Hikes in United States

The Oh be Joyful Trail is a wonderfully scenic, long distance hiking route in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will take you up to a charming lake. While out walking the trail, you will pass through a valley that is flanked by rugged mountain peaks, as you follow the Oh Be Joyful Creek up to the tranquil shores of Blue Lake. This route and the surrounding area are not accessible in the winter months, due to snowy and dangerous conditions.

When the temperatures start to soar, you need a chilled-out afternoon in a refreshing swimming hole. The Box Canyon Trail is a quick 1.3 km hike that leads you down into a box canyon with a swimming hole in it. The red granite walls are gorgeous and the water feels perfect when the sun is shining.

This route is good for families, with only a bit of steep climbing needed to get down into the canyon. Additionally, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem that doesn’t see much traffic. You might just get the place to yourself, which is always a plus.

Note that the parking area and trailhead for this hike can both be tough to find. Bring a GPS track or a map with you to help you find your way.

The Dogwood Campground Loop Trail is a laidback hiking route in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you on an easy-going route with gradual elevation changes. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through the undulating terrain and relax in the peaceful forest setting, as you work your way around the grounds of the Dogwood Campground. This hike is great when paired with a fun weekend of camping outdoors.

Bear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail is a real gem. This 13.4 km moderately difficult trail is located at the base of Thimble Peak in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness on the northeast edge of Tucson. It’s excellent for its ease of access from the city and for its diverse, beautiful terrain. You’ll hike next to towering saguaros and prickly pears, witness the area’s astounding bird population fly by, and end your hike at the Broadmoor Seven Falls. At the falls, there is a series of gorgeous pools that can be used to cool off.

This canyon can reach scorching temperatures in the middle of the day. Start your hike early, bring plenty of water, and avoid hiking this route in the summertime if at all possible. Since this is such a popular hike, midweek visits are recommended if possible.

The Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail is a short, family-friendly hike to an incredible geological formation. This dome and crater formation dates back approximately 60 million years and its origins are hotly debated. Salt bubbles? Meteorite Impact? Aliens? Check out this geological wonder and see what you think.

Immerse yourself in nature and enjoy sights of the snow-capped Sawatch Mountain Range peaks as you venture the Turquoise Lake Trail. This impressively scenic adventure through the high country exhibits the diversity of the Colorado wilderness. Trek along the shores of the alpine lake encircled by lodgepole pines and revel in the views of the craggy summits in the background. This unique experience is a must-add to your Leadville itinerary.

Buffalo Park might just be one of the prettiest parks in all of Arizona, and Flagstaff residents can stroll its wildflower-lined walkways without needing to leave the city. In fact, this park is accessible from most parts of the city without too much hassle. Buffalo Park sits atop a mesa with a wonderful view of Elden Mountain, and the Buffalo Park Trail is a very easy loop that allows users of all ages and skill levels the chance to appreciate the park.

Buffalo Park is one of Flagstaff’s busiest and most-used parks, and as a result, the trails are very nicely maintained. They’re suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, as well as bikes and dogs. The park is open throughout the year, so stop by whenever you like. We especially enjoy exploring it when the wildflowers are blooming.

The Crystal Forest Trail is a must-do hike in Petrified Forest National Park, especially if you’re really after the petrified wood fossils this park is known for. This route takes you past hundreds of massive fossils left from trees that lived over 200 million years ago. The petrified wood looks almost like gemstones, with gorgeous colors and patterns visible on the wood. The hike itself is very easy and straightforward, and it’s suitable for all skill levels and ages.

When you’re observing the fossils, remember that they’re meant to stay in the park. Theft of the fossils is prosecuted, and yes, removing any amount of petrified wood from the park is considered theft. Leave these fascinating fossils as you found them, resist the urge to touch them, and make sure they stay as they are for generations to come.

The Cassidy Arch trail is one of the most popular hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. This trail is a fantastic out-and-back route to the Cassidy Arch: a formation named after Wild West outlaw Butch Cassidy. The Cassidy Arch trail itself is a moderately challenging route that offers hikers incredible panoramic views of the Utah desert.

Hiking the Mosca Pass Trail is a great adventure in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. A welcome variation from the park’s quintessential dune expeditions, this trek boasts breathtaking views that reveal the enormity of the sand dunes and the lofty snow-capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

The Crags Trail is a stunning backcountry excursion near Divide, CO. Travel through dense pine woodlands, along the Fourmile Creek, past granite outcroppings, and up to bristlecone forests to the protruding granite columns nicknamed “The Crags”. This unique geological feature attracts adventurers of all sorts seeking a more up close and personal view of the rusty-colored pillars.

Immerse yourself in California’s high country along the Cascade Falls Trail. This scenic adventure travels through forestlands before opening to the Cascade Falls, which deliver sweeping panoramas of Cascade Lake, Lake Tahoe, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail checks all the boxes: waterfalls, woodlands, wildflowers, and wonderful views—what more could you ask for? Wander through the mixed forestland adorned with granite outcrops along the running waters of Lewis Fork to not one but two surging cascades.

Hidden local gem turned popular tourist destination—the God’s Bath Clavey River Trail is an incredible adventure in the Stanislaus National Forest. Though there is no explicit trail to the swimming hole and waterfall, there is a local worn path leading to God’s Bath. This epic expedition is a must add to your hiking itinerary—but we beg you to please respect the area and wilderness.

The Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a picturesque adventure through sand dunes, along the banks of the lagoons to a quiet beach on the Pacific. Impressively scenic and easy-going—hikers of all skill levels and ages can participate in this seaside stroll.

North Mountain Trail leads you to the top of 628 m North Mountain in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve north of Phoenix. With the preserve stretching east and southeast, the views on this hike perfectly combine the city and the mountains. It’s a fantastic in-between hike that can challenge strong beginners but still satisfy stronger hikers, too. This isn’t a great pick for young families because of the light scrambling required, but it’s great for hikers who want to ease into using their hands on a low-consequence trail.

If you can time your summit for sunset, you’ll be awash in a golden glow. It’s an amazing experience! Parts of this trail are paved, but the paving comes after a rocky section, so we can’t consider this trail stroller or wheelchair-friendly. Bring water with you and try to hike before or after the heat of the day.

The McCloud Falls Trail offers a collection of three cascades in one quick nature walk. Indulge yourself in the postcard perfect scenes of the cascades plunging through the basalt lava rock canyon. This epic expedition beckons the exploration year-round, enjoy!

The Emerald Lake Trail is an incredibly beautiful adventure through California’s high country in the Sequoia & Kings National Parks. Meander through the granite oasis adorned with glacially formed lakes and marvel at the scenes of the craggy ridges of the Sierra Nevada. We love this trek, and so will you!

The James Irvin Trail boasts an unforgettable journey through a coastal primeval redwood forest. This enchanting adventure explores a quintessential redwood grove before opening to the Pacific Ocean and the famous Fern Canyon. This magical hike is well worth adding to your Redwoods National and State Parks itinerary.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Trail boasts a magical experience that hikers of all skills, abilities, and ages can enjoy. Immerse yourself in the botanical garden abundant with a diversity of the area’s native flora, historic landmarks, epic overlooks, and the Mission Dam and Aqueduct.