Outdoor Odysseys

American Hiking: Coastlines, Canyons, Forests, and Beyond

The United States offers an extraordinarily diverse hiking landscape, encompassing everything from coastal paths to mountain trails, desert canyons to ancient forests. This vast network of trails caters to all abilities, from those seeking short, accessible walks to adventurers planning multi-day wilderness expeditions. The range goes far, far beyond what you find in articles like The 43 Best Hidden Hikes in the U.S. or 10 of the Best Places to Hike in the United States. All in all, it is humanly exhausting to go surveying all that is available, and getting out on foot explores more deeply than motoring along the country’s scenic byways.

National organisations play a vital role in developing and maintaining America’s hiking infrastructure. The American Hiking Society leads advocacy efforts to protect and enhance hiking access, whilst the National Forest Foundation oversees trails throughout the country’s national forests. These organisations, alongside numerous local groups, ensure the preservation and development of America’s hiking heritage.

America’s extensive network of rail trails represents one of the nation’s most distinctive hiking resources, transforming former railway lines into accessible recreational paths. This network, currently extending over 22,107 miles, continues to grow, with Michigan leading individual states at 2,381 miles. The movement began with Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Trail in 1967, and following federal rail banking legislation in 1983, has expanded dramatically. Notable examples include Missouri’s 240-mile Katy Trail, whilst the Ohio to Erie Trail stretches 326 miles. Perhaps most ambitious is the planned Great American Rail-Trail, which will ultimately span 3,700 miles from Washington, D.C. to Washington state, passing through 12 states and already more than half complete. These trails, championed by organisations like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, provide safe, traffic-free routes that serve both recreational hikers and local communities, whilst preserving important pieces of American transport heritage.

The country’s national parks represent the pinnacles of American hiking experiences. The Great Smoky Mountains, America’s most visited national park, exemplifies this appeal. Other iconic destinations include Zion National Park in Utah, Yosemite in California, Glacier National Park in Montana, and the Grand Canyon. Personal offerings like Hike 734 provide detailed guidance for these premier hiking destinations.

State park systems form another crucial component of America’s hiking infrastructure. Each state maintains its own network, with varying approaches to access and facilities. Pennsylvania‘s state parks, for instance, offer free entry, though some activities may incur charges. Wisconsin‘s system provides comprehensive safety guidance, whilst Virginia promotes its parks as offering “something for everyone.” States like Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, and Missouri maintain extensive trail networks through their park systems.

The eastern United States features several significant trail networks. The Appalachian Trail, spanning 2,190 miles (3,524 kilometres) from Georgia to Maine, stands as perhaps America’s most famous long-distance path; Hiking Dude has something on this. The other states crossed by the trail are: North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania (where the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is otherwise active), New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. Otherwise, the Pine Barrens offer distinctive hiking experiences in New Jersey, whilst the Erie Canalway in New York provides historical context alongside natural beauty. The Appalachian Mountain Club, headquartered in Boston, works to protect and enhance trails throughout the region.

While the broader eastern United States network encompasses multiple trail systems and organisations across thirteen states, the New York-New Jersey region exemplifies how local trail management can be effectively organised. Where the Appalachian Trail serves as the backbone of eastern American hiking, traversing 2,190 miles through diverse landscapes, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference demonstrates the vital role of regional stewardship. This volunteer-powered organisation maintains over 2,150 miles of public trails – nearly matching the length of the Appalachian Trail itself – whilst focusing intensively on their specific territory. Their model of combining volunteer engagement, conservation efforts, and public education offers a compelling example of how local organisations can effectively manage and protect significant trail networks within the larger eastern United States system.

New England offers a comprehensive network of hiking opportunities across its six states. Maine exemplifies the region’s robust approach to trail access, with both the Maine Trail Finder and the Bureau of Parks and Lands providing extensive route information. New Hampshire’s state parks contribute to the region’s hiking infrastructure, while Vermont’s system adds to the variety of available trails. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut complete the region’s offerings, with Hike New England serving as a unifying resource for discovering trails throughout these states. Furthermore, Trailspotting highlights some hiking routes in New Hampshire.

