50 Must-Hike Trails in National Parks

# 50 Must-Hike Trails in National Parks

America's national parks contain some of the world's most spectacular hiking trails. Whether you're a beginner looking for an easy stroll or an experienced hiker seeking adventure, these 50 trails offer unforgettable experiences.

## Easy Trails (Under 3 Miles)

### 1. Rim Trail - Grand Canyon
- **Distance**: Up to 13 miles (do any section)
- **Difficulty**: Easy, paved sections
- **Highlights**: Canyon views without the climb

### 2. Trail of the Cedars - Glacier
- **Distance**: 0.7 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy boardwalk
- **Highlights**: Ancient cedar forest

### 3. Riverside Walk - Zion
- **Distance**: 2.2 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Easy, paved
- **Highlights**: Gateway to the Narrows

### 4. Mirror Lake - Yosemite
- **Distance**: 2 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy, flat
- **Highlights**: Half Dome reflections

### 5. Anhinga Trail - Everglades
- **Distance**: 0.8 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy boardwalk
- **Highlights**: Guaranteed wildlife sightings

### 6. Cave of the Winds - Niagara Falls
- **Distance**: 0.5 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy with stairs
- **Highlights**: Get soaked by the falls

### 7. Spruce Tree House - Mesa Verde
- **Distance**: 0.5 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy
- **Highlights**: Accessible cliff dwelling

### 8. Hidden Lake Overlook - Glacier
- **Distance**: 2.7 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy to moderate
- **Highlights**: Alpine meadows, mountain goats

### 9. Biscuit Basin - Yellowstone
- **Distance**: 0.6 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy boardwalk
- **Highlights**: Colorful hot springs

### 10. Artist Point - Yellowstone
- **Distance**: 0.5 miles
- **Difficulty**: Easy
- **Highlights**: Lower Falls view

## Moderate Trails (3-7 Miles)

### 11. Angels Landing - Zion
- **Distance**: 5.4 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous with chains
- **Highlights**: Iconic summit views

### 12. Delicate Arch - Arches
- **Distance**: 3 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Moderate
- **Highlights**: Utah's most famous arch

### 13. Mist Trail - Yosemite
- **Distance**: 5.4 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Moderate to strenuous
- **Highlights**: Vernal and Nevada Falls

### 14. Emerald Lake - Rocky Mountain
- **Distance**: 3.6 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Moderate
- **Highlights**: Alpine lake destination

### 15. Cadillac Mountain South Ridge - Acadia
- **Distance**: 7 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Moderate
- **Highlights**: Atlantic Ocean views

### 16. The Narrows - Zion
- **Distance**: Up to 16 miles
- **Difficulty**: Moderate (water hiking)
- **Highlights**: Slot canyon experience

### 17. Grinnell Glacier - Glacier
- **Distance**: 11 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Moderate to strenuous
- **Highlights**: Active glacier views

### 18. Bright Angel Trail (to Indian Garden) - Grand Canyon
- **Distance**: 9 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous
- **Highlights**: Canyon descent experience

### 19. Cascade Canyon - Grand Teton
- **Distance**: 9 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Moderate
- **Highlights**: Mountain scenery, wildlife

### 20. Navajo Loop - Bryce Canyon
- **Distance**: 1.3 miles
- **Difficulty**: Moderate
- **Highlights**: Walk among hoodoos

## Strenuous Trails (7+ Miles)

### 21. Half Dome - Yosemite
- **Distance**: 14-16 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Very strenuous, cables
- **Highlights**: Iconic summit (permit required)

### 22. Rim to Rim - Grand Canyon
- **Distance**: 21-24 miles
- **Difficulty**: Very strenuous
- **Highlights**: Complete canyon crossing

### 23. Highline Trail - Glacier
- **Distance**: 11.8 miles one way
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous
- **Highlights**: Stunning alpine traverse

### 24. Clouds Rest - Yosemite
- **Distance**: 14 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous
- **Highlights**: Higher than Half Dome

### 25. Teton Crest Trail - Grand Teton
- **Distance**: 40 miles
- **Difficulty**: Very strenuous
- **Highlights**: Multi-day backcountry

### 26. Long's Peak - Rocky Mountain
- **Distance**: 15 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Very strenuous
- **Highlights**: 14,259 ft summit

### 27. Precipice Trail - Acadia
- **Distance**: 1.6 miles
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous (iron rungs)
- **Highlights**: Technical climbing experience

### 28. Sunrise Peak - Mount Rainier
- **Distance**: 5.5 miles round trip
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous
- **Highlights**: Rainier views at sunrise

### 29. The Subway - Zion
- **Distance**: 9 miles
- **Difficulty**: Strenuous (permit required)
- **Highlights**: Unique tunnel formation

### 30. Paintbrush Canyon Loop - Grand Teton
- **Distance**: 19 miles
- **Difficulty**: Very strenuous
- **Highlights**: Wildflower meadows

## Waterfall Hikes

### 31. Upper Yosemite Falls - Yosemite
### 32. Bridalveil Fall - Yosemite
### 33. Lower Falls Artist Point - Yellowstone
### 34. Dry Falls - Death Valley
### 35. Alberta Falls - Rocky Mountain

## Wildlife Viewing Trails

### 36. Lamar Valley - Yellowstone
### 37. Moraine Park - Rocky Mountain
### 38. Shark Valley - Everglades
### 39. Many Glacier - Glacier
### 40. Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountains

## Desert Hikes

### 41. Havasupai Falls - Grand Canyon (permit required)
### 42. Wave - Vermilion Cliffs (permit required)
### 43. Badwater Basin - Death Valley
### 44. Cholla Cactus Garden - Joshua Tree
### 45. White Sands Dune Life - White Sands

## Coastal Trails

### 46. Coastal Trail - Redwood
### 47. Ocean Path - Acadia
### 48. Beach Trail - Olympic
### 49. Lighthouse Trail - Cape Hatteras
### 50. Cliff Walk - Channel Islands

## Hiking Safety Tips

- Always carry the 10 essentials
- Check weather before heading out
- Tell someone your plans
- Start early for long hikes
- Turn back if conditions worsen
- Stay on marked trails

*Find these trails and more on our interactive map and plan your hiking adventure!*