If you’ve been wanting to spend some time in the great outdoors (and in 2020, who doesn’t?), look no further than these 50 best hikes in the U.S. There’s no better way to social distance than on a hiking trail in the great outdoors. We all lead busy lives, so when we get a chance to escape to a national park or local preserve and go on a hike, the tall trees and quiet lakes can be like therapy for our souls. That’s certainly true for the destinations we’ve compiled here, many of which feature awe-inspiring views, babbling brooks, mountain vistas, and towering pine trees. Others will bring you closer to animals and other wildlife, from sea turtles to herons. And whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced hiker (or if you’re looking for camping ideas), there’s something for you here: These hikes span the range from easy to challenging, with many falling somewhere in between. Many are even perfect for hiking with dogs! If you’re planning on spending the night, be sure to check out our camping checklist, then read some hiking quotes and get moving.
Happy trails!
Alabama: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Bon Secour is French for “safe harbor,” which is the perfect name for this 6,000-acre coastal wildlife refuge. As you wander wood-plank trails above sands and swampland, you just might spot snowy plovers, sea turtles, and other endangered creatures.
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Alaska: Mount Roberts Trail
Mount Roberts Trail, starting in downtown Juneau and reaching a height of 1,760 feet, is guaranteed to take your breath away. The sight of the snow-capped mountains can’t be beat—plus, if you reach the top and you’re exhausted, you’ll be happy to know that you can hitch a ride on a tram and head back down in comfort. (NOTE: Tram is closed until spring 2021.)
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Arizona: Devil’s Bridge Trail
The Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. The 1.8-mile trail loop can be a bit of a rocky challenge, but it’ll be worth it to witness those stunning desert views.
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Arkansas: Lost Valley Hiking Trail
Nestled in the Buffalo National River park, you’ll find the Lost Valley Trail, an Arkansas treasure that boasts fields of wildflowers, waterfalls that surge after rainstorms, and babbling brooks.
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California: Congress Trail
Get ready to feel tiny—really tiny—when you walk along the Congress Trail and you’re dwarfed by the giant Sequoias. The paved loop starts at the famed General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world.
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Colorado: Seven Bridges Trail
Located near Colorado Springs, the Seven Bridges Trail promises a hiking experience that’ll appeal to all ages and skill levels. There are flat trails, rocky spots for those who want a little challenge, and wooden bridges that cross over rushing creeks.
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Connecticut: Bluff Point State Park
If you love hiking along the water, this is the U.S. state park for you. The trails in Bluff Point State Park in Groton, Connecticut, offer a mix of woodland scenery and sandy shorelines.
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Delaware: Junction and Breakwater Trail
This paved Delaware rail-trail is suitable for leisurely strolls and fast-paced bike rides, all while you soak up scenes of wetlands, marinas, and beaches.
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Florida: Anhinga Trail
On this boardwalk trail that’s less than a mile long, you’ll get an up-close-and-personal view of the Florida Everglades, complete with alligators, herons, turtles, and other native wildlife.
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Georgia: Jekyll Island Trail System
The biking and hiking trails of the Jekyll Island Trail System provide plenty of tourist diversions, like a miniature golf course, local hotels, and historical markers. And it doesn’t get much more Southern than watching the Spanish moss sway in the trees along the trails.
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Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail
Say aloha to one of the best hikes in Hawaii. With its 647-foot incline and sweeping seaside vistas, the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is considered to be an easy hike with opportunities to spot whale spouts between December and April and sightings of the native cacti that line the trail. A charming lighthouse sets the scene for viewing beautiful Hawaiian sunsets
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Idaho: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Winding throughout the Idaho panhandle, this paved 72-mile rail-trail holds a wealth of natural beauty: pine-topped hills, riverside scenery, and frequently-spotted animals like otters, moose, and beavers.
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Illinois: Starved Rock State Park
Imagine towering sandstone rock formations, flourishing green trees, and picturesque waterfalls. Yup, that’s Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois, and it really is the stuff of daydreams. The trails are resplendent year-round, but when the trees change color in the fall, that’s when it’s really not to be missed.
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Indiana: Clifty Falls State Park
It’s said that the waterfalls throughout Clifty Falls State Park reflect the changing seasons: They fluctuate from misty trickles in dry periods to surging, grandiose wonders in the late winter and spring.
