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Nugget Falls Trail, Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Explore Tongass National Forest's diverse trails starting at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Hike through forests, meadows, and caves. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, salmon, and bears. Don't miss the 0.8-mile Nugget Falls Trail for stunning views.
Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park, near D.C., boasts 200,000 protected acres with abundant wildlife. It features 500+ miles of trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail for day hikes. Enjoy waterfalls, viewpoints, and lush forests.
Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park in Washington offers diverse hiking with 260+ miles of maintained trails, showcasing the iconic 14,410-foot Mount Rainier, old-growth forests, river valleys, and alpine meadows. Explore Burroughs Mountain Trail for stunning views.
Halema'uma'u Trail, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park provides a close encounter with volcanoes. Explore trails, like the 0.8-mile Halema'uma'u Trail, leading through a rainforest and descending 425 feet at Kīlauea caldera's edge.
Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans two states, offering diverse trails through waterfalls and ancient forests. Hike to Charlies Bunion for breathtaking views. Challenge yourself with the "Hike the Smokies" program, earning exclusive pins for hiking over 100 miles.
Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland
Hike Billy Goat Trail near D.C. for a 4.75-mile adventure along the Potomac River and Great Falls. Go early to avoid crowds. Watch for closures in Section A (flooding) and Section B (damage and erosion).
Kalalau Trail, Hā'ena State Park, Hawaii
Explore the challenging Kalalau Trail along Kauai's north shore, from Keʻe Beach to Kalalau Valley. An entrance fee and camping permit are required. Expect a strenuous hike with stream crossings and steep terrain, but the stunning views of the island's crystal-blue waters make it worthwhile.
Chautauqua Trail, Chautauqua Park, Colorado
Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 1898, offers a range of hikes, from easy to challenging, on its 80-acre grounds. Start with the scenic Chautauqua Trail for views of the Flatiron mountains and Boulder, then explore more demanding routes.
Canyon to Rim Loop, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon offers diverse hikes with opportunities to view wildlife. Visit in the morning for bird sightings. The Canyon Trail leads to the rim with stunning canyon views, passing the Rope-de-Dope climbing area.
Petroglyph Wall Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
Nevada's Red Rock Canyon offers short yet challenging hikes, and some can take four to five hours for just five miles. Keep an eye out for desert wildlife like lizards and hawks. The beginner-friendly 0.2-mile Petroglyph Wall Trail showcases centuries-old rock art.
South Rim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Explore Grand Canyon National Park with 630+ miles of trails offering stunning views from the rim and unique rock formations in the inner corridor. Opt for easier hikes like the South Rim Trail, a flat, paved path with canyon-edge views and shuttle accessibility.
Cadillac North Ridge Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine
Explore Acadia National Park in Maine with hikes of varying difficulty and breathtaking bay views. Don't miss the 4.4-mile Cadillac North Ridge Trail for panoramic vistas. The park is open year-round but check for possible winter closures before your visit.
Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park, Montana, spans over a million acres, with hikes like the Grinnell Glacier Trail in the Many Glacier area. Diverse wildlife, from pygmy shrews to grizzly bears, can be spotted.
Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Glacier National Park, Montana, spans over a million acres, with hikes like the Grinnell Glacier Trail in the Many Glacier area. Diverse wildlife, from pygmy shrews to grizzly bears, can be spotted.
Upper Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park in Utah boasts striking sandstone cliffs and hiking trails for all levels. Sunrise and sunset offer picturesque views, with the Upper Emerald Pools Trail leading to waterfalls, best enjoyed in the crowd-free spring.