Hikes in United States

The Exclamation Point Trail is one of our favorite scenic hikes in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This short but sweet trail culminates at one of the National Park’s most incredible lookouts over the Canyon-sign us up! Compared to the South Rim of the canyon, this hike along the North Rim is more rustic and often less trafficked, making it the perfect trail to meander and enjoy the grandeur of the steep-walled gorge.

Laying eyes on Colchuck Lake for the first time is a breathtaking moment. The 12.9 km round trip hike to the lake and back? Also breathtaking, but for different reasons. This is a steep, heavily trafficked hike, but it’s worth all the effort. You’ll be able to sit down on one of the most sublime spots in the Enchantments, where mountain peaks cradle an emerald lake adorned with an island of trees. It’s a fine reward for the brutal last couple of miles you’ll be tasked with. Poles and good boots are recommended.

We don’t recommend this trail for young kids, anyone with mobility challenges, or beginners, as there are some extended steep sections. We also recommend arriving early to beat some of the traffic. You can also arrange to camp on the shore of the lake, but make sure you’ve got your permit sorted ahead of time.

The Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail is a stunning route in Death Valley National Park. Short, flat and family-friendly, the route takes you onto arid salt flats that are both picturesque and humbling in their sheer vastness. The Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail is simply a must do when visiting Death Valley National Park.

The Jumbo Rocks Campground Loop is an easily accessible and scenic route within Joshua Tree National Park. Being both short and with little elevation change, the loop is perfect for families and those seeking a more casual hiking experience. The Jumbo Rocks Campground Loop leads the hiker through beautiful large boulder gardens and windswept desert shrubbery.

Regarded as one of the best routes within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Rainbow Falls via Devils Postpile Trail is a must do when visiting Inyo National Forest. After traversing a scenic pathway, the route ends at a stunning waterfall that will not leave you disappointed!

The Mount Evans via Chicago Creek Hike is a beautiful, but demanding hike through Colorado’s wilderness. Perhaps one of the most picturesque hikes in the Front Range, this trail will guide you past several crystalline alpine lakes before delivering you to the base of the postcard worthy Mount Evans. This hike may be challenging, but the scenery supersedes the effort.

High Rock is high, indeed. This viewpoint soars above the surrounding region of the South Cascades, giving you the best view you can find in the area! The views are truly panoramic and the trail to reach them isn’t that difficult. At 5.1 km in length and with moderate elevation gain, it’s a suitable trail for most skill levels and for active families. You’ll climb up Sawtooth Ridge to a fire cabin, where you can relax and savor the sightlines.

Expect heavy traffic on this hike, making a visit during the week or early in the morning a good choice. Most of the trail is wide, save for a few skinner sections. That being said, no part of the trail is highly exposed.

Short in distance and with a moderate amount of elevation incline, the Cinder Cone Nature Trail is a family-friendly route with lots to offer! Leading you on a fascinating and informative journey throughout an incredible volcanic formation, the trail is mesmerizing in its uniqueness. In addition to its intriguing geology, the views found throughout the Cinder Cone Nature Trails duration are sublime.

Devil’s Bridge is a natural sandstone bridge in Sedona, Arizona. This geological feature is the star on this very popular moderate trail. Climb out onto the bridge and gaze over a great view of the iconic red rocks of Sedona. This is a fun hike for most ages and definitely one to bring a camera for.

This hike is either 3.2 km long or about 72.4 km long depending on which trailhead you start at. With a 4X4 vehicle, you can drive up to the actual trailhead for the hike for a shorter walk. Without a 4X4, you’ll need to hike up one of two access roads. This guide starts from the Dry Creek Road trailhead, which is where most hikers without a 4X4 vehicle start (those with one can drive up Dry Creek Road). Expect heavy traffic on this very popular trail. Arriving early is a must in the busy season (April-May and October).

The Piedra Falls Trail is a quick and easy adventure in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that will take you to a stunning waterfall setting. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along the banks of the East Fork Piedra River and pass through some woodland terrain, before arriving at the sight of the cascading Piedra Falls. This is a fantastic trail that the entire family can enjoy on a fun weekend outing!

The Crystal City Road #314 is a great hiking route in Marble, Colorado that follows along a mountain road to reach a historic site. While out hiking the trail, you will gain elevation along the rugged road as it runs parallel to the Crystal River, passing through the mountains to arrive at the site of an old mill dating to 1892. Walkers should take note that this route is not accessible during the winter months due to dangerous conditions.

