Hiking in the USA: Breathtaking 25 Best Hiking Trails in the USA

The best hiking trails in the USA, the names American hikers mention again and again, are Angels Landing and The Narrows in Zion, the Highline in Glacier, Half Dome in Yosemite, the Kalalau on Kauai. This guide covers 25 of the finest day hikes and short overnight routes in the USA, from a one-hour forest loop in the Olympic rainforest to the 22-mile climb of Mount Whitney. Each card gives you distance, elevation gain, the season when the trail is safely open, the permit situation and the mistake first-timers make.

Planning more of the trip? Start with our guide to the most famous landmarks in the USA.

We focused on day hikes and short trips you can fit into a wider holiday. Multi-month routes such as the Appalachian Trail are a different kind of journey. If you plan to drive between parks, our guide to the best road trips in the USA shows how to link several of these trailheads in one loop, and our round-up of the world’s most beautiful national parks puts the American parks in global context.

How we picked these 25 trails: Every trail here is on public land, marked, and reachable by a normal rental car. We balanced famous routes with quieter alternatives, covered every major region from Maine to Hawaii, and graded each one from easy to very strenuous. Distances and elevation gains are rounded round-trip figures from park information; trails get rerouted, so check the current park page before you go. Permit systems were reviewed in October 2026.

• Trails ranked: 25
• States covered: 13
• Distance range: 0.8–22 mi
• Need a permit or reservation: 6

Quick comparison of the best hiking trails in the USA

Distances are round trip unless noted. Difficulty assumes a reasonably fit adult hiking in good conditions.

Read this before any big hike in the us: Summer heat in Utah and Arizona kills hikers every year. In the Grand Canyon, the rule is simple: going down is optional, coming back up is mandatory, and it takes about twice as long. Start at dawn, carry more water than you think you need, and turn around at a fixed time.

Flash floods close slot canyons such as The Narrows with little warning. Check the park’s flash-flood forecast on the morning of your hike. In grizzly country (Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Alaska) carry bear spray within reach and know how to use it.

25 best hiking trails in the USA: full trail guide

The 25 trails below run from short, well-marked walks such as the Hall of Mosses and Delicate Arch to Mount Whitney, the hardest at about 22 miles and 6,100 feet of climbing. Angels Landing, Half Dome, Mount Whitney, Old Rag and the Kalalau Trail need permits or reservations, mostly on Recreation.gov.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park

Angels Landing is the most iconic hike in Zion, famous for its chains and sheer exposure, and the one that put the park on every hiker’s list. The trail climbs the West Rim Trail through Refrigerator Canyon and up Walter’s Wiggles, a set of 21 tight switchbacks, to Scout Lookout. The last half mile follows a narrow fin of sandstone with chains bolted into the rock and drops of more than 1,000 feet on both sides. The view from the top over the Virgin River and the canyon walls is one of the finest in the country.

Since 2022 a permit is required for the chained section, issued by seasonal and day-before lotteries on Recreation.gov. Without one you can still hike to Scout Lookout, which already gives a spectacular view.

This is not a hike for anyone with a fear of heights, and it is closed in practice when the rock is wet or icy. Go early: the shuttle and the chains get crowded by mid-morning.

• Distance: About 5.4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 1,500 feet
• Best season: March to May; September to November
• Permit: Lottery for the chains section

Wear shoes with sticky rubber and keep both hands free. If the wind picks up on the fin, turn back.

The Narrows, Zion National Park

The best river hike on this list is a wade through a slot canyon: The Narrows follows the Virgin River itself, between canyon walls that rise up to 1,000 feet and close in to about 20 to 30 feet apart at Wall Street. Starting from the Temple of Sinawava, the end of the shuttle road, a paved mile along the Riverside Walk leads to the point where the trail becomes the river. From there you wade, sometimes knee-deep and occasionally deeper, over slippery rounded stones.

Most day hikers go as far as Wall Street and Orderville Canyon and turn around. Outfitters in Springdale rent canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks and a walking stick, which make a huge difference on the slick rocks.