Delaware’s compact geography belies its rich hiking opportunities, with over 160 miles of trails spanning 17 state parks. Cape Henlopen State Park offers coastal trails with the Atlantic and Delaware Bay views, whilst White Clay Creek State Park presents 37 miles of varied inland routes. The state’s ecological diversity is particularly evident at Trap Pond State Park, home to the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in America, and Brandywine Creek State Park, where trails wind through preserved woodlands and meadows. These parks, managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, provide year-round access, with spring and autumn offering optimal hiking conditions.

Arkansas offers remarkable hiking diversity through its varied landscapes, from the Ozark Mountains to river valleys, including the Ozark Highlands Trail. The Buffalo National River region presents dramatic bluff-lined trails, including the popular Lost Valley Trail with its natural bridges and waterfalls. The Ouachita National Forest hosts the challenging 26.5-mile Eagle Rock Loop, whilst Petit Jean State Park’s Cedar Falls Trail leads to one of the state’s most photographed locations. Mount Magazine State Park’s North Rim Trail provides sweeping views of the Arkansas River Valley, and the iconic Whitaker Point Trail offers particularly striking autumn vistas at Hawksbill Crag. These trails are best experienced during spring and autumn, when moderate temperatures and vibrant foliage enhance the hiking experience.

In the Southeast, states like Georgia and Alabama maintain extensive trail systems. The Alabama Pinhoti Trail, designated as a National Millennium Trail, extends over 100 miles and continues to expand, working toward connection with the Georgia Pinhoti Trail. Plans for an Eastern Continental Trail from Florida to Canada demonstrate the ambition of American trail development. This rich outdoor heritage is further celebrated through initiatives like Atlanta Trails, founded in 2009 by Eric Champlin and Rob Sollie, which has evolved into a comprehensive resource for exploring the Southeast’s natural landscapes. Their work, reaching over 1.5 million readers annually, extends beyond Georgia into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina through Asheville Trails, highlighting the often-overlooked outdoor culture of the American South while promoting sustainable trail use and conservation through Leave No Trace principles.

Texas defies its popular image of dusty plains by offering remarkably diverse hiking landscapes across mountains, forests, prairies, and coastlines. East Texas, in particular, presents a hidden gem of outdoor recreation through its Forest Country, where well-watered woodlands provide extensive hiking opportunities. The crown jewel of this region is the Big Thicket National Preserve, renowned as one of the world’s most biologically diverse sanctuaries. This ecological treasure, preserved through the dedicated efforts of conservationists like Ned Fritz and Maxine Johnston, exemplifies the state’s commitment to protecting its varied natural heritage for future generations.

Arizona’s trail system showcases the state’s distinctive desert and mountain environments. The Arizona Trail stands as a testament to the state’s commitment to hiking infrastructure, while the Arizona Hikers Guide provides detailed information about routes throughout the state. The variety of terrains and climates allows for year-round hiking opportunities, though desert trails require particular attention to safety and seasonal conditions.

Illinois challenges perceptions of Midwestern landscapes through its surprisingly varied hiking terrain. The Shawnee National Forest anchors the state’s southern hiking opportunities with its woodlands and rolling hills, whilst Starved Rock State Park presents dramatic canyon views along its 4.7-mile Canyon Loop Trail. The Garden of the Gods offers distinctive sandstone formations, and Matthiessen State Park’s Dells Area Trail winds through moss-covered canyons and waterfalls. These preserves are particularly appealing during spring and autumn, when seasonal conditions enhance their natural features.

Ohio challenges traditional perceptions of urban hiking through the Cleveland Metroparks system, which maintains over 100 miles of trails across diverse landscapes. The Rocky River Reservation offers woodland paths rich with wildlife viewing opportunities, whilst the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve provides distinctive bird and butterfly habitats along Lake Erie. The historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail threads through multiple parks, connecting urban and natural spaces, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Ledges Trail showcases dramatic rock formations. Beyond Cleveland, Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park presents varied terrain suitable for different abilities. These paths are particularly appealing during spring and autumn, when seasonal changes enhance the region’s natural features.

