Hiking in the natural wilderness of our national parks is a life fulfilling experience – good for the mind, body, and soul. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful national parks, forests, monuments, and recreation areas that preserve our heritage and protect natural eco-systems, flora, and fauna.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart and wash your spirit.” John Muir, “Father of the National Patks.”
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” Edward Abbey, national parks advocate.
Some of the most breathtaking scenic hiking trails in the world are available in 63 U.S. national parks in 30 states that attract over 300 million annual visits year round. The parks are well maintained, safe, family friendly, and offer scenic views and drives, education, history, nature centers, and tours. The national parks are protected areas operated by the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior
Activities often include family activities, sightseeing, scenic drives, camping, cabins, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, swimming, scuba diving/snorkeling, boating, paddling, rafting, cycling, climbing, skiing, cross country skiing, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife and bird watching, education, crafts, and other activities. The habitat, flora, and wildlife are protected with no hunting and no off-road motorized vehicles.
The national parks are protected areas for black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions, wolverines, eagles, condors, coyotes, bobcats, lynx, otters, weasels, mink, raccoons, beaver, martins, prairie dogs, rabbits, bison, deer, elk, moose, mountain sheep, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and many others mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, wildflowers, and other flora and fauna.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Just 30 miles from Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is one of the most scenic parks in the U.S. A hiking destination known for its picture perfect glacial lakes and high peaks, with 11 active glaciers. Spectacular natural views and abundant wildlife. Mountains, forests, meadows, lakes, waterfalls, and canyons.
Jenny Lake Trail, 12.4 miles, strenuous, circles Jenny Lake. One of the most popular U.S. trails, easy terrain, very accessible. Scenic glacial lakes, waterfalls, secret canyons, mountains, fern forest, streams, and wildlife.
Death Canyon Loop Trail, 28.2 miles (partial 10.5 miles), strenuous hike, craggy peaks, rugged canyons, vistas, alpine lakes, abundant wild flowers and wildlife.
Park Details: northwest Wyoming, founded in 1929, 310,044 acres, 2.8 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, boating, paddling, skiing, fishing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bison, wolf, bear, coyote, cougar, lynx, wolverine, fox, otter, moose, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep, eagles, others.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
A pristine, surreal wilderness and wildlife paradise. The world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park is an historic and iconic treasure of Nature in all its majesty and grandeur. It is the largest and most diverse virgin landscape in the contiguous U.S. Famous for geothermal geysers, hot springs, steam vents, and hot mud pods. Dramatic mountains peaks, old growth forests, meadows, pristine lakes, canyons, and waterfalls. Abundant and diverse wildlife, famous for bears, bison, wolves, moose, mountain lions, otters, others.
North Rim Trail and, 6.4 miles, moderate, gorges, canyons, 1,200 foot drops, and landmark waterfalls. Popular destination site Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Specimen Ridge, 17.7 miles, strenuous, panoramic views, abundant wildlife, canyons, valleys, rolling hills, grasslands with bison, antelope, elk, deer, petrified forest.
Park Details: northwest Wyoming, founded in 1872, 2.2 million acres, 4.5 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, boating, paddling, horseback riding, fishing, skiing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bison, wolf, bear, coyote, cougar, lynx, fox, otter, beaver, moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, eagles, others.
Zion National Park, Utah
The popular destination Zion National Park offers a diverse desert landscape with spellbinding views. Famous for its multi-colored canyon cliffs, free standing arches, and hanging gardens. Sightings of bighorn sheep and condors.
Angel’s Landing Trail, 5.2 miles, strenuous, steep “hair-raising” trail with thin ridges, and 1,000 foot drop-off cliffs. One of the most popular hikes in the U.S. Stunning views, narrow canyons, giant monoliths, vistas, switchbacks.
The Narrows, 16 miles, moderate hike, well known, ranked as one of the best hikes in the U.S. Hike through a stream with massive canyon walls.
Park Details: southwest Utah, founded in 1919, 147,597 acres, 4.6 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling climbing, paddling, horseback riding. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, deer, bighorn sheep, eagles, condors, peregrine falcons, others.
Isle Royal National Park, Michigan
A pristine, unspoiled wilderness island park located in Lake Superior and only accessible by boat or sea plane. A hiker’s paradise but one of the least visited national parks. Remote, solitude, rugged, rustic camping, no roads. Abundant but elusive wildlife. Closed in winter.
Greenstone Ridge Trail, 42 miles, shorter sections available, moderate level, rustic camping, deep old growth forest. The trail follows the top of the Greenstone Ridge high above Lake Superior with fantastic panoramic views.
