The 26 Of The Absolute Best Hikes In National Parks

One of the first trails I hiked at a national park was Angels Landing. I still remember being in complete awe of this place, and I wanted to see more! So because of that fantastic hike, I have been visiting national parks nonstop, and now hiking has become my full-time job! I sometimes can’t believe that a hiking trail could have such a significant impact on my life. This is why I encourage you to explore and see as many of these magnificent trails I have listed below. You never know how much it might change your life :-). Below are some of the best hikes in national parks I have experienced. I am so thankful I have been able to hike as many as I have, and I am glad I finally get to share with you my absolute favorites.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Download my free Outdoor Photography Guide

Download Now!

Best Hikes In National Parks

Navajo Loop Trail – Bryce Canyon National Park

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 515 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

Navajo Loop Trail was the first time I ever hiked in the snow! It was such a wonderful experience and I cannot recommend this hike enough. The Navajo Loop trail is located in one of the smaller national parks in the USA called Bryce Canyon. This was probably the easiest national park I have ever explored. I love how family-friendly and effortless this trail is and how bright and beautiful the hoodoos and canyons are in this park. It is wonderful!

The Narrows – Zion National Park

Distance: Up to 15 miles,
Elevation Gain: 1,017 feet,
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide: Link

The Narrows is probably one of the most well-known trails in the USA. It is so unique and fun because you can hike in the water! In the summer, it can be refreshing, but the winter can be cold. Luckily there are options. You can reserve a dry suit in the winter here. What I loved most about the Narrows was how flat the trail is, and you can explore as little or as much as you want. You can turn around whenever you like as the views are fantastic everywhere.

Skyline Trail Loop – Mt. Rainier National Park

Distance: 6.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,788 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

The most popular trail at Mt. Rainier National Park is the Skyline Trail, and for a good reason. This hike features some of the best views of Mount Rainier, and it also includes the beautiful waterfall, Myrtle Falls. This is an excellent hike in the Summer and Fall because of the blooming flowers and the colorful red and orange Fall foliage. You do not need to hike the whole trail to enjoy it because many people hike to Myrtle Falls and call it a day. The views are wonderful everywhere on this trail.

Mount Storm King Trail – Olympic National Park

Distance: 5.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,076 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

Mount Storm King is known to be a thigh burner! So many love to attempt this difficult hike during sunset because it has some of the best views of the Olympic Peninsula. Towards the end of the trail, the hike gets so steep that there are ropes to help you up. Please note that the rangers did not put in the ropes, so use them at your own risk.

If you can get to the top, you can see Canada in the distance as well as the stunning lake Crescent and surrounding mountains. I have hiked the trail in mid-day and sunset and prefer it during sunset because of the wonderful pink clouds reflecting from the lake. The Lake Crescent is a bright blue color during the mid-day, so you really can’t go wrong at what time of day you go.

Delicate Arch Trail – Arches National Park

Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 629 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

The symbol of Utah is, of course, the beautiful Delicate Arch. This fantastic beauty is one of the best hikes I have ever done in Utah. The trail is pretty crowded, and you might have to wait in line to take a photo. But trust me, even with the crowds, this arch is terrific.

Mesa Arch Trail – Canyonlands National Park

Distance: 0.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 88 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide : Link

Mesa Arch is the most well-known trail in Canyonlands National Park. Most people love to experience this trail for sunrise to see the orange glow on the arch as seen above. It is still a beautiful place to explore during the day, and it is a quick and short hike. Just note that it will be crowded no matter what time of day you go.

Delta Lake Trail – Tetons National Park

Distance: 7.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,247 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

When I went to Grand Tetons National Park, I didn’t think a lake trail would be my favorite part of the park. This trail is challenging, though! On a hot summer day, bring a lot of water and food. The trail is a constant upward climb with not many breaks. It is difficult to know where the trail is, and we even got lost. You have to climb over rocks, and it gets even steeper the closer you get to the lake.

I loved the challenge of the trail, and it was one of my favorite hikes on this list, but it is not for the faint of heart. It is difficult but if you can get to the lake, trust me you will love it! I recommend bringing a bathing suit and laying out and relaxing for a few hours by the lake. You deserve it!

Emerald Lake Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park

Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 698 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

One of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park is the magnificent Emerald Lake. It features many lakes, such as Dream Lake, Nymph Lake, and Bear Lake. You can even add to this trail and hike to Lake Haiyaha. This whole area is so dreamy and stunning and should be added to your bucket list!

