America has much to love, and among them is the abundance of outdoor recreation in so many different geographical zones. I don’t think any other country on this planet has geographical zones ranging from polar to tropical. This also means that if you like to slide into some hiking shoes or boots, there are a lot of wonderful places your feet can take you.
If I tell you what the 25 best hikes in the country are, there will be people who disagree. So, instead, I’m suggesting 25 that would rightfully belong on any list. These hikes were carefully selected not only for their breathtaking views and unique landscapes but also for the varying levels of challenge they offer to hikers of all skills. As an avid hiker, I’ve done them all!
1. Mt. Whitney– Sequoia National Park, CA
Whitney is the highest peak in the Lower 48. There are technical climbing routes on it, but most people ascend it via a strenuous trail that’s 12 miles one-way and ascends about 6,000’. I may have to do this again someday; minutes before my brother and I reached the summit, a thunderstorm rolled in, and it rained most of the rest of the day. We saw nothing from the top, though we did see everything until just before we got to it.
2. South Lake to Bishop Pass– John Muir Wilderness, CA
As you climb, you’ll pass several mountain lakes, each more scenic than the last, and finally reach Bishop Pass on the border of Kings Canyon National Park. The mountain views are spectacular. My brother and I used this as the start of a backpacking trip, but at 14 miles round-trip, you can do this as a day hike if you’re in decent shape.
3. Mist Trail– Yosemite National Park, CA
The Mist Trail connects beautiful Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall in Yosemite Valley. Prepare to get wet, especially in spring and early summer. People also use this trail as part of their ascent of Half Dome (you need to snag a permit for that).
4. Telescope Peak– Death Valley National Park, CA
Telescope Peak is the highest point in Death Valley. It’s more than 11,000 vertical feet above the salt pan of Death Valley, and to the west, the Sierra crest is visible. Near the top, you pass through a grove of gnarled, weather-worn bristlecone pines. These trees are the longest-living organisms on Earth.
5. Rim to Rim– Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Since the North Rim is higher than the South Rim, it’s best to start this journey there. You can do this in one grueling day, but many spend a night at a backcountry campsite or at Phantom Ranch, a dorm-style lodge near the canyon floor.
6. The Catwalk– New Mexico
Located near Glenwood, this is a pretty unique hike. It goes through a narrow canyon, and most of it is along a hanging metal walkway over the stream below.
7. Glacier Gorge– Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
The trail through Glacier Gorge takes off toward the Continental Divide. Eventually, you’ll reach a junction that presents a choice. Left takes you to Black Lake. Right takes you past two lakes before ending at Sky Pond. Both are scenic, but I think Sky Pond is more so.
8. Longs Peak– Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
The highest peak in the park, Longs is also the highest peak in the Rockies chain from there going north until you get to the Yukon. The most common way up is the Keyhole Route, which climbs eight steep miles to the summit. There are some exposed sections that require the use of hands, so this is not for people afraid of heights.
I lucked out and got a backcountry camping permit so I could stay a few miles from the summit. When afternoon storms rolled out, I went to the summit and had it to myself. That’s extremely rare in the summer.
9. Mt. Timpanogos– Wasatch Range, UT
Massive “Timp” is the huge mountain that towers above Provo. There’s a very steep trail that gets you to the summit. Along the way, there’s much of what’s best about the mountains: waterfalls, wildflowers, meadows, an alpine lake, a glacier, a herd of mountain goats, and, of course, gorgeous views. Pretty much every step of this hike is scenic. It’s about 10 miles round-trip and easily done in a day, but I backpacked in, camped at the alpine lake, and was the only one there for the afternoon and evening. It was spectacular.
10. Virgin River Narrows– Zion National Park, UT
Here, the river is the trail; you walk up the narrowing canyon, usually in the river itself. Be prepared to swim at times, and dress and pack accordingly. The best part is a few miles up at the junction with Orderville Canyon. There, the canyon is at its narrowest, and the red walls soar 1,000 vertical feet above. If you have time, I recommend going up Orderville Canyon as far as you can; it’s gorgeous, and eventually an impassable waterfall turns you back.
11. Angels Landing– Zion National Park, UT
Angels Landing isn’t the highest peak in Zion Canyon, but it has some of the best views since it’s right in the middle of it. The last section has cables installed to help protect people. Unless you’re an experienced climber, use them; people have fallen to their deaths here. Avoid the winter for this; snow and ice can make the final section treacherous, even with the cables. As a climber, I usually scoff at the cables, but that time, I was clinging to them for dear life!
12. Lower Calf Creek Falls– Utah
This hike in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is often cited as the best in Utah. It’s only 5 miles round-trip, and elevation gain is modest. You’ll pass through beautiful sandstone formations, see ancient Native American rock art, and end up at an improbable desert waterfall splashing into a pool at its base. The rock art is in a high alcove, so you’ll need a zoom lens or binoculars to really appreciate it, but I did once find a way up there. If you do, too, please don’t touch the art!
