Imagine standing on top of a mountain, feeling the cool breeze on your face and seeing the world spread out below you like a giant map.
That’s the magic of hiking!
Whether you’re an avid trekker or a newbie looking for adventure, the USA is home to some of the most amazing hiking trails in the world.
From towering peaks to lush forests and stunning coastlines, there’s a hike for everyone.
In this article, we’re going to explore the best hikes in the USA that you absolutely have to experience at least once.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss a single step.
1. Canyon to Rim Loop, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
The Canyon to Rim Loop at Smith Rock State Park is a fantastic 3.4-mile hike that offers stunning views and a bit of adventure.
As you walk, you’ll be treated to breathtaking sights of the Crooked River winding through the canyon and the park’s famous rock formations like the Morning Glory Wall and the Phoenix Buttress.
This trail is known for its easy-to-moderate difficulty, making it perfect for families and casual hikers.
Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife such as golden eagles, prairie falcons and mule deer, which are common in the area.
Fun fact: Smith Rock is often considered the birthplace of modern American sport climbing, so you might see climbers scaling the impressive cliffs as you hike.
2. Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana
The Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park is an epic 10.6-mile round trip hike that will leave you in awe.
This challenging trail takes you past stunning turquoise lakes, vibrant wildflower meadows and dramatic waterfalls, ending with breathtaking views of the glacier itself.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like moose, mountain goats and even grizzly bears along the way.
The hike’s highlight is reaching Upper Grinnell Lake, where you can see icebergs floating in the crystal-clear water.
You can actually shorten the hike if you like by taking a scenic boat ride across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
3. South Rim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The South Rim Trail at Grand Canyon National Park is a spectacular 13-mile hike that offers some of the best views of the canyon.
This mostly paved trail is perfect for all ages and abilities, with some shaded spots and minimal elevation change.
Along the way, you’ll find incredible viewpoints like Mather Point and Hopi Point, where you can catch breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
The trail is also pet-friendly so you can bring your furry friend along for the adventure as long as they’re on a leash.
You can also hop on and off the park’s shuttle buses at various points along the trail, making it easy to explore different sections without getting too tired.
4. Nugget Falls Trail, Tongass National Forest, Alaska
The Nugget Falls Trail in Tongass National Forest is a delightful 2-mile round trip hike that leads you to a breathtaking 377-foot waterfall.
Starting from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, this easy gravel trail offers stunning views of the glacier and Mendenhall Lake along the way.
The trail is easy and family-friendly and gives you the chance to see wildlife like bears fishing for salmon.
When you reach the falls, you’ll be amazed by the powerful cascade and the beautiful blue icebergs floating in the lake.
Fun fact: the waterfall’s roar can be heard from a distance, adding to the excitement as you approach!
5. Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
The Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park is a stunning 5.5-mile hike that offers some of the best views of the park’s famous hoodoos and amphitheaters.
This easy-to-moderate trail connects several scenic overlooks, including Fairyland Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point.
Along the way, you’ll see iconic landmarks like Thor’s Hammer, Silent City, and the Wall of Windows.
The trail is mostly flat and accessible, with shuttle buses available to help you explore different sections without retracing your steps.
The Rim Trail is also perfect for catching both sunrise and sunset!
6. Mount Ida Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
The Mount Ida Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is a thrilling 9.6-mile round trip hike that offers incredible panoramic views.
Starting at Milner Pass, the trail quickly ascends through a lush subalpine forest before emerging above the treeline, where the scenery opens up to reveal the stunning Never Summer Mountains.
This hike is known for its challenging terrain and high elevation, reaching up to 12,889 feet, making it popular with experienced hikers seeking a rewarding adventure.
Along the way, you might spot wildlife like bighorn sheep and elk grazing in the alpine tundra.
The trail follows the Continental Divide, giving you the sensation of walking on top of the world with breathtaking 360-degree views at the summit.
7. Upper Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah
The Upper Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park is a captivating 2-mile round trip hike that takes you through enchanting pinyon-juniper woodlands to a serene pool nestled at the base of towering canyon walls.
This moderate trail starts with stone steps and a sandy path, offering stunning views of landmarks like Lady Mountain and The Great White Throne along the way.
The trail ends at the Upper Emerald Pool, a fragile and essential water source for wildlife, surrounded by majestic seasonal waterfalls.