The park closes The Narrows when the river flow is too high (often in spring snowmelt) and whenever flash flood risk is significant. Always check conditions at the visitor centre that morning.

• Distance: Up to about 9 miles round trip to Big Spring
• Elevation gain: Minimal
• Best season: Late June to September (watch for monsoon storms)
• Permit: Not for bottom-up day hikes

Rent canyoneering boots in Springdale the evening before so you can catch the first shuttle.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

Half Dome is Yosemite’s biggest day-hike challenge, on granite almost all the way: a long climb from Happy Isles past Vernal and Nevada Falls, through Little Yosemite Valley and up the granite shoulder of Sub Dome, then the final 400 feet up steel cables bolted to the smooth rock. The summit is broad and flat, with a view straight down to Yosemite Valley and across to Clouds Rest.

Permits for the cables are allocated by a preseason lottery in March plus daily lotteries during the season. The cables are normally up from late May to early October, depending on conditions.

The round trip takes most hikers 10 to 14 hours. Start before dawn, carry a headlamp, and do not go onto the cables if there is any sign of thunderstorms: lightning has killed people there.

• Distance: 14 to 16 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 4,800 feet
• Best season: Late May to early October (cables up)
• Permit: Lottery for the cables

Bring grippy gloves for the cables. Set a fixed turnaround time and keep to it, summit or no summit.

Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park

For waterfalls, our pick is the Mist Trail, the classic park hike that climbs granite steps and does not need a permit. From Happy Isles, a paved path climbs to the footbridge below Vernal Fall, then turns into a staircase of more than 600 granite steps beside the falls. In spring the spray soaks hikers and rainbows form in the mist. At the top, the Emerald Pool sits above the falls, and you can continue to the top of Nevada Fall and loop back on the John Muir Trail.

To the top of Vernal Fall is about 3 miles round trip; the Nevada Fall loop is about 7. Both are steep but short enough for a morning.

The steps are wet and slippery in spring, and swimming above the falls is extremely dangerous: people have been swept over. Stay behind the railings.

• Distance: About 3 miles (Vernal) or 7 miles (Nevada loop)
• Elevation gain: 1,000 to 2,000 feet
• Best season: April to June for big flows
• Permit: None; check park entry reservation rules

Wear a rain jacket in May and June. Go down via the John Muir Trail if your knees prefer gentle switchbacks.

Mount Whitney, California

At 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States, a true alpine climb, and a strong hiker can reach it in one long day from Whitney Portal near Lone Pine. The trail is well built, climbing past alpine lakes to the 99 switchbacks and Trail Crest, then along the ridge to the stone hut on the summit.

Day and overnight permits are issued through a lottery on Recreation.gov, with applications early in the year. Many hikers acclimatise for a night or two at Whitney Portal or Horseshoe Meadow before the attempt.

Altitude sickness is the main danger. Headaches and nausea are signs to turn around. Snow and ice can linger on the switchbacks into early summer.

• Distance: About 22 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 6,100 feet
• Best season: July to September
• Permit: Lottery (day and overnight)

Most day hikers start between 2 and 4 a.m. Carry a water filter: there are several lakes to refill from.

Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon

The best canyon descent in the park, the Bright Angel Trail drops toward the inner gorge from Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim into the canyon along an ancient route. Resthouses at 1.5 and 3 miles have shade and seasonal water, which makes them natural turnaround points for a half-day hike. Beyond, the trail reaches Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Garden) at about 4.5 miles, and Plateau Point, with its view down to the Colorado River, at about 6 miles.

The South Kaibab Trail, nearby, is steeper with no water, but its views from Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge are wider. Many hikers go down one and up the other.

Rangers strongly warn against hiking to the river and back in one day, especially in summer, when inner-canyon temperatures can pass 40°C. Plan double the time for the climb back up.

