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

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

    Whalers Cove Loop

    4.3
    1.42 mi / 253 ft gain
    Point Lobos is one of the hidden gems of the California coast. Located just off of Route 1 right after Monterey, Point Lobos is a state park on the coast. The cost to explore inside is ten dollars, but so worth it. As you explore, be sure to hike around Whalers Cove, which is incredible at sunse...
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  • Jefferson, New Hampshire

    Hiking at Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge

    4.5
    As hiking in the White Mountain area goes, this is a pretty easy one. This is a family friendly hike along a rail trail and well maintained forest trails. The main attraction here isn't the difficultly. The main attraction here is the spectacular views and the abundant wildlife.This trail begi...
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  • Hudspeth County, Texas

    Gypsum Sand Dunes, Guadalupe Mountains NP

    5.0
    3.01 mi / 69 ft gain
    To get there, first talk to park ranger at the Pine Springs Visitor Center. There is a gate that you may need to borrow a key for. You will need to actually drive out of the park to get to the gypsum dunes, leaving and heading west on 62/180 for 14 miles and then take a right (head north) on priv...
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  • Rockville, Utah

    Camp off the Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway

    5.0
    9.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway is gorgeous 9.5 mile road that runs between Rockville near the entrance to Zion National Park and Apple Valley UT, and affords excellent places to camp & boondock *as long* as it is 0.5 miles from the road itself (and there are numerous turn offs). To get ...
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  • Bruneau, Idaho

    Hike the Bruneau Sand Dunes

    4.1
    3 mi / 470 ft gain
    Set off from the Bruneau Lake parking lot and circumnavigate the lake in a clockwise direction. The hike traverses small rolling dunes before beginning it's ascent of the big dune. The big dune rises 450 feet and it's loose sand is both entertaining to climb as well as a test of patience.The 360 ...
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  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Mammoth Hot Springs

    4.8
    4.04 mi / 633 ft gain
    These natural hot springs are crazy cool and very rare, which makes for an unforgettable trip. The hot springs are located right off of highway 89. With easy parking, restrooms and a town less than half a mile up the road this location is very convenient. The area provides boardwalks which makes ...
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  • Baker, Nevada

    Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin NP

    3.5
    Located on the Nevada/Utah border about 4 hours from Salt Lake City, it's a hidden gem! Wheeler Peak is Nevada's second highest mountain at just over 13000ft and provides the backbone of the park. A beautiful winding road takes you almost to the top of Wheeler from the bottom of the valley (arou...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Waterton Lakes via Packers Roost

    5.0
    22.15 mi / 4596 ft gain
    Day 1: This gorgeous backpacking adventure begins at the Packer's Roost trailhead, which is almost halfway between West and East Glacier on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This trailhead is marked on the highway before you get to the "Loop." It's a quick left turn so keep your eyes peeled as you pass ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Loop

    4.0
    1.8 mi / 262 ft gain
    Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is managed as part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and consists of 227 acres of beautiful Hill Country woodlands owned jointly by Travis County (164.4 acres) and St. Edwards University (62.6 acres). Wild Basin is open to visitors who can hike the 2.5 miles of t...
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  • Altadena, California

    Thalehaha Falls

    1.71 mi / 679 ft gain
    The trails starts in a foothill neighborhood of Altadena CA at the corner of Pleasantridge Dr. and Rubio Vista Rd. This is one of the better entries into the Angeles National Forest because it is one of the lesser known. Find a place to park on the street and head out on the trail into Rubio Cany...
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  • Del Rio, Tennessee

    Max Patch Mountain

    5.0
    1.51 mi / 315 ft gain
    Max Patch Mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family (and ...
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  • San Bernardino County, California

    Aztec Falls

    3.3
    1.23 mi / 16 ft gain
    From Lake Arrowhead, take the 173 to Hook Creek Road until you dead end onto Squint Ranch Road. Take a right at the first fork in the road, and park in the lot for Splinters Cabin. The dirt road can be a bit rocky and might not be the best for small cars. Once you're there, be sure to display you...
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  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Old Faithful

    4.3
    0.69 mi / 72 ft gain
    Starting at the Old Faithful Lodge, which is a sight to see in itself, several trails start out heading away the actual Old Faithful geyser. You can take either one as they form a loop so you will eventually end up back where you started. It is a combination of dirt trails and wooden walkways tha...
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  • Buchanan, Virginia

    Hike to Apple Orchard Falls

    3.8
    5.6 mi / 1000 ft gain
    There are a few different ways that you can do this hike. One way is to start at the North Creek campground (37.54244, -79.58531) and do a loop hike that's about 6 miles, which will take you to the falls up along a stream with some swimming holes and nice campsites. I did it the other way, which ...
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  • Teller County, Colorado

    Backpack to the Abandoned Skagway Power Plant and Ghost Town

    3.8
    10 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Construction of the Skagway Plant began in 1899 and was complete in 1901. In 1965, 15 days of rain brought floods washing out a lot of the pipeline and other infrastructure. Fixing the power plant didn’t make sense and funds weren’t in place. The land was reverted to the government. The hike b...
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  • Roan Mountain, Tennessee

    Jane Bald via Appalachian Trail

    4.8
    2.64 mi / 581 ft gain
    This journey begins at Carvers Gap, on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. At a beginning elevation of 5512 ft. you will cross the road from the parking area to the trailhead, on the Appalachian Trail, northbound. The trail climbs gently through grasslands and rhododendron before enter...
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