The Best Hikes in the US, From Family-Friendly Walks to Multi-Day Journeys
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If there's one thing that the best hikes in the US prove, it's that we can—and should—slow down to the speed of nature to explore our environments and take a break from our fast-moving world. More than 236,000 miles of trails—that’s nearly the distance between the earth and the moon, by the way—criss-cross federal and state lands in the United States, according to the American Hiking Society.
Pathways climb up and over mountain passes, across valley floors, and into rocky canyons. They hug rivers and coastlines, wind through deserts, and lead to some of the most scenic places on the planet. Walking those routes helps connect us to both past and present; they're full of stories. But how do you decide where to start? We can help. Lace up your boots, because below we've got a list of the best hiking trails in the country.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
AlamyBest Summertime Hike: Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The 10.3-mile route from Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte offers much to hikers—especially during the summer. Find refuge under the shadows of shaded forest, and wade through refreshing streams past patches of wild rhododendron with plenty of photo ops along the way.
AlamyBest coastal hike: Kalalau Trail, Hanalei, Hawaii
As you pass through the abundant vegetation along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, the setting may seem familiar. (Hint: Think Jeff Goldblum and velociraptors.) That’s right, Jurassic Park documented the lush crags of Na Pali in 1993, and your hike will feel equally cinematic. Not for the faint of heart (or small children, for that matter), this 20-mile-plus out-and-back trek through beachfront jungle is long and challenging, but worth it for the spectacular views of the Pacific.
GettyBest short hike: The Beehive Loop Trail, Bar Harbor, Maine
Though only a mere 1.9 miles in length, this climb through Acadia National Park packs enough scenic magic to make it well worth the trek to Mt. Desert Island. The course is steep, and requires scaling ladders and iron bars to reach the summit, but hikers are rewarded with impressive views, including of Sand Beach and the nearby Gulf of Maine.
Steve Dunleavy/GettyBest classic multi-day hike: John Muir Trail, California
You’ll have to wave goodbye to flushing toilets and hot showers when you tackle the 211-mile John Muir Trail in California, but the payoff comes in the form of glacier-carved valleys, rugged peaks, golden meadows, and swaying pine forests. You’ll need a permit—and at least two weeks—to knock out the entire route, which runs from Yosemite National Park at the northern terminus to Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States, in the south.
AlamyBest hidden gem: Trail of 10 Falls, Silverton, Oregon
The Beaver State is ripe with photogenic trails showcasing the state’s diverse flora and fauna, but skip the rugged coast (and more commercial) Multnomah Falls for Silver Falls State Park—about an hour and a half south of Portland. There, you’ll find the Trail of 10 Falls, a lush, seven-mile loop with waterfalls more than 150 feet high, some of which you can even pass behind.
AlamyBest desert hike: Devil’s Bridge Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Scramble up wildflower-speckled hills of Coconino National Forest for the awesome outlooks of Sedona’s signature sandstone formations—including a natural bridge at the peak, perfect for panoramas. It’s a popular route at only 3.9 miles, so shirk the crowds—and the heat—by hitting the trail early, and you’ll have the added pleasure of catching the red rocks at sunrise.
Stephen Saks AlamyBest family-friendly hike: Pyramid Point Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
Spectacular waterfront views are not exclusive to oceanside hikes. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located along the northeast coast of Lake Michigan, is home to sandy bluffs towering as much as 450 feet over the Great Lake. Pyramid Point Trail loop runs 2.7 miles round-trip, with the most stunning view just over a half mile from the trailhead. (The first quarter mile of the trail is accessible.) The trail will keep the kiddos engaged with its diverse surroundings—maple-beech forest, meadow, tall cliffs—and some steep inclines along the way will ensure they conk out on the car ride home.
Diana Robinson/GettyBest hike on a sky island: South Rim Trail at Big Bend National Park, Texas
This 13-miler takes you up to the top of a sky island—a cluster of mountains where you can peer down on low-lying desert far below. From the Chisos Basin trailhead in the mountains at the center of Big Bend National Park, you’ll make a slow counterclockwise climb up a windy trail, across a pass, and around a bend, eventually arriving at the top of a 2,000-foot cliff. Down below, the desert ripples away in what looks like an expanse of rumply rhinoceros hide. Keep an eye out for black bears as you head back through Boot Canyon. For an extra challenge, take the spur up to Emory Peak for a dizzying view.
