America has some of the best hiking in the world, whether you’re looking to take in natural beauty or breathtaking views. While there are many great places to hike in America, here are : the top 10 places for hiking in the USA, that you should make sure to visit during your lifetime.
The Top 10 Places for Hiking in the USA
1) Yosemite National Park
For those who want a true escape from nature, Yosemite National Park in California, is one of the top 10 places for hiking in the USA . We recommend visiting during autumn or winter when snow blankets many of the peaks and waterfalls. You can also enjoy nature biking by taking advantage of bikepacking as there are miles and miles of forest to explore. Plus, there’s no need to worry about fitting your car inside the park thanks to the shuttle system that transports visitors throughout it. Yellowstone National Park: Another amazing national park with countless trails and viewpoints, Yellowstone provides hikers with all sorts of options for getting out into nature.
2) Olympic National Park
It’s hard to pick one National Park, because they are all absolutely stunning, but the Olympic, which is located in Washington, is at the very top of our list. From hikes with a lot of elevation changes, to beaches full of rocky stretches that you have to maneuver through, this park has something for every outdoor lover. It’s also one of those parks where there is no end point.
3) Yellowstone National Park
One of America’s oldest national parks, Yellowstone was established on March 1, 1872 and contains the bulk of our nation’s geothermal activity. It sprawls across six million acres (two million hectares) of mountain land and has more than 200 waterfalls.
Dozens of loops throughout the park offer easy hikes for beginners as well as strenuous treks for experienced hikers.
Lush forests, alpine rivers, Dramatic gorges, spouting geysers, hot spring ,and notably Old Faithful, are all highlights of Yellowstone. In addition to numerous animal species, including wolves, bison, elk, and antelope, as well as hundreds more.
4) Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park features stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, grassy meadows, and rolling hills. Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors with a wide range of things to do that include hiking, fishing, picnicking, or just experiencing nature.
5) Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park has over 850,000 acres of rugged beauty and terrain. Miles of hiking trails can take visitors through several distinct and unique ecosystems. Visitors can enjoy views of the Mojave Desert, including it’s famous Joshua Trees (named by Mormons after their Biblical predecessor), cacti, scrub oaks, boulder fields, hillsides and valleys. The desert’s starkly beautiful scenery is complemented by colorful wildflowers in the springtime.
6) Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park has been ranked as one of America’s best parks by Thrillist and was recently named National Park of the Year by Resorts & Parks magazine. The park has been honored as a World Heritage Site and offers many incredible views. Trails range from easy to very difficult so it’s perfect for all levels of hikers.
7) Haleakala National Park
Not to be confused with Hawaiian food, Haleakala is a Hawaiian word meaning House of the Sun. The park sits at 9,740 feet high and is more than 300 square miles of pure beauty. The hike to the summit lasts about 10 hours (or more depending on your pace). The most difficult hike up to Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula that has a payoff like no other- it’ll take 3 days, round-trip.
8) Arches National Park
Located just north of Moab, Utah, Arches National Park features many trails perfect for hikers of all abilities. The park itself is filled with 1,000+ natural sandstone arches including Delicate Arch which is on every traveler’s must-do list. The landscape varies from deep red canyons to barren high plateaus. Sandstone fins and monoliths dominate the horizon and vistas are always dramatic and inspiring.
9) Acadia National Park
One of the most famous trails is Cadillac Mountain. One of New England’s highest peaks, it offers great views of nearby Mt. Kineo and Pinkham Notch towards what has been called America’s first mountain range, and Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. In Acadia National Park there are coastal beaches and lakes to explore as well as an abundance of woodland wildlife. The park also includes islands in Penobscot Bay that offer hiking trails on their shores. You can take a ferry from Bar Harbor to Isle au Haut or Schoodic Peninsula, where you’ll find miles of hiking trails with panoramic views across Frenchman Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
10) Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is one of the best places for hiking in the United States. It is located in California and is home to a number of beautiful sights such as crater lakes, sand dunes, and high mountain plateaus. There are also many different types of plants and animals that inhabit this park making it an interesting place to visit. If you want to see desert vistas, this should be your destination.