Water Wheel Falls is a hike in the Tonto National Forest near Payson that has become increasingly popular because of its excellent swimming opportunities. The trail was named for an old water wheel you can see from the trailhead, and the route follows the East Verde River to a gorge used by cliff jumpers and a short waterfall into a swimming hole.

There are lots of points along this route where you can take a swim, but the swimming hole at the confluence of the two creeks is the best spot. This easy hike might not be well-marked, but it’s an exceptionally fun adventure for families or for any hiker on a hot Arizona day. Small children might need a hand on some of the rockier parts of the trail

The Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail is a popular hiking route in the San Bernardino Forest that leads you to a series of relaxing thermal pools set along the creek. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse the rugged desert landscape until you arrive at the edge of Deep Creek where you can soak in the relaxing hot springs before heading back. Hikers should take note that the road leading into the trailhead is very rough and will require a 4x4 high clearance vehicle to safely traverse.

Tumamoc Hill is one of the most popular hikes in Tucson thanks to its great city views, relatively short length, and night hiking opportunities. The route is paved, which is a plus for hikers who prefer or require even footing. Because Tumamoc Hill is on university property, it’s the only hike in the Tucson Mountain Range that is open for night hiking. If you want to watch the sunset or sunrise, this is the place to be!

The route is 5.0 km long, but some hikers turn around at the midpoint instead of going the entire way. Expect a 2 m paved route with plenty of signage. Some parts of the trail are steep, which could make using a stroller or wheelchair very difficult without some assistance. Overall we rate this trail as moderately difficult. If you come in hot weather, please ensure you’ve got lots of hydration and some sun protection with you.

The Mesa Arch trail is a short hike to a stunning sandstone arch on the edge of a 152 m cliff. This hike is busiest at sunrise when the sun peaks above the horizon, illuminating the arch from below. Due to its impressive size and perfect positioning, the Mesa Arch is one of the most photographed arches in Canyonlands National Park

Looking to challenge yourself? The Mount Princeton Trail is a demanding adventure up to the summit of one of Colorado’s famous fourteeners (14ers). Put your stamina to the test as you ascend over 1,000 m to the summit of the Collegiate Peak that sits in the Sawatch Mountain Range. The unparalleled vistas of the encompassing mountains will motivate even the most discouraged hikers to persist and complete their trek.

Humphreys Peak is one to put on the top of your Arizona hiking bucket list, as this mountain is the tallest point in the entire state at 3,851 m. It’s a challenging route with stiff elevation gain, but most strong hikers can find their way to the top thanks to the lack of technical challenges (aside from some light scrambling) and the clearly defined trail. From the top, you’ll enjoy an expansive view of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness.

Humphreys Peak can be hiked year-round, but the winter months make for a more demanding climb. You’ll need snowshoes and you may benefit from packing ice axes and microspikes, too. Navigating the route is more difficult in the winter when the trail is covered in snow. Try the summer ascent first, which is generally easier to follow and more suitable for less experienced hikers. Bring a camera for that top-of-the-state view!

Blue Mesa Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. With dazzling views of the neatly striped hills and mesas, giant fossils of petrified wood, and a convenient paved trail, this hike is a great pick for hikers of any skill level and age in the park. It’s a short loop, but it definitely packs in the scenery. Use this as a first introduction to the park since it’s right in the middle of the park road, or enjoy it on its own. Expect heavy traffic on this route.

The Blue Mesa Trail is best done in the morning when the sun is at a low slant. This illuminates the colors of the hills and prevents shadowing from the hills on the western side of this loop (which you’d experience in the afternoon). Don’t stress if you can’t do this hike in the morning, though, it’s just a suggestion!

The Hickman Bridge Trail is one of the most popular hiking routes in Capitol Reef National Park. This trail leads you to, you guessed it, the Hickman Bridge: an incredible formation of kayenta sandstone that spans 41 m across. This hike is family-friendly and a great way to get out and learn about the incredible history of Capitol Reef National Park.

Did you know there are sand dunes in Colorado? Well, the highest dunes in North America are located in Colorado, and the High Dune Trail is the best way to experience this geological anomaly. Though you may have never considered adding the Great Sand Dunes National Park to your Colorado adventure itinerary, we highly suggest you explore these immense sand mounds that are the most biologically diverse environments in the state.