For about five years of my adult life, I didn’t own a car. I was that friend asking, with my palms cupped like Oliver Twist, for rides, probably more times than I should have. But I wasn’t in a place where I could afford my own set of wheels. 

There are many reasons why someone wouldn’t have a car, whether it’s financial, environmental, or they’re not physically able to drive. Whatever the reasoning is, I know I wasn’t alone as a car-free individual—according to Forbes, about 8.3 percent of American households didn’t have cars in 2022. Considering that we’re a country run by highways and fueled by gas, that’s a pretty high percentage. 

However, I refused to be limited by a walkable or bikeable radius when I didn’t have a car. I just had to get creative. Here are some tried-and-true that I (and some fellow car-free editors at Outside) use when we need to hit the trails:

Hitchhike

It’s basically Uber from the pre-digital age. Tip: You might have better luck in trail towns or in areas with a strong hiker presence. Oftentimes, it’s the only way thru-hikers can get into town from the trail, so it’s a common sight along major long trails to see dirty hikers standing with their thumb out hoping for a lift. I’ve personally given rides to thru-hikers in the eastern Sierra, and it’s a great way to connect with your broader hiking community while receiving some trail magic. If you’re a first-time hitchhiker, follow our resident thru-hiker’s advice on safely catching a ride. And remember: Hitchhiking is illegal in some areas, so use your judgment.)

Take public transit

Hiking by public transportation? How European. Luckily, here in the states, several cities and regions have bus systems that can drop you off near trailheads. I’ve personally used Moovit to find bus routes to trailheads near my home in San Diego. Even in more remote areas, however, a combination of public transit and taxis or Ubers can still get you to many hiking spots, even some remote ones.

It’s more common for people who live in urban areas with reliable public transportation to forgo their own four-wheel drive. In warmer months, car-free New Yorkers usually take the Metro North up the eastern side of the Hudson River—notably to cities like Cold Spring, New York—to access hikes farther from Manhattan. Many trails are either walking distance or a short bus ride from train stations in that area. There are also several backpacking trails in the northeast that are accessible without cars, such as the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail. 

In the west, areas with heavy adventure tourism like the eastern Sierra keep hikers in mind when it comes to public transportation. Eastern Sierra Transit has buses that stop in virtually every major trail town along U.S. 395, such as Lone Pine, Independence, and Bishop. Proximity from bus stops to specific trails varies, but the transit company makes it easy with hiker-specific instructions here. If worst comes to worst, you can often get a hitch from the in-town bus station to the trail. In a region where Pacific Crest and John Muir trail hikers rule, you certainly won’t be the only one thumbing a ride on the side of the road.

Take outdoor-specific transit

There are some places where public transportation can only get you so far, such as extremely remote trailheads or national parks. Luckily, there are buses and trains that take you straight to the trail. New Mexico has the Blue Bus, a public and free bus that takes skiers, hikers, and mountain bikers into the Sangre de Cristos with Santa Fe as a central hub. Also, depending on the time of year, some national parks like Glacier and the Grand Canyon also have inbound and outbound train services via Amtrak. 

Carpool

The best part of having adventurous friends? Tagging along with them on their hikes. If you’re always in the passenger seat, though, be sure you’re contributing. Car owners don’t want a mooch: Offer to pay for gas, come with extra snacks to share, or pick up a driving shift yourself. The downside to this: You don’t have as much freedom on a trip itinerary—if you really, really want to do one hike, but your car-owning friends prefer another, you’re stuck with their choice. But it’s a day out on the trails, so who’s complaining? 

Join A Hiking Group

Oftentimes, local hiking groups will organize hikes, camping trips, or backpacking adventures out in the backcountry, with logistics like charter buses or carpooling already taken into account. Can’t find one? Meetup and Facebook are great places to start looking. Also, sometimes people in these online forums will suggest weekend adventures they already have planned and offer to drive any willing participants. It’s a great way to deepen your relationship with your local hiking community while also exploring beyond your usual radius; just make sure to vet your adventure buddies beforehand, and let a trusted friend or family member know where you’re going.