Hikes in United States
What are the best hikes in the United States? There are simply so many incredible hikes in the USA that it’s almost impossible to answer. Many of the best hikes in the United States can be found in the mountain chains that cover the American West. Here you’ll find hikes that take you through untouched wilderness, up high above the forests and to beautiful mountain lakes. The American Southwest offers a different hiking experience in wonderful arid regions that are best explored on foot.
The US is so vast that you can’t even dream of seeing everything in one visit. The country contains a huge variety of hiking terrain, from protected National Parks to cool mountain towns like Aspen or Vail.
To help you plan your hiking holiday, we have found the best hikes in most of the Western US states. We find the best hikes in National Parks, National Forests and Wilderness Areas across California, Oregon, Washington State, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. We share the best hikes for world-famous National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Olympic and Glacier. We also help you plan your trip to other great places, like Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, Salt Lake City, Vail and Aspen.
Hiking regions in United States
Best Hikes in United States
Dunes Trail via Pinyon Flats
Adventure to the top of High Dune along the Dunes Trail via Pinyon Flats. Immerse yourself in the sandy terrain and revel in Colorado’s topographic diversity as you admire the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the sandy mounds that consume the landscape.
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Seven Bridges Trail
The Seven Bridges Trail is an epic adventure through the North Cheyenne Creek Canyon lined with woodlands, rock outcroppings, and over seven wood bridges. This versatile fresh air escape can be enjoyed by the whole family, year-round. The next time you find yourself near Colorado Springs, this hike is well worth the detour.
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Eagle Lake Trail
Explore all that California’s high country has to offer along the Eagle Lake Trail. This scenic High Sierra adventure boasts breathtaking panoramas of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and Lake Tahoe from the charming glacial basin. This easy-going excursion is a must-add to your Tahoe itinerary.
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Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh Trail
Reconnect with nature and escape the stressors of the real world along the Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh Trail. Offering impressive views of the boulder bounded river, the mossy forestlands, and surrounding mountains—the stunning scenery along this route is limitless. Open and airy, this scenic day-hike is a must-add to your adventure itinerary.
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Boulder Lake Hike
Exhibiting the grandeur and beauty of the high country, exploring the Boulder Lake Hike boasts an exceptional experience. Traveling deep into the wilderness, this route will overwhelm you with picture-perfect scenes of the alpine landscape.
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Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop
The Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop is an extraordinary day hike in the Point Reyes National Seashore featuring dramatic coastal treks and relaxing meanders through the enchanting forestlands. Most days you will be treated to fog-shrouded views of the looming firs and pines trees pierced with sunbeams. This magical adventure is a must-add to your hiking itinerary.
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Lookout Mountain Summit Trail
Lookout Mountain is an isolated peak in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, located north of the city. The mountain offers an excellent view of the other peaks of the preserve, which are just south of it, and the city and its suburbs sprawling in all directions. The hike to the top of Lookout Mountain is a short one, but it’s no-nonsense, requiring a bit of light scrambling over rocky sections. It’s a good pick for beginners who want to try out a more adventurous trail that’s still forgiving.
This hike is dog-friendly, but it might be tough for pups to get all the way to the top on those rocky sections. Make sure you bring lots of water with you and plan your hike outside the heat of the day. Might we suggest sunrise or sunset?
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Castle Lake Trail
The Castle Lake Trail is a picturesque adventure in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This revered route travels along the shoreline of the glacial basin up to an exposed divide that boasts uninterrupted vistas of Mount Shasta and the Klamath Mountains. Beckoning intrepid spirits year-round, this trek is a must-add to your hiking itinerary.
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Moro Rock Trail
The Moro Rock Trail is a wonderful adventure in the Sequoia National Park that boasts incredible views of the Great Western Divide. Climb up a 350-step staircase to the summit of the granite monolith and you will be rewarded for your efforts with the breathtaking alpine scenery.
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Damnation Creek Trail
The Damnation Creek Trail boasts a dramatic adventure through the Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park. This epic hike explores an old-growth redwood forest, plunging over 305 m down to the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean.
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Mount Pinos Trail
The Mount Pinos Trail is an excellent day hike in the Los Padres National Forest that can be enjoyed by adventurers of all ages and skill levels. Meander through chaparral brush and mixed conifers stands an epic overlook of Santa Barbara, the San Andreas Fault, the Caliente Range, and more.
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Mount Diablo Hike
Though not the tallest mountain in the state, the hike to Mount Diablo is a revered adventure in the Bay Area that offers famous views. Hike up through mixed oak woodlands and dense communities of chaparral to the Summit Building, which boasts sights of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sierra Nevada, the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Cascades, and more.
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North Lake Hike
Immerse yourself in the Wind River Range on the North Lake Hike. While challenging, this high-country hike exhibits the beauty and grandeur of the craggy mountain range whilst boasting the opportunity to explore several glacial pools along the way.
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Naches Peak Loop Hike
The popular Naches Peak Loop hike offers diverse alpine scenery in a short, easy to complete loop. You’ll crest a small valley, enjoy views of Tipsoo Lake, walk through vast wildflower meadows, and do it all with views of Mount Rainier.
The Naches Peak Loop hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail for a portion of the trek, giving you the honor of a few steps on an epic thru-hike.
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Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene Hike
The hike to Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene is a heavily trafficked hike in Mount-Baker Snoqualmie National Forest that is rated as hard. While this hike is considered strenuous by many, the cascading falls and the peaceful lakeshore are worth the effort. If you’re armed with good boots and poles, this hike is a very memorable outing. We particularly like it on hot days and midweek when the trail is a bit less busy.
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Carter and Crescent Lake
The hike on the Carter and Crescent Lake Trail is a beautiful route in Alaska, Kenai Peninsula. This hike takes you to the beautiful Crescent Lake through the family-friendly trail along Carter Lake. The tranquility of this place is truly magical and the views of beautiful mountains, expansive meadows and sea of flowers are guaranteed!
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Devils Garden Loop
Devils Garden Path challenging hike snakes along a wide, well-travelled trail to an array of otherworldly, towering arches, all dubbed with individual names—Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, to name a few.
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Ridge Route
Ridge Route is a hike located on Vail Mountain, connecting Eagle’s Nest to Wildwood. The trail offers breath-taking views of the Holy Cross Wilderness south of Vail. The impressive Mount of the Holy Cross, at 4,270 m tall, is visible from Ridge Route.
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Yosemite Valley
Walking along the Yosemite Valley is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park. Savor the moments exploring this iconic natural landscape with enormous mountains and spectacular scenery.
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Crater Lake
A classic hike through the Maroon Bells Wilderness, the trek out to Crater Lake leaves the intense crowds of Maroon Lake and yields a more intimate view of the North Maroon Peak.
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty