In celebration of National Trails Day (June 6), now's the perfect time to lace up your boots and explore some of America's most spectacular hiking trails. From rugged mountain passes and dramatic canyon routes to coastal walks and forested resorts, USA With an incredible variety of landscapes national park Just waiting to be explored.
However, narrowing down the country's most beautiful hikes is no easy task—there are far more trails worth visiting than anyone can complete in a lifetime. Think of this list as a starting point: a collection of unforgettable trails that showcase the diversity and beauty of the great American outdoors while inspiring your next adventure. So without further ado, here is a list of the most beautiful hiking trails in the United States.
Arches National Park Hiking
Arches National Park (one of Utah's “Mighty 5” national parks) is home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, all of which you won't see in just a day's hike. But what about a relatively short four-day hike? Well, you'll see at least a few favorites. Technically, this easy trip to Arches is four hikes in one sandstone-filled day. You'll see some of the most famous arches in the park: Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, and Window. Stand under these naturally formed stone arches for photos and marvel as you walk through the desert outside of Moab, Utah. Because each hike has its own starting point, you can choose how far you want to go and adjust the distance to your energy level.
Experience it for yourself: Hiking the Utah Mighty 5
half dome
Photos of the iconic Yosemite Valley don’t do it justice. The valley will leave you in awe, gazing at the towering granite walls. Bucket list item? Scaling Half Dome, one of the most famous rock formations in Yosemite National Park. To complete this challenging 22 km to 27 km (14 mi to 17 mi) route in one day, you'll start at the valley floor, hike the Mist Trail through Nevada and Vernal Falls, and then climb the gondola to the summit of Half Dome. After reaching an altitude of 1,463 m (4,800 ft) and climbing the final 121 m (400 ft) via cable, you'll be rewarded with views of the entire valley. It's a strenuous undertaking, taking 10 to 16 hours or more, and while it can be completed in a day, many people break it up by doing this route as a backpacking trip. Either way, hiking Half Dome requires a permit, so planning is crucial.
Experience it for yourself: California National Park Discovery Tour
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Denali National Park is home to North America's highest peak and offers many stunning hiking trails. The 3.2 km (2 mi) Horseshoe Lake Trail is a well-maintained, beginner-friendly loop with scenic views and gentle terrain. The trail leads to the shoreline, around the lake, through the forest and along the Nenana River and takes one to two hours. On the north side of the lake, a spur trail leads to a beaver dam, and if you're lucky, you might see one of the critters hard at work on it. In addition to beavers, keep an eye out for moose, bears, birds, and other wild animals Along the way.
Experience it for yourself: Alaska Hiking: Glaciers and Denali
Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop
Bryce Canyon is one of Utah's “Mighty 5” national parks and is famous for its massive sandstone rock formations. The 4.6-kilometer (3-mile) Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop Trail gives you one of the best introductions to the park in just a few hours. Clockwise, you hike the Queen's Garden Trail into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, where you have the opportunity to experience the hoodoos up close. On the Navajo Loop Trail (Two Bridges or Wall Street side) you will begin the steep hike back to the rim. This heart-pounding switchback route is a challenge, but the many beautiful views you'll enjoy along the way make it all worth it, including one of the most photographed hoodoos in the park, Thor's Hammer.
Experience it for yourself: Hike the best national parks in the West
Pacific Crest Trail
The 4,265 kilometers (2,650 miles) Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) through California, Oregon, and Washington is no ordinary great day hike. However, for experienced full-throttle hikers looking to test their skills and perseverance over a period of up to four to six months, you won't find many more beautiful hikes than the PCT. This monumental trail spans from Mexico to Canada, traversing deserts, mountain passes, and vast forests. Each part has its own beauty, but put together, it's unique. If you can't complete the six-month adventure, you can always hike smaller sections.
angel landing
Angels Landing, located in Zion National Park in Utah, is one of the most famous hikes in the United States, offering spectacular views along a slender ridgeline with long steep slopes on both sides. In other words, this 8.7-kilometer (5.4-mile) hike is not for the faint of heart, but it's worth it. Departing from Zion National Park's Grotto Shuttle Stop, you hike along a winding switchback route next to sandstone cliffs to Scout Overlook, where you'll get a bird's-eye view of Zion Canyon. The extra fun begins here as you follow the narrow ridgeline to Angel's Landing. Chain handrails and footholds in the rocks help with the climb, but the route to the final 360-degree view remains challenging. Due to the popularity of the hike, you will need a permit to hike to Angels Landing, but if you don't get a permit, you can still hike to Scout Lookout without a permit.
Experience it for yourself: Hiking the Utah Mighty 5
Teton Peak Trail
For alpine scenery and colorful wildflowers, a trip to Grand Teton National Park is a winner. On this challenging 63-kilometer (39-mile) hike, lasting three to five days, you'll climb more than 2,740 m (9,000 feet) between Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton National Park isn't always as infamous as Yellowstone or Yosemite, but it's a gem filled with mountains, alpine lakes, and, in the summer, some of the best wildflowers in the West. You'll need a wilderness permit to hike this trail, but it's well worth it for the solitude you'll experience camping under the stars.