Nebraska‘s diverse landscapes offer distinctive hiking experiences across its state parks and monuments. The historic Scotts Bluff National Monument features the notable Saddle Rock Trail, where hikers can trace portions of the Oregon Trail whilst enjoying dramatic rock formation views. Platte River State Park and Fontanelle Forest provide contrasting woodland experiences, the latter offering 26 miles of marked trails, whilst the Cowboy Trail stands as the state’s longest route at 187 miles, transformed from former railway lines. The state’s geological heritage can be explored at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument via the Fossil Hills and Daemonic trails, where ancient beaver burrows known as “Devil’s Corkscrew” provide unique points of interest.

Wyoming exemplifies the grandeur of western hiking opportunities through its remarkable combination of national parks and wilderness areas. Yellowstone National Park alone offers more than 900 miles of trails, from geothermal features to dramatic waterfalls like Union Falls, whilst Grand Teton National Park provides everything from gentle lakeside paths to challenging mountain ascents, with Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon amongst its most celebrated routes. Beyond these iconic parks, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest presents adventurous trails including the challenging ascent to Medicine Bow Peak at 12,013 feet, the Bighorn National Forest offers varied terrain from its Battle Park Trailhead, and the Gros Ventre Wilderness provides extensive hiking opportunities amidst distinctive geological formations. Most high-elevation trails are best accessed from mid-July through September when snow melt permits safer passage. Offering gentler and less seasonal strolling, the Medicine Bow Rail Trail also can be found in Medicine Bow National Forest.

Montana’s dramatic landscapes offer exceptional hiking diversity, from Glacier National Park’s iconic paths to Yellowstone’s northern reaches. The state’s commitment to trail access is evident both in its spectacular wilderness areas – including the Absaroka-Beartooth and Bob Marshall-Great Bear Wildernesses – and in accessible urban trails like Missoula’s Mount Sentinel “M” Trail. At the foot of the spectacular Beartooth Mountains, community spirit shapes the trail experience through organisations like Beartooth Trails. Founded in 2002 as a grassroots effort to preserve a beloved Nordic skiing area, this initiative has evolved to promote a broader vision of non-motorised trail networks along the Beartooth foothills. Notable routes range from the challenging Grinnell Glacier Trail to the 42-kilometre East Rosebud “Beaten Path,” whilst lower-elevation trails near population centres provide year-round access. Summer and early autumn offer optimal hiking conditions, though careful preparation is essential given Montana’s abundant wildlife, including bears, and variable mountain weather.

Colorado exemplifies the scale of western hiking opportunities, with over 39,000 miles of trails spanning 43 state parks, 13 national parks and monuments, and 13 national forests and grasslands; Aspen Trail Finder lets you in on some of the possibilities. The state’s dramatic elevation changes offer everything from prairie grasslands to alpine lakes, including 58 peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. The Colorado Trail stands as a crown jewel, stretching nearly 500 miles from Denver to Durango, whilst shorter but equally remarkable trails like Hanging Lake (2.4 miles) and Devil’s Head Lookout (2.8 miles) provide accessible adventures near urban centres. Along with the Ouray Trail Group, established in 1986, other volunteer organisations like Grand Lake Trail Groomers, the Colorado Trail Foundation and TOSC maintain these resources, whilst promoting responsible access through Leave No Trace principles, particularly important given the challenges of altitude and variable mountain weather, with the Rockies making up make of the state’s territory.

The Pacific Northwest offers distinctive hiking opportunities through both managed trail systems and natural preserves. First up is the Mountains to Sound Greenway, a 1.5-million-acre landscape east of Seattle, which demonstrates the region’s commitment to connecting ecosystems and communities. Next comes the Spokane River Centennial Trail, stretching 64 miles (103 kilometres) through Washington and Idaho, shows how trails can link states and communities.