• Distance: 3 to 12 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 1,100 to 3,000 feet (on the way back)
• Best season: March to May; October to November
• Permit: None for day hikes

Eat salty snacks as well as drinking water. Hyponatremia (too much water, too little salt) is common here.

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Delicate Arch is the free-standing arch on Utah’s licence plates, and the slickrock hike to it is short, rewarding and at its best around sunset. The trail starts near Wolfe Ranch, crosses open slickrock with little shade, and ends with a ledge cut into the cliff that suddenly opens onto the arch, framed against the La Sal Mountains.

At sunset the arch glows orange, and dozens of photographers line the bowl in front of it. Sunrise is quieter. Petroglyphs near the trailhead are worth a few minutes on the way.

In summer the slickrock bakes in the afternoon. Carry at least two litres of water each. Arches has used a timed-entry system in recent seasons, so check the current entry rules before you arrive.

• Distance: About 3.2 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 630 feet
• Best season: March to May; September to October
• Permit: None; check timed-entry rules

Arrive an hour before sunset and bring a headlamp for the walk back across the slickrock.

Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop, Bryce Canyon

Families looking for the best hoodoo walk should start here. Bryce Canyon is a natural amphitheatre filled with orange and white stone spires called hoodoos, and this combined loop is the best way to walk among them. Start at Sunrise Point, descend the gentle Queen’s Garden Trail past a hoodoo said to look like Queen Victoria, then climb out via the Navajo Loop through Wall Street, a narrow canyon of tall walls and Douglas firs.

The loop is short, and most families with older children manage it easily. Combine it with the rim walk between Sunrise and Sunset Points for a longer outing.

Bryce sits at around 8,000 to 9,000 feet, so the climb out feels harder than it looks. Parts of the Navajo Loop close after rockfalls or in winter; check which side is open.

• Distance: About 2.9 miles loop
• Elevation gain: About 600 feet
• Best season: May to October; winter for snow on hoodoos
• Permit: None

Visit in winter for the rare sight of snow on red hoodoos, with traction devices for icy sections.

Highline Trail, Glacier National Park

Glacier’s best ridge walk, with alpine views and wildlife along the way, the Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and traverses the Garden Wall, a knife-edge ridge on the Continental Divide. The first stretch is a ledge with a hand cable; after that the trail stays high for miles, through wildflower meadows with views across the valley. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen close to the path.

At about 7.6 miles, Granite Park Chalet offers a rest stop. Most hikers then descend to The Loop on the road and take the park shuttle back up to Logan Pass, for about 11.8 miles in total.

The trail opens only when snow clears, often in July. Glacier has used vehicle reservations for the Going-to-the-Sun Road in recent summers; check the current system well ahead.

• Distance: About 11.8 miles one way (to The Loop)
• Elevation gain: About 1,950 feet, with more descent
• Best season: Mid-July to September
• Permit: None; road reservations may apply

Carry bear spray. Start early so you reach The Loop before the last shuttle.

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park

For the best glacier view in the park, start from the Many Glacier area; this trail climbs above Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, then up a cliffside path to the turquoise lake at the foot of Grinnell Glacier, one of the park’s remaining glaciers. Waterfalls spill across the trail, and grizzlies are regularly spotted on the slopes below.

The round trip is about 10 to 11 miles from the trailhead. You can shorten it by several miles by taking the boats across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, which also makes for a pleasant start.

The upper section opens only after snow melts, usually in mid-July. Rangers sometimes close the trail because of bear activity.

• Distance: About 10 to 11 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 1,600 to 1,800 feet
• Best season: Mid-July to September
• Permit: None

Reserve the Many Glacier boat crossing in advance on busy summer days.

Cascade Canyon, Grand Teton National Park

Cascade Canyon is the best introduction to the Tetons, with lakes, wildlife and the best moose country on this list. A shuttle boat crosses Jenny Lake from the south landing to the west shore, saving about two miles of walking. From there a short climb leads to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, and then the trail enters the canyon, a glacier-carved valley with Teewinot and the Grand Teton rising overhead.