Maple Pass Loop – North Cascades National Park

Distance: 7.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,191 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

I had to include the Maple Pass Loop Trail because it is one of the best Fall hikes in Washington State. This trail is one of those hikes where you cannot capture how beautiful it is in a picture. I tried and failed! This trail is out of this world and just keeps getting better and better every step you take.

It is so popular in the Fall because of the famous yellow larches shown in the photo above. Yes, those trees that look like Christmas Trees look that yellow. There are not many trails in Washington with those stunning trees, so this hike gets extremely crowded every October.

I still feel like this hike would be breathtaking even without the yellow trees. So if you are in Washington, definitely add this to your bucket list.

Old Rag Trail – Shenandoah National Park

Distance: 9.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,683 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

Old Rag Trail is probably the most popular hike in Shenandoah National Park. The trail includes a long walk through the woods and an area where you can climb over rocks. When I went, there was a long line to do any of the scrambling regions of the trail. It is so surprising that this hike is almost ten miles, and it is so crowded! This is wild because I have hiked many trails all over the USA and the most popular trails are usually around 5 miles.

This is a sign that Old Rag Trail is an enjoyable and stunning hike. The best time to visit is the Fall to experience the colorful autumn leaves. Sadly when I went, I was a week too early. If you are looking for a trail with a good challenge, then add this fantastic hike to your bucket list!

Clingmans Dome – Great Smoky Mountains

Distance: 1.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 331 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

Clingmans Dome is the most popular trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the most visited national park in the USA. Because of the crazy amount of crowds, it took me hours to get here for sunset. The traffic was insane! We also did not park in the parking lot, and we decided to park on the road because we were already waiting for too long, and we hiked the rest of the way. So you might have to hike more than 1.2 miles round trip.

I also want to warn you that this is the highest point in the national park so it will be cold. Bring a sweater or jacket. I was freezing! Do not let any of this deter you. This trail is fantastic, and after hiking it, I understand why. The layers and endless mountains are breathtaking, especially when the sun goes down.

Fremont Lookout – Mt. Rainier National Park

Distance: 5.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,118 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

One of the best places to experience sunset in the USA is Fremont Lookout at Mt. Rainier National Park. This area is located in the less known area called Sunrise. The reason why this is one of the best hikes in Washington is because of the magnificent views of the stunning Mt. Rainier and you can also take some fantastic photos at the fire lookout. The trail has marvelous views of Mount Rainier throughout the trail, and there are so many epic spots to stop and take in the views.

Lost Mine Trail – Big Bend National Park

Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,131 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

The Lost Mine Trail was one of my favorite hikes in Big Bend National Park. The canyons and mountains are breathtaking, especially during sunset. I especially loved seeing the cacti on the trail. We went in the middle of winter, and the trail was pretty hot, so bring plenty of water and food.

Precipice Trail – Acadia National Park

Distance: 2.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,053 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

The views on the Precipice trail might not be as outstanding as many others on this list, but man, oh man, this is a fun trail! I love that this trail is different than the other hikes on this list. Getting to climb over rocks and ladders is so much fun. The best part is that once you get to the top, you don’t have to climb back down the ladders (climbing down is more challenging than climbing up); there is a pretty easy trail that can take you back down that does not include any down climbing called the Champlain North Ridge Trail.

Potato Harbor Trail – Channel Islands National Park

Distance: 4.9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 603 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide : Link

The most uncrowded and underappreciated trail is this one right here: The Potato Harbor Trail. This hike is amazing! Since we camped at Channel Islands National Park, we were able to have this trail all to ourselves for sunset. Even though the national park is located relatively close to LA, it is rarely ever crowded. The trail is pretty flat and easy but make sure you bring a jacket because the winds here are insane. I had to put my hair in a ponytail for the picture above.

Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, and Badlands Loop Hike – Death Valley National Park

Distance: 4.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 715 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

Right after a Zabriskie Point sunrise (the most popular area in the park), hike the Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, and Badlands Loop. This trail is pretty exposed, so bring plenty of water. My favorite part of this trail was experiencing the Red Cathedral on the Golden Canyon Trail. The views there are epic, but the hike is pretty steep. I recommend bringing a map for this hike. It can get rather confusing on where to go.

Plateau Point – Grand Canyon National Park

Distance: 13.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 3,402 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

Plateau Point is one of those hikes that few people have heard of. The reason being is because it is a complicated and long trail. To get to Plateau Point, you have to hike on the well-known Bright Angel Trail. I decided that Plateau Point is the best part of the Bright Angel Trail because the views are so much better here than on the Bright Angel Trail. I loved seeing the Colorado River below, and I loved the low crowds. If you think you can muster the strength to hike this trail I highly recommend it.