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Iowa: Effigy Mounds National Monument
Near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, you might be surprised to learn that there’s a treasure trove of Native American history found in the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Traverse bridges and a mix of paved and grass-covered paths to see the area’s 191 effigy mounds.
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Kansas: Kanopolis State Park
Kanopolis State Park in Marquette displays every type of Kansas terrain imaginable, from sandstone formations to flat, grassy prairies.
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Kentucky: Berea Pinnacles
The Berea College Forest holds what’s known as “The Pinnacles,” a scenic area showcasing seven miles of hiking and running trails. Visit Indian Fort Lookout for some of the most spectacular views in Kentucky.
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Louisiana: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Only 25 minutes from New Orleans, you’ll discover a whole new world at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. If you’ve ever wanted to visit a real-deal bayou filled with alligators, armadillos, and other swamp wildlife (viewed from wood-plank trails), this is your chance.
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Maine: Jordan Pond
There are few places as beautiful as Maine’s Acadia National Park, and there’s one hiking destination within it that’s particularly pretty: the Shore Trail that touches Jordan Pond. It’s a 3.5-mile paved path where you’ll find an unforgettable view of the idyllic shoreline.
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Maryland: Billy Goat Trail
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Washington, D.C., you might find yourself jumping like a billy goat on this striking but challenging trail. Appropriately name the “Billy Goat Trail,” the rocky, 4.7-mile hiking path does require some fancy footwork. Be prepared for an amazing workout and equally amazing views.
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Massachusetts: Mount Greylock State Reservation
Take your pooch to the dog-friendly Mount Greylock State Reservation and look out as far as 90 miles away from the highest point in Massachusetts.
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Michigan: Empire Bluff Trail
Located in the Sleeping Bear Dunes, visitors enjoy the 1.5-mile Empire Bluff Trail, a combination of dirt trails and boardwalks that lead to a bluff where you can take in a panoramic view of Lake Michigan.
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Minnesota: Kawishiwi Falls Trail
Splish! Splash! Those are the sounds you’ll likely hear when hiking Ely, Minnesota’s Kawishiwi Falls Trail. It’s famous for its gushing, gorgeous falls and easy-to-traverse path.
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Mississippi: Tishomingo State Park
Visiting Tishomingo State Park is like going for a hike through a simpler time, one marked by classic log cabins that visitors can stay in, old-school swing bridges, and plenty of Native American history.
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Missouri: Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Now, here’s something you don’t see every day during a hike in a state park: ruins of an early 20th-century castle. In Ha Ha Tonka State Park, don’t miss the formerly grand mansion constructed by a wealthy Kansas City businessman, which met its demise in a 1942 fire.
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Montana: Highline Trail
Glacier National Park (specifically the Highline Trail) should be on everyone’s U.S. hiking trail bucket list. See the majestic Continental Divide in all its glory as you make your way to Haystack Pass.
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Nebraska: Saddle Rock Trail
What’s the best way to see Scotts Bluff National Monument? That would be the Saddle Rock Trail, a 1.6-mile uphill path where you’ll witness the very landscape seen by pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
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Nevada: Calico Tanks Trail
When you need a break from all that Las Vegas glitz, head out to the desert for some time in nature on the Calico Tanks Trail in Red Rock Canyon. You’ll be dazzled by the bright-red rock formations and desert vegetation.
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New Hampshire: Franconia Notch State Park
In the White Mountain National Forest, there are miles and miles of hiking trails found in Franconia Notch State Park. Be sure to make your way through Flume Gorge, known for its granite boulders and cascading river.
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New Jersey: Pochuck Boardwalk
Hike along a piece of the Appalachian Trail on the Pochuck Boardwalk, found in Glenwood, New Jersey. This slice of the trail is certainly kinder to those who don’t wish to tackle the trail in its entirety, offering wood-plank paths that travel through wooded areas and pastures.
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New Mexico: Canyon Trail
Take in the sumptuous patterns painted by Mother Nature herself on this three-mile trail that winds through the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. It’s considered to be one of the best short hikes in New Mexico.
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New York: Devil’s Hole State Park
It’s more likely that you’ve been to Niagara Falls for the main event: the three waterfalls that sit along the border between New York and Canada. But for a new experience, head to Devil’s Hole State Park. There, you’ll get to see powerful whitewater rapids and walk by awe-inspiring overlooks.
