Baldpate, a Maine mountain with two prominent peaks, is located along the Appalachian Trail, a 2,000 mile-long National Scenic Trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. You can start your Baldpate hike from Grafton Notch State Park, and the trails feature dirt, rock, forest floor and ledges. The parking area is along Route 26 on the east side. Grafton Notch Park is open from May to October, and pets are allowed.
Maggie Lakes, California, is in Sequoia National Forest. The area features numerous hiking trails and peaks, as well as some of the oldest trees in the United States. Hikers of all proficiency levels can access trails with stun...
Shorter, less demanding mountain climbing may be little more than hiking on steep terrain, while other climbs may require technical climbing, specific gear and the knowledge of how to use it. However, climbing any mountain is ...
Yellowstone National Park, the nation's first national park, is breathtakingly beautiful and vast. One of the most memorable ways of seeing this famous park is on a hiking tour that includes Old Faithful, and a whole lot more. ...
New Mexico offers hiking vacation options for everyone from beginning to advanced hikers. The terrain varies from rocky trails through the mountains to scenic canyons and even to archaeological sites, ice caves, and volcanoes. ...
Visiting the islands of Hawaii by cruise ship does have its advantages. You unpack once and sleep in the same bed every night. But no matter how lovely the scenery is from the deck of your cruise ship, the only way to really ex...
Southern Utah's array of rock formations, from cliffs and mesas to slot canyons, present challenges for the beginner to the experienced adventurer. Whether you prefer to climb the rock's face before rappelling down or reach the...
In addition to the glitter of Hollywood and the thrill of amusement parks, southern California offers visitors many outdoor recreational opportunities. Southern California is home to San Bernadino National Forest and Los Padres...
Hiking tours at national parks are not what they used to be. Catering to the different needs of young and old, and a whole range of athletic abilities, these days you will probably be happily surprised to discover a special tou...
At its tallest point, Mount Tamborine is 1,968 feet above sea level. Because the area doesn't experience any temperature extremes, it's a good destination for hiking year around. A variety of animals make Mount Tamborine their ...
Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the continental U.S. and a prime destination for both hikers and climbers. Mt. Whitney is located in California, against the border of the Sequoia National Park and about four hours north of ...
The seasonal nature of the state makes hiking a memorable experience no matter what season you visit in. Maine is also the home of Acadia National Park, where the sun rises first in the United States.
As one of the three highest states in the United States, Utah is known as the rooftop of the country. With that type of status, hiking is without question one of the most popular pastimes for outdoors lovers in the state. If yo...
Zion's hiking trails range from child and wheelchair-friendly to challenging. Its 229-square-mile canyon--to give an idea of its size--offers endless opportunities to hike and explore while taking in fresh air and breathtaking ...
Alaska is full of breathtaking scenic areas, expansive mountain ranges, huge glaciers and vast wilderness regions. A hiking tour will provide an opportunity to experience firsthand what nature has to offer. You can choose from ...
Day trips out of the city offer adventuresome physical activities as well as wildlife viewing and the opportunity to learn about gold mines and dog mushing. Whether you like to hike, bike, fly or drive, there's something for yo...
Since 1898 when mountain climbers William Owen, Franklin Spalding, Frank Peterson and Jon Shive reached the top of the Grand Teton, people from all over the U.S. and world visit Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming to attempt t...
With more than 355 miles of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is a popular place to hike in the summer and early fall. Hikes range from easy walks to beautiful lakes and lush meadows to a challenging climb up 14,...
Banff National Park is located west of Calgary in the province of Alberta in Canada. Set in the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park offers hiking trails for hikers of all levels. If you are a traveler interested in keeping fit...
The Redwood National Park consists of separate parcels of land. State parks link the north and southern sections together, along a narrow strip of coastal land. Trails wind through this network of state, federal and private lan...
Get up close and personal with nature along the many trails in Grand Teton National Park. Trek through the backcountry to experience a true wilderness setting. You can hike along overnight trails that challenge the fittest of i...
Within its borders you'll find five national parks, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, nine national monuments, and numerous state parks, national forests, and BLM lands. Hiking opportunities range from short, paved paths thro...
Visitors enjoy pleasant walks and challenging treks in local recreation areas and national parks. Outdoor enthusiasts challenge the heart rate while backpacking amongst the serene and secluded land. Utah is an ideal destinatio...
With more than 800 miles of hiking trails that include a large section of the Appalachian Trail, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers paths for outdoor adventurers of all fitness levels. Trails lead to cascading water...
