The 50 Best Hikes in the U.S.: Our Definitive Guide
Breathtaking mountain vistas, pine forests, and ocean shores await you.
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Time to hit the trails! We found the 50 best hikes in the US, including one in every state. When we get a chance to escape to a national park or local preserve for a hike, it is like therapy for our souls. From the mountains to the coast, these destinations run the gamut from awe-inspiring vistas to towering trees, babbling brooks, and opportunities to observe wildlife, from sea turtles to herons.
Whether you're a beginner or a more experienced hiker (or if you're looking for camping ideas), there's something for you here: Some of these hikes are easy, others are challenging, and many fall somewhere in between. Many are even perfect for hiking with dogs! If you're planning on spending the night, be sure to check out our camping checklist, then read some hiking quotes and get moving.
Happy trails!
Alabama: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Bon Secour is French for “safe harbor,” which is the perfect name for this 6,000-acre coastal wildlife refuge. As you wander wood-plank trails above sands and swampland, you just might spot snowy plovers, sea turtles, and other endangered creatures.
Alaska: Mount Roberts Trail
Mount Roberts Trail, starting in downtown Juneau and reaching a height of 1,760 feet, is guaranteed to take your breath away. The sight of the snow-capped mountains can’t be beat—plus, if you reach the top and you’re exhausted, you’ll be happy to know that you can hitch a ride on a tram and head back down in comfort. (NOTE: Tram is closed until spring 2021.)
Arizona: Devil’s Bridge Trail
The Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. The 1.8-mile trail loop can be a bit of a rocky challenge, but it’ll be worth it to witness those stunning desert views.
Arkansas: Lost Valley Hiking Trail
Nestled in the Buffalo National River park, you’ll find the Lost Valley Trail, an Arkansas treasure that boasts fields of wildflowers, waterfalls that surge after rainstorms, and babbling brooks.
California: Congress Trail
Get ready to feel tiny—really tiny—when you walk along the Congress Trail and you’re dwarfed by the giant Sequoias. The paved loop starts at the famed General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world.
Colorado: Seven Bridges Trail
Located near Colorado Springs, the Seven Bridges Trail promises a hiking experience that'll appeal to all ages and skill levels. There are flat trails, rocky spots for those who want a little challenge, and wooden bridges that cross over rushing creeks.
Connecticut: Bluff Point State Park
If you love hiking along the water, this is the U.S. state park for you. The trails in Bluff Point State Park in Groton, Connecticut, offer a mix of woodland scenery and sandy shorelines.
Delaware: Junction and Breakwater Trail
This paved Delaware rail-trail is suitable for leisurely strolls and fast-paced bike rides, all while you soak up scenes of wetlands, marinas, and beaches.
Florida: Anhinga Trail
On this boardwalk trail that’s less than a mile long, you’ll get an up-close-and-personal view of the Florida Everglades, complete with alligators, herons, turtles, and other native wildlife.
Georgia: Jekyll Island Trail System
The biking and hiking trails of the Jekyll Island Trail System provide plenty of tourist diversions, like a miniature golf course, local hotels, and historical markers. And it doesn’t get much more Southern than watching the Spanish moss sway in the trees along the trails.
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail
Say aloha to one of the best hikes in Hawaii. With its 647-foot incline and sweeping seaside vistas, the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is considered to be an easy hike with opportunities to spot whale spouts between December and April and sightings of the native cacti that line the trail. A charming lighthouse sets the scene for viewing beautiful Hawaiian sunsets
Idaho: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Winding throughout the Idaho panhandle, this paved 72-mile rail-trail holds a wealth of natural beauty: pine-topped hills, riverside scenery, and frequently-spotted animals like otters, moose, and beavers.
Illinois: Starved Rock State Park
Imagine towering sandstone rock formations, flourishing green trees, and picturesque waterfalls. Yup, that's Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois, and it really is the stuff of daydreams. The trails are resplendent year-round, but when the trees change color in the fall, that's when it's really not to be missed.
Indiana: Clifty Falls State Park
It’s said that the waterfalls throughout Clifty Falls State Park reflect the changing seasons: They fluctuate from misty trickles in dry periods to surging, grandiose wonders in the late winter and spring.
Iowa: Effigy Mounds National Monument
Near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, you might be surprised to learn that there’s a treasure trove of Native American history found in the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Traverse bridges and a mix of paved and grass-covered paths to see the area’s 191 effigy mounds.
Kansas: Kanopolis State Park
Kanopolis State Park in Marquette displays every type of Kansas terrain imaginable, from sandstone formations to flat, grassy prairies.
Kentucky: Berea Pinnacles
The Berea College Forest holds what’s known as “The Pinnacles,” a scenic area showcasing seven miles of hiking and running trails. Visit Indian Fort Lookout for some of the most spectacular views in Kentucky.
Louisiana: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Only 25 minutes from New Orleans, you’ll discover a whole new world at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. If you’ve ever wanted to visit a real-deal bayou filled with alligators, armadillos, and other swamp wildlife (viewed from wood-plank trails), this is your chance.
Maine: Jordan Pond
There are few places as beautiful as Maine’s Acadia National Park, and there’s one hiking destination within it that’s particularly pretty: the Shore Trail that touches Jordan Pond. It’s a 3.5-mile paved path where you’ll find an unforgettable view of the idyllic shoreline.
Maryland: Billy Goat Trail
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Washington, D.C., you might find yourself jumping like a billy goat on this striking but challenging trail. Appropriately name the "Billy Goat Trail," the rocky, 4.7-mile hiking path does require some fancy footwork. Be prepared for an amazing workout and equally amazing views.
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
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