a hiker can take an AMTRAK bus to South Lake Tahoe from Sacramento to the TRT (Tahoe Rim Trail).  Also via Reno on the eastbound AMTRAK Zephyr. Famously,  hikes utilizing the AT can be accessed via train from NYC and there are some other TH close to AMTRAK or connector trails. Along the other “long” trails, there’s the CDT via Lordsburg (AMTRAK or bus) which will access the Gila most months for a lollipop loop, .. or Grants (bus from Albuquerque).  Permits can be a pain, but the southernmost PCT can be accessed via the San Diego bus system.  Using the Arizona Trail and surrounding areas, there’s ways to access the deserts around Phoenix (just saw a trip report ending at Flying Dutchman just east of the metro Phoenix area) or the mountains next to Tucson.  There’s plenty access to the PNW in season with some mass transit connections. The Bay Area of course.

On the other side of the nation, I’ve heard good things about the Pinhote trail (shuttle from Birmingham) and think Alabama is trying to build on that.  There’s parts of the Florida Trail (planning on using Pensacola myself on a future adventure).

One big help is having an ultralight and then ultra-compact “kit” as it’s generally easier to fly with as carry-on (folding poles, knives, etc.. get checked but not losing my main gear)… get into ground shuttles with.  I’ve had to go hipbelt-less due to medical reasons (limit ~35L-ish max) and it makes trips much easier, though winter hiking gear is nixed.  Maybe nix the stove next?

Another thing is training as to be able to hike high mile days upon arrival.    That could open up more possibilities.

Git it before wildfires burn it all down.

Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park:

1. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) > downtown Sacramento (J & 6th) via YoloBus 42A or SacRT bus 142 > short walk 2 blocks to “Sacramento Valley” Amtrak station.

2. Sacramento Valley > Merced, CA via Amtrak route 702 San Joaquins (bus) southbound.

3. Merced Amtrak station > Yosemite Valley Visitor Center via connecting bus, operated by YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System) “Merced HWY 140” eastbound to Yosemite.

You could also fly into San Francisco or Oakland, which both have ample public transportation options to the Merced Amtrak station > Yosemite NP.

Cactus to clouds trail in Palm Springs. Ten minute car ride from PS International. One hour walk.

8 miles with 10,000’ gain.

https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/los-angeles-hikes/cactus-to-clouds-hike/

I once took the train  from home here in Berkeley to Yosemite Valley, in order to go on my annual spring hike up to Merced Lake and beyond. there used to be a brilliant pick up from the train to the bus into the valley. the bus in Modesto will be waiting!! it was claimed.  However, in my instance, the train was delayed and I missed the connection. No problem! I got to see Modesto in full American Graffiti mode. And since I had a tent, I spent the night in an open space near the railroad tracks. Next morning, I caught the bus to the Valley and all was well.

My point is, when the train and bus system work, it’s fantastic. When they don’t, welcome  the unexpected. Or rent a car.

In Alaska, you can fly into ANC or FAI and then take the Alaska Railroad to Denali NP with its extensive BPing options.

You could catch the Alaska Marine Highway (“State Ferry”) out of Bellingham WA and with a northbound ticket get on and off any northbound ferry (walk-on only, no cars or staterooms) and therefore spend an entire summer moving through SE Alaskan communities.  There are provisions, at modest cost to bring your own mountain bike or kayak with you.

@jscott, Great story! Thanks for sharing. I’ve taken the bus into Yosemite a few times now and luckily no major delays. I did miss it coming home one time, but no big deal and I spent the afternoon with a group of climbers from the east coast, first time to the west to climb the Yosemite classics, throwing back beers, telling stories, etc. late into the night. Grabbed the following day’s bus back home.

Bezerkly ? Just walk down Telegraph and see wildlife.

The Coastal Connect section of Aria Zoner’s Hot Springs Trail begins on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. This is about a mile from the Amtrak station or about 2 miles from the local bus station that you can get to from the airport. The whole Hot Springs Trail is over 2000 miles long and ends at the Canadian border on the Idaho Centennial Trail.

Fly into Jackson and use Gotco Shuttle service to take you to the trailheads on the west side of Wind River Range (Green River, Elkhart, Big Sandy).

I’ve never heard of anyone actually doing this, but presumably you could take the bus to Estes Park and then shuttle from the visitor’s center into RMNP and connect to an internal shuttle bus. The destinations would be somewhat limited, obviously. But I guess it’s kind of a foregone conclusion that public transportation is generally going to take you to the most well-traveled places. There’s a part of me that feels it would be unfortunate to come all the way to Colorado and then limit yourself that way.