It’s a perfect spot to enjoy nature while soaking in the natural beauty.
The trail also connects with other Emerald Pools trails and the Kayenta Trail, providing multiple routes to explore this lush desert oasis.
8. Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful 101-mile stretch known for its rolling hills and lush forests.
This part of the trail offers a mix of easy to challenging sections, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced hikers.
Along the way, you’ll cross Skyline Drive multiple times, providing easy access to stunning overlooks and convenient rest stops.
The trail is famous for its abundant wildlife including deer, black bears and a variety of birds.
You can also enjoy delicious blackberry milkshakes at the park’s Wayside restaurants, a favorite treat for many hikers!
9. Half Dome Day Hike, Yosemite National Park, California
The Half Dome Day Hike in Yosemite National Park is an exhilarating 14-16 mile adventure that takes you from the valley floor to the top of the iconic granite dome.
Known for its challenging ascent, the hike includes breathtaking views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, lush forests and the awe-inspiring final climb up the cable route.
This strenuous trail gains 4,800 feet in elevation and typically takes 10-14 hours to complete, making it a true test of endurance and determination.
The summit offers panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks, rewarding hikers with unforgettable scenery.
Permits are required to climb the cables and winning one through the lottery system adds an extra layer of excitement to this bucket-list hike!
10. John Muir Trail, California
The John Muir Trail in California is an epic 211-mile hike that takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Starting in Yosemite Valley and ending at the summit of Mount Whitney, this trail is known for its breathtaking views of towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes and deep canyons.
Along the way, you’ll pass through iconic national parks like Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia, making it a true adventure through America’s natural wonders.
The trail is challenging, with a total elevation gain of 47,000 feet, but the reward is the unforgettable beauty of the high Sierra wilderness.
Fun fact: the trail is named after John Muir, a famous naturalist who was instrumental in the creation of many of the parks it passes through!
11. Cadillac North Ridge Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine
The Cadillac North Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park is a 4.4-mile round trip hike that offers stunning views of Frenchman Bay and Bar Harbor.
Known for its moderate difficulty, this trail takes you through beautiful forests and exposed granite sections, making it a favorite for families and casual hikers.
As you ascend, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views and interesting groves of stunted pine trees.
The trail ends at the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard, where you can enjoy panoramic views and a sense of accomplishment.
Cadillac Mountain is actually one of the first places in the U.S. to see the sunrise, making an early morning hike extra special!
12. Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
The Burroughs Mountain Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is a thrilling 9-mile round trip hike that offers some of the best up-close views of Mount Rainier.
This challenging trail starts at the Sunrise Visitor Center and takes you through alpine tundra, past Frozen Lake and up to three distinct summits known as the First, Second and Third Burroughs.
Hikers are rewarded with jaw-dropping views of glaciers, valleys and even distant peaks like Mount Baker and the Olympics.
The trail is also known for its wildlife, including marmots, mountain goats and the occasional black bear.
Fun fact: the Third Burroughs summit is so close to Mount Rainier that you can hear the cracking of the glaciers, making it a truly unforgettable experience!
13. South Rim Trail at Big Bend National Park, Texas
The South Rim Trail at Big Bend National Park is a breathtaking 12.5-mile hike known for its dramatic cliffside views and expansive scenery.
This strenuous trail takes you through many diverse landscapes, from lush forests to rocky ridges, with an elevation gain of 2,030 feet.
Hikers are rewarded with stunning panoramas of the Chisos Mountains, the Sierra Quemada range and even distant peaks in Mexico.
The trail is a favorite for spotting wildlife like black bears and enjoying the serene beauty of the high desert.
The South Rim offers some of the best sunrise and sunset views in the park.
14. Pyramid Point Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
The Pyramid Point Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes is a captivating 2.7-mile hike that offers some of the best views in the park.
Known for its steep climb through a beautiful beech-maple forest, the trail rewards hikers with a stunning overlook of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.
The diverse landscapes include old farm fields, dense forests and a serene meadow, making the hike both scenic and varied.
The highlight is the panoramic view from the bluff, where you can see the vibrant blue waters of Lake Michigan and distant islands.
Pyramid Point used to be a popular spot for hang gliding, and while the gliders are now gone, the breathtaking views remain!
