The 10 best American national parks for hiking

Pull the best side of these picturesque sites by washing and hitting the path.


There are many ways to look into the wild,Leader to see fauna or even taking theChange the seasons with a trip. But if you are trying to really immerse yourself in large spaces, there is practically no better option than a trip to national parks. The beloved sites extend over an ocean by side and cover almost all types of environment, offering a little something to everyone. And while many can be seen using your vehicle, choosing to take the path offers a completely different type of experience. Read the rest to see what American national parks experts say they are the best for hiking.

Read this then:8 state parks that are even better than national parks, say the experts.

1
Zion National Park

Hiking in Zion National Park
DUDAREV Mikhail / Shutterstock

In the United States, few places are as synonymous with a picturesque trek as one of the most popular sites in the Southwest, Zion National Park. But do not assume that you must be a seasoned pro to participate in the paths.

"Zion’s national park is one of the five powerful Utah national parks. It is home to several incredible hikes that defy guests," saidRae Miller, full -time traveler and co -owner ofCouple of escape. "The most accessible trail of the whole park is riverside walk. It is a round trip of 2.2 miles along a paved path that allows you to discover the natural beauty that makes this park unique . "

"However, try Angel's Landing or try the narrows if you want to pump or live a little more dangerously," she suggests. "These more difficult hikes are very popular and require a permit. You have struck the jackpot if you can hang one for one of these epic hikes!"

2
Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park
Flashbacknyc / Shutterstock

Whether you are based in the northeast or not, an emblematic site in New England has become a must for travelers who seek to take the path.

"Acadia National Park in Maine is an excellent choice for hiking due to its magnificent coastal setting and its varied trails", "Fred Baker,,editor -in -chief of travel traveling, tellsBetter life. "Do not miss the opportunity to hike on Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic coast!"

But there are many other options if you are looking to admire the sites more. "Although there are several big hikes in the park, such as the 1.5 mile or Gorham Mountain Loop beehive trail, our favorite hike in Acadia National Park is Jordan Pond Path," explains Miller. "This 3.1 mile loop is not only very flat, but also offers incredible views and opportunities to see the fauna. This path is incredibly popular, so arrive early or at the end of the afternoon to find a place of car park."

Read this then:The last 5 national parks that you should add to your list of buckets.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

3
Guadalupe Mountain National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Whisper

Although many sites in the national park system are practically household names thanks to their beauty, there are still a lot of less known places that deserve a visit, especially if you are looking to obtain a memorably fantastic trek.

"An underestimated park which offers many incredible hikes, including extended hiking trails, is Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas", "Alisha McDarris, writer and co-founder ofSustainable travel blog Terradrift, recountBetter life.

"Not only Guadalupe Peak and the round trip of 8 miles at the top are the highest point in Texas, but it is easily accessible to even decent hikers," she said. "It offers 360-degree scanning views in western Texas and New Mexico, and has the additional advantage of being a few minutes by car from the status line of Carlsbad Caverns, so that you can Easily to explore two national parks on one trip! "

4
Canyonlands National Park

view from the top of the canyonlands national park
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Utah is in the enviable position to be renowned for its national parks and hiking options as a whole. But even if Zion tends to make its way on the majority of bucket lists, experts say that there are many other options in the state for having shot the path which is also worth it.

"My favorite park for hiking is Canyonlands, namely the Aiguilles district!"Dolev Schreiber, an oldCamping tourist guide and the founder and CEO of Detouron, saysBetter life. "Put aside the incredible time, beautiful views all around and the pure air that allows you to see for kilometers - the hiking trails themselves are a show to see."

"I did a hike in aplot Places of the whole world, and I have never taken as much pleasure in simply walking as in the canyonlands, "she explains." In curls for days. A path leads you on a scale and through a hole in the sandstone, another path takes you to a niche canyon called The Joint, and yet another leads to a jumble of rocks affectionately known as Devil's Kitchen. And there is still a lot to discover! ""

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5
Yosemite National Park

views at yosemite national park
Randy Andy / Shutterstock

On the list of national parks, Yosemite undoubtedly ranks near the summit in terms of recognition of the name. But the experts say that there is a reason why there is one of theThe most visited sites For an excellent reason.

"Yosemite inspires artists and has been signaling hikers for over a century. The incredible wild and mountainous landscapes are very like any other place," explainsAdam Marland, a travel photographer and writer forWe dream of traveling.

"While Yosemite Valley obtains most of the traffic on the journey, there are a myriad of hikers of an incredible nature of all the lengths and the difficulty distributed throughout the park. These include the painful path of the link of chain to the half-dome, a long quiet walk in several Meadows, a steep hike forThe sequoias yosemites, and much more, "he suggests." Whether you are looking for a quick getaway or a prolonged trek, Yosemite National Park has everything with some of the most beautiful landscapes you will find on any trail. ""

6
Large Smoke Mountain National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Weidman / Shutterstock photograph

Speaking of very visited places, you cannot beat the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when you are considering the system: the site is at the top of the list, with 14.1 million visitors in 2021, according to the National Park Service (NPS). However, experts say that it offers a lot of inspiration to anyone who is considering another trek on the list of buckets.