GettyBest intense hike: Half Dome Trail, Mariposa, California
No “best of” list would be complete without a mention of the natural grandeur of Yosemite National Park. Almost 16 miles long, Half Dome is a physical challenge for even the trail’s most fit wayfarers, as they ascend more than 4,800 feet—delivering breathtaking views from literally breathtaking elevations.
Bradley Greiner / Alamy Stock PhotoBest mountain hike: Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
The primary appeal of climbing a mountain is typically the view from the summit—but the Burroughs Mountain loop through the Cascades offers spectacular vistas throughout. Highlights include Shadow Lake, Frozen Lake, White River, and Emmons Glacier. The real treat, however, is the unimpeded view of nearby Mt. Rainier to the southwest, especially if you opt for the full 9.4-mile loop to Third Burroughs Mountain (this trail connects three peaks, and a shorter 5.4-mile version takes you to the first two). Along this tundra trail, you’ll encounter marmots, pikas, and even herds of wild mountain goats.
GettyBest backpacking hike: Kesugi Ridge Trail, Talkeetna, Alaska
Though perhaps less accessible than trails in the Lower 48, an Alaskan expedition should be on your to-hike list. Located two hours north of Anchorage along the Susitna River, you’ll want to time your visit to Denali State Park (next to, but different from, Denali National Park) so as to avoid grueling winter weather. Once there, this 29-mile odyssey makes for a gorgeous three- or four-day adventure into a virtually untouched wilderness.
Mark C Stevens/GettyBest hike with an amazing campsite: Hole in the Wall, Glacier National Park, Montana
If you’re into gathering berries, skinny-dipping in ice-cold lakes, and contemplating grizzly bear footprints, go for this 60-mile traverse across the northern third of Glacier National Park. Start at the Kintla Lake Trailhead near Polebridge and trek to Chief Mountain trailhead on the east side. Midway through, you’ll reach the stunning Hole in the Wall area, tucked inside a wide rock amphitheater carved by glaciers and gushing with waterfalls. The route crosses two mountain passes and one ledge-y section that might make your knees clack like castanets. Bring your bear spray.
AlamyBest scenic hike: Angel’s Landing Trail, Hurricane, Utah
With its diversity of hiking difficulty and its reliably edenic views, Utah’s Zion National Park could fill at least three spots on this list, but in order to give some other places a chance, let’s focus on its most illustrious trail: Angel’s Landing. Those brave enough to ascend this 4.4-mile journey—which includes a steep final half mile where chains have been installed along certain precarious stretches to help you maintain balance—will be greeted by a bird's-eye look at the sandstone canyon below. A pilot program requiring permits is now in effect.
Scott Cramer/GettyBest town-to-town hike: West Maroon Pass Trail, Crested Butte, Colorado
Start at the Schofield Pass trailhead for this 11-mile hike from Crested Butte to Aspen through the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. The trail flanks hills and passes open meadows filled with wildflowers in the summer, then moves into stands of pines and aspens as it twists upward. It’s a steep climb to the top at 12,500 feet, where you’ll gaze into the valley below. After the pass, you’ll traipse through tundra then into scrub and scree as you descend 3,000 feet on your way to Maroon Lake. Start early to avoid thunderstorms. Pro tip: Pack a change of clothes and turn it into an overnight stay in Aspen before hiking back the next day.
Historic Collection / Alamy Stock PhotoBest archaeological hike: Hanging Rock, Effigy Mounds, Iowa
Effigy Mounds National Monument along the northeast border of Iowa offers serious spiritual heft and archaeological significance that command respect from visitors. The site is home to a Native American burial ground, where Indigenous peoples built more than 200 effigy mounds—piled-earth tombs shaped to look like animals or other symbols. (At this monument you’ll find those shaped like birds, bison, lynx, and more.) Trek the 3.5 miles from the Visitor Center to Hanging Rock, which includes a stop at Great Bear Mound—the park’s biggest effigy—and cliffside views of the Mississippi River.
