And the thing about the great outdoors is that they don’t even have to be that great. They can be small, understated, underrated, super popular, what have you. It could be a mountain, a trail, a pond, a lake, an ocean, your front porch, or just a really pretty cactus plant…as long as your outdoors gets you outside, that’s what matters 🙂 My favorite hikes in the beautiful USofA are outlined below so if you find yourself in these areas, DO THEM.
Long-sleeve
Layers
Angel’s Landing
Favorite daypack of the moment: Osprey Archeon 25L
Location: Zion National Park, UT
Distance: 4.1 miles, heavily trafficked, out-and-back trail
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1,617 ft
Why I love it: I love a little danger every now and then…and when I was told there were steep drop offs, narrow sections and chains, I was all in. Loads of switchbacks (kill me) will greet you, and the view at the top is GOOOOOD.
Check out a Road Trip: Zion National Park to the Grand Canyon for all the details of our 5-day nature-filled itinerary.
Pinnacle Mountain Trail
Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
Location: Little Rock, AR
Distance: 1.2 miles, heavily trafficked, out-and-back trail
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 728 ft
Why I love it: I grew up in the Natural State of Arkansas! While I didn’t get my love for the outdoors until I was a 20something, I’ve come to love this hike just outside of Little Rock in the past few years. I’ve seen all walks of life and every age hiking up and down this trail. Note that once you get near Marker 7, there’s a bit of a rock scramble. READ: Not great for dogs…we learned the hard way and had to carry Charlie Bucket!
For all your Arkansas planning, bookmark A Quick Guide to Exploring Arkansas!
Vernal & Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
Favorite hiking pants: Patagonia Skyline Pant
Location: Yosemite National Park, CA
Distance: 6.4 miles, heavily trafficked loop trail
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 2,191 ft
Why I love it: I felt like a kid on this trail! As you pass the waterfall portion(s), you get SOAKED. If the falls are really on (esp. in the springtime) bring a rain jacket… or just embrace it. *Slippery when wet* We ate lunch at the top of Nevada Falls, and it was Alex’s first time trying a pb&j sandwich(!). They do vegemite in Australia so don’t judge him…he just doesn’t know any better 😉 If you’re in the area, try out Upper Yosemite Falls next!
For more details, check out A Quick Guide to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park!
Devil’s Bridge
Favorite hiking sunnies: Goodr OG sunglasses
Location: Sedona, AZ
Distance: 4.2 miles, heavily trafficked, out-and-back trail
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 564 ft
Why I love it: Holy views! Red Rock country is stunning, and the largest natural sandstone arch in the area was so memorable. I could’ve stayed here for hours taking in the scene…but of course there are a few people who want their photo taken (obvi me included!) so onwards we went. Some scrambling and climbing is involved towards the end but nothing too strenuous. Go early or late and bring plenty of water + sunscreen! This goes for ALL hikes.
Learn more form my Road Trip: From Zion National Park to the Grand Canyon!
Wilson Peak 14er
Location: San Juan Mountains near Telluride, CO
Distance: 10 miles
Rating: Difficult, Class 3 climbing
Elevation Gain: 3,658 ft
Why I love it: Let me start by saying I didn’t exactly love this experience…until we summited. Circa 5am after just leaving the Rock of Ages trailhead, I was out of breath and low on oxygen…wondering what the actual HELL I got myself into. Then the sun rose and we were graced with a short period of flat-ish land again and all was well in the world. Then it was LOTS more climbing until the final summit which required just over 100 ft of rope. Turns out we summited in under 5 hours…but the wind and clouds sent off some alarm bells. We quickly made our escape and sooner rather than later, it started hailing. I’ve never felt so exposed in my life. There was nowhere – and I mean NOWHERE – to hide. Thank God for my helmet because when I finally made it to a bathtub that evening, bruises were already formed on my thighs! All of this to say…I’d do it again in a heartbeat 🙂
For continued Colorad reading, check out my Summer Guide to Telluride, CO.
I agree with Angels Landing! Can’t wait to explore your other hikes! Love following you Lesley… Long time fan 💞 Keep enjoying your Life! Thank you doll! 😁
Thank you for following along for all these years 🙂 Appreciate you so much!!
Zion & Yosemite hikes! I’ve done both several times and couldn’t agree with you more!!
Great job Leslie! 😊
Glad you loved them as much as I did! Such special places 🙂
Devil’s Bridge is one of my favorite hikes, too. The rest on this list I still have to explore.
The view from Devil’s Bridge is beyond STUNNING!
Living in AZ, I’ve done the Devil’s Bridge hike many times…it does offer some incredible views!! Sedona is just all around amazing to see/visit. Angel’s Landing in Zion is also spectacular. I still need to get to Yosemite! Thanks for this list. Always enjoy the travel experiences you share!
As an Arkansas native, who now resides in Cabot, we love the hike at Pinnacle. Arkansas has amazing places to hike and enjoy nature. I’m planning a trip to the PNW this fall and flying into Portland. I hope to get a few hikes in to include the coast near Canon Beach and Seaside, and also Mt. Hood area. Also planning a trip to Europe next summer with my daughter for her graduation. Can’t decide between Italy or Portugal and Spain! We are also debating a semi-guided tour or planning it and going on our own! I’m on a school teacher budget 🙂
So many mountains to climb. . . .I agree. . . .if you’re out there, if you’re breathing fresh air, don’t worry about gaining the most altitude or cataloging the steepest climb. And be careful on edges–the goal is always to get back down, not the best Instagram photo!
My favorites; stateside: Day hike in my own backyard at Mt. Rainier (from Paradise side) Skyline Trail past Panorama Point or (from Longmire) the easier Rampart Ridge, Comet Falls or (from Sunrise side) Fremont Fire Lookout from Sunrise side of the mountain. Hiking with that mountain as a companion is hard to beat. All hikes in Utah’s Big Five, but partial to going deep or high into Bryce Canyon NP; anything in Toulomne Meadows Yosemite NP.
My favorites (so far) international: Cradle Mountain hikes/climbs, Tazmania, Australia; Mount Frias, Argentinian Patagonia; Tongariro Crossing, NZ and Routeburn Track, NZ.
Being from Arkansas I thought for sure you would include The Ozark Highlands Trail or at least a portion of it. My favorites are the section around White Rock and the Marinoni Section.