3-Day Summer Backpacking Loop Ideas in the Western U.S.

Short Trips, Big Adventures, and Unforgettable Views

If you've got a long weekend coming up and a craving for alpine lakes, open skies, and sleeping under the stars, a 3-day backpacking loop with your Adventure Bundle is what your soul, mind, body, (and schedule) needs. The Western U.S. is loaded with iconic trails and hidden gems perfect for a quick getaway to escape the summer heat, chase wildflower blooms, and gaze at the beautiful stars on a clear night while taking it easy in your ultralight 2-Person tent.

Here are four tried-and-true 3-day backpacking loops that balance beauty, mileage, and solitude.

1. The Four Pass Loop – Maroon Bells Wilderness, Colorado

Miles: ~27
Elevation Gain: ~7,500 ft
Best Time: Late July through early September
Permit Required: Yes (limited overnight permits via recreation.gov)

Why Go:

This classic Colorado loop is high, dramatic, and utterly rewarding. You'll cross four alpine passes over 12,000 ft, pass glacier-carved lakes, and camp in stunning basins surrounded by towering peaks. Wildflowers explode in July and early August. 

Pro Tips:

• Acclimate first — altitude sickness is real here.

• Bear canisters are required.

• Start clockwise for a more gradual ascent of West Maroon Pass.

2. Three Sisters Loop – Central Oregon

Miles: ~50 (shorter options available)
Elevation Gain: ~6,500 ft
Best Time: July to mid-September
Permit Required: Yes (Central Cascades Wilderness Permit)

Why Go:

This loop offers an otherworldly variety of terrain: lava fields, alpine meadows, old-growth forests, and epic views of the Three Sisters volcanoes. It's a geologic and scenic wonderland. 

Pro Tips:

• Start at Pole Creek Trailhead for a 3-day option with fewer miles (~35–40).

• Bring sun protection — exposed lava fields offer little shade.

• Water is surprisingly abundant but always filtered.

3. Canyonlands Needles Loop – Utah

Miles: ~22
Elevation Gain: ~2,600 ft
Best Time: Spring or Fall preferred; early summer doable with caution
Permit Required: Yes (reserved through the NPS)

Why Go:

Think red rock spires, slot canyons, and slick rock trails with ancient petroglyphs around every bend. The Needles District is remote and sees fewer crowds than Moab's Arches or Island in the Sky. Make sure you pack a 32 oz water bottle and fill your hydration bladder, temps can get high in Southern Utah in the summer.

Pro Tips:

• Water sources are scarce — check with the rangers and cache water if needed.

• It's hot in the summer, so aim for early morning hiking.

• Consider Elephant Canyon to Chesler Park for a 3-day classic loop.

4. Gunnison Lake Loop – Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho

Miles: ~28
Elevation Gain: ~5,000 ft
Best Time: July through September
Permit Required: Self-issued at trailhead

Why Go:
Quiet trails, icy lakes, and granite peaks make this Idaho loop a dream. You'll feel like you've stepped into the Sierra but with a fraction of the crowds. Expect moose, solitude, and star-filled nights. Temps during the day range from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and 40-50 at night, perfect for the QUILT ONE Sleeping Bag. 

Pro Tips:

• Bugs can be intense early in the season — pack a head net and repellent.

• Navigation skills come in handy in places where trail signage fades.

• Take a dip in Alice Lake or Toxaway Lake if you can brave the chill!

Final Thoughts

These 3-day summer backpacking loops are perfect for those who want a full adventure in a compact timeline. Whether you're chasing wildflowers in the Rockies or sandstone sunsets in Utah, there's something uniquely satisfying about completing a loop — starting and ending at the same trailhead but feeling entirely transformed in the process.

So dust off your Ready-2-Go Bundle and Mini Bundle for your kids, grab a permit, and pick a loop — the trail is calling.