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Looking for the best hiking trails in the US where you can also catch some amazing views? Here is our guide to amazing hikes with incredible scenery.
Do you crave to discover new places for hiking? Nature has lots of hidden gems, and it’s up to us to discover them. There are thousands of amazing places to hike as you wander. Here is our list of the best hiking trails in the US that offer incredible scenery as you hike—and a few hiking safety tips to get you started.
Preparing for a Safe Hike
Hiking is no joke, you can ask any experienced hiker. You need to be well prepared to have the time of your life, otherwise, you’ll end up tired, sweaty, and frustrated. But, what better way to learn than from your own mistakes?
Hiking is great fun but be sure you prepare before you set out on your hike. Photo by leszekglasner via iStock by Getty Images
There are several important things you must remember before every hike:
Take enough food and water with you. A good rule, especially if the place where you hike has no drinkable water, is to bring one more bottle of water with you than you originally planned.
Always bring an extra pair of clothes.
Pack a lighter.
Take a tent and a comfortable sleeping bag. We recommend investing in light synthetic sleeping bags, that are extremely easy to carry and fit in your backpack.
Remember to pack enough water and we recommend a lightweight sleeping bag. Photo via Unsplash via CC0 Public Domain
Best Hiking Trails in the US with Incredible Scenery
Once you’re prepared with the right gear, you can set out on your hike. There are so many incredible hikes across the US, but these are a few of our favorites—each with incredible scenery to boot.
Penobscot and Sargent Mountains, Maine
Two summits, rocky terrain, and lots of crystal clear ponds. If that’s your thing, then hiking Penobscot Mountain and Sargent Mountain is ideal for you. Once you start the hike, you’ll have around 5.4 miles ahead of you, until you reach the final destination.
Penobscot Mountain is in Acadia National Park in the Maine North Woods. Photo by zrfphoto via iStock by Getty Images
There are some wonderful sights along the way, so you’ll be stopping a lot during the hike to just look at the nature in front of you. Maine has some of the best hiking trails, many of them quite remote. You’ll also find plenty of other things to do in Maine, both before and after your hike.
Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota
We definitely recommend you visit Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota during the fall. This is the time of year you’ll find the perfect hiking temperature along with the warm autumn sun. The crunching of the leaves under your feet will remain in your memories forever.
Entry to an old train tunnel on the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota. Photo by SamWagnerTimelapse via iStock by Getty Images
You can walk every inch of the 18 miles in front of you, occasionally setting up a campsite along the way to stay the night and enjoy the experience even more. You’ll see several small lakes, cliffs, and birch groves along the Superior Hiking Trail. Be sure to see more great things to do when you visit Minnesota.
Mount Rogers, Virginia
Mount Rogers in Virginia offers the perfect combination of dense forests, and open spaces to gaze at everything nature offers. You can start the hike at Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park, and there will be a 4.5-mile trail ahead of you. Just enough to take a few short stops in places where you can see everything around you, and below you.
Blue ridge mountain layers seen from Mt. Rogers near Grayson Highlands in southwestern Virginia. Photo by Eifel Kreutz via iStock by Getty Images
There are some perfect places where you can sit and relax along the way, but if you want to see some incredible scenery, you should do it before reaching the summit. The summit is covered in a dense forest with pine trees. The views along the Mount Rogers trail are extraordinary and you’ll be inspired by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be sure to check out more great places to visit during your visit to Virginia.
Observation Point, Utah
Observation Point is located inside Zion National Park. You’ll be climbing up to an elevation of 6,521 feet. The 8-mile roundtrip hike is strenuous, so make sure you’re prepared, have hiking experience, and take plenty of water with you. It is one of the most dramatic hikes, filled with perfect scenes that nature lays in front of you.
All of your efforts will be rewarded at the end of the trail, where you can see Zion Canyon in front of you, making this one of the best hiking trails in the US with incredible scenery. Utah has some incredible experiences awaiting and we offer great ideas on what you can see and do during your visit to Utah.
The panoramic view of Zion Canyon makes this a memorable hike. Photo by bluejayphoto via iStock by Getty Images
Nankoweap Trail, Arizona
Nankoweap Trail is one of the most challenging trails of the Grand Canyon, and experienced hikers work hard on this trail. It’s definitely not for inexperienced hikers, but it is a treat for adrenaline lovers. There are lots of switchbacks through sandstone cliffs and steep Redwall limestone on this 29.2-mile brutal trail. Once you get to the bottom of it, you’ll be in front of the river.
The view in front of you once you set up the campsite is extraordinary. You’ll be seeing the river in front of you, complemented by the huge canyon surrounding it. The sense of freedom is indescribable. Be sure to check out Wander for more great things to do in Arizona.
Tillamook Head Trail, Oregon
William Clark climbed Tillamook Head Trail in 1806, and he said it was the most pleasing place his eyes had ever seen. The place stays true to his words even to this day. To get yourself to the final destination that will be a feast for your eyes, you must traverse the 6.3-mile trail. It is filled with amazing scenery along the way. This is a moderate trail, often crowded during the summer, and reaches a height of 1,165 feet. Be sure to check the weather conditions before you start the hike.
Tillamook Head Trail is located in Ecola State Park and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking ocean views, making this one of the best hiking trails in the US. Be sure to check out Wander for more of our suggestions of things to do in Oregon.
The Oregon Coast at Ecola State Park, near Tillamook Head and Cannon Beach, Oregon. Photo by Brian Huntoon via iStock by Getty Images
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