The trail is gentle once inside the canyon, and moose often feed in the willows near the creek. Most hikers turn back at the fork, about 4.5 miles from the boat dock.

Inspiration Point is crowded by late morning. Take an early boat, or skip the boat and walk around the lake if you prefer solitude.

• Distance: About 9 to 10 miles round trip with the boat
• Elevation gain: About 1,100 feet
• Best season: Late June to September
• Permit: None for day hikes

Keep at least 25 yards from moose. A cow with a calf is more dangerous than most visitors expect.

Fairy Falls and Grand Prismatic Overlook, Yellowstone

Yellowstone’s best easy hike pairs geysers with a waterfall. The Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s most colourful hot spring, and the view from the boardwalk does not do it justice. This trail starts at the Fairy Falls trailhead south of Midway Geyser Basin, climbs gently to a viewing platform above the spring, and shows its full rainbow of orange, yellow and blue bands.

From the overlook, continue through a young lodgepole pine forest to Fairy Falls, a slender 200-foot waterfall. The walk is flat and easy, making it one of the best family hikes in the park.

The overlook is best on a sunny, warm afternoon, when the steam is thinner. On cold mornings, the spring is hidden in vapour.

• Distance: About 5 miles round trip (1.2 to the overlook)
• Elevation gain: About 200 feet
• Best season: June to September
• Permit: None

Time the overlook for the early afternoon. Stay on trails: the ground near thermal features is thin and scalding.

Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain National Park

Sky Pond, our pick for the best alpine lake hike with a short scramble, is a string of alpine lakes in a cirque below the Sharkstooth and Taylor Peak. From the Glacier Gorge trailhead, the trail passes Alberta Falls, then the Loch, a lake surrounded by pines and peaks. Above it, a short scramble beside Timberline Falls leads to Lake of Glass and finally Sky Pond, set against sheer cliffs.

The scramble up wet rocks beside the waterfall is the crux. Most hikers manage it with care, but it is no place for slick shoes.

Afternoon thunderstorms build almost daily in summer. Aim to be below the tree line by early afternoon. The park has used a timed-entry permit system in recent summers, so check current rules.

• Distance: About 9 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 1,700 feet
• Best season: July to September
• Permit: Check timed-entry rules

Start by 6 a.m. to beat both parking and storms at Glacier Gorge.

Skyline Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

Wildflower season is when this volcano trail shines. From Paradise, the Skyline Trail loops above the meadows on the south side of Mount Rainier. In late July and August, the slopes fill with lupine, paintbrush and avalanche lilies, with the glaciated volcano filling the sky above. Panorama Point at the top of the loop looks south to the Tatoosh Range and to Mount Adams, Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens on clear days.

Marmots whistle from the rocks, and the trail passes Myrtle Falls near the start. Many hikers do the loop clockwise to climb the steepest part first.

Snow lingers above Paradise well into July. Carry traction devices early in the season, and stay on the trail to protect the meadows.

• Distance: About 5.5 miles loop
• Elevation gain: About 1,700 feet
• Best season: Late July to September
• Permit: None

Visit on a weekday in early August for peak flowers and fewer cars in the Paradise lot.

Hall of Mosses, Olympic National Park

For an easy rainforest stroll, the Hoh is hard to beat: it is one of the few temperate rainforests in the United States, and the short Hall of Mosses loop is its showpiece. Bigleaf maples are draped in thick club moss, Sitka spruces tower overhead, and nurse logs sprout lines of young trees. It is short, flat and suitable for all ages.

If you want more, the Hoh River Trail continues for miles along the river through the forest, and elk often graze in the clearings.

Parking at the Hoh visitor centre is limited, and on summer weekends cars wait at the entrance. Arrive early or late in the day.

• Distance: About 0.8 miles loop
• Elevation gain: About 100 feet
• Best season: Year-round; driest July to September
• Permit: None

Rain is part of the experience. Bring a waterproof jacket and enjoy the green.

