13 Best National Parks for Hiking and Impeccable Views
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For all those hikers out there, we see you constantly Googling what trail to try next. To save you time, we’re breaking down the best national parks for hiking so that you can plan your adventure easily.
In this list, you’ll find some of the most popular national parks to visit as well as some of the most beautiful hikes in the U.S. If you’re looking to plan your next hiking or backpacking trip – we’ve got you covered!
Let’s dive into some of the best national parks for hiking!
Best National Parks for Hiking
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Located around 55 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado, you’ll find Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado is one of the most popular places in the U.S. to get your fill of outdoor activities.
This makes the park’s 415 square miles full of hikers almost all year round.
One of the reasons why this park is considered the best national park to hike in is because of the stunning Rocky Mountain range as the perpetual backdrop of the park.
Here are some of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park:
This trail is a 3.2-mile out-and-back hike that is moderately challenging. This partially paved hike takes you by waterfalls and stunning views. For a three-mile hike, you can’t go wrong!
If you’re feeling up for it in the dead of Colorado winters, this trail is open throughout the year.
2 – Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail
This out-and-back hike is a challenging route that totals 8.6 miles out and back. The area of the park that you’ll find this hike in is very popular with backpackers and fishers! One of the best parts is that it’s open all year round!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
In western Wyoming, you’ll find a national park where hikers flock to every year. Visitors love this park simply because of the amount of hikes to choose from.
Here, you can find trails that snake through alpine terrain, by lakes, and have stunning views of the Tetons.
Here are some of the national park trails you can’t miss in the Grand Tetons:
1 – Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls
For those just getting into hiking, this 2.0-mile trail is a great place to start. Inspiration Point is also one of the most famous viewpoints in the entire park! If you want, you can even take a quick detour to Hidden Falls.
2 – Lakeshore Trail
This trial is one of the flattest you’ll find in the park! It’s a 2.0-mile loop hike where you’ll find views of both Jackson Lake and the Tetons.
Yosemite National Park, California
140 miles east of San Francisco and 100 miles southeast of Sacramento is Yosemite National Park. This park is truly one of the best national parks for hiking because of its iconic viewpoints.
Don’t miss out on these hikes in the park:
1 – Half Dome Hike
Half Dome is one of the most recognizable and most beautiful hikes in the U.S. It’s a 14-mile hike that covers 5,300 ft of elevation gain.
This hike is not for beginners! Although it’s very challenging, the top shows off some of the most stunning views of the Yosemite Valley.
2 – Clouds Rest
This 12-mile out-and-back hike is known as being difficult but not as crowded. If you don’t hike Half Dome, hiking Clouds Rest gives you great views of the incredible rock formation!
Arches National Park, Utah
Located five miles north of Moab, Utah, you’ll find some of the most beautiful hikes in the U.S.
Arches can get really crowded (and really hot) during the peak season, so plan your trip carefully. Most visitors travel to Utah to hike through the stunning red rocks.
You can’t miss out on these Arches hikes:
1 – Delicate Arch Hike
This trail gets incredibly packed during the summer months. It’s a 3-mile round-trip trail that brings you to one of the world’s most famous arches!
2- Devils Garden Primitive Loop
This 7.2-mile trail is known as being difficult but peaceful. Although it’s on the longer side of hikes, it’s perfect for experienced hikers and even leads to Landscape and Double O Arches.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
In the northwest corner of Arizona, you’ll find one of the world’s most amazing geological wonders.
Millions of visitors from all over the world come to experience the Grand Canyon’s national park trails. It is for sure one of the best national parks for unique hiking experiences!
Here are some of the park’s best hikes:
1 – Bright Angel Trailhead to Indian Garden Campground
This hike takes you through two million years of geology and rock towers. This trail leads you deep into the canyon and ends in the grassy campground below. During the entire hike, you’ll gain just over 2,000 ft of elevation.
2 – Rim Trail
This hike is 13 miles long and walks across the rim of the Canyon. It’s a completely paved and accessible trail where you can experience stunning views both down into and across the park.
Olympic National Park, Washington
If Bigfoot had a home, it would be in Olympic National Park! This park is located on the Olympic Peninsula and has some of the best national parks to hike in.
Visitors travel to this park to experience the mossy green trees, dark forests, and walk through the rainforest.
Here are some of the best hikes in Olympic National Park:
1 – Hall of Mosses
This hike is completely flat and only one mile long. It’s a popular hike where you can experience the Hoh Rainforest’s moss-covered trees and ferns. It’s a must-do when you’re traveling through the park!
2 – Hurricane Hill
Make sure to add this hike to your bucket list during the summer! For a few months of the year, you’ll be able to see wildflowers, wildlife, and even into Vancouver. It’s only a 3-mile hike that has stunning views from the top and is classified as being moderate.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, you’ll find the Great Smoky Mountains. These mountains are even known as one of the best national parks for hiking!