Park Details: island in Lake Superior, Michigan, founded in 1940, 571,790 acres, 30,000 annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, boating, paddling, fishing, diving. Fauna: wolf, coyote, bobcat, beaver, moose, fox, deer, mink, otter, others.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Called a “crown jewel”, Acadia National Park covers 40 miles of the North Atlantic rocky shoreline on Maine. Offering spectacular views of rugged cliffs, mountains, bluffs, old growth forest, tidal pools, lakes, streams, and abundant wildlife.
Cadillac Mountain Trail, 8.8 miles, strenuous, rugged terrain, traverses the summit of three peaks. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the North Atlantic coast.
Park Details: coastal Maine, founded in 1919, 49,075 acres, 3.9 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling climbing, swimming, paddling, boating, fishing, cross country skiing, horseback riding. Fauna: bear, coyote, beaver, fox, moose, deer, others.
Yosemite National Park, California
A heavenly and spellbinding landscape of sheer scale and grandeur. Made famous by Ansel Adam’s photographs and naturalist John Muir. The tallest waterfall, sheer cliffs, and granite monoliths in the U.S. Majestic towering sequoia’s, mountains, glaciers, canyons, forest, meadows, lakes, and hundreds of waterfalls.
Mist Trail, 3 miles, easy and popular hike to see two spectacular waterfalls.
Half Dome Trail, 15.7 miles, strenuous, challenging, most popular trail in the park. The iconic Half Dome at 8,836 feet is the tallest sheer cliff in the U.S. Requires a permit to climb it. Waterfalls, sequoia trees, steep passes, alpine meadows, alpine lakes, and more.
Park Details: central California, founded in 1890, 761,760 acres, 3.8 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, fishing, boating, paddling, horseback riding, skiing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, otter, beaver, deer, bighorn sheep, eagles, others.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Called the “Crown of the continent.” A Favorite of hikers, many consider this the best national park for hiking in the U.S. An icy landscape with 25 active glaciers. Mountains, glaciers, thick forests, wildflower meadows, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, alpine streams, and more.
Grinnel Glacier Trail, 10.6 miles, strenuous, difficult, rugged, steep. Very popular and most beautiful trail in the park. You will need an ice axe, helmet, and crampons over boots on the glaciers. Scenic views, glaciers, alpine lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife. Sightings of bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and elk.
Park Details: northwest Montana on the U.S./Canada border, founded in 1910, 1 million acres, 2.9 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling climbing, paddling, fishing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bison, wolf, bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, wolverine, otter, moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, eagles, others.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
A lively landscape of mountains, canyons, hollows, old growth forests, numerous waterfalls, streams, and abundant wildlife. Wonderful fiery fall colors. The park is in the Blue Ridge Mountains part of the Appalachian Chain and includes the Shenandoah River. Sighting of bears and deer.
Old Rag Trial, 9.3 miles, strenuous, loops Old Rag Mountain with a 3,263 foot summit. Risky trail with rugged terrain, rock mazes, boulder scrambles, switch backs.
Park Details: northern Virginia, founded in 1935, 200,445 acres, 1.6 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling climbing, paddling, horseback riding, fishing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, beaver, otter, deer, others.
Olympia National Park, Washington 
A storybook, enchanting wilderness adventure. Described as “the quietest place on Earth.” The largest rain forest in the U.S. Snow kissed mountain summits, Pacific coastline beaches, tidal pools, moss draped red cedars giant ferns, and flowing streams.
Hoh River Trail, 35.2 miles, 3-5 days, moderate trail. Old growth rain forest with moss covered trees, alpine lakes, flowing streams, wildflower meadows. Sightings of elk, deer, bears, and foxes.
Park Details: coastal Washington, founded in 1938, 922,650 acres, 2.4 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, climbing, boating, paddling, fishing, skiing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, beaver, otter, elk, deer, mountain goats, others.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
The striking Chihuahuan Desert landscape in the Chisos Mountains on the Rio Grande River on the U.S. / Mexico border. Remote, solitude, one of the least visited national parks. Canyons, vistas, mesas, canyons, hidden hot springs, and wildflower fields.
South Rim Trail, 13.8 miles, strenuous, difficult, desert eco-system with spectacular views. The trail circles high mountains, vistas, mesas, canyons.
