22+ Awesome Hiking Spots in North America’s Parks

A classic hike in Yosemite which gets crowded in the summer for good reason. A permit is necessary for Half Dome so make sure to plan ahead if you intend to go that far. Consider doing this hike in spring as there will be less people and the snowmelt will create more mist. The trail is carved into rocks close to the plunging Merced River. As you ascend Yosemite’s unique glaciated geology spreads out around you. Stock up on snacks in Yosemite Village before heading off.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

 Capitol Reef National ParkWayne County, United StatesThe waterpocket fold is immense but you can’t really appreciate it from the ground. Lots of great hiking, good BLM #camping nearby. #nationalpark #desert #hiking

Sixty-five million years ago, the same immense forces that lifted the Colorado Plateau and shaped so much of the American Southwest created a unique feature known as the Waterpocket Fold. Today, Capitol Reef National Park is home to this gargantuan monocline — a “geological wrinkle on Earth” — which stretches 100 miles long, running roughly north to south down the center of Southern Utah, and forms the backbone of the park. Dotted along its path are sandstone domes, ridges (or “reefs,” hence the park’s name), gorges, canyons, meadows, arches, and bridges, giving this slender strip of our planet a seriously high concentration of awesomeness.

Dante’s View, Death Valley National Park, California

Photo: nikkivargas

If you want to get the best view of Death Valley then you need to head over to Dante’s View, the highest point in Death Valley standing at 5,000 feet. It’s easy enough to get to Dante’s View by car and then take a 5-minute walk to the peak where you’ll spot salt pans down below and the banded canyons and rising mountains in the distance.

Steamboat Rock State Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado

 Steamboat RockMoffat County, United StatesIt was well worth the drive out to #EchoPark Campground for the night. I had a slight issue getting out of the campground in the morning due to some rain but I made it. Note to self, take park services advice when they say the road is impassible when wet.
#campground #nationalpark #camping #hiking

The rock covers 600 acres and the trail that ascends from the base of the rock to the somewhat flat top affords hikers incredible views of the surrounding area after an initially steep ascent.

Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California

 Lower Yosemite FallsYosemite Valley, United States#hiking #beautiful #unitedstates #yosemite #nationalpark

This short, easy walk rewards with spectacular views of both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. This paved loop trail offers different vantage points of Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Creek.

Sequoia National Park, California

 Sequoia National ParkThree Rivers, United StatesYou’ll feel very small. #nationalpark #hiking #camping

Little Lakes Valley Trailhead, Inyo National Forest, California

 Little Lakes Valley Trailhead (Gem Lakes)Bishop, United StatesGreat short hike to #BoxLake in #LittleLakes valley #Inyo #nationalpark
We camped here two nights, caught lots of fish and were blown away by the good weather and great views.

Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes is a 6.9 mile out and back trail located near Bishop, California.

Jenny Lake, The Tetons, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

 Jenny LakeAlta, United StatesThe Tetons @ Jenny Lake. Hot damn. Everywhere in this park is stunning. #nationalpark

Covering roughly 1191 acres, glacially-carved Jenny Lake is the second largest lake in Grand Teton National Park. At 423 feet it’s also one of the deepest.

 Grand Teton National ParkWest Yellowstone, United StatesJUST LOOK. Holy cow. #photography #hiking #nationalpark

Bechler River Trail, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

 Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park, United StatesDefinitely two thumbs up. #photography #hiking #nationalpark

Bechler River Trail has everything people come to Yellowstone Park for wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, picturesque river canyons, and great fishing. It is also one of the least visited areas of the park. That said, don’t leave getting your backcountry permits until the last second.

Camping is limited to established campsites and there aren’t many. It is also one of the least strenuous trails in the Rockies, being flat or a slight decline for most of its substantial length. It’s flat grade turns boggy in some areas, making it almost impassable until early August.

Madison Junction Campground, Yellowstone National Park

 Madison Junction CampgroundYellowstone National Park, United StatesCamping at Madison campground is the perfect location to discover bison right at your doorstep.
Take a 1-minute walk to Madison River, perfect for photography opportunities for landscape and wildlife.
The campground has flushable toilets and potable water.
It’s a great location and perfect for families.
#camping #hiking #photography #wildlife #yellowstone #familyfriendly #adventure #vacation #nationalpark

Muir Woods National Monument, California

 Muir Woods National MonumentMill Valley, United StatesI love visiting national parks when traveling and this is one of my favorites. A walk in the woods among redwoods is absolutely breathtaking! Highly recommend to stop by here if you are in #sanfrancisco #muirwoods #nationalpark #redwoods

Muir Woods is a short drive (12 miles) north from San Francisco and is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This area has 6 miles of trails. There is a 1/2 hour loop, a 1 hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop as well as longer hikes on trails that extend into surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

 Crater Lake National ParkKlamath County, United StatesMount Mazama blew up 7,000 years ago, and now we have this bad boy. Utterly incredible. Definitely bring your wide angle lens. #nationalpark #hiking #photography

Check out the deepest lake in the US, at Crater Lake National Park, which reaches 1,943 feet or so at its deepest

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

 Mount Rainier National ParkAshford, United StatesThere is no other mountain (actually a dormant volcano!) in the Pacific Northwest as majestic as Rainier. Just a few hours drive from Seattle – Rainier is perfect for a day trip or a full on summit expedition. #hiking #camping #climbing #nationalpark

14,411 foot-high Mount Rainier is visible from Seattle, but climbing it is no easy undertaking. It requires travel on the largest glacier in the Lower 48 and advanced technical knowledge.
As the fifth-tallest mountain in the Lower 48, Rainer’s shadow has landscapes that include roaring rivers, vibrant meadows dotted with wildflowers, and jagged snow-capped peaks. Most hikers take nine or more days to complete the trail in its entirety, and the steep terrain suggests that training beforehand is wise. Still, there is probably no better place in America to get a “big mountain” experience with such a short approach.

For more information on climbing Mount Rainier, try the National Park Service trail descriptions or the Summit Post.