Experience it for yourself: Journey: Iconic Wildlife in Yellowstone and Grand Teton
rim to rim trail
There's no doubt about it: Grand Canyon National Park's 39 kilometers (24 miles) of loop-to-loop trails are worth bragging about. On this route, you'll enter one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and hike to the other side. It's one thing to see this majestic canyon from the rim, but a completely different perspective from the banks of the Colorado River at the canyon floor. Don't be fooled by the relatively low mileage; with an elevation of 1,570 m (5,150 ft) and almost constant direct sunlight, this is a strenuous hike. You can hike from north to south and vice versa. If you end up on the South Rim of the Bright Angel Trail, you can end your trip with a celebratory meal and beer at one of several restaurants in Grand Canyon Village. If your final destination is the north edge of the North Kaibab Trail, you'll enter a peaceful pine forest with significantly fewer crowds.
Experience it: Southwest Road Trip: Zion, the Grand Canyon, and the Santa Monica Sunset
Cliff Loop
Acadia National Park is often called the “crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” and for good reason. Acadia is located on the coast of Maine and features scenic coastline, rocky headlands, and forested mountains. This exciting route, a challenging 5.1 km (3.2 mile) cliff loop takes you to the top of Mount Champlain, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Frenchman Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding islands. While the views are spectacular, the real draw of this trail is the adventure you'll have climbing up the cliffside using iron rungs and ladders to reach the top. This route isn't for anyone with a fear of heights, but it's worth the challenge if you're willing to brave it.
Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful
No trip to Yellowstone National Park is complete without a visit to Old Faithful. After viewing the famous geysers, you can avoid the crowds by following the boardwalk and bike trails that pass through the Upper Geyser Basin. This area is truly unique – it has the highest concentration of geysers on Earth, with more than 150 thermal features. You can pass many attractions along this easy to moderate route, including Old Faithful Geyser, Beehive Geyser, Sawmill Geyser, Morning Glory Pool, and Daisy Geyser. Admire the Rainbow Pool as you walk through this desolate landscape. These hot springs sustain microorganisms that create spectacular colors.
Experience it for yourself: National Park Family Trip: Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Congressional Trail
It's not every day you get to walk among giants, but you can along the 4.3-kilometer (2.7-mile) Capitol Trail in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Stroll along this gentle, well-maintained trail and marvel at 1,000-year-old giant sequoias. You can even walk through some huge fallen trees. In addition to the General Sherman Tree (the largest living tree on Earth), you'll see many other mature redwoods, including the House and Senate groups. In this majestic display, note how many trees have trunks large enough to stand fully inside. The cavities are the result of forest fires the giant tree has suffered over the years.
Experience it: Hike the Sequoias, Kings Canyon and Yosemite
marys rock
If you want to see the fall foliage, the 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) Marys Rock Summit hike in Shenandoah National Park is a great option. Hike part of the long-distance Appalachian Trail (another strong contender for this list) to Marys Rock, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. Due to the mixed hardwood forest, the trail becomes vibrant with yellows, oranges and reds around October when all the leaves change color.
Rich ore mine tunnel
This challenging 14.5-kilometer (9-mile) trail offers it all: wild scenery, rugged mountain scenery, and cultural history. Located within Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the Bonanza Mine Trail showcases some of the state's best views, including interesting fragments of 20th-century mining history. Although the Bonanza Mine is now closed, these architectural remains and the Bonanza Tram Stop are cool, especially as they are close to the beautiful surrounding mountains.
Experience it for yourself: Alaska Hiking: Valdez and Wrangell St. Elias
Hidden lake view
Hidden Lake Overview is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park with picture-postcard scenery. You follow the boardwalk through alpine meadows where wildflowers bloom in late to mid-summer. As you hike, look up at the towering peaks of Mount Clements, Mount Oberlin, Mount Bearhart, and Mount Reynolds. When you reach Hidden Lake Lookout, you can admire the vast lake below and then turn back from there. However, if you're feeling adventurous, you can hike an additional 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the lake and take a dip in the water. The only downside to this dream route? Parking can be overcrowded in the summer, so arrive early.
High Line Trail
If you're looking for a hike that's epic from the first step, the Highline Trail in Montana's Glacier National Park has you covered. The route begins at Logan Pass and passes along the Garden Wall, a dramatic alpine ridge that offers sweeping views of glacier-carved valleys and jagged peaks. The hillsides are covered with wildflowers throughout the summer, and mountain goats and bighorn sheep are common companions on the trails. Whether you choose a shorter route or the full route, the Highline Trail offers some of the most stunning mountain views in the United States. Top tip: For the best views, head to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Be prepared for a very steep climb!
