Do you want fresh air, see beautiful scenery, and work up a sweat? We've got you covered with our list of the finest hiking trails in the United States, which includes bucket-list canyon descents, beautiful oceanside walks, leaf-peeping hikes, and more.
Jump to:
- 1. Maine's Penobscot and Sargent Mountains
- 2. West Maroon Creek Trail, Colorado
- 3. Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail
- 4. Oregon's Tillamook Head Trail
- 5. Tongue Mountain Loop
- 6. Mount Rogers, Virginia
- 7. Utah's Observation Point
- 8. Nankoweap Trail in Arizona
- 9. Hawaii's Kalalau Trail
- 10. California's John Muir Trail
We've also rated the difficulty of each of these must-do treks and the time it takes to complete them (they range from an afternoon to several weeks). Are you looking for more American-inspired ideas? Check out our rankings of the most incredible hiking trails in the United States, the best beaches in the United States, and the best locations to visit in the United States.
1. Maine's Penobscot and Sargent Mountains
This walk is the most rewarding in Acadia National Park, with two peaks, steep scrambles, and crystal-clear ponds. Jordan Pond House, a sophisticated restaurant that beckons with post-hike popovers but is otherwise rough, begins and finishes the 5.4-mile circle. To ascend Penobscot, you'll have to crawl between rocks, and descend to Sargent Pond before climbing beyond the forest line to the 1,373-foot summit of Sargent Mountain. The panoramic vista, surrounded on three sides by the sea, covers almost the whole Down East Coast.
Time limit: one day
The difficulty level ranges from easy to moderate.
2. West Maroon Creek Trail, Colorado
This incredible hike, which connects Aspen and Crested Butte, is best done in July when wildflowers are at their height. Larkspurs, violets, blue columbines, and white thimbleberries abound throughout the 10-mile path, with some of the Rockies' most spectacular vistas. The route begins with a bang at the trailhead: Maroon Lake, which reflects the Maroon Bells' twin peaks and is one of the state's most photographed spots. From there, the route continues through the White River National Forest, passing through a glacier valley and aspen forests before climbing 3,000 feet over Maroon Pass and descending in similar beauty. If a full-day walk is too much for you, many shorter options exist.
Time limit: one day
The difficulty level ranges from easy to moderate.
3. Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail
From Duluth to the Canadian border, the Midwest's most epic trek follows the ridgeline of Lake Superior for 296 miles. It rises 1,000 feet above the lake and descends through wooded river valleys, with the possibility of seeing moose, bears, and beavers along the way. In the autumn, maple trees flare, while in the summer, wild berries abound. Though you can backpack the whole route, trailheads every five to ten miles make it possible to complete it in a day or weekend. The 18-mile section from Silver Bay to County Route 6 is a beautiful sampler, passing many tiny lakes, birch forests, and cliffs with panoramic views of Lake Superior.
Timeframe: From a single day to many weeks
The difficulty level ranges from easy to moderate.
4. Oregon's Tillamook Head Trail
William Clark ascended Tillamook Head in 1806 after traversing the continent and “beheld the finest and most beautiful sight my eyes ever surveyed.” Follow Lewis and Clark's footsteps from Seaside to Ecola State Park to see what amazed him. The 6.3-mile route rises nearly 1,000 feet through old-growth forest, providing spectacular vistas of mountain peaks protruding into the Pacific. In the winter and spring, look for deer, eagles, and migratory grey whales. You'll see Cannon Beach and its renowned sea stacks (basalt rock formations) as the path descends into Indian Beach.
Duration: 12 days
Moderate in difficulty
5. Tongue Mountain Loop
The Tongue peninsula juts out into Lake George, its five peaks standing in stark contrast to the area's bustling tourist cities. Hikers focus on a 13-mile circle around the bottom of the peninsula, providing unparalleled views of the lake and its numerous islands, despite the fact that paths crisscross the peninsula. You'll get a good workout climbing up and down three 1,500-foot peaks, but you'll also have a chance to cool down in the sea at sunny Montcalm Point, the Tongue's tip, if you go north to south.
Time limit: one day
Moderate in difficulty
6. Mount Rogers, Virginia
Virginia's tallest peak climbs to 5,728 feet in the southwestern Blue Ridge Mountains near the North Carolina border. It's a 4.5-mile walk to the summit from Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park, partially following the Appalachian Trail. Except for the top, covered in thick spruce-fir forest, most runs through rocky meadows, providing wide-open vistas the whole way. The most significant part is: Wild horses graze on highland meadows throughout the journey.
Time limit: one day
Moderate in difficulty
7. Utah's Observation Point
On Zion Canyon shuttle buses, face masks are mandatory.
An eight-mile round-trip walks from the canyon bottom to a viewpoint on the rim is the most spectacular trail in Zion National Park. The path, carved into the sandstone wall, switchbacks steeply over smooth rock, passes through the tiny Echo Canyon, and skirts the cliffs of White Cliffs. Observation Point, located at 6,508 feet, offers a panoramic view of the canyon, including Red Arch Mountain, the Great White Throne, and Angels Landing.
Time limit: one day
Moderate in difficulty
8. Nankoweap Trail in Arizona
NOTE: Throughout the Grand Canyon National Park, health precautions such as occupancy restrictions are in effect, and certain facilities remain closed. More information may be found here.
This path, regarded as one of the Grand Canyon's most challenging climbs, rewards hikers with breathtaking views. It follows an ancient Native American route, dropping 6,000 feet in 14 miles from the north rim to the Colorado River, and was built by geologist J.W. Powell in the 1880s. Switchbacking through sandstone cliffs, steep Redwall limestone, and slope yellow shale down to Nankoweap Creek and the river is difficult for the faint of heart. The canyon unfolds before you, echoing with the sound of rapids, and the lone campground here is one hell of a location. Unfortunately, you'll have to turn back and retrace your steps for the remaining 14 kilometers.
Three to four days are required.
Level: difficult
9. Hawaii's Kalalau Trail
The only land route to Kauai's N Pali Coast, where fluted cliffs fall into the blue Pacific, is through this magnificent walk. It's an exotic scene with tropical valleys, waterfalls, and mango trees, as seen in Jurassic Park. The 11-mile trek leads to Kalalau Beach, tucked away between two lush volcanic hills and where campers often stay for the entire five nights permitted on the permit. It is, however, a strenuous walk, mainly when it rains, as it often does. Day hikers should stick to the first two miles to Hanakapi'ai Beach, which is beautiful in and of itself.
Three to four days are required.
Level: difficult
10. California's John Muir Trail
NOTE: Until the end of September 2021, reservations are needed to drive into Yosemite. Some services and facilities are restricted, and shuttle services are unavailable. More information may be found here.
This 211-mile journey across the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney is famous for a reason. Every step leads to breathtaking vistas of high passes, alpine meadows, lakes, and sequoias. It begins with famous sites like Half Dome and Vernal Falls, continues through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, and culminates at the continental United States' highest mountain. It's the beautiful part of the Pacific Crest Trail, with a warm and sunny environment. Most hikers go between July and October to escape the snow, going north to south to acclimate to higher altitudes and become in shape before tackling Mt. Whitney, which stands at 14,495 feet.
Timeframe: 2–4 weeks
Level: difficult
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