15. Halema’uma’u Trail, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
The Halema’uma’u Trail in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a thrilling 1.6-mile round trip hike that descends 425 feet through a lush rainforest into the heart of the Kīlauea Caldera.
Known for its unique volcanic landscape, the trail offers hikers a chance to walk on the floor of an active volcano, surrounded by steam vents and recent lava flows.
As you hike, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the caldera and the iconic Halema’uma’u Crater, believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire.
The trail is moderately challenging due to its descent and uneven terrain, but it is suitable for more hikers.
Fun fact: the trail’s landscape is constantly changing due to volcanic activity, so each visit offers a new and exciting experience!
16. Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
The Charlies Bunion Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, is an exhilarating 8-mile round trip adventure along the famous Appalachian Trail.
Known for its challenging yet rewarding terrain, the hike offers stunning panoramic views of the Smokies from a rugged stone outcrop named Charlies Bunion.
As you trek, you’ll pass through lush forests and high-elevation ridges, with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet making it a great workout.
The trail is rich in history and was actually named after a hiker, Charlie Conner, who had a bunion that humorously resembled the rocky formation.
The hike starts at Newfound Gap, where you can straddle the Tennessee-North Carolina state line and enjoy breathtaking views right from the trailhead!
17. Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland
The Billy Goat Trail in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a thrilling 4.7-mile hike known for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain.
This popular trail is divided into three sections, with Section A being the most strenuous, featuring rock scrambles and steep cliffs along the Potomac River’s Mather Gorge.
Hikers on Section A will feel like true adventurers as they navigate narrow ledges and hop across boulders.
Sections B and C offer a more moderate hike, perfect for those who enjoy scenic strolls with occasional light rock scrambles.
The trail was laid out by the YMCA Triangle Club in 1919 and remains one of the most beloved hiking spots in the DC area!
18. Kalalau Trail, Hā’ena State Park, Hawaii
The Kalalau Trail in Hā’ena State Park is an epic 11-mile hike along the stunning Nāpali Coast, known for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain.
This iconic trail offers breathtaking views of towering sea cliffs, lush valleys and pristine beaches, making it a bucket-list adventure for experienced hikers.
The first two miles to Hanakāpīʻai Beach are accessible for day hikers without a permit, featuring spectacular coastal scenery and the chance to explore Hanakāpīʻai Falls.
Beyond this point, the trail becomes more demanding, traversing five valleys before reaching the secluded Kalalau Beach.
The trail is the only land access to this part of the Nāpali Coast, and permits are required for those who wish to hike past Hanakāpīʻai Beach or camp overnight.
19. Petroglyph Wall Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
The Petroglyph Wall Trail in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a short and easy 0.2-mile round trip hike perfect for those looking for an easy hike.
This trail leads you to a fascinating rock wall with ancient petroglyphs, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Native Americans who once inhabited the area.
The hike starts at the Willow Springs Picnic Area and takes you through a scenic desert landscape with unique rock formations.
The petroglyphs, etched into the rock, depict various symbols and figures, plus the rock wall is actually an ancient solidified sand dune from the Jurassic Era!
20. Hanging Rock, Effigy Mounds, Iowa
The Hanging Rock Trail at Effigy Mounds National Monument is a captivating 5.7-mile round trip hike known for its rich history and stunning views of the Mississippi River.
This moderately challenging trail takes you through lush forests and past ancient Native American mounds, including conical and linear mounds with some dating back to ~500 BC.
As you hike, you’ll encounter steep hills and scenic overlooks, with the highlight being the breathtaking view from Hanging Rock itself.
The mounds were actually built by indigenous peoples and are believed to be burial sites for important community members.
21. Oberg Mountain Loop, Superior National Forest, Minnesota
The Oberg Mountain Loop in Superior National Forest is a delightful 2.6-mile hike known for its stunning panoramic views.
This moderate trail takes you through beautiful forests and features eight scenic overlooks that offer breathtaking vistas of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and the rolling hills of the forest.
As you hike, you’ll encounter rock cliffs and ledges, and the trail is especially popular in the fall when the foliage turns into a spectacular display of colors.
Fun fact: Oberg Mountain rises 1,000 feet above Lake Superior, providing some of the best viewpoints in the area!
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