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North Carolina: Neuse River Trail
In Raleigh, you’ll revel in a 27.5-mile system of paved trails that are friendly to hikers and bikers alike. Along the way, you’ll cross several charming bridges and travel through the North Carolina countryside.
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North Dakota: Maah Daah Hey Trail
At an impressive 120 miles long, the Maah Daah Hey Trail will take you right through the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. We can pretty much guarantee that you’ll see wildlife during your trek, including antelope, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.
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Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park
As one of the best-known state parks in the Midwest, hikers enjoy Hocking Hills State Park for its trails lined with wildflowers, cliffs, waterfalls, and gorges.
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Oklahoma: Black Mesa Summit Trail
It’s hard to believe that 30 million years ago, Oklahoma’s Black Mesa Summit Trail was covered in a layer of black lava rock. Today, it’s a 4.2-mile hike that reaches the highest point in Oklahoma and is thought of as a bird-watcher’s utopia.
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Oregon: Silver Falls State Park
The Pacific Northwest never disappoints for avid hikers, and Silver Falls State Park is no exception. Located in Sublimity, Oregon, the 9,200 acres contain a myriad of hiking trails. While you’re there, take a walk behind the 177-foot South Falls.
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Pennsylvania: Ohiopyle State Park
No, you’re not in Ohio. When you visit Ohiopyle State Park, you’ll be in one of Pennsylvania’s top natural areas. Cover trails throughout its 20,500 acres and stop by the incredible Youghiogheny River Gorge.
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Rhode Island: Mohegan Bluffs
On Rhode Island’s Block Island, you can’t take a trip without hiking the Mohegan Bluffs. Climb the steps down the 200-foot bluffs and you’ll be rewarded with a glorious seascape.
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South Carolina: Jones Gap State Park
If the mountains are calling to you, head to Jones Gap State Park. The mountain woodlands are very peaceful, and if you want to take a break from hiking, you can always do some trout fishing.
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South Dakota: Notch Trail
To truly experience Badlands National Park, go for a hike on the 1.5-mile Notch Trail which snakes its way through a canyon and then you’ll climb a ladder to view the White River Valley.
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Tennessee: Alum Cave Trail
The Great Smoky Mountains are lauded for their many extraordinary trails, and the Alum Cave Trail might be one of the best. It weaves its way through secluded, tranquil nooks and crannies and electric-green forests.
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Texas: Lost Maples State Natural Area
This destination looks a lot less like Texas and more like the Midwest, as Lost Maples State Natural Area actually has few desert views. Instead, it unexpectedly features groves upon groves of maple trees, which come alive during autumn.
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Utah: The Narrows
Zion National Park’s “The Narrows” provides a one-of-a-kind hiking experience. Instead of walking traditional trails, you’ll be jaunting through rivers that weave through caves and shadowy passes.
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Vermont: Smugglers’ Notch State Park
This Vermont state park has a pretty cool name and equally cool trails. In the early 19th-century, it was quite literally a route for smuggling! Nowadays, hikers simply enjoy the scenic trails that look out over soaring cliffs.
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Virginia: Great Falls Park
The falls are indeed great in this McLean, Virginia, national park. Situated only 15 miles from Washington, D.C., you’ll be able to view the mighty, rocky falls as they build up along the Potomac River.
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Washington: Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is world-renowned, and for good reason. Its natural beauty is unmatched, with its mystical moss hanging from gigantic trees, prevalent wildlife, and vibrant ferns made even greener by the area’s frequent rain showers.
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West Virginia: Coopers Rock State Forest
Imposing boulders, large rock formations, and sweeping views of the Cheat River take center stage during a hike in West Virginia’s Coopers Rock State Forest.
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Wisconsin: Devil’s Lake State Park
Open year-round, Baraboo’s Devil’s Lake State Park encircles a placid pool of water while hikers amble up rock-strewn paths that lead to jaw-dropping views.
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Wyoming: Jenny Lake Trail
While you’re visiting Grand Teton National Park, make a point of hiking one of the top trails in the park, Jenny Lake Trail. At 7.7 miles, we’re betting that you’ll gasp when you see Garnet Canyon, Hurricane Pass, and of course, the once-in-a-lifetime mountain vistas.
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