Blue Mesa Trail – Petrified Forest National Park

Distance: 1.0 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 111 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide : Link

The Blue Mesa Trail is a gem in the relatively unknown national park, Petrified Forest. This loop trail is captivating, short, easy, and fun to complete. I loved the purple and pink colors of the canyon, and it was so fun to take pictures of the mesa.

Avalanche Lake Trail – Glacier National Park

Distance: 5.9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 757 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

I loved this trail! It was the first hike I did at Glacier National Park, and it was such a fun time. I even saw a black bear snoozing on the side of the trail (always bring bear spray in this park). In the first part of the hike, you walk on a boardwalk and eventually run into a mossy green waterfall. After that, you walk through the forest, which is where we spotted the bear. Finally, you get to the lake, and you are surrounded by glorious mountains with many waterfalls—such a fun and memorable hike.

Cassidy Arch Trail – Capitol Reef National Park

Distance: 3.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 666 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide : Link

Cassidy Arch is a thigh burner with beautiful canyon views throughout the trail. Bring plenty of water and food as it is hot even in the middle of winter. There is not much shade either. When you get to the arch you might be lucky and spot some rock climbers. Bring a tripod to take some great photos of you on the arch.

Arch Rock Trail – Joshua Tree National Park

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 88 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide : Link

The Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park is a pretty easy hike with fantastic views of the famous Arch Rock. You can also take a detour and see the popular heart rock nearby! Just note there are no trail indicators to see heart rock.

Upper Yosemite Falls – Yosemite National Park

Distance: 6.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 3,254 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

The Upper Yosemite Falls was one of the first trails I hiked at a national park (Angels Landing was my first). This trail is fantastic. I loved how beautiful the waterfall looked, and even better that you could go to the top of the waterfall and see it from a different angle.

The trail is pretty rocky, so good hiking shoes are a must. If you are a beginner hiker, give yourself plenty of time to finish, as we did not and had to hike back in the dark. Even though this is a very popular trail, it is still difficult.

Grab Your Free Car Camping Checklist! 🚗🌲

Ready to elevate your car camping game? Snag our essential checklist to ensure you’ve got everything you need for a stress-free, fun-filled adventure! Perfect for beginners and seasoned campers alike. Download now and hit the road prepared! 🌟🎒

Angels Landing – Zion National Park

Distance: 4.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,604 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

Angels Landing was the first trail I ever hiked in a national park, so it has a very special place in my heart. This trail gets extremely crowded so they had to come up with a permit system which you can look up here. This hike is not for people that are afraid of heights. There are many instances where the trail is pretty narrow with steep drop-offs. They have chains in some sections to help you balance, but some people are still not into it.

There is still an area where you can hike to that is not sketchy, so I would still attempt this hike even if you are worried. When I hiked, there were many people in this area eating lunch and enjoying the views. The views are, of course, better after the chains area, but I still feel like the trail is beautiful everywhere.

Cascade Pass/ Sahale Arm – North Cascades National Park

Distance: 12.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 5,029 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide : Link

One of the best hikes in Washington is the Sahale Arm trail in North Cascades National Park. The trail is a beating! The mileage and elevation gain is crazy, so I recommend it for advanced hikers. Also, the road to get to the trailhead is a mess. You need a high clearance car, or you will have to go pretty slow the whole drive. This is one of those bucket list hikes in Washington that everyone loves and probably has the best views on this list.

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring – Yellowstone National Park

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 200 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide : Link

When I knew I was going to Yellowstone, the Grand Prismatic Overlook trail was on the top of my list. The views did not disappoint, and the trail was relatively easy and quick. I recommend doing both trails (the overlook and the regular trail). Seeing it from afar and up close is astonishing.

Devils Garden – Arches National Park

Distance: 7.9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,085 ft.
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide : Link

If there is one hike you should add to your bucket list, it should be this one! The Devils Garden Trail is epic! This hike is for everyone. And when I mean everyone, I mean everyone! You can make it as easy or as difficult as you want. You can hike to Landscape Arch, which is pretty easy, or hike the whole loop, which is hard. The loop trail was a lot of fun but scary at times. Please bring good hiking shoes with good grip because my husband almost fell.

I also want to say that the loop should not be attempted if there is snow or rain. It is too dangerous. But if you are up for a challenge (and it is completely dry out), try out this trail. It was fun, even though I was a little scared at times.

Final Thoughts On Best National Park Hikes

Thanks for reading all about the best national park hikes. Make sure to check out some of my other posts on national parks:

Get My PNW Presets!

The 26 Of The Absolute Best Hikes In National Parks

Download my free Outdoor Photography Guide

Best Hikes In National Parks