Hikes in United States

Though it has far fewer hoodoo views than other more popular trails in the park, this loop route gives you something the other trails simply can't – peace and solitude. Hiking through a stunning pine tree forest, this half day hike definitely separates you from the bustling view points along Bryce Canyon's main road.

This wonderfully peaceful and exquisitely beautiful trail leads along the Virgin River from the campground beside the visitors centre all the way to Canyon Junction. As it stays relatively flat, this route is great for the whole family.

One of the classic hikes in Yellowstone National Park, you cannot miss the Upper Geyser Basin trail. Starting at Old Faithful, this trail will grant you wonderful views of a new geyser every few minutes!

Though short, this extremely steep hike is quite a grueling climb. One of the classic climbs, this walk takes you to the incredibly high 3,639 m Bald Mountain. It should go without saying that you can see a lot of Utah from this height.

Washington has no shortage of incredible beaches, and the endless coastline is always a treat to explore. Ruby Beach is an example of the scenery that makes the Pacific Northwest what it is: dramatic sea, rocky beaches strewn with driftwood, peculiar rock formations jutting out of the water. This beach walk is a go-to for locals and is often frequented by visitors as well. It’s only 1.6km in length and involves almost no elevation gain, making it a nice pick for adventurers of all levels.

Ruby Beach tends to be somewhat busy, so try visiting in the mornings or midweek if possible. Additionally, plan to arrive as the tide goes out so you’re not trapped by high tide at the creek crossing.

Poo-Poo Point is a popular destination on the shoulder of West Tiger Mountain. The point has fabulous views of Mount Rainier and isn’t too difficult to reach. On a clear day, it’s the ideal overlook across the forest and to the mighty Tahoma. While there is more than one way to get to the point, this route follows the 7.2 km moderate Chirico Trail, which makes for a shorter hike. Expect heavy traffic on this hike.

While this hike isn’t too long or strenuous, it does have some steeper sections that where poles might be helpful to have.

The Gunnison Route is a stimulating excursion down the ridge of the Black Canyon to the Gunnison River. This hike is reserved for experienced hikers who won’t shy away from steep, challenging and rocky terrain. We love this hike! Get your daily dose of adrenaline and then some as you scale the rocky terrain down into the river by navigating tightly wound switchbacks and using a chain rope to guide you down loose terrain. This excursion may be tricky, but man is it fun!

Lake Easton State Park attracts visitors to its camping sites, RV park, amphitheater, lake, and hiking trails. Pack up the family for a day outside or use the Lake Easton hike as a leg stretcher if you’re on the nearby highway. This hike is 7.4 km long and requires very little elevation gain, making it a good pick for all skill levels and ages. You can either hike this trail as is, going out and back along the lakeshore, or you can use the trails on the other side of the lake to make a loop of it. We love this route because it puts the lake between you and the highway, offering a bit of a buffer that makes it feel more natural. You can also easily walk over from Easton to enjoy this trail.

Kids will love the unique tunnel you’ll walk through on this hike, a remnant of its railroad past. There are small side trails for lake access if you want to get to the shore. Expect lots of shade on the trail.

The Little Hebe Trail is a family-friendly route that takes you alongside two volcanic craters in Death Valley National Park. The trail travels adjacent to the large Ubehebe crater - providing magnificent views as it goes - before delivering you to the smaller, but more charming Little Hebe Crater.

The Arch Rock Nature Trail is an easily accessible and relatively short lollipop hike that takes you through beautiful desert terrain before ending at the trails namesake: Arch Rock. Wildflowers and other desert vegetation can be admired as you make your way through terrain representative of Joshua Tree National Park.

The Loveland Pass Lake Trail is an awesome little hike around the Pass Lake and two other small basins. Hike this scenic trail with your little ones and keep an eye out for pika, marmots and even mountain goats as you loop around the lakes. Hemmed by craggy cliffs, this scenic path is one for the books.

