As someone who’s lived in the Midwest for a decade, I’m always looking for new places to hike, backpack, and get outside. The heartland might not be as famous as California or Colorado when it comes to outdoor culture. But its prairies, mountains, rivers, and gorges can still offer the same awe and adventure as other regions in the country.
A multiday (or even multiweek) thru-hike is one of the best ways to truly experience a new place. To compile this list, I’ve drawn on my experience hiking parts of these trails, and asked for recommendations from my network of outdoorsy folk who live in America’s heartland. From Ohio to Oklahoma to Michigan, here are six thru-hikes that should be on your radar.
Ouachita National Recreation Trail
Oklahoma might not be the first place you think of when it comes to thru-hiking, but this trail proves it should be on your list. The 223-mile trail spans from the Ouachita Mountains at Talimena State Park close to Talihina, Okla., to Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock, Ark.
It passes through remote, undeveloped areas, including the Ouachita National Forest, Flatside Wilderness, and Upper Kiamichi Wilderness. Since it’s on U.S. Forest Service Land, hikers can easily disperse camp.
Things to Know
The trail’s nonprofit arm has built shelters all along the trail, and its website has lots of helpful info. Summer in this region can be stifling hot, so spring or fall are the best times to take on the trail. A bunch of local trail angels can help provide transportation.
Buckeye Trail
Who knew you could hike over 1,400 miles in Ohio? The Buckeye Trail wraps in a loop around the state, approximately following its borders. It’s divided into 26 sections, and each has their own charm. Highlights include Lake Erie, wildlife areas, the Muskingum River, Wayne National Forest, waterfalls, and the Ohio River Valley. It includes time in rural, undeveloped natural landscapes as well as small towns, where it’s easy to resupply.
Things to Know
Camping is not permitted everywhere on trail, and you’ll need to plan in advance. Expect to stay at a mix of state parks and privately owned campgrounds.
The Buckeye Trail Association has many free resources online to help you plan your hike.
Ohio to Erie Trail
The Ohio to Erie Trail reads like a “greatest hits of Ohio” experience. The 326-mile path connects the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland, with stops in Akron and Columbus, giving you a real sense of the state’s culture, people, and towns.
One of the real gems is Cuyahoga Valley National Park — the state’s only national park.
Things to Know
Visit the trail’s website to find trip-planning info. There’s a whole list of hotels, Airbnbs, and campsites — including ones on platforms like Hipcamp — to choose from. You’re never too far from a grocery store or gas station, so you can resupply often, pack light, and move quickly.
Michigan Shore to Shore Trail
Michigan is a true outdoor paradise in the Midwest, and the Shore-to-Shore Trail helps you see a lot of it. The trail stretches 220 miles west to east across the northern part of the state from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. It follows the Au Sable River, and about half the trail lies within Huron-Manistee National Forest.
Things to Know
The trail is shared use between hikers and equestrians, and quite popular with the latter. You’ll stay at a combination of campgrounds managed by the Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service. Many of the more rural, isolated campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Early fall is the best time of year to do the trail, since summer can bring swarms of mosquitoes, and it can snow here until May.
George S. Mickelson Trail
The Black Hills is one of the most naturally beautiful regions of South Dakota. The George S. Mickelson Trail, named after a former governor, is a terrific way to explore the area.
It spans 108 miles from Edgemont to Deadwood, following an abandoned railroad line. There are short spur trails to Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, which are absolutely worth the trip. The trail rarely exceeds a 4% grade, so it shouldn’t be overly physically demanding.
Things to Know
The trail, whose surface is crushed limestone, is shared use among hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. There is a $5 daily or $20 annual fee to access the trail.
For the portions of trail in the Black Hills National Forest, you’ll be able to disperse camp. In other areas, you’ll need to plan ahead and make use of private and state campgrounds.
