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    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.

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    0 hours

    144 hours

    0 km85 km

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    10

    9.3 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Brainard Lake Snowshoeing

    The Brainard Lake snowshoeing trail takes you to a beautiful alpine lake with panoramic views of the Continental Divide and Indian Peaks. This is a stunning trip for a clear winter day. You can spend the rest of the day enjoying other activities in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

    Easy
    11.0 km
    139 m
    3-4h
    9.8 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Lake Isabelle Trail

    A winter hike or snowshoe along Lake Isabelle trail not only takes you to a beautiful alpine lake with views of Isabelle Glacier but will often lead you to find yourself in solitude, breaking trail, and spotting an abundance of wildlife.

    Hard
    16.7 km
    285 m
    4-6h
    9 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Dream Lake

    A snowshoe to Dream Lake will take you to a gorgeous alpine lake nestled in the Rocky Mountains with Hallett Peak (3,875 m) dominating the background.

    Easy
    3.2 km
    153 m
    1-2h
    9.7 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Lone Eagle Peak

    The winter hike to Mirror Lake, below Lone Eagle Peak, takes you on a long but beautiful hike deep into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The views of Lone Eagle Peak from Mirror Lake are spectacular.

    Very Hard
    24.5 km
    723 m
    6-9h
    9.3 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Emerald Lake

    Snowshoeing to Emerald Lake is a fantastic trip in the backcountry of RMNP. This trail takes you to a beautiful alpine lake nestled in a panoramic mountain cirque at the base of Hallett Peak (3,875 m).

    Moderate
    5.1 km
    215 m
    2-3h
    9.9 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Lake Haiyaha

    The snowshoe to Lake Haiyaha takes you to another awe-inspiring alpine lake with crystal blue waves carved out by an ancient glacier. The winter snowshoe to Lake Haiyaha is unbelievably beautiful, and the sight of the beautiful crystal blue Lake Haiyaha frozen in place is truly one to behold.

    Hard
    6.0 km
    245 m
    2-4h
    9.7 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Hessie Trail

    Hessie Trail is a moderately easy winter hike that begins at the historic Hessie Townsite; an old mining town high in the Rocky Mountains. The Hessie Trail winter hike offers a lot of bang for your buck, so to speak, giving way to great mountain views without much effort.

    Easy
    6.7 km
    190 m
    1.5-2h
    9.5 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Chasm Lake

    The snowshoe to Chasm Lake should be on every list for anyone in RMNP. Chasm Lake trail takes you to a high alpine lake that sits below the towering ‘Diamond’ on the famed Longs Peak.

    Very Hard
    12.8 km
    738 m
    5-7h
    9.8 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Lost Lake

    The snowshoe or winter hike to Lost Lake is not as daunting as the name suggests. Lost Lake is a very popular, family-friendly winter hike but that does not mean it is not worth checking out if you are not towing behind a kid or two. It offers great mountain views along with some mining history at both the trailhead and the destination!

    Moderate
    9.8 km
    345 m
    3-5h
    10 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Sky Pond

    The snowshoe up to Sky Pond is a favourite among locals. It is an epic snowshoe to a high alpine lake at the base of The Sharkstooth! The Sky Pond snowshoe in RMNP is often described as challenging but it is definitely worth the trek.

    Very Hard
    13.5 km
    527 m
    5-7h
    10 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Caribou Hill

    Caribou Hill is a secluded winter hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing destination in the historic ghost town of Caribou City. It is a great place to check out for anyone new to winter hiking - the elevation is minimal, while the winter scenery is worthwhile!

    Easy
    3.6 km
    141 m
    2h
    10 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    The Loch

    The Loch is a large alpine lake at the intersection between Andrews Glacier and Taylor Glacier. The snowshoe to the Loch is serene and scenic and the Loch itself boasts many vantage points to take in the full beauty of RMNP.

    Hard
    8.9 km
    325 m
    3-4h
    10 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Dot Trail

    Dot Trail is a family-friendly, easy winter hike around a scenic overview of Indian Peaks. The trail is relatively short with little elevation gain but it is truly a secret gem, offering a wonderfully scenic hike in a quiet wilderness setting.

    Very Easy
    2.2 km
    56 m
    2h
    9.5 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Ouzel Lake

    The snowshoe to Ouzel Lake really adds meaning to the sentiment: “It’s all about the journey, not the destination”. Ouzel Lake, located in Wild Basin, offers amazing panoramic views of RMNP and Longs Peak, however, the many waterfalls along the way are what truly make this snowshoe spectacular!

    Hard
    15.7 km
    491 m
    5-8h
    9.5 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Mud Lake

    Mud Lake is a mountain park located off the Peak to Peak Hwy, it is excellent for beginner cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking and fat biking. There are several trails in the area taking you to different overlooks and around Mud Lake, which makes for a really fun, choose your own adventure style day out!

    Very Easy
    3.7 km
    49 m
    2h
    9.3 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Nymph Lake

    If you are new to snowshoeing or winter hiking, the trail to Nymph Lake is a great introduction. Nymph Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located not too far from the trailhead. If you get here and are feeling comfortable in the snow, keep on going to Dream or Emerald Lake!

    Very Easy
    1.8 km
    88 m
    1h
    10 overall rating
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Bear Lake

    The snowshoe around Bear Lake is another great introduction to winter trails in RMNP. The trail around Bear Lake is short, but definitely has some sweet scenery to check out as you make the loop!

    Very Easy
    1.1 km
    7 m
    1h
    10 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Barker Reservoir

    Barker Reservoir is nestled in the mountains at the end of Boulder Canyon. A winter hike or snowshoe takes you to views of a picturesque landscape with the small mountain town of Nederland, Colorado in the background.

    Very Easy
    3.4 km
    71 m
    <1h
    10 overall rating
    Indian Peaks Wilderness

    Sourdough Trail

    Sourdough Trail is a popular cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trail, conveniently off of the Peak to Peak Hwy. It is a beautiful out and back climb through Roosevelt National Forest!

    Hard
    18.1 km
    561 m
    4-6h
    No Ratings
    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Lily Ridge

    Lily Ridge Trail is a popular trail that offers an amazing view of the Diamond on Longs Peak (4,346 m) while overlooking Lily Lake. Lily Ridge Trail is popular with young families.

    Very Easy
    1.9 km
    49 m
    1h

    1-20 of 20 routes

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