Cascade Pass, North Cascades National Park

For a quiet, uncrowded mountain hike among glaciers, look north. North Cascades is one of the least visited national parks in the lower 48, and Cascade Pass shows why that is a pity. The trail climbs through forest on a long series of gentle switchbacks, then crosses open meadows to the pass, where glaciers hang on the peaks all around and marmots sun themselves on the rocks.

Strong hikers continue to Sahale Arm for a view down to Doubtful Lake and up to the Sahale Glacier. The road to the trailhead is unpaved for the last stretch but passable for normal cars in summer.

The trailhead road opens only once snow clears, usually in early summer. Snowfields can linger on the trail into July.

• Distance: About 7.4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 1,800 feet
• Best season: Mid-July to September
• Permit: None for day hikes

Bring lunch to the pass and watch for pikas in the rocks. The park has no entrance fee.

Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords

Alaska’s best day hike, the Harding Icefield Trail climbs steeply from Exit Glacier near Seward to the edge of a 700-square-mile icefield, a white plain stretching to the horizon. The hike passes from cottonwood forest to alpine meadow to rock and snow, with views over Exit Glacier as it pours down the valley.

Black bears are commonly seen in the meadows, and mountain goats are often spotted on the rock faces. The view at the top, over a landscape that feels like an ice age, makes this one of the most dramatic day hikes in the country.

The trail gains about 1,000 feet per mile. Snow covers the upper section well into summer, and weather can change fast. Carry warm layers even in July.

• Distance: About 8.2 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 3,500 feet
• Best season: July to September
• Permit: None

Allow a full day and pack gloves and a windproof jacket for the top.

Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai, Kauai

The best coastal hike on this list, with a waterfall at the end, the Kalalau Trail follows the Nā Pali Coast on Kauai, where green cliffs plunge into the Pacific. The full trail runs 11 miles one way and needs a camping permit, but the first 2 miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach are open to day hikers with a Hā’ena State Park reservation. From the beach, a further 2 miles inland lead to Hanakapi’ai Falls, which drop about 300 feet into a pool.

The trail is muddy, rocky and steep in places. Views back along the coast from the first mile are among the most photographed in Hawaii.

Do not swim at Hanakapi’ai Beach: rip currents are powerful, and a sign at the beach counts the people who have drowned. Stream crossings become dangerous after heavy rain.

• Distance: 4 miles (beach) or 8 miles (falls) round trip
• Elevation gain: About 800 to 1,600 feet
• Best season: May to September (drier)
• Permit: Hā’ena State Park entry or parking reservation

Reservations for Hā’ena sell out weeks ahead. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.

Pīpīwai Trail, Haleakalā National Park

Bamboo forest and a waterfall are the draws on the Pīpīwai Trail, which starts at the Kīpahulu district of Haleakalā National Park, past Hana on Maui. It passes a huge banyan tree and an overlook of the 185-foot Makahiku Falls, then enters a bamboo forest so dense the stems knock together in the wind. The trail ends at Waimoku Falls, about 400 feet high, dropping down a sheer lava wall.

Boardwalks cover the muddiest parts of the bamboo forest. Combined with the drive along the Road to Hana, this makes a long but memorable day.

Do not swim in pools above waterfalls, and turn back if the streams are rising. Kīpahulu is a long drive from the rest of the park, and you cannot drive from the summit to it directly.

• Distance: About 4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 800 feet
• Best season: Year-round; mornings are clearer
• Permit: None; park entry fee

Stay a night in Hana to hike in the morning before day-trippers arrive.

Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park

Acadia’s iron-rung climb, with ocean views from the ladders, the Precipice Trail scales the east face of Champlain Mountain using iron rungs, ladders and narrow ledges. It is closer to a via ferrata than a hike, and the views over Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands reward every step. The loop returns via an easier trail on the back of the mountain.

The climb is short, but it is the most demanding trail in Acadia and not suitable for anyone uneasy with heights or for young children.