Park Details: west Texas, founded in 1944, 801,163 acres, 500,000 annual visitors. Desert eco-system. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, boating, paddling, fishing, horseback riding. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, fox, peccary, road runners, eagles, others.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, Tennessee
Whimsical fog hangs over the mountains giving the park its name. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains as part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Enduring charm and being the largest protected area east of the Rockies has made it the most visited park. Distinctive beauty and scenic landscape with old hardwood and spruce-fir forests, smoky haze mountains, meadows, streams, and waterfalls. Sightings of bears, elk, deer, and turkeys. The annual firefly viewing is a popular destination.
Alum Cave Trail, 50 miles, 6 days, with smaller sections available, moderate trail. Alum Cave Bluff is 4,950 feet.
Charles Bunin Loop, 12.8 miles, moderate trail, panoramic view on 5,528 foot mountain. Part of the Appalachian Trail.
Park Details: border of Tennessee and North Carolina, founded in 1934, 522,426 acres, 14 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling, boating, paddling, fishing, horseback riding, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, beaver, otter, deer, eagles, others.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Nature’s timeless masterpiece, photos do not begin to capture the awe, wonder and true beauty of the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River sculpted the canyons and rock formations. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 1.2 million acres, and 4,000 feet deep. It is seen from outer space. It can be explored by hiking, climbing, camping, biking, or with guide led mule rides. The South Rim is the most popular destination. The North Rim is more remote and best for hiking. Canyons, mountains, cliffs, plateaus, old growth forests, Colorado River, waterfalls, cascades, and more. Abundant wildlife
South Kaibab Trail, 13.7 miles, challenging, remote, isolated, part of the Bright Angel Loop. Most difficult trail on the North Rim, rugged canyons caves, cliff drop offs, and waterfalls.
North Kaibad Trail, 28 miles, challenging, one of the most difficult trails in the park, remote, isolated, less people, in the North Rim, waterfalls, hidden caves.
Park Details: northwest Arizona, founded in 1919, 1.2 million acres, 4.7 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, fishing, mule trips. Fauna: coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, beaver, otter, deer, bighorn sheep, others.
Arches National Park, Utah
A surreal landscape labyrinth in high desert country along the Colorado River which looks like it’s on Mars. Known for its more than 2,000 arches, spires, pinnacles, and rock formations. Distinctive, nothing like it in the world having the highest density of arches.
Devil’s Garden Trail, 7.2 miles, easy trail, desert eco-system, eight amazing arches, numerous rock formations, sculptures, spires, and balanced rocks.
Park Details: Utah, founded in 1929, 76,679 acres, 1.5 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, cycling climbing, horseback riding. Fauna: coyote, cougar, fox, deer, bighorn sheep, others.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Exploring a dreamy, storybook realm of thousands of surreal multi-colored rock towers, columns, pillars, and turrets called ‘hoodoos’. Prairie dog cities.
Fairyland Loop, 8 to 13.8 miles, strenuous, remote, accessible.
Park Details: southwest Utah, founded in 1928, 35,835 acres, 2.4 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, climbing, horseback riding, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, cougar, coyote, bobcat, badger, fox, elk, deer, prairie dogs, porcupine, others.
Mount Rainer National Park, Washington
A pristine wilderness with the Mount Rainer 14,410 volcano. Stunning views, snow-capped mountain peaks, glaciers, old growth forest, alpine wildflower meadows, river valleys, waterfalls, others.
Skyline Trail, 6.2 miles, strenuous, rugged terrain, mountains, evergreen forests, waterfalls.
Wonderland Trail, 57.5 miles with shorter one day sections, difficult, challenging, river crossings, spectacular views, mountains, glaciers, wildflower meadows, waterfalls, wildlife, others.
Park Details: western Washington, founded in 1899, 236,381 acres, 1.6 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, climbing, boating, fishing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, fox, bobcat, beaver, elk, deer, mountain goats, eagles, others.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
A wilderness alpine adventure with spectacular views, including the Colorado River and the U.S. Continental Divide. Wilderness, forests, mountains, tundra, alpine lakes, streams, waterfalls, abundant wildlife, others.
Sky Pond Trail, 9.5 miles, strenuous, the most popular and best trail in the park. Great scenic views of alpine lakes, pine-fir-aspen forests, mountains, streams, waterfalls, 2,000 foot high spires, and spectacular Sky Lake Pond.
Park Details: northwest Colorado, founded in 1915, 216,847 acres, 4.3 million annual visitors. Activities: camping, hiking, climbing, horseback riding, fishing, cross country skiing. Fauna: bear, coyote, cougar, bobcat, fox, moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, others.
