The weather is warm and the snow has melted, which means now is your best chance to get out and explore fresh territory with the elements on your side. StorQuest knows there’s no better time of year to head off to your next destination than late spring and early summer, so we’re bringing you some of the coolest spots across the U.S. to trek your way through. From mountain peaks and national parks to waterway terrain and every other epic trail type you’d hope for, this list has it all.

Cracker Lake, Montana

If you’ve yet to see Glacier National Park, this is the perfect opportunity. With almost 1,600 square miles of land, over 700 miles of trails, carved valleys, and stunning lakes, this is an absolute must for your summer explorations.

Park experts recommend staying here for five days in total, while your hike along the Cracker Lake Trail will take you approximately one to two days from start to finish. If you’re staying at Many Glacier Hotel, you’ll be in a prime position to start your journey off on the right foot – the Piegan Pass/Cracker Lake Trailhead is right at the south end of the parking lot above the hotel. For the first portion of the 12.6-mile trail, you’ll pass through thick forest and have some seriously incredible views of the Cracker Flats area quite early on in the trip.

Pro Tip: In Glacier, you’re traversing through prime grizzly bear territory, and sightings are very common. Many sections along the trail have blind spots and are heavy with vegetation. Be sure to bring bear spray, always travel in a group, and make plenty of noise along your way for the proper safety precautions.

Longs Peak, Colorado

As one of our higher-elevation hikes on this list, the views along the way to the 5,000-foot altitude point make for some insane panoramic photo ops. Plus, the quaint, nearby town of Estes Park is a sweet spot to stay during the start and end of your trip, and it offers plenty of sightseeing, dining, and entertainment options.

Hiking Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route gives you some awesome Class 3 scrambling opportunities, so be prepared for next-level mountain terrain. Plan for at least a one- to two-day adventure for this 15-mile, round-trip route.

Pro Tip: While you don’t necessarily need any technical gear for this hike, we definitely recommend toting along a helmet, warm clothing, and a pair of gloves for extra precautions. As with any hike, be sure to check the forecast before your excursion as weather patterns can change rapidly at such high altitudes.

The Narrows, Utah

Zion National Park is home to some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. With bright, orange-red dirt, deep canyons, layered sediment, unique rock formations, and some really cool wildlife, there is so much to see here. Take a trek through The Narrows, and you’ll quickly see why this is known as one of the ultimate hiking trips in the U.S. A 5- to 16-mile journey (depending on the route you choose) takes roughly one to two full days, depending on how much sightseeing and resting you do along the way.

To avoid any permit requirements, most people go for the “bottom-up” route, starting from the Temple of Sinawava via the Riverside Walk. Prepare to tread through water – basically wading upstream – as there is no dry portion of the trail here. You’ll head up the stream and back down for a roughly 10-mile, out-and-back trip.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check Zion’s website for any alert notices or closures due to potential water flow increases.

Lost Coast Trail, California

The Lost Coast Trail is one of the longest treks on our list, maxing out at 24.6 miles. Not only are the views here absolutely jaw-dropping, but you can actually bring along your pup – they even allow dogs off leash. You will most likely see quite a few other hikers along this route as this is one of the more popular hiking destinations on the West Coast, and for good reason. The most well-known portion of the trail is the stretch from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove's Black Sands Beach.

You’ll see some insane territory here, including 4,000-foot mountain peaks, stunning black-sand beaches, and the ocean’s horizon line for days. There are plenty of campsites along the route and lots of water sources too. Most people prefer to start from north to south, and plan for about two to four days on the trail.

Pro Tip: You will need an actual permit to hike the trail, but don’t need one to camp along the way. Rumor has it that the permits are tough to come by and you need to book it well in advance. So, with that in mind, you might want to save this hiking destination for next year if you can’t get your hands on one this season.

Awesome Experiences Await

We’re here to support you on your next quest for adventure. Whether it’s hiking the trails on this list or gearing up to check off another destination on your own bucket list, we have your stuff covered along the way. Check out one of our convenient self storage locations near your main home base, or find a location along the route of your next trip for smooth travels. Cheers to an awesome summer!