Some of the best hiking on Earth is inside America's national parks — trails that climb past waterfalls, cling to cliff edges, and end at views that make the burning legs worth it. If you're planning a trip around trekking poles rather than scenic overlooks, these five hikes belong on your list, along with where to refuel and rest once you're back down.
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
The final 400 feet of Half Dome's summit push follow steel cables bolted into bare granite — one of the most iconic (and permit-controlled) day hikes in America. The full round trip from the valley floor runs 14–16 miles, so start before sunrise and bring more water than you think you need. Not hiking the next day? The tram tour around Yosemite Valley is a relaxed way to see the same granite walls from the floor. After the hike, the Ahwahnee Dining Room inside the historic Ahwahnee hotel is the park's iconic splurge dinner, with towering windows framing the valley you just hiked through. Browse Yosemite tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Angels Landing, Zion National Park
Angels Landing's final half-mile is a narrow spine of sandstone with chain handholds and thousand-foot drops on either side — not for the faint of heart, and now permit-only for the last stretch. The payoff is a 360-degree view over Zion Canyon that few hikes anywhere can match. Springdale, the gateway town just outside the park entrance, has a surprisingly good restaurant scene within easy walking distance of the shuttle stop — a good reward for tired legs. Browse Zion tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Highline Trail, Glacier National Park
The Highline Trail traces a narrow ledge along the Garden Wall high above Going-to-the-Sun Road, with near-constant exposure and some of the most dramatic scenery in the Lower 48. Mountain goats are a near-guarantee; grizzly bears are a real possibility, so hike with bear spray and make noise. The historic Many Glacier Hotel, on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, is one of the most scenic places to stay in any national park, and Lake McDonald Lodge on the park's west side is a quieter, equally historic alternative. Browse Glacier National Park tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park
Acadia's Precipice Trail is an East Coast surprise — iron rungs and ladders bolted directly into a granite cliff face on Champlain Mountain, closed seasonally to protect nesting peregrine falcons. It's short at under a mile each way, but every bit as exposed as trails triple its length. Afterward, popovers with jam on the lawn at the Jordan Pond House is a beloved Acadia tradition, with a view of the Bubbles mountains to match. Bar Harbor, just outside the park, rounds out the day with some of the best lobster rolls in Maine. Browse Acadia tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Devils Garden, Arches National Park
The Devils Garden trail connects seven arches, including Landscape Arch — one of the longest natural stone spans in the world — with a "primitive loop" section that adds scrambling over slickrock fins for hikers who want more of a challenge. Go early to beat both the heat and the crowds. Moab, the closest town, has the best après-hike scene of any park on this list, with riverside restaurants and brewpubs that make a long, hot trail day feel worth it. Browse Arches National Park tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Gear Up Before You Go
Every one of these hikes demands a pack that can handle layers, water, and a camera without weighing you down. The VacationGrabs Big Outdoor Leather Backpack is built for exactly this kind of full-day trail use, and the VacationGrabs Leather Travel Backpack is a great lighter option for shorter hikes and travel days in between.
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