The trail is usually closed from spring to midsummer to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Check the park’s closure notices before you plan around it; the Beehive Trail nearby offers a shorter, similar experience when Precipice is closed.

• Distance: About 2.5 miles loop
• Elevation gain: About 1,000 feet
• Best season: August to October (after falcon closure)
• Permit: None; park entry fee

Never descend the Precipice: the rungs are designed for going up. Use the return trail.

Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire

No alpine summit on this list has tougher weather. Mount Washington, at 6,288 feet, is the highest peak in the north-eastern United States and is known for some of the worst weather on Earth. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail from Pinkham Notch climbs a glacial cirque with a famous headwall, then crosses boulder fields to the summit, which has a weather observatory, a cafeteria and the Cog Railway station.

On a clear day, the view stretches to the Atlantic and into Canada. Many hikers descend via the Lion Head Trail.

Weather on the summit can turn to fog, high winds and freezing temperatures even in summer. Carry winter layers, check the Higher Summits Forecast, and turn back if conditions deteriorate.

• Distance: About 8.4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 4,250 feet
• Best season: Late June to September
• Permit: None

Read the Higher Summits Forecast before setting off. Summer can bring winter conditions above the tree line.

Old Rag, Shenandoah National Park

Old Rag is the most popular hike in Shenandoah, one of the best on the East Coast and its best granite rock scramble. After a forest climb, the trail turns into a long rock scramble over and between granite boulders, squeezes through narrow cracks and ends at a summit with 360-degree views over the Blue Ridge.

The loop returns on a fire road through the woods. It is a full day for most hikers, and the scramble requires using your hands and pulling yourself up.

Since 2022, a day-use ticket is required to hike Old Rag from March to November, purchased in advance on Recreation.gov. Scramble sections create queues on weekends.

• Distance: About 9.4 miles loop
• Elevation gain: About 2,600 feet
• Best season: April to June; October for autumn colour
• Permit: Day-use ticket in season

Hike on a weekday in October for autumn colour without the weekend queues.

Alum Cave Trail to Mount Le Conte, Great Smoky Mountains

Our pick for the best hike in the Smokies, through old forest to a summit lodge, the Alum Cave Trail is the most scenic route up Mount Le Conte, the third-highest peak in the Smokies. It follows a stream through old forest, passes through Arch Rock (a natural tunnel with stone steps) and reaches Alum Cave Bluffs, a huge overhang, at about 2.3 miles.

From the bluffs, the trail continues along narrow ledges with cables to the summit, where LeConte Lodge offers rustic cabins reachable only on foot. Sunset at Cliff Tops near the lodge is a highlight.

The park requires a parking tag for any car stopped for more than 15 minutes. The trailhead lot fills early, especially in October.

• Distance: About 11 miles round trip (4.6 to the bluffs)
• Elevation gain: About 2,800 feet
• Best season: April to June; October
• Permit: Park parking tag

Book LeConte Lodge many months in advance for a night on the summit.

Devil’s Bridge, Sedona

Sedona’s best red-rock hike ends at Devil’s Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in the area and a classic at sunrise, and walking out onto it is the classic Sedona photo. The hike follows a dirt road and then a short, steep trail with rock steps to the arch, with views over the red-rock valley.

It is short and suits most active visitors, although the last section is steep. The arch is wide enough to walk across safely, but take care at the edges.

The line to take photos on the arch can be long by mid-morning. Sunrise is quieter. Parking at the trailheads is limited, and a free shuttle runs to some Sedona trailheads in season.

• Distance: About 4 miles round trip from the main trailhead
• Elevation gain: About 500 feet
• Best season: October to April
• Permit: Red Rock Pass for parking

Arrive before sunrise for the best light and no queue on the arch.

Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

The Emerald Lake trail from Bear Lake is the best short alpine hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, and an easy one for families. In just over 1.5 miles it passes three alpine lakes: Nymph Lake with its lily pads, Dream Lake with a view of Hallett Peak, and Emerald Lake at the foot of the cliffs.

