The trails worth walking
Hand-picked, trail-tested hikes across America's national parks, drawn from a decade of fieldwork. We'll tell you the honest truth about each one, including when to skip it.
Trail Finder
Find the right hike for your day
This week's standout
The one hike our editors keep sending people to right now, for the payoff and the timing.
Saguaro National Park · Arizona
9 Saguaro National Park Hikes
All of the best hikes and trails in Arizona's Saguaro National Park including hiking time, trail length, tips, photos, and more.
Best hikes by what you're after
Forget mileage lists. Start with the kind of day you want and we'll match you to the trail.
Big payoff, low effort
Jaw-dropping views without the suffering. Short, mostly flat, and worth getting out of the car for.
Bucket-list summits
The hard, unforgettable ones. Long days, real elevation, and a top you'll never forget reaching.
Family-friendly
Short legs welcome. Safe footing, real interest for kids, and a turnaround that won't end in tears.
Chase the waterfalls
Time these with spring melt and they're roaring. The best are loudest May through June.
Worth the overnight
Backcountry routes where the second day is the whole point. Permits, bears, and total quiet.
Alpine lakes & basins
Cold, clear, and ringed by peaks. The classic high-country reward, usually snow-free by July.
Popular hikes, by park
Jump straight to a park you're headed to. Every card links a full, trail-tested guide.
Grand Canyon · Arizona
Hiking Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
Considering hiking rim to rim in the Grand Canyon? We've got you covered with a detailed step by step guide…
Acadia · Maine
15 Best Hikes in Acadia National Park (+ Hiking Tips)
Looking for the best hikes in Acadia National Park? We've got you covered with all of the best trails and…
Zion · Utah
16 Hikes in Zion National Park
All of the best hikes and trails in Utah's Zion National Park including hiking time, trail length, tips, photos, and…
Grand Teton · Wyoming
17 Grand Teton National Park Hikes
All of the best hikes and trails in Grand Teton National Park including hiking time, trail length, tips, photos, and…
Mount Rainier · Washington
Skyline Trail at Mount Rainier: Loop Guide (2026 Access)
Hiking the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park and need some help? Here's an honest trail guide with insider…
National Parks
Why I Don’t Recommend Hiking Half Dome
Contemplating the Half Dome hike in Yosemite? I've hiked hundreds of national park trails in my day - here's why…
Yosemite · California
20 Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park
Looking for the best hikes in Yosemite National Park? We've got you covered with some of the most popular hikes…
Olympic · Washington
9 Hikes in Olympic National Park
If you're looking for the best hikes in Olympic National Park you've come to the right place. I've hiked nearly…
Grand Canyon · Arizona
15 Best Hikes in the Grand Canyon
The best hikes Grand Canyon offers come with a lot of ups and downs. Here's an honest guide for all…
Badlands · South Dakota
The Castle Trail: Badlands National Park’s Longest Hike
The Castle Trail is one of the absolute best trails in Badlands featuring dramatic badlands formations, sweeping prairies, and epic…
Guadalupe Mountains · Texas
12 Best Hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
An easy guide to the best Guadalupe Mountains National Park hikes, from canyon bottoms to the "Toughest Trail in Texas"…
Mount Rainier · Washington
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail at Mount Rainier: Field Guide
Interesting in hiking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail at Mt. Rainier National Park? Inside find maps, photos, weather, and sunrise…
Zion · Utah
Why We Don’t Recommend Hiking Angels Landing in Zion
Considering the Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park? Here's why it just isn't worth it plus how to do…
Zion · Utah
The Narrows Hike in Zion: An Honest Guide
Thinking about trying the narrows hike in Zion National Park? Here's everything to know, what to expect, and why it's…
Rocky Mountain · Colorado
The Loch Vale & Sky Pond Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Considering a Sky Pond Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park but need some help? Here's an insider's guide to this…
Joshua Tree · California
15 Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
All of the best hikes and trails in California's Joshua Tree National Park including photos, hike time, trail length, helpful…
Badlands · South Dakota
Hiking the Notch Trail in Badlands National Park
The Notch Trail in Badlands National Park is the park's most fun, interactive hike featuring an epic log ladder climb…
Yellowstone · Wyoming
15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
The best hikes in Yellowstone National Park aren't easy to narrow down, but we have an honest trail guide to…
Sequoia · California
10 Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park
Looking for the best hikes of Sequoia National Park? From Mt. Whitney to the sequoia groves, we have expert advice…
Glacier · Montana
15 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
We've ranked the best hikes in Glacier National Park including trail information, helpful hiking tips, basic details, along with photos!
North Cascades · Washington
15 Hikes in North Cascades National Park (+1 to Skip)
Looking for the best hikes in North Cascades National Park? We've got you covered with 15 breathtaking hiking trails for…
Grand Teton · Wyoming
Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, Grand Teton: Guide
Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls are MUST-SEE spots at Grand Teton National Park. We've detailed maps, elevation profiles, & trail…
Arches · Utah
12 Best Hikes in Arches National Park
Looking for the best hikes in Arches National Park? We've got you covered with tips for hiking the popular trails…
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Hike it right
These trails belong to all of us. Treat them that way.
Every hike on this site runs through public land we all own and all share, hunters, anglers, families, first-timers. Leaving it better than you found it is the whole point. The basics, every time:
- Pack out everything, including the orange peels.
- Stay on trail, switchback-cutting kills slopes.
- Carry more water than you think you need.
- Check conditions and turn back when it's smart.
Worth protecting
Every trail on this page exists because somebody fought to keep the land under it public
That fight is still going, and it could use you.
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