Best National Parks for Hiking: Top Trails and Routes

Why National Parks Are America's Best Hiking Destinations

National parks preserve the most extraordinary landscapes in the country — and the best way to experience them is on foot. From slot canyons to alpine ridges, the best national parks for hiking offer trails that range from easy strolls to iconic endurance challenges. Here are five parks with trail systems that make them worth the trip for hikers alone.

Zion National Park — The Narrows and Angels Landing

Zion is a hiking park. The canyon walls rise 2,000+ feet on either side of you, and the trails are as dramatic as the landscape. Two trails in particular have made Zion a bucket-list destination.

The Narrows

Distance: Bottom-up hikers typically go 4–10 miles round trip (up to 16 miles for a through-hike)
Difficulty: Strenuous — you're wading in the Virgin River for most of the hike
Key info: Water levels vary; check the current flow rate at the visitor center. A river hiking setup with neoprene socks and canyoneering boots is essential, especially in spring and fall
Permits: Required for top-down through-hikes; not required for bottom-up day hikes

The Narrows is arguably the most unique hike in the national park system. You're literally walking through the river in a slot canyon with walls soaring hundreds of feet overhead. Every bend reveals another jaw-dropping corridor.

Angels Landing

Distance: Approximately 5.4 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous — 1,488 feet of elevation gain, with exposed chain-assisted scrambling
Permits: Required since 2022; apply via lottery on recreation.gov
Tips: Start before 8 AM to beat heat and crowds. Not recommended for anyone with fear of heights

Find lodging near Zion — Springdale is the closest town with shuttle access.

Yosemite National Park — Half Dome and Mist Trail

Yosemite is the birthplace of American rock climbing and home to some of the most famous hiking terrain on Earth. The valley's granite walls draw hikers from around the world.

Half Dome

Distance: Approximately 14–16 miles round trip
Difficulty: Extremely strenuous — 4,800+ feet of elevation gain ending in cable-assisted scrambling
Permits: Required; lottery application typically opens in March for the summer season
Key info: The cables are typically installed from late May through mid-October. Carry a harness and leash system for added safety on the cables
Water: Carry at least 3–4 liters; the only reliable water is at the base of the subdome

Half Dome is a rite of passage. The final 400-foot ascent up the granite dome uses permanent cables as handrails — an experience that's both terrifying and exhilarating.

Mist Trail

Distance: Approximately 3 miles round trip to the top of Vernal Fall; approximately 5.4 miles round trip to Nevada Fall
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous — steep granite stairs, wet conditions
Season: Best in spring and early summer when the falls are at peak flow
Tips: You will get wet. Bring a rain jacket and waterproof your electronics

The Mist Trail is Yosemite's most popular hike for good reason — the spray from Vernal Fall creates a natural air-conditioning system on the steep granite staircase.

Glacier National Park — Highline Trail

Glacier is hiking paradise. Over 700 miles of trails cross the Crown of the Continent, but one trail stands above all others.

Highline Trail

Distance: Approximately 11.6 miles one way to the Granite Park Chalet (with the Loop Trail return); approximately 15 miles for the full route including the Garden Wall
Difficulty: Strenuous — extended alpine terrain with significant exposure
Season: Typically July through September (depends on snowmelt)
Key info: The trail begins at Logan Pass and follows the Garden Wall along the Continental Divide. Views are absolutely staggering
Wildlife: Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and grizzly bears are all possible encounters — carry bear spray and know how to use it

The Highline Trail is widely considered one of the finest day hikes in the national park system. You traverse alpine meadows along the Continental Divide with peaks rising on both sides. The views never stop.

Book Glacier lodging — in-park options like Many Glacier Hotel are within walking distance of trailheads.

Grand Canyon National Park — Rim-to-Rim

The Grand Canyon can be admired from above, but to truly experience it you need to go down into it. Rim-to-rim hiking is one of the most demanding — and rewarding — day hikes in the national park system.

Rim-to-Rim (North Kaibab + Bright Angel or South Kaibab)

Distance: Approximately 21 miles (South Kaibab to North Kaibab) to approximately 24 miles (via Bright Angel)
Difficulty: Extremely strenuous — over 10,000 feet of elevation change
Permits: Not required for day hikes; required for overnight camping
Season: Best in May or October; summer temperatures inside the canyon can exceed 110°F
Key rules: Do NOT attempt as a day hike unless you are an experienced, fit hiker. Most people do it as a 2-day backpacking trip or arrange a rim-to-rim shuttle

The canyon is deceptive — going down is easy. Coming back up — with temperatures increasing as you descend — is where hikers get into trouble. Carry far more water than you think you need.

Grand Teton National Park — Cascade Canyon

Grand Teton offers some of the most rugged alpine scenery in the Lower 48, and Cascade Canyon is the perfect introduction.

Cascade Canyon Trail

Distance: Approximately 9–13 miles round trip (depending on whether you continue to Lake Solitude)
Difficulty: Moderate — relatively flat once you reach the canyon
Access: Begin by taking the Jenny Lake shuttle boat (or hike 2 miles around the lake)
Wildlife: Moose are frequently spotted in the canyon; bear sightings are possible
Season: Late June through September

The trail starts at Inspiration Point and enters a dramatic canyon flanked by towering peaks. It's one of the most scenic moderate hikes in any national park.

Essential Hiking Gear for National Parks

Water system — Carry a hydration pack with at least 2L capacity; more for desert hikes
Footwear — Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support for rocky trails
Navigation — Download trail maps on AllTrails or carry paper maps; cell service is unreliable in most parks
Safety — Bear spray for parks in grizzly country; first aid kit always
Sun protection — Hat, sunscreen, and UPF-rated clothing

Plan Your Hiking Adventure

From the slot canyons of Zion to the alpine ridges of Glacier, America's national parks offer hiking experiences found nowhere else on Earth. Pick a trail that matches your fitness level, prepare properly, and you'll understand why these parks inspire such devotion.

👉 Ready to find your next trail? Check out our complete guide to the best national parks for hikers of every level.