It is ideal for families and visitors who are adjusting to the altitude, which is above 9,000 feet. Trout swim in Dream Lake, and the wind can whip up snow off the peaks even on a sunny day.

Bear Lake is the busiest trailhead in the park. Take the park shuttle or arrive very early. In winter, the trail becomes a popular snowshoe route.

• Distance: About 3.2 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: About 650 feet
• Best season: June to October; winter on snowshoes
• Permit: Check timed-entry rules

Use the Bear Lake shuttle. The car park fills at dawn in summer.

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Permits and lotteries for the most popular US trails

The trail cards above flag which hikes need a permit, but the timing is what catches most visitors out. The big lotteries close months before the hiking season starts, and a ranger at the trailhead will turn you back without the right permit on your phone or printed. All of the systems below run through Recreation.gov, so create an account well before the application window opens. Fees and dates below are as of October 2026; the agencies adjust them, so confirm on the official park page before you apply.

The Wave is not one of the 25 trails in this guide because so few people get in, but it comes up in almost every conversation about American permit hikes, so it is included here for planning. For the other permit trails in the list (Old Rag, the Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakapi’ai and timed entry at Rocky Mountain National Park), see each trail card for the current rule.

Three habits raise your chances. First, apply for weekdays, since weekday dates draw far fewer applications than Saturdays. Second, list several alternative dates where the form allows it. Third, if you miss the big lottery, build a flexible day into the itinerary and enter the last-minute draw for several days in a row. Without a permit you can still enjoy most of each hike: Scout Lookout below the Angels Landing chains and the Half Dome trail as far as the base of the subdome (where permit checks begin) both give big views without the restricted section.

How to plan a hiking trip in the USA

Pick a region and build the trip around it. The Utah parks (Zion, Bryce, Arches) and the Grand Canyon form a natural loop from Las Vegas. Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton suit a northern Rockies trip in July and August. Washington’s three parks (Rainier, Olympic, North Cascades) make a summer circuit from Seattle. Spring and autumn are best in the desert; high mountain trails are only snow-free from mid-July to September.

Most major national parks charge an entrance fee per vehicle, and an annual pass covers entry to all federal recreation sites. Since 1 January 2026, non-US residents pay an extra $100 per person at 11 of the busiest parks, including Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone and Acadia, and the annual pass costs $250 for non-residents against $80 for US residents (as of October 2026). Fees change, so check the National Park Service website before you travel. Popular parks have also added timed-entry or vehicle reservation systems in summer; book these as soon as they open.

For international visitors, rules for entering the US depend on your passport: many travellers can use the Visa Waiver Program with an ESTA approval, while others need a visitor visa. Check the official US government sites before booking. Fly into a hub such as Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle or San Francisco and rent a car; public transport rarely reaches trailheads. Search flights to the USA and compare hotels near the parks on bookingMentor.

Tips for hiking in America’s national parks

Book permits early, carry more water than you think and finish exposed climbs by midday. The big permit lotteries open months ahead, desert hikers should plan half a litre to a litre of water per hour in heat, and summer thunderstorms build over the Rockies most afternoons.

• Book permits and entries early. Angels Landing, Half Dome, Mount Whitney, Old Rag and the Kalalau Trail all use lotteries or reservations, mostly on Recreation.gov. Diary the opening dates months before your trip.
• Carry the right amount of water. Plan about half a litre to a litre per hour in heat. In the desert, carry it all from the start: springs are unreliable.
• Know your bear rules. In grizzly country, hike in groups, make noise and carry bear spray. Store all food in lockers or bear canisters at campsites.
• Respect afternoon storms. Thunderstorms build over the Rockies most summer afternoons. Start early and be off exposed summits by midday.
• Download maps offline. Phone signal disappears in most parks. Download offline maps and the park app before you lose coverage.
• Leave no trace. Stay on marked trails, pack out all rubbish, and never feed wildlife. Many meadows take decades to recover from a single footpath.

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