Big Bend National Park is an adventure for any level of hiker. With more than 150 miles of trails, you can explore desert canyons, climb mountain peaks, follow riverbanks, spend multiple days in the wilderness, or take a short ...
It has 20 state forests, one national forest, 116 state parks, one Great Lake, Erie, 50 other natural lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams. Pennsylvania's north is the great outdoors, offering hiking, fishing, hun...
Visitors can explore the dramatic landscape of mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes and forests. Hiking Banff is breathtaking visually and physically. From easy to difficult trails, hikers experience the solitude of the outdoor...
The 700-square mile Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park is the source of more than 35 named glaciers. You will find plenty of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging, to bring you up close and personal with t...
The park spans 310,000 acres and 485 square miles and is most famous for its mountain scenery, natural wildlife and hiking with breathtaking views. Hikers can enjoy day hiking or backcountry hiking and camping excursions for an...
Rocky Mountain National Park, located in central Colorado, is home to numerous hiking loops that take you through pristine forest and around the majestic Rocky Mountains, even affording you views of rare wildlife. If you like b...
Hiking in Grand Teton National Park, in northwestern Wyoming, allows you to witness extraordinary wildlife, lakes, and mountains while benefiting from exercise. According to the park's website, nearly 4 million visitors travel ...
Trails throughout the park will take you to mountain lakes, ice fields and mountain summits. Wildlife you may see on your hike includes moose, mule deer, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bison, marmots, wolves and bears....
The 131,983-acre park features more than 200 miles of developed hiking trails with a variety of difficulty levels. You can go on short out-and-back hikes, or longer day trips through the park's backcountry, with options for cam...
In addition to the giant sequoias, the forest presents glacial lakes, soaring mountains, rolling foothills and steep canyons within four different ecosystems: desert, chaparral and deciduous and coniferous forest. To fully expe...
This state features several mountain ranges, rivers, national parks and designated state areas that create the perfect background for a hiking trip.
Today the Oregon National Historic Trail offers a preserved portion of the original trail with markers, suggested routes and stops, including in Idaho. If you travel the trail in Idaho, you will find interesting sites that were...
Badlands National Park in South Dakota maintains eight hiking trails ranging in length from 1/4 mile to 10 miles. Hikers should carry water. Park rangers recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Carry rain gear on any...
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is among the many national parks located in the Rocky Mountain range. High elevations, steep mountain climbs and 355 miles of trails are among the features that make the park a destinati...
The lodge’s location makes it a convenient base for exploring both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks and offers active visitors access to hiking trails and rafting opportunities as well as swimming and golf.
The crowds in Yosemite Valley Park can be quite overwhelming, especially in the summer. However, one of the best ways to beat the crowds is to hit the trail. The trails in Yosemite Valley range in difficulty from easy to strenu...
Southwest Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island, close to Maine's Acadia National Park. If you are a hiking enthusiast, the town is a good place to explore the numerous hikes that are barely a few miles away. If you are a hik...
Located in close proximity to the park's main, and very popular, valley and along some of the most well-traveled hiking trails in the National Park, Little Yosemite Valley is fairly easy to get to and undeniably picturesque. Vi...
As one of the 19 Californian National Forests, Sequoia National Forest earned the name from the world's largest tree, the giant sequoia. Sequoia's picturesque landscape stuns hikers trekking amongst rivers, waterfalls, canyons ...
Visitors can choose from a variety of winter hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities on maintained trails or in the backcountry. Snowfall in the park tends to be deeper on the west side of the Continental Div...
According to NPS.gov, Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of trails, so the possibilities for fun and educational hikes are extensive. Your definition of “best hike” might differ from the next person’s,...
With easy lake level hikes to hard peak-scrambling, there are trails to suit all abilities. Some of the high-mountain trails feature approaches for climbers, where high elevation should be considered, and a pair of hiking cramp...
Started in 1910 and finally completed in 1987, the trail system is managed by the National Park Service, but is technically not a park. It is considered a National Scenic Highway and an All-American Road.
Zion National Park in southwestern Utah beckons backcountry hikers with narrow canyons and sky-scraping sandstone formations in varying shades of red. At any time of year, the high desert and mountain climates can be harsh, and...
Badlands National Park in South Dakota offers 244,000 acres of sprawling terrain with awe-inspiring views of geologic formations and ample opportunities to view wildlife. There are several trails in Badlands National Park rangi...
The park—Oregon's only national park—surrounds the Crater Lake caldera, which is the remains of Mount Mazama volcano. The forested area is lined with more than 90 miles of hiking trails that provide you with stunnin...