13. Devils Garden– Arches National Park, UT
Delicate Arch is the postcard-perfect feature of this park that has the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. If you want to see a lot of arches and other awesome rock formations, though, this trail is for you. It’s often busy, and if that’s not to your taste, you can take the Primitive Loop on the way back, which is more rugged and doesn’t usually have that many people on it.
14. Cascade-Paintbrush Loop– Grand Teton National Park, WY
I was pretty tired of the same old pictures of the Tetons well before I actually went there, so I wasn’t all that impressed during my first visit in 1997. Since then, I’ve passed through many times, but it was my 2001 visit that opened my eyes, and it was this trail that did it. It’s a big day at 23 miles and a lot of elevation gain, though the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake can shave some miles (but it’s still at least 19), but the scenery is amazing. I’ve done it twice since, including an overnight outing that let me get even deeper into the backcountry.
15. Sawtooth Lake– Sawtooth Wilderness, ID
Overall, this hike has a moderate rating, but there are some very steep sections. As a day hike, it ends at Sawtooth Lake, beautiful on its own but also perfectly framing Mt. Regan, a view you may have already seen times! For any climbing nerds reading this, you can make Regan go at 4th Class!
16. Iceberg Lake– Glacier National Park, MT
My wife and I agree this is our favorite hike anywhere, and we do it every time we go to Glacier. It’s about 5 miles in length, and except for the start, it’s a pretty modest grade. The scenery is great the whole way, and it ends at a lovely blue lake known for the ice that floats in it much of the summer. Mountain walls 3000’ high form the stunning backdrop.
17. Grinnell Glacier– Glacier National Park, MT
This trail is in the same section of the park as Iceberg Lake, so you can do them on back-to-back days. There’s some boring forest hiking, but as the trail climbs, the scenery becomes breathtaking. It leads to Grinnell Glacier and Upper Grinnell Lake, which usually has a lot of ice in it as well.
18. Dawson-Pitamakan Loop– Glacier National Park, MT
Get ready for a big day. It’s around 18 miles, and you have a steep climb to one of the two passes you’ll cross. Much of it is above timberline, and you get spectacular views of mountains and lakes that more than make up for the huffing and puffing.
19. Emory Peak Trail– Big Bend National Park, TX
Emory Peak is the highest in Big Bend National Park, and a moderate trail reaches its summit. Up there, you get views that include the rest of the Chisos Mountains and across the desert deep into Mexico.
20. Anhinga Trail– Everglades National Park, FL
This easy trail, part boardwalk, wanders through a marshy, pond-like place called a slough. You’ll see a ton of wildlife there. People come to see all the colorful birds, the turtles, and, most especially, all the alligators.
21. Old Rag Mountain– Shenandoah National Park, VA
Unofficially known as the best mountain in the Southeast, Old Rag is famous for its Ridge Trail, which involves some rock scrambling. It’s unusual for its region in that it’s mostly bare up top, so the views are excellent.
22. Whiteoak Canyon– Shenandoah National Park, VA
This trail ends up on Skyline Drive and in the valley below and features six waterfalls. It’s better to hike it from the bottom since you get to the waterfalls faster, and the return is downhill. If you want more waterfalls, you can link it with Cedar Run, the next drainage over, where there are three waterfalls, and then you have an excellent loop for the day.
23. Billy Goat Trail– Great Falls, MD
This is probably the most popular trail in Maryland. For much of its length, it follows the rim of Mather Gorge, a narrow canyon with steep cliffs cut by the Potomac River. It also has some fun rock scrambling sections.
24. Falling Waters Trail– Franconia Notch State Park, NH
For an exciting adventure in the White Mountains, this is your trail. Be aware that it has some very steep sections. This nine-mile loop passes some beautiful waterfalls and also winds above timberline alpine tundra and over the summits of two mountains with panoramic views.
25. Baxter Peak– Baxter State Park, ME
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine, and Baxter Peak is its official summit. Baxter is also the northern end of the famous Appalachian Trail. You can hike the last segment of the AT to the summit, but there are some more exciting ways like the steep Abol Trail and the dramatic knife edge. Also, much of the peak is in the tundra zone.
The World’s Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges
For as long as humans have existed, mountains have inspired and daunted us. They’re the basis for countless legends, and although they can be deadly, have an irresistible pull on us, drawing millions of sightseers, hikers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts every year. Making a definitive list of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world is subjective, but the ones here are certainly strong contenders.
No Passport, No Problem: You Don’t Need One to Vacation in These Countries
If you’re an American citizen traveling out of the country, you have to have a passport to be allowed into somewhere else, right? While that’s mostly true, there are some exceptions. Some are independent countries, while others are U.S. territories that largely operate independently.
Note: Before you visit any of these places, make sure you look into what the entry requirements are. For example, you may need an enhanced ID or proof of certain vaccinations.
No Passport, No Problem: You Don’t Need One to Vacation in These Countries
Featured Image Credit: michaeljung/Shutterstock
Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.