The Most Remote Hiking Spot In The Lower 48 States Is Yellowstone's Neighbor You've Never Heard Of

National parks, national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas across the United States offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and experience beautiful scenery. But sometimes even a supposedly remote getaway can still seem a little too close to civilization. If you're looking for a destination where you can truly get away from it all, Hawks Rest is one of the best places to travel in the contiguous United States.

There are 63 different national parks in the United States, and 51 of them are located in the Lower 48. Together, they encompass tens of millions of acres. Despite all that space, there are very few places in the national park system where the feeling of being far from civilization matches up with the reality. And if you can't make it to Alaska's secluded, gorgeous national and state parks, Hawks Rest is your best bet. The hiking area sits more than 20 miles away from the nearest road, 

Yellowstone National Park is one of the few parks that offers the opportunity to explore unspoiled wilderness. Despite covering more than 2 million acres, you're never that far away from a road in Yellowstone. Hawks Rest lies just outside the park's border in the Teton Wilderness. It is the most remote hiking spot in the Lower 48 states, and it deserves a spot on every serious outdoor enthusiast's West Coast bucket list.

Hawks Rest is located in Wyoming, just outside of the southeastern border of Yellowstone National Park. It's nestled within the Teton Wilderness area, which is one of the wildest places in the Lower 48. The Teton Wilderness was established in 1964 and encompasses more than 580,000 acres of pristine landscapes.

More than 20 miles from even the most rugged dirt road, Hawks Rest is truly isolated in the wild land near the Yellowstone River. For travelers in search of untouched natural beauty, it's the perfect place to visit. "It's a feeling like no other to be somewhere that is primitive, beautiful, and dangerous," outdoor enthusiast Dawson Smith once wrote of the experience. "Being there puts life in perspective for me."

Hawks Rest belongs more to the wildlife than to the hikers and horseback riders who visit. Majestic species like grizzly bears, bison, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and wolves call the remote region home. If you're lucky, you might spot some of them on your exploration. 

Reaching a place as remote and isolated as Hawks Rest takes some serious effort and planning, since it's a two- to three-day trip on foot one way. Since it's miles and miles from any road, you can only get there on foot or horseback. You'll need to pack any gear that you require for camping. You'll also need to bring food and water. Be prepared for potentially dangerous wildlife encounters. Bear spray is a must, and some outdoor enthusiasts recommend bringing a firearm along as well. When preparing your food in the wilderness, you'll need to take proper precautions to keep animals away.

The easiest way to visit Hawks Rest is to book a guided excursion. Yellowstone Outfitters is one company that offers guided horseback riding trips into the Teton Wilderness near Hawks Rest. Small groups embark on horseback for multi-day excursions, and the package includes all meals. The minimum group size is five, and the shortest trip available is four days, though excursions can be extended to 10 days or more.

If you want to visit on your own, you'll need reliable navigation tools, plenty of supplies, and confidence in your abilities. This is a wild camping excursion that will take multiple days to complete, and you'll have to be ready for many miles of hiking. Hawks Rest can be reached from the Hawks Rest Trailhead (6K5), which is located at the eastern boundary of Yellowstone National Park.