1. Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: May-Sept
- The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail are two hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park, often combined into a single loop hike that showcases the park's geological features
- Queens Garden Trail is known for its unique hoodoo formations, including those resembling Queen Victoria and her garden
- Navajo Loop Trail features switchbacks and expansive views of formations like Thor’s Hammer, which offers a dramatic descent into the canyon
Featured in The Best of Utah
2. Devil's Bridge Trail via Dry Creek Road, Coconino National Forest, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Devil's Bridge Trail via Dry Creek Road is a hiking route located near Sedona
- The trail leads to Devil's Bridge, an iconic sandstone arch that offers views of the surrounding red rock formations, making it a favorite spot for photography
- The road leading to the trail is unpaved, and parking is limited, but the Sedona Shuttle is offered as an option to get to the trailhead
Featured in The Best of Arizona
3. Emerald Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: June-Sept
- The Emerald Lake Trail is a hiking route located in Rocky Mountain National Park, where hikers will encounter three alpine lakes, culminating in the final lake: Emerald Lake, which is situated at an elevation of 10,111 feet
- The trail includes a variety of terrains, such as forests, mountain views, and boardwalks
- It also features wood and stone steps, waterfalls, and potentially snow, depending on the season
Featured in The Best of Colorado
4. Rattlesnake Ledge Trail, North Bend, Washington
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is a popular hiking route located near North Bend, offering views of Rattlesnake Lake, Mount Si, and the surrounding Cedar River watershed
- The ledge provides panoramic vistas of the North Cascades
Featured in The Best of Washington
5. Trail of Ten Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The Trail of Ten Falls is a renowned hiking trail located in Silver Falls State Park, that features ten waterfalls, several of which are over 100 feet tall.
- Notably, hikers can walk behind four of these waterfalls
- The trail meanders through lush forests and along the North Fork Silver Creek
- The hike consists of two main parts: the Canyon Trail and the Rim Trail, which together form a loop
Featured in The Best of Oregon
6. Avalanche Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- Avalanche Lake is a natural feature located in Glacier National Park, where a trail leads to an alpine lake surrounded by towering mountains, including views of Bearhat Mountain
- Beginning at the Trail of the Cedars Trailhead, the area is known for its waterfalls and opportunities to view abundant wildlife, such as bears
Featured in The Best of Montana
7. Delicate Arch Trail, Arches National Park, Utah
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- The Delicate Arch Trail is a hiking route in Arches National Park, leading to the iconic Delicate Arch, which is a symbol of the state
- Delicate Arch is one of the most photographed natural arches in the world and is often featured on Utah's license plates
- Spring and fall are ideal seasons for hiking this trail, as temperatures are more comfortable, especially at sunrise and sunset
Featured in The Best of Utah
8. Devil's Bridge via Mescal Trailhead, Coconino National Forest, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Devil's Bridge via Mescal Trailhead is a hiking route located near Sedona
- The hike begins at the Mescal Trailhead, which provides access to the Chuck Wagon Trail, leading to Devil's Bridge
- The trail is known for its views of the surrounding red rock formations, making it a favorite among hikers and photographers
- Devil's Bridge itself is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area, offering a unique opportunity to walk across it
- Parking is limited, though a shuttle service offered
Featured in The Best of Arizona
9. Snow Lake Trail, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Snow Lake Trail is a hiking route located near Snoqualmie Pass, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
- The trail offers alpine scenery, including the crystal-clear waters of Snow Lake, towering peaks, and lush forests
- The trail begins at the Alpental area and winds through dense forests before reaching the lake
Featured in The Best of Washington
10. Boynton Canyon Trail, Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Boynton Canyon Trail is a hiking trail located near Sedona
- Hikers can visit views of the canyon floor, lush forests, and unique rock formations
- The area is rich in wildlife and provides a backdrop of the surrounding desert landscape
- The trail includes ancient Sinaguan Indian ruins, the Subway Cave and a box canyon that sometimes features a small waterfall
Featured in The Best of Arizona
11. The Watchman Trail, Zion National Park, Utah
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: April-Nov
- The Watchman Trail in Zion National Park is a hiking route that offers views of the surrounding landscape, including Watchman peak
- The viewpoint at the end of the trail offers vistas of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, and lower Zion Canyon
Featured in The Best of Utah
12. Lake Haiyaha, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: June-Sept
- The Lake Haiyaha Trail is a scenic hiking route located in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park
- The trail begins at the Bear Lake Trailhead, leading hikers to stops at Nymph Lake and Dream Lake along the way
- The hike offers stunning views of the surrounding Glacier Basin area, especially as you approach Lake Haiyaha, which is known for its striking blue waters and rocky surroundings
Featured in The Best of Colorado
13. Wallace Falls via Woody Trail, Wallace Falls State Park, Washington
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Wallace Falls via Woody Trail is a hiking route located in Wallace Falls State Park
- The trail offers views of the Wallace River and several waterfalls, particularly the main Wallace Falls, which cascades in multiple tiers