Most visitors add this park to their travel plans because of its historical and natural beauty.
Add these hikes to your Smoky Mountain hiking list:
1 – Chimney Tops Trail
This 3.3-mile hike is extremely steep but one of the most popular in the park. In the last mile alone, you’ll gain almost 1,000 ft of elevation! To beat all the crowds, it’s best to leave early in the morning to be some of the first to get to the bare rock summit.
2 – Charlies Bunion
If you’ve ever wanted to experience hiking part of the Appalachian Trail, now you can! This 8-mile trail takes you through views of the entire mountain range with an elevation gain of 1,600 ft.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
For those heading to the East Coast, Acadia is truly one of the best national parks for hiking. You’ll find this park on the mid-Maine coast, just southwest of Bar Harbor.
This park is loved by visitors because of its sweeping views of the Atlantic and rugged coastline.
These are some of the best hikes in Acadia:
1 – Ocean Path
This Ocean Path trail is a 4-mile out-and-back hike. It’s an easy and flat adventure that takes hikers through the coastline views of Mid-Maine.
2 – Precipice Trail
For 2.5 miles, this trail is known as being challenging and one of the most dangerous in the entire park. This trail is not for beginner hikers as it involves sharp elevation gains, rock scrambling, and exposed cliff faces.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
In southwest Texas, just north of Mexico, you can find Big Bend National Park. Hikers love visiting this national park for its desert terrain, rivers, and 150 miles of trails.
If you’re looking for some hikes to add to your list while visiting this park, add these to your list:
1 – Lost Mine Trail
This 4.8-mile hike is one of the most popular hikes to cross off your list in this park. It’s a steady uphill walk where you can capture views of the Chisos Mountains! It’s a pretty moderate trail, but at the summit, you can enjoy views of the entire park.
2 – Emory Peak
To see the highest peak in the Chisos Mountains and in the national park, you’ll have to trek this 10.4-mile trail. You’ll gain about 2,400 ft of elevation, but the views make the entire climb worth it.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just west of D.C. in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia is Shenandoah. Besides its blue beauty, this park has some of the best hikes in national parks you can find!
Don’t miss out on these hikes:
1 – Hawksbill Summit
This 2.2-mile out-and-back trail will take you up to Shenandoah’s highest peak of the park! During this easy hike, you’ll wander through a spruce tree forest and get to enjoy a 360-view at the summit.
2 – Mary’s Rock via the Pinnacle
During this 7.2-mile moderate out-and-back trail, you’ll wander along long stretches of the Appalachian Trail. The best part of this hike is that there is very minimal elevation gain, but full of sweeping views!
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
In southwest South Dakota, you’ll find the Badlands National Park. The Badlands has captured the hearts of visitors for years due to its ever-changing landscape and rough terrain.
Here are the hikes you shouldn’t miss:
1 – Yellow Mounds Overlook
During this 2-mile hike, you’ll find yourself at one of the most beautiful overlooks in the park. Be careful on this hike, as there is no marked trail. It’s considered a moderate hike and is perfect for those new to hiking looking to explore this park.
2 – Sheep Mountain Table Road
If you’re looking for a long hike that has almost zero elevation gain, the Sheep Mountain Table Road trail is for you! It’s a 14.8-mile route that will give you panoramic views of the entire park. You might even spot some local wildlife along the way!
Glacier National Park, Montana
Situated in the northwest corner of Montana is the stunning Glacier National Park. Annually, visitors flock here to enjoy 700 miles of hiking and of course, check out a few glaciers!
We’ve put together a few hikes you can’t miss in this park!
1 – Avalanche Lake
This moderate 4.6-mile hike gives you the opportunity to cool down in the lake once you get there! We recommend packing a picnic for this trip or even spending more time hanging out at the beach area.
2 – Hidden Lake Overlook
This short 2.6-mile hike is where you can find incredible views of the park and tons of wildflowers. Of course, this trail is packed full of views of the lake and the mountains in the background. You might even run into a mountain goat!
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is located in the stunning south-central Utah. It’s in this region that you’ll be able to explore one of the best national parks for hiking! One of the things that draws in visitors every year is the park’s strange rock formations.
Here are the Bryce Canyon hikes you can’t miss:
1 – Navajo Loop Trail
This hike is a 1.5-mile loop that’s one of the most popular hikes in the park and one of the easiest! In just a few short miles, you get impressive views of the park and the canyon landscape.
2 – Fairyland Loop Trail
This trail will take you through a 7.8-mile loop that gains 1,500 ft of elevation. It’s definitely not easy, but the views of the park and crazy rock formations are totally worth it!
Final Thoughts: Keyword
There are so many places to hike in the U.S. it can be hard to choose where to begin. Now that you have a list of the best national parks for hiking, you’ll be set to explore every corner of some of the U.S.’ most loved parks.
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