Kennedy Meadow to the Bridge via PCT Trail is a beautiful route within Inyo National Forest that traverses the scenic terrain of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range. This moderately difficult route takes you alongside a charming river and through lovely meadows, and is considered to be an excellent place for viewing wildlife.

The Mount Adams South Climb is the least technical approach, leading you to the summit over the course of 17.5 km and over 2,042 m of elevation gain. While this is the least challenging way up Mount Adams, it’s still best taken on by experienced adventurers with the proper gear: ice axes, crampons, mountaineering boots, and supplies to sleep overnight at Lunch Counter if they’re attempting the hike over two days instead of one. While this hike can be done in a day, doing it over two allows you to attempt the summit in the morning when the snow is firm.

Dogs are allowed on this trail but very likely won’t be able to summit with you, so we recommend leaving them at home if you intend to make a summit attempt.

The Manzanita Lake Loop is a short route within Lassen Volcanic National Park that is appropriate for the entire family. Easily accessible and with great views of the surrounding alpine landscape, the Manzanita Lake Loop should be on your “must do hikes” list when visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s most recognizable rock formations, and the hike there is a gorgeous, popular trek. Bell Rock can be reached via a quick 1.3 km trail, which this guide will follow. Longer loops can include Courthouse Butte, Baby Bell, and other nearby points of interest. This guide details the most direct route to Bell Rock beginning from Bell Rock Trailhead. This is an especially nice hike during sunrise and sunset.

This hike is family-friendly and short. You’ll need to be able to complete very short sections with hands-on climbing. The further you go up the rock, the more climbing you’ll need to do, but the views are still fantastic from the most accessible viewpoints of the trail. This route gets busy, so arrive early if you can.

Hiking the Lake Nighthorse Trail is a fantastic family-friendly activity outside of Durango, Colorado that will lead you along the shores of a scenic lake. While out on the trail, you will meander along the water’s edge and take in the beautifully scenic views across the water. It may be a quick and easy route, but for the low level of effort required the views are outstanding!

Hiking the Green Lake Trail is an exceptional outdoor activity in Crested Butte, Colorado that will see you climb uphill through the forest to reach a charming lake. While out on the trail, you will leave the town behind and traverse the serene woodlands, working through several tough climbs to reach the shores of Green Lake beneath Mount Axtell. This is a beautifully scenic route that can only be done in the summer months due to dangerous avalanche conditions in the area.

The Verde Hot Springs hike takes you along an easy trail to a hot spring at an abandoned resort. Perched along the Verde River, the pools were constructed in the 1920s when this area was a tourist attraction. A fire in the 1960s destroyed the resort, but the foundation and pools survived. Abandoned ever since, the pools are open for public use and offer a unique spot to get a soak in.

The hike to the hot spring is quite easy. It’s about two and a half miles long with only about 61 m of elevation gain. There are concrete steps that lead down to the springs in the final few feet of the route. Hikers of all skill levels will be able to complete it. You will need a high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead, though.

The Bonita Falls Trail is a short hiking route in the San Bernardino National Forest of California that will take you out to a viewpoint overlooking a waterfall. While out on the trail, you will hike the rocky terrain along the banks of Lytle Creek, before entering into the tree cover to view the cascading waters of Bonita Falls. Don’t forget to stop off at the ranger station to purchase a daily parking pass for $5.

The Sweetwater Wetlands Loop leads you a short distance around one of the most important functional, environmental, and educational sites of the City of Tucson’s reclaimed water system. The Sweetwater Wetlands were constructed in 1996 to handle backwash water from the reclaimed water plant. Now, the site is a wetland that exclusively uses reclaimed water. The entire wetland has 4.0 km of trails, but this loop covers a quick 1.6 km section. Around 305 m of the wetland pathways are paved and ADA-approved for wheelchair users.

This quick little nature walk is suitable for all ages and all skill levels. It’s flat, either paved or on 3.4-inch gravel, and easy to navigate. Note that dogs, horses, and bikes are not allowed in this area.