Featured in The Best of Washington
14. Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass to Brins Mesa Loop, Coconino National Forest, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass to Brins Mesa Loop is a scenic hiking trail located near Sedona, Arizona
- The trail offers views of Sedona's iconic red rock formations
- It includes notable sites such as the Seven Sacred Pools, which are natural pools formed in the rock
- Hikers can also explore Soldier Pass Caves along the trail
- Parking is limited, though a shuttle service offered
Featured in The Best of Arizona
15. Seven Sacred Pools and Soldiers Pass Cave Trail, Coconino National Forest, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The Seven Sacred Pools and Soldiers Pass Cave Trail are hiking destinations located near Sedona, located within the Coconino National Forest
- The Seven Sacred Pools are a series of small, interconnected pools situated along the Soldiers Pass Trail
- These pools are formed by water collecting in depressions in the rock and can be particularly attractive after rainfall when they cascade into one another
- Parking is limited, though a shuttle service offered
Featured in The Best of Arizona
16. Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluff Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: June-Oct
- Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluff Trail is a popular hiking route located near Gatlinburg, within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- The trail features a variety of natural landscapes, including views of mountain laurel and rhododendron, as well as rocky outcrops that offer spectacular vistas
- The hike begins along Alum Cave Creek, leading to notable landmarks such as Inspiration Point and the Alum Cave Bluffs, which are not actual caves but rather geological formations
- While the hike is considerated moderately challenging, the ascent to Peregrine Peak involves steep sections and wooden steps
Featured in The Best of Tennessee
17. Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: May-Sept
- Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop Trail is a hiking route located in Bryce Canyon National Park, that combines two main sections
- Queens Garden Trail is known for its relatively gentle descent and views of unique rock formations called hoodoos
- Wall Street Trail features dramatic switchbacks and is notable for being the only slot canyon in Bryce Canyon
- It is best hiked during the late spring, summer, or early fall when the weather is more favorable
Featured in The Best of Utah
18. Saint Mary's Glacier, Arapaho National Forest, Colorado
- Saint Mary's Glacier is a semi-permanent snowfield located in the Arapaho National Forest, near Idaho Springs
- Despite its name, it is not a true glacier; it has been reclassified as a snowfield because it does not exhibit the movement characteristic of glaciers
- The area is popular for hiking, offering views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains and an alpine lake
- The snowfield maintains snow throughout the year, making it a unique destination for outdoor enthusiasts at any time
Featured in The Best of Colorado
19. Lost Lake via Hessie Trail, Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Lost Lake via Hessie Trail is a hiking route located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland, known for its alpine scenery
- The hike begins at the Hessie Trailhead, which is situated at an elevation of 9,000 feet, and ascends to 9,800 feet at Lost Lake
Featured in The Best of Colorado
20. Lower Falls via Bells Canyon Trail, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The Lower Falls via Bells Canyon Trail is a hiking route located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Sandy
- The trail is rocky and steep as it traverses through Bells Canyon, eventually reaching the Lower Falls, which is a scenic waterfall
- The trail follows Bells Canyon Creek, which is surrounded by pines and aspen trees
Featured in The Best of Utah
21. West Fork of Oak Creek Trail #108, Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The West Fork of Oak Creek Trail #108 is a hiking trail located near Sedona, Arizona, within the Coconino National Forest
- The trail features views of a deep, narrow gorge with lush riparian environments, especially attractive during autumn when the foliage changes
Featured in The Best of Arizona
22. South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point is a hiking route located in the Grand Canyon National Park
- The trail offers spectacular views of the Grand Canyon
- It's named Ooh Aah Point because it is known for its breathtaking vistas, which often elicit an "ooh" or "aah" from visitors
Featured in The Best of Arizona
23. Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, California
- Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop is a scenic hiking route located within the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in Del Mar
- Hikers can enjoy views of the San Diego coastline, including its beaches, sandstone cliffs, and diverse coastal vegetation
- The trail offers a mix of inland paths and beach access
Featured in The Best of California
24. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes via Nymph Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: June-Sept
- Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes are a series of alpine lakes located in Rocky Mountain National Park that can be accessed via the Nymph Lake Trail
- The trail provides views of the surrounding mountains and forests, as well as each lake's unique features
Featured in The Best of Colorado
25. Cascade Canyon Trail, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: mid-May-late Sept
- Cascade Canyon Trail is a hiking route located in Grand Teton National Park, accessible via a ferry ride across Jenny Lake, which is a scenic entry point into the backcountry
- The trail follows Cascade Creek and leads to notable landmarks such as Hidden Falls, a waterfall, and Inspiration Point
- The hike provides opportunities to view wildlife, including bears, elk, and moose
- The route is renowned for its glacially carved landscapes
Featured in The Best of Wyoming