7 Hikes Near Urban Centers to Get Your Nature Fix
Ready for some nature?
No matter where you live—city or country, farmhouse or skyscraper—life feels better when you get to spend a bit of time in nature.
For those who live in the city, finding places to explore can sometimes feel like a daunting task. But it doesn't need to be. Here at The Outbound, we have yet to find an urban area that doesn't have a great hiking trail within an hour or two of downtown.
While you're out of the city, why not make a weekend of it? KOA has a nationwide network of campgrounds that are perfect for spending a night under the stars. So grab your family, your dog, and your tent or RV, and book a night at one of KOA's 500+ campgrounds across North America.
Ready to explore? Here are a few of our favorite hikes close to major cities.
New York City
Photo by Grant
Panoramic views of the Hudson River await on this gentle, 5.4-mile loop just 30 minutes from Manhattan. The Huyler's Landing/Closter Dock route follows a fire road, passes historic Kearney House, runs along the shore of the river, and climbs to a viewpoint where you can see the city across the Hudson. Did we mention that parking is free? Talk about a great find.
Chicago
Photo by Jon Mattrisch
Hop across state lines to check out the scenic Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park, right along the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. Wander beneath towering trees and past flowing streams while crossing over seven bridges in this city park. Admission is free, and when you're done hiking, you can enjoy a picnic lunch on Grant Park's sandy waterfront.
KOA campgrounds in Illinois and Wisconsin
Denver
Photo by Jennifer Broome
The Colorado Front Range's iconic red rock formations are on display at Matthews / Winters Park in Golden. Get a spectacular view by climbing up the switchbacks up the Morrison Slide. From the top, you'll lay your eyes on the Plains to the east, Denver in the distance, and Hogback Ridge. If that doesn't give you your nature fix, there are more miles of trails to explore within the park.
San Francisco
Photo by Joshua Scruggs
Keep your eye open for the endemic Tule elk while on the scenic 9.5-mile out-and-bike hike to Tomales Point. Located in Point Reyes National Seashore, the hike has spectacular views of northern California's rocky coastline. Be sure to stop by the town of Point Reyes after your hike for a ginger cookie from Bovine Bakery and a pat of cheese from Cowgirl Creamery.
Los Angeles
Photo by Mark Garcia
Leave city cares behind with this leg-busting route up San Gabriel Peak, one of the highest mountains in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Climb over 1,000-feet elevation in 1.5 miles to the top of the 6,000-foot peak, which offers a panoramic view of the mountain range and the Los Angeles Basin. The trail is dog-friendly, too.
Houston
Photo by Bryan Young
Get some miles under your soles on the 10-mile Four Notch Loop Trail in the Sam Houston National Forest, just an hour from downtown Houston. This route meanders through tall pine trees and climbs up and down creek ravines, though the majority of the trail is flat and relaxing. Part of this loop follows a section of the Lone Star Trail, which stretches for 140-miles through the National Forest.
Phoenix
Photo by Laura Hill
Pack the kids in the car and head to the beautiful Marcus Landslide Trail in North Scottsdale. Located in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, this 4-mile loop hike features unique rock formations, historic signs, and plentiful Sonoran desert plant life.
Cover photo by Sara Sheehy
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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