United States

Looking for the best hiking in United States? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around United States. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near United States

  • Stanley, Idaho

    Born Lakes via 4th of July Lake Trailhead

    4.0
    8.17 mi / 1736 ft gain
    Due to it's higher-than-average starting point, many backpackers use this trailhead to access the remote parts of the Boulder-White Cloud wilderness. The trailhead for this hike, nestled at 8850', is readily accessible by Prius and Jeep alike as the gravel road is well maintained, notwithstanding...
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  • Stanley, Idaho

    Hike to 4th of July Lake

    3.6 mi / 900 ft gain
    This is an easy, yet breathtakingly beautiful hike. After the fun adventure of the 10.2 mile extra bumpy dirt road to the trail head the hike in is simple. 4 Wheel drive and a spare tire are advised, I got a flat. The drive in through old burned forest area is a cool drive on its own. At the end ...
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  • Alta, Wyoming

    Hike to Lake of the Crags

    6 mi / 2765 ft gain
    The unmarked trek up to Lake of the Crags is a hidden gem in Grand Teton National Park, unknown or untried by many. From the Jenny Lake trailhead, follow the path down to the lake and then around the western edge, headed toward Inspiration Point. Shortly after you enter the tree line, you'll see ...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Photograph Moonbows at Yosemite Falls

    1 mi
    In spring at Yosemite National Park, a unique phenomenon occurs, called “moonbows.” Seen during the full moon, moonbows are rainbows produced by light reflected off the surface of the moon, and are relatively faint and difficult to detect with the naked eye, but they do appear in long exposure ph...
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  • Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee

    Hike to Suter and Horsepound Falls

    4.0
    6 mi / 1794 ft gain
    Located in South Cumberland State Park in the Savage Gulf section, this is a somewhat difficult 5 mile out-and-back viewing two waterfalls, cascades, creeks, rock shelters, and high bluffs. 2 miles past Suter Falls you'll come to Horsepound Falls, a unique waterfall formation with overlooks and l...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Southern Smokies: Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome

    4.5
    20.39 mi / 7083 ft gain
    This is a strenuous (though not technical) hike that really showcases the forests, creeks, and (eventually) the highest point of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As this is a point-to-point route, you will want to have two vehicles - one that you can leave at Clingman's Dome and one that you ...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Explore Balcony House

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Starting at the trail head at 7,000 feet, you will head down the trail until you get to the cliff dwellings. There will be a wooden ladder you will have to climb, a recreation of the ladder used hundreds of years ago by the tribes living there. Once you get to the top of the ladder, the trail wil...
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  • Belmont, California

    Hike San Mateo's Sugarloaf Mountain

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    Sugarloaf is tucked away in Laurelwood Park which is located in a residential neighborhood right off of Hwy 92 in San Mateo, making this a great hiking & trail running option for Peninsula residents.I always park on Glendora Dr. and follow the paved path down towards the playground. At the bo...
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  • Independence, California

    Flower Lake from Onion Valley

    5.04 mi / 1352 ft gain
    Make sure to obtain an overnight permit up to 6 months in advance. You will have to pick up your permit at one of the Inyo National Forest Visitor Centers (here) before you begin. Once you have your permit in hand, drive to the Onion Valley Trailhead (see map), which is about 15 miles west of th...
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  • Victor, Montana

    Hike to Bear Creek Overlook

    5.0
    5 mi / 1160 ft gain
    At the start of your hike, stay to left and meander your way through a shaded forest of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine.  Your steady uphill climb features about two dozen switchbacks with pockets of vibrant wildflowers and a meadow of fallen trees near the rim.  At the top, you'll be greeted with...
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  • Lancing, Tennessee

    Take in the View at Lilly Bluff Overlook

    5.0
    0.6 mi / 0 ft gain
    Honestly this is hard to even call a trail, but that doesn't mean it lacks beauty. Once you take the right or left of off ridge Ridge Road make sure to go past the first parking lot and into the second larger parking lot. The trail starts near the front of the parking lot on the right side of the...
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  • Caroga Lake, New York

    Kane Mountain Fire Tower

    4.2
    2.1 mi / 518 ft gain
    The Kane Mountain fire tower is one of the more frequented Adirondack towers due to the ease of the trail and its proximity to so many Caroga Lake camping areas. The short hike is family friendly and available year round, part of the trail doubles as a cross country skiing trail in fact. Driving...
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  • Jasper, Arkansas

    Hike to Steel Creek Overlook

    2.8 mi
    This hike begins at the popular Steel Creek Campground area along the Buffalo National River just outside of Ponca, Arkansas.  You can park anywhere in the grass just to the left where the pavement turns into gravel at the bottom of the hillside.  To reach the trailhead simply walk back up the ro...
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  • Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

    Photograph a Sunset from the North Rim Lodge

    0.5 mi
    I've read that only approximately 10% of Grand Canyon National Park visitors spend time at the North Rim, meaning the crowds are smaller in the most beautiful areas you can immerse yourself in without having to backpack to the bottom.This isn't so much of an adventure as it is the perfect way to ...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    North Lake via Independence Lake

    5.56 mi / 2431 ft gain
    North Lake is everything you could want in a subalpine lake: emerald green hues, cold, clear water, lots of brook trout and far from cell-phone reception. This backpack is perfect when the weather gets hot and sunny, though it does reside in what is known as “the wettest section of the Cascades,...
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  • Pacific Crest Trail, California

    Devils Kitchen Trail

    5.0
    5.06 mi / 525 ft gain
    Your hike to Devils Kitchen will start from Warner Valley Campground. The hike starts out thorough the valley and eventually winds through the forest and ends at the top of the Devils Kitchen site. You'll then hike down the hill a bit and get to explore the area! There are pretty specific walkin...
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