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So in mid july i'm taking a week off for my birthday. Going to go backpacking for a week or so and I can't decide where to go in the continental american area.

I was looking at the rocky mountain area but the rules for the rocky mountain park aren't to my liking (Seriously, I can't have a flipping fire?).

Looking for any advice/tips/dreams anyone has. Would prefer some water features, cooler climates, and thats about it. I don't care about terrain, animals, obstacles, they don't much matter.

Thanks!

Glacier NP?

Olympic National Park. In addition to spectacular mountain, rainforest, alpine lake, river and glacier scenery, you can camp right on the beach at Second and Third beaches just south of La Push. If you want to car camp with more gear/conveniences you can also camp right on the beach at La Push.

Mt Whitney. Plenty of alpine lakes, streams and rainbow trout. Car camping & fishing in the streams at Glacier Lodge/Whitney Portal is also great.

Eh, I'd say skip Whitney. No fires in that area and it's a zoo. The JMT away from Whitney might allow fires if wood is present it won't be crowded.

Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Sequoia, King's Canyon ... tons of options

Out of Independence, CA: Symmes Creek Trail up over Shepherd's Pass to Mineral Basin and Lake South America. Get a fishing license!

The Wasatches. Or the Wasatch Plateau.

I have the third week in July and it's either the Uintah's or the Winds for me; I'll just head north with my maps and gear and where I end up depends on what TH my vehicle gets me to.

Traverse of the White Mountains in NH. Large alpine zones and steep hiking.

Personally, I'm hitting Glacier NP with my week off.

I'll be up at Glacier July 19-21. July 16th desertgirl and I are taking a guided canoe trip down the Missouri from Coal Bank to Judith Landing and then I'm taking her out to the ranch for a couple days before we head for GNP. Anybody that's going to be at Glacier during that time, we should try to hook up; even if it's for a huckleberry martini, huckleberry margarita, huckleberry daquiri or huckleberry yogurt .

Wow great suggestions. Thanks everyone I'm still not decided, lots to consider. I have a friend in Colorado so he could taxi me to and from trail head.. anywhere else i'd have to rent a car, which is a frigen bundle of cash.

Thanks everybody. Always an invaluable resource of great opinions.

I know of several place in CO where you can still have a fire. But one must use the fire pits on the Emaline Lake Area. Its just North of RMNP, and look at the link on my profile. Any questions just shout.