Fresh air, wide-open spaces, canyons, valleys, forests and mountains. For nature lovers, hiking is a wonderful adventure and yet another great reason to travel. Here is a list of the 10 best hikes in America.
From the majesty of Grand Canyon National Park to the epic adventure trails of Alaska, here are 10 of the best hikes in the America. Happy trekking!
1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
An ultimate guide to ‘best hikes in the USA’ wouldn’t be complete without Grand Canyon National Park. Bear in mind that hiking the Grand Canyon is no easy feat so make sure you are well-prepared and that you check out the official website before your trip for safety tips and trail maps. Or if you’d prefer to enjoy the spectacular panoramas sans worry, book a guided tour.
2. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
The beautiful islands of Hawaii are a natural paradise with some of America’s most spectacular volcano hiking. Whether you choose to visit the Big Island or Honolulu, there are plenty of hiking tours with fantastic panoramic views from the top of an active bubbling volcano.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This park resting on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee is known for its impressive wildlife diversity, which includes more than 1,500 kinds of stunning wildflowers! The Great Smoky Mountains are also home to Black Bears, and despite their seemingly cuddly appearance, hikers and campers should always exercise caution and plan their trip into the wild with care.
4. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has been deemed the Crown of the Continent due to its breathtaking natural landscapes. With more than 700 miles of trails, this wonderful park in the state of Montana is fantastic for short and long hiking trips. Get more info about the trails and the best times of the year for hiking here.
5. Big Sur, California
About an hour drive from Monterey, California’s Big Sur and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are located along the stunning shores of the Pacific Ocean. There are many trails in the area that range from easy to strenuous, to some moderate hikes with great rewards, McWay Waterfall Trail and Ewoldsen trail are among the most popular. Take care to check for closures and potential wildfire warnings.
6. Zion National Park
Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is home to extremely diverse environments like red sandstone mountains, canyons, rivers, natural arches, and emerald pools. Hiking with the kids? Take a hike through enchanting waterfalls that’s a safe and easy for everyone. Begin at the Zion Lodge and take the Lower Emerald Pool Trail.
7. Rocky Mountain National Park’s Emerald Lake Trail
Travel to Colorado and hike to one of the highest points of the royal Rocky Mountains. At 10,110 feet, you’ll find a beautiful alpine lake befittingly dubbed, Emerald Lake. Begin your descent from the Bear Lake Trailhead, a well-maintained and modest climb. Simply follow the well-marked signs to this aquamarine gem.
8. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a terrific adventure destination and a geological wonderland! Well-known for its incredibly diverse ecosystems, waterfalls, canyons and many geothermal aspects. The famous Old Faithful Geyser erupts every 44 to 125 min! Plan your visit to this spectacular earthly treasure here.
9. Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
The fairy-like forests of Silver Falls State Park are nestled into the foothills of Oregon’s lovely Cascade Mountains. Hike the must-see Trail of Ten Falls where you’ll walk through densely green forests and pass a number of breathtaking waterfalls that cascade over a rocky canyon into the winding river below.
10. Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
This extremely strenuous hike is not for the faint of heart. Hikers who accept the challenge of the Harding Icefield Trail gain approximately 1,000 feet of elevation every mile! The view from the top is out-of-this-world spectacular, so if you come prepared, this six-to-eight hour hike will definitely be well worth the effort.