Great info for hikes out west. In the southeast US, you can fly into Atlanta, take the Marta train to the North Springs station. Walk across the street to REI to buy fuel and food. Arrange a shuttle (search on web, there are several available, best to book a few days in advance) to pick you up at REI. They will take you to Springer Mt if you want to start on the AT, or drop you at any road access point on the trail. You could also fly into Knoxville TN and get a shuttle to Great Smoky Mtn NP.

Fly into Reno, and M-F catch the ESTA bus for access to the Eastern Sierra.  Provides direct access to Mammoth Lakes (use trolley system to access trailheads), and to YARTS for access to Yosemite.  South of Mammoth it is easy to hitch rides to South Lake, Onion Valley, Whitney Portal, and Horseshoe Meadow.

Fly in to Fresno.  Provides YARTS access to Yosemite and V-line bus (to Visalia), then Sequoia Shuttle to Lodgepole, Crescent Meadows, or Wolverton trailheads.

Harriman State Park is easily accessible via train from NYC. Lots of neat trails in Harriman, but if you want to go further you can hop on the AT.

“…and I spent the afternoon with a group of climbers from the east coast, first time to the west to climb the Yosemite classics, throwing back beers, telling stories, etc. late into the night. Grabbed the following day’s bus back home.”

Climbers hang for months in Tuolumne.  Usually I drive in and head out onto the trail the same day. Sometimes I’ve had to wait ’til the next day before my permit kicked in. One time I spent the night talking with climbers. One was German, and he had  to leave Tuolumne the next day to go home. He seemed desolate. He’d been there a month and a half, climbing every day. He’d become smitten with the rock. He’d climbed a lot in Europe but he really loved Yosemite. I was happily looking forward to my trek. The Americans were recounting the day’s climb and talking abut tomorrow’s adventure. The German was desolate.

“Bezerkly ? Just walk down Telegraph and see wildlife.”

I think you have Berkeley confused with Miami Beach…or the Texas legislature.  Or Palm Springs during spring break.

Peace and love, bro…got any spare change, or a roach?

Grand Canyon South Rim is accessible by shuttles:

Now being run by Groome Transportation (https://groometransportation.com/phoenix-airport/?&sd_client_id=e0b5bbc2-4d64-4a44-b73b-b691cec187c1). They’ll pick you up and drop you off from the airport, scheduling and booking available on their website.

I’ve found it easiest to fly into and out of Flagstaff, Az. This is a connection flight from most nearby airports as this might be the smallest commercial airport I’ve ever flown into and out of. But its about an hour and a half drive from there to the south rim.  If using the South rim as a base there are locals that will drop you off at more remote trails in the GC other than the corridor trails found at the South Rim. Keep in mind you’ll need a permit for multi-night backpacking these trails which are available now by lottery months beforehand, availability can also be found closer to date as there are cancelations, occasionally you can walk up and the local Rangers can fit you in to some of the less used campsites. https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm

I’ve always wanted to figure out a way to incorporate the Durango-Silverton Train into a backpacking trip: https://www.durangotrain.com/wilderness-access/

Though getting to either of those endpoints via public transportation is not very easy. I guess you can fly directly into Durango from Denver or possibly DFW.

I guess you can fly directly into Durango from Denver

I drove more than  until the Missionary Ridge fire (iirc about 20 years ago), then only twice in the decade afterwards.

Been looking at the Colorado Trail “east-bound” and flying into Durango makes sense if hiking the trail (“EBO”?) as Durango has plenty of outdoor stores to pick up last minute stuff and fuel (which airlines frown upon as luggage .. to say the least).   Telluride is nearby so maybe something there too but likely requires an expensive shuttle.

There’s always tacking some CDT mileage onto it, and then taking the Dirty Dog into Albuquerque on I-40 (maybe a Breaking Bad tour tacked on afterwards in Albuquerque .. a planned touristy tour.  Not a “is that broken into/burning heap my rental car?” type tour ..).

well-traveled places

May be a reason they are well traveled if looking for vistas, say, over wildlife or solitude?  Every trip has its strong points (i.e. to hike around scenic Mt Hood east of Portland, .. a hiker will be in the midst of a bunch of other hikers in prime season.  Many taking their own cars instead of the shuttle to Timberline lodge.  Of course I begin and end my hike with an IPA .. or 2 up there without worrying about driving back to Portland).