Grand Teton National Park’s rugged terrain makes hiking in many areas challenging, but the experienced hiker looking for steep slopes and long canyons finds reward in reaching peaks with expansive vistas. The park also we...
The trails, which range from easy to challenging, go throughout the Black Hills National Forest as well as nearby state and national parks. You have to pay a park fee to use some trails, but many are free and open to the public.
Big Bend National Park is a hiker's paradise, with 150 miles of trails throughout the largest public roadless area in Texas, covering more than 800,000 acres. Situated in the southwest corner of the state, Big Bend offers three...
This park contains more than 350 miles of easy, moderate or difficult hiking trails. Featuring glaciers, lakes, mountains and wildflowers, this scenic national park is breathtaking but challenging for outdoor enthusiasts to hi...
While the incredible size provides plenty of opportunity to explore the local terrain and view the wildlife, it can also mean getting lost or encountering bears. Before setting out, you should know what to expect so you can saf...
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses more than 521,000 acres, of which a little less than half reside in Tennessee. The more than 800 miles of hiking trails offer a great diversity: different terrains and elevati...
More than 4 million visitors a year come to Grand Teton to see its wildlife and take in the scenery. The park’s hiking trails range from short walks through the woods to strenuous treks over rugged, snowy terrain.
Hawaii is a land of enchanting beauty, complete with lush tropical rainforests and gorgeous white sands beaches. While many are understandably content to spend their visit to the islands relaxing, Hawaii's spirit of adventure b...
Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado offers a wealth of hiking opportunities ranging from easy nature trails to challenging, multi-day hikes. If you're in great physical condition, consider a hike to the top of Lon...
All of the hiking trails will show you what the landscape was like for thousands of years before North America was colonized and you'll see animals and plant life in a pristine environment of meadows, forests and rocky peaks. ...
The 40-mile wave of granite rises abruptly 7,000 feet above the valley floor without the warning of foothills. Grand Teton National Park protects the iconic peaks, with the 13,770-foot Grand Teton as the centerpiece. Hiking in ...
Strong hikers looking for a challenge will not be disappointed with a visit to Denali. Aside from a few well-trod trails near the entrance, you will find no trails in Denali National Park. The difficulty of hiking is enhanced...
Hiking this park combines healthy exercise and photographic sites of lakes, waterfalls, mountains and wildlife. This park operates year-round and encourages visitors to acclimate to the starting 7,500 foot altitude prior to hik...
Easy hikes abound in Rocky Mountain National Park, which stretches across the Continental Divide in Colorado from Estes Park, northwest of Denver, to Grand Lake. Lakes, forests, stunning views, waterfalls and wildflowers mark t...
The Lakota tribe named this land "mako sika," or "bad land." However, the Badlands in South Dakota offer great beauty. Hikers can observe the unique formations of spires, gorges, buttes and pinnacles that have been carved by er...
Drive along United States Highway 36, 34 or Route 7 to take you to one of the entrance stations. Expect to see the Continental Dive, wildlife and wildflowers. If you want to hike with your family dog, there are plenty of nearb...
Denali National Park gives visitors an opportunity to see and experience the Alaskan wilderness in many different ways, from "flight-seeing tours," to white-water rafting, to hiking. Getting to Denali can be an adventure in its...
Hiking trails lead through desert, valleys and mountains and offer spectacular views. The Great Basin attracts all types of hikers--from those who prefer a gentle stroll to those who want to challenge themselves.
Rocky Mountain National Park boasts dozens of trails that follow along ridge lines and streams, through alpine meadows with wildflowers and to waterfalls and high mountain summits. While most of the hiking that takes place in R...
Diverse hiking opportunities are available to Rocky Mountain National Park visitors year-round. Located in Colorado, the park's landscape varies from flat waterside hikes to steep mountain summit treks, making all 355 miles of ...
The park is famous for the views from its Going-to-the-Sun Road, which are among the most spectacular anywhere in the world, but the best, and healthiest, way to see the park is in a good pair of hiking boots, for it's a hiker'...
The Pinnacles National Monument is a large rock formation in southern California. The formation was created by molten lava and large chunks of rock from a volcano that erupted approximately 23 million years ago. Due to its agre...
According to the "Asheville Citizen Times" writer Karen Chávez, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most popular spot in the National Park Service. Hiking spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway feature a stunning view of Craggy Gard...
McKinley National Park was established in 1917, and became Denali National Park in 1980 as part of the Alaska Native Interest Lands Conservation Act. The park encompasses 6 million acres and has more than 650 species of plants....
