Hiking the trails of any of America's beautiful National Parks can be an experience for any level of hiker. From easy ambles to long strenuous multi-day hiking trips, each park has something to offer. Here are just some of the great National Parks that have an abundance of hiking opportunities for your next trip.

Acadia National Park Hiking

Hiking in Acadia National Park offers over 120 miles of hiking trails. Trails range from easy to strenuous. Many trails connect with other trails or carriage roads to provide a wide variety of options for the day hiker.

Acadia Hiking Trails

Arches National Park Hiking

Arches contains a wealth of hiking trails. Ranging in length and difficulty, these trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and many of the park's famous features, including Balanced Rock and Delicate Arch. In many cases, trails travel under arches, affording quite a different perspective than what is visible from a car.

Arches Hiking Trails

Badlands National Park Hiking

Enjoy park trails like Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, or the more aggressive Notch Trail. Explore the limitless backcountry options available by hiking or backpacking.

Badlands Hiking Trails

Bryce Canyon National Park Hiking

Day Hikes in Bryce Amphitheater: The easiest trail is the 1/2-mile (one way) section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points. Other sections of the Rim Trail (which extends 5.5 miles / 9.2 km between Fairyland and Bryce Points ) have steeper terrain.

Bryce Canyon Hiking Trails

Canyonlands National Park Hiking

Hikers in Elephant Canyon, Needles District Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which explore the park's natural and cultural features. Both the Island in the Sky and the Needles provide ample opportunities for short walks, day hikes and backpacking trips. Due to its remoteness, the Maze is primarily a backpacking destination.

Canyonlands Hiking Trails

Capitol Reef National Park Hiking

Hikes may take you deep into a narrow gorge, to the top of high cliffs for a bird's eye view of the surrounding area, under a natural stone arch, to historic inscriptions...and much, much more! Round trip distances vary in length from less than 1/4 mile to 10 miles. All trails are well-marked with signs at the trailhead and at trail junctions and by cairns (stacks of rocks) along the way.

Capitol Reef Hiking Trails

Crater Lake National Park Hiking

There are more than 90 miles of trails leading into the backcountry of Crater Lake National Park. These are usually snow-free from mid-July to early-October. Just over 90% of the park is managed as wilderness, though these areas have yet to be designated as such.

Crater Lake Hiking Trails

Glacier National Park Hiking

Over half of the visitors to Glacier National Park report taking a hike. That's a lot of hikers, but over 700 miles of trail provide many outstanding opportunities for both short hikes and extended backpacking trips.

Glacier National Park Hiking Trails

Grand Canyon National Park Day Hiking

Day hiking in Grand Canyon is one way to experience some of the canyons rich natural beauty and immense size. No permits or fees are required for day hikes. A good rule to follow is to decide how many hours you wish to hike. When 1/3 of the time has passed, turn around and begin to hike back. Assuming that you are physically fit and have adequate food and water (at least 3 quarts per person), the following day hikes are considered reasonable for most people during the summer months.

Grand Canyon Hiking Trails

Joshua Tree National Park Hiking

For a first-time visitor the desert may appear bleak and drab. Viewed from the road, the desert only hints at its vitality. Closer examination reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals. A rich cultural history and surreal geologic features add to the attraction of this place.

Joshua Tree Hiking Trails

Mesa Verde National Park Hiking

Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the works of prehistoric man. Prior to the parks establishment many of the archeological sites were looted. In order to preserve existing sites for future generations, hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is limited.

Mesa Verde Hiking Trails

Petrified Forest National Park Hiking Trails

The best way to enjoy and experience Petrified Forest National Park is on foot. Maintained trails range in length from less than a half-mile to almost three miles.

More Hiking Trails

Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Trails

Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails. These range from flat lakeside strolls to quite steep peak climbs. If you are new to the park, rangers at the visitor centers and backcountry office can provide advice on trails that are appropriate for different fitness and experience levels.

More Hiking Trails

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Hiking

Theodore Roosevelt The park contains 100+ miles of trails. Some are short walks (under 1 miles) and others are longer (16 miles). Take a hike and experience the same wild beauty and solitude of the badlands that captivated Theodore Roosevelt more than a century ago.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Hiking Trails

Yellowstone National Park, encompassing 2.2 million acres, is one of Americas premier wilderness areas. Most of the park is backcountry and managed as wilderness. Over 1,100 miles (1770 km) of trails are available for hiking. However, there are dangers inherent in wilderness: unpredictable wildlife, changing weather conditions, remote thermal areas, cold water lakes, turbulent streams, and rugged mountains with loose, rotten rock.

Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trails

Yosemite National Park Hiking

Short walks and longer hikes to waterfalls in Yosemite Valley; open-air tours around Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias; walks amongst giant sequoias in the Mariposa, Tuolumne, or Merced Groves.

More Yosemite Hiking Trails

Zion National Park Hiking

Zion offers many trails ranging from short leg-stretcher walks to strenuous adventures. Wildflowers Fall Colors - A variety of life zones and habitats makes Zion an excellent location for wildflower walks in spring and brilliant leaf color in autumn.

Zion National Park Hiking Trails

Hiking Tips:

Water

How much water do I need?

In warm months each hiker should carry and drink about a gallon (4 liters) of water per day. Watch your "ins and outs". Drink enough so that urine frequency, clarity, and volume are normal. You are not drinking enough water if your urine is dark, small in quantity, or non-existent in the course of a day's hiking. In addition, eating adequate amounts of food will help you replace the electrolytes (salts) that you are sweating.

During the summer months, your fluid/electrolyte loss can exceed two quarts per hour if you hike uphill in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Because the inner canyon air is so dry and hot, sweat evaporates instantly making its loss almost imperceptible. Do not wait until you start feeling thirsty to start replacing lost fluid. By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Your body can absorb only about one quart of fluid per hour. Drink one-half to one full quart of water or sports drink each and every hour you are hiking in the heat. Carry your water bottle in your hand and drink small amounts often.

Be prepared ahead of time by checking the weather forecast. Weather changes quickly and you don't want to get caught out in the wilderness unprepared.

Rest

Make sure you are fully rested for your hiking trip.
Rest often (sit in the shade)

Outdoor Gear

Have the appropriate clothing, gear, hats and hiking boots. Visit our store for outdoor gear that can help make your hiking trip most enjoyable.

Hiking in the Heat

Get wet (wet your shirt, hat, wear a wet bandana around your neck)
Avoid hiking in the heat of the day (10am to 4pm)

Food

Eat often (carbohydrates salty foods)

Repeating for the sake of how important this is: Stay hydrated and always carry plenty of water and electrolyte drinks!

Preservation:

Cultural resources in the canyon are fragile and irreplaceable. The remains of prehistoric and historic cultures belong to us all. When artifacts are stolen or moved, archaeological sites are destroyed and we lose important clues about the past, forever! Sites and artifacts are protected by strict laws that provide for rewards for information concerning looting and vandalism. The past belongs to the future, but only the present can preserve it.

Defacing or collecting of any kind is illegal in National Parks. It is your responsibility to aid the National Park Service in preserving our parks as you found it for the enjoyment of others.

hiking trails, national parks hiking, hiking, trails in national parks, hiking the national parks trails, viewpoints, wildflower walks, backpacking trips, day hikes

---

---

---

---

---

---