In the Yakima Valley, two complementary trail networks demonstrate the region’s diverse approaches to outdoor access. The Yakima Greenway Path system offers 20 miles of paved, multi-use paths connecting parks, fishing lakes, and protected natural areas, whilst six miles west of downtown, Cowiche Canyon presents a more rugged experience with over 40 miles of trails winding through dramatic basalt and andesite cliffs. The canyon’s main trail, following a historic railroad bed, crosses Cowiche Creek nine times as it traverses this geologically significant landscape. The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy manages some 2,000 acres, protecting diverse habitats from riparian zones to shrub-steppe ecosystems, whilst providing year-round recreational opportunities including seasonal snowshoeing and spring wildflower viewing.

The Methow Valley showcases the region’s seasonal versatility, transforming its winter cross-country ski trails into summer routes for hiking, biking, trail running, and horse riding. The valley serves as a gateway to endless exploration opportunities across North Cascades National Park and surrounding Forest Service and state-managed lands. The trail network’s remarkable diversity ranges from paved, wheelchair-accessible paths to challenging multi-day backpacking routes, ensuring opportunities for all abilities and interests. Whilst most trails are accessible from early May through November, higher elevation paths typically welcome hikers only from July through early October, demonstrating the importance of seasonal planning in the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon’s trail system deserves particular attention, with the state offering numerous remarkable hiking experiences beyond the more convenient offerings in Portland’s Forest Park. The Eagle Cap Wilderness trail in Enterprise extends for 41 miles through stunning terrain, whilst the Columbia River Gorge, shared with Washington state, presents some of the region’s most dramatic landscapes. Oregon Hikers, an active community of outdoor enthusiasts, maintains comprehensive information about trails throughout Oregon and southwest Washington, including detailed field guides, photographs, and maps.

California’s remarkable geographical diversity creates an unparalleled hiking landscape, from coastal paths to 14,000-foot peaks, desert trails to ancient redwood groves. The state’s crown jewel hiking experiences include Yosemite National Park’s iconic Half Dome and Mist trails, whilst the Pacific Crest Trail traverses 1,630 miles of California’s varying terrains. Notable long-distance routes include the 200-mile John Muir Trail and the 170-mile Tahoe to Yosemite Trail, complemented by shorter but equally dramatic experiences like the Lost Coast Trail and Trans-Catalina Trail. The state’s network extends through diverse ecosystems: Joshua Tree’s desert landscapes, Death Valley’s sand dunes, the Sierra Nevada’s alpine lakes, and the towering forests of Redwood National Park, where trails like Fern Canyon offer unique perspectives. This variety, combined with the state’s varied climate zones, enables year-round hiking, though spring and fall typically provide optimal conditions across most regions. Innovative trail development is exemplified by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, working to connect 15 mountain communities via a new 300-mile trail network.

The largest state in the U.S.A., Alaska, presents unique hiking experiences, with SEAtrails connecting communities throughout Southeast Alaska via the Alaska Marine Highway System. Local organisations like Sitka Trail Works maintain trails whilst promoting community engagement and volunteering opportunities. Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, has some local trails too, so you do not need to go into the wilderness to experience Alaskan hiking.

Trail accessibility receives increasing attention nationwide. Many locations now offer routes suitable for different abilities, including wheelchair-accessible paths. Digital resources and downloadable guides help hikers plan appropriate routes, whilst local organisations provide current conditions and safety information.

Safety considerations remain paramount. Wilderness areas, in particular, require careful preparation and local knowledge. Many organisations recommend progressive training before attempting challenging routes, particularly for multi-day adventures. Weather events like hurricanes and tornados can affect trail conditions significantly, making current information essential for safe hiking.

The combination of extensive trail networks, supporting organisations, and comprehensive resources makes America an exceptional hiking destination. You can try ones like Hiking Project, Outdoor Project and Somewhere Outside to see what else is there. Whether seeking challenging mountain ascents, historical paths, or accessible nature trails, the United States offers remarkable opportunities to explore its diverse and often dramatic landscapes on foot.