"If you have always wanted to taste the Appalachian path, it's the park to do it," said Miller. "The most popular way to get this experience is to get from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion. This trek offers some of the best views of the whole park and may be enough to convince you to add a georgia hike to Maine Your bucket list. You can even go for the short but steep hike at the top of the Clingmans dome, the highest point of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "

Read this then:The roads of Yellowstone National Park "founded" - here is what it means for visitors.

7
Glaciers National Park

glacier national park montana, iconic state photos
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Part of what makes the exploration of national parks so great is apparently unlimited access to breathtaking views. And according to experts, going out in the Glaciers National Park will challenge and admire anyone who travels there.

"The Glaciers National Park in Montana has some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, with abundant fauna, alpine lakes, some of whom with literal icebergs - and rugged and snow -capped mountains," explainsJessica Schmit, Owner ofUproot traveler. "The Highline Trail offers a breathtaking view of the rocky mountains of glacier and ends up climbing at the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, where an old glacier feeds a shocking turquoise lake in a bowl of mountains. For an easier path, the hidden lake offering No more alpine lakes and is also an excellent place to see mountain goats or even bears. "

But don't worry if you are still working on your trekking expertise. "Views are not reserved for extreme hikers, and there are also many opportunities to avoid the crowd", "Lauren Labar, co-founder andUpway COO, recountBetter life. "For example, Highline Trail can be as short as you want for inexperienced hikers or turn into a difficult adventure for experienced hikers."

8
Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park
Paul Leong / Shutterstock

Are you looking for an all-in-one experience? Experts say that a park in the Lone Star State can provide a lot to see, do and experiment in a single visit.

"Located along the border of Texas and Mexico, Big Bend can be the favorite national park of Texans. And for a good reason: there are a lot of hiking trails, unique plant fauna and life, Epic views of Emory Peak - the highest point of the park - and natural hot sources that allow you to dip after the hike next to the Rio Grande, "explains McDarris.

And according toSteve Prohaska, travel expert and founder ofSee the best places, there is more than one route not to be missed. "At the end of the 2 -mile Grapevine Hills path, there is a surreal view: a balanced rock, a giant rock apparently perched in a precarious manner on other large rocks. Or go hiking on the Canyon Santa Elena trail : You will see two imposing mountain walls, one belongs to the United States and to the other in Mexico. The Santa Elena river crosses them. "

9
Hawaii volcano national park

Fire and steam erupting from Kilauea Crater (Pu'u O'o crater), Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
istock

Any visit to a national park will remind you that the surface of the earth is full of vegetable and animal life. But a visit to the Hawaii volcano national park proves that the planet itself is alive in its own way inside.

"This park is home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kīlauea and Maunaloa", explainsTrysta Barwig, travel expert and founder ofThis travel dream. Hiking through lava fields is an experience of another world that everyone has to live at least once. The landscape is constantly changing as new lava flows are formed and the old cool and solidify, so there is always something new to see. And there are several paths of variable difficulties to choose, so there is something for everyone. ""

10
Rocky Mountain National Park

Longs Peak and Glacier Gorge reflecting in blue Bear Lake on a calm Summer morning
istock

Easy access to nature is one of the decisive characteristics of Colorado. Unsurprisingly, experts say that one of the most notable parks in the state is one of the most accessible places to explore on foot.

"What makes Rocky Mountain National Park so special is its easy access to the Alpine tundra ecosystem", "Dan Meyer,,founder and director Back & Pack, saysBetter life. "About a third of the park is the Alpine tundra, making it one of the largest Alpine Tundra Ecosystems protected in the contiguous United States. No matter its mountain skills or physical capacity level, hikes can give To everyone a taste of what is to be at high altitude. It is a very accessible park, "he adds.

Other experts agree that there is something for everyone. "There are so many picturesque hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park, but the best starting point, whatever the level hiker is the start of the Gorge Junction glacier path,"Ashley Tepen, co-founder ofHellotrail outdoor adventure website, recountBetter life. "It is only two hours from Denver, so you just aim for the region or you need to move away from the city for a day, it is easy to get there. Unless it is winter and That there were a good amount of snowfall, of course! "

"From this one start of the trail, you can start with an easy hour and back hike to see the Alberta Falls or continue and choose from two more difficult hikes that lead to alpine lakes that exceed more than 10,000 feet Elevation, the Sky Pond Trail or Black Lake Trail, "she said. "These two hikes are intense, but you are rewarded with unforgettable views."


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