That said, other visitor numbers quickly diminish with miles (aka more miles with true ultralight, maybe bordering on sub-ultralight weights aka some sort of  hipbelt-less system) .. and then there’s being [a little] off-season with the right gear and clothing system.

I find regardless there’s usually trash etc.. where vehicles can access (be it a private car and/or public transit access), .. but ever less trusting of leaving a vehicle unattended in such areas.  Usually it’s not an issue, but sometimes it is.,

When looking at ever more distant trails, I remember a Tahoe (TRT) trip with BPL members returning to a broken into car.  Then reading Carrot Quinn’s blog, her first trip was accentuated by returning to cars lit on fire due to arson.   Then hikers I knew started getting their vehicles damaged by animals despite taking precautions.

Now, with time, I just prefer to use my own planning and have a low mileage day/semi-stealth camp planned before reaching my pick up point to return to the land of showers, beer, and restaurant food.

Maybe if I get back to colder weather trips/off-season shorter trips, car travel will appeal to me again?

Asheville, NC

Lots of good hiking trails in the Pisgah NF and Nantahala NF, access to AT, Art Leob trail, Joyce Kilmer, etc… Shuttles are plentiful that will pick you up and drop you off at a trailhead and then pick you up again as scheduled. You can fly into and out of Asheville’s airport.

https://wnctrailshuttle.com/

https://blueridgehikingco.com/shuttle_reservation

Here’s some more California ones (make sure snow is melted and the transit links aren’t down for scheduled maintenance):

Going north to the Dunsmuir train station from the Bay Area or Sacramento stations,  the “Starlight” train stops at around 6 AM, and a little later the local bus can take you to coffee up a little further north or a bit further in Shasta, especially if you want to check out the local gear shop.  In mid summer, at least some of the returning bus go down to the PCT trailhead south of Dunsmuir.  From here it’s an uphill slog at Castle Crags but then you can get off the PCT to other hikes in the Trinity Alps/Russian wilderness.  Then either return via Castle Crags SP (the HQ has a coin shower nearby) or use the PCT to get near Etna (hitch, then daily weekday bus) or Seiad Valley (2 local buses a week) to return to Shasta (hit up the hippy grocery), then Dunsmuir.  The return train south arrives at midnight but there’s a number of bars, restaurants, etc.. to wait in.  There’s one United flight from San Francisco that lands north of the OR border in Medford, but then a hiker needs to take the dirty dog from there to Weed (just north of Shasta) .. which can arrive at weird times.  Think Amtrak is the way to go here.

In Southern California one can rideshare from Casino morongo to the PCT going under I-10 (or roadwalk it).  Big thing is going up Mission Ck using the PCT track winding up in Big Bear (shuttle to San Bernardino and then local train to Los Angeles).  Could go a little further to Wrightwood (a more complicated bus shuttles to San Bernardino or to the Victorville AMTRAK to take the Chief train east). Could also continue on the PCT over the Angeles mountains w/desert to an RV park (shower, summertime swimming pool) and from there an easy hitch/paid ride to Acton’s Los Angeles Metrolink train station.

^ 1. May need appropriate permits.  NorCal was mostlu self-issue but believe some require an issued permit.  All require the California CampFire Permit even to light up a canister stove.

2.  Mission Ck is north of the San Jacinto area, and part of the trail can get flood damage.  Heck of a climb though if wanting to torch stubborn holiday fat.

This discussion is worth keeping for all the great info on transportation/trailheads!

I also used the bus to get from Phoenix to Grand Canyon. Super easy and cheap. Nice not to worry about a vehicle. There’s a backpacker camp too, if you ask for it; doesn’t seem to be marked on any maps or on the website!

Harder to get to but a very fun hike is the Chilkoot Trail. Different style of trip but if you like history along with great scenery it’s a winner. There is a local shuttle driver that runs folks out to the trail and back every day. Plenty of housing options. It’s also trippy to get off trail after a few days and see a cruise ship the size of a skyscraper in the middle of downtown.

I also used public transit for the TRT, flying in and out of Reno and using the bus from the airport to South Lake Tahoe. Also super easy. There’s a decent hostel in SLT or expensive budget motels (oxymoron?).

I hope the next decade sees America wake up and really invest in public transit everywhere. It’s so civilized!

Trail north of Casino Morongo going into whitewater, if you can get across the reservation. You can avoid the hot climb into Mission Creek by starting at Mission Creek, but you sorta need a car.

Spring break in Palm Springs hasn’t been the same since Sonny Bono.