Trips

Loop around sinkholes on this easy, 2.6-mile lollipop loop that skirts a historic cave and a frog-filled pond in St. Louis' Cliff Cave Park.

Hoodoos in Missouri? This 2-mile loop dips into a river valley jam-packed with sandstone formations and trickling cascades—-including the rocky, 50-foot face of Headwall Falls.

Combining rugged hill climbs through pine and hardwood, with a leisurely stroll along the Little Missouri River, this 26.4-mile loop may be the best in the Ouachita Mountains.

One of Oklahoma's best weekend trips, this 21.7-mile loop circles Winding Stair Mountain for an up-close view of the Ouachita National Forest's most scenic stretch.

Dip into the 8,900-acre McGee Creek Natural Scenic Area for an easy out-and-back that peeks into Bugaboo Canyon and some of Oklahoma’s least-traveled territory.

Oak forest, marshes, and small lakes highlight the rolling terrain on this 2.6-mile loop in Lakewood Forest Preserve.

First time backpackers in tow? Hit this easy 4.3-miler in Beech Creek National Scenic Area. It has prime campsites and a bail-out option mid-way.

Inspire your inner thru-hiker on this easy 2-miler in Yankee Springs Recreation Area that samples the North Country Trail with a climb to a glacier-formed depression.

Go off the beaten path to witness the forging of this new trail and get your first taste of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Recreation Area.

This 4-mile out-and-back in Tiger Mountain State Forest climbs through lush forest to Poo Poo Point, a grassy perch overlooking the Issaquah Alps.

Dip your toes in an alpine lake in the shadow of towering mountain crags on this 8-mile Cascades classic in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Hop on the Appalachian Trail at its halfway point and navigate creek crossings and a steep boulder scramble to above-the-trees vistas of Michaux State Forest.

Dupe the daytrippers on this rugged trail to brilliantly colored backcountry cliffs and hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Conquering two of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot summits, this 7-mile out-and-back ascends the spine of Mount Osceola before scrambling up a narrow rock passage to a Mount Washington overlook.

A mild Catskills out-and-back, this 6.3-miler on the Long Path climbs gentle grades through light spruce forest to Windham High Peak and views south of the Blackhead Mountains.

Trek to the border of New Jersey along PA's finest section of the Appalachian Trail.

This 8.5-mile loop in Cape Perpetua Scenic Area hugs the Oregon coast before heading inland to lush old-growth forest and views of the Coast Range and Pacific Ocean.

Snow-fed cascades, vibrant wildflower meadows, and dizzying Cascade vistas highlight this 7.9-mile out-and-back in Mount Rainier National Park.

This 7.7-miler in the northern Cascades climbs through wildflower-dotted meadows along Johnson Ridge en route to awe-inspiring views from Scorpion Mountain.

This trio of trails tours the rim of a ravine down to a waterfall that plunges 104-feet into an aquamarine pool feeding DeSoto Falls Lake.

This short hike is a lesser used approach to view Desoto Falls from the canyon rim. Views of the falls and river are beautiful.

This 3.9-mile loop through Stone Mountain State Park wanders chestnut oak forest and offers views from the park's signature massive granite domes.

This 17.3-mile Adirondack adventure leads to the 4,000-foot summits of Macomb Mountain, Hough Peak, and The Dixes.

Wind through a remote forest of white pine and hemlock, passing cascading creeks and an idyllic fishing spot on this 11.6-mile section of the Benton MacKaye Trail.

Bag three peaks above 4,000 feet on this classic 8.2-mile Franconia Ridge Loop in the White Mountains.

This peaceful, 5.5-mile Adirondack out-and-back wanders through a maple forest to an overlook with views of Gleasman's Falls and a rocky gorge.

Southeast of Lake Placid, this popular 4.3-mile out-and-back climbs 2,000 feet to Cascade Mountain's rocky summit and views of Whiteface, Lake Champlain, and the Great Range peaks.

Looping 10.9 miles, this Adirondack classic scales a scenic ridge over several rock ledges before descending to Johns Brook Lodge, a backcountry hut with frontcountry services.

Discover two secluded cascades on this 3.7-mile out-and-back in Shellburg Falls Recreation Area.

Access tiny sand beaches and stop for up-close views of Lake Wilson on this winding 4.7-mile loop tour of Wilson State Park’s most diverse trail.

One of the Front Range's best hikes, this 10.1-mile point-to-point offers solitude, mountain views, and a couple of thigh-burning climbs.

Explore a rocky labyrinth and towering sandstone spires on this easy 2.3-miler around an eroded ancient sea bed in central Kansas.

Be prepared, you might spend all day exploring tubes and cave entrances in this cairn-laden route in El Malpais National Monument's Bandara Lava Flow.

There aren't any trails in the De-na-zin Wilderness, but this 3.9-mile route scours northwest New Mexico's wash bottoms in search of petrified wood caches and hoodoo-filled ravines.

Watch for bison, elk and other migratory species on this easy 3.7-mile lollipop loop through oak forests and grassland in southwest Oklahoma's Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge.

A lush, green garden of waterfalls and giant pools awaits on the dells of Matthiessen State Park; this route tacks on a bluff-top viewpoint for 5.8-miles of prime Illinois day-hiking.

Gaining 2,300 feet in just 2.6-miles, this out-and-back climbs the slopes of Engineer Mountain and rewards with high-altitude wildflowers and views of a rare rock glacier.

This 10.2-mile out-and-back explores a section of the Klickitat Trail, a scenic rail-trail that winds through rolling rangeland and colorful river canyons.

Explore the wilder side of Tiger Mountain State Forest on this 10-mile out-and-back that winds through lush forest, passes artifacts from a 1920's train wreck, and visits the banks of Fifteenmile Creek.

Tag the highest peak in Washington's pristine Tiger Mountain Forest on this crowd-free trail just 30 miles east of Seattle.

Less than an hour's drive from Seattle, this 8.2-mile out-and-back visits a scenic overlook with five-star views of Mount Rainier and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Pack a suit and soak in the soothing waters of Spence Hot Springs on this one mile out-and-back in the secluded Jemez Valley.

Hike among high-rise sandstone walls and massive fins on this 1.9-miler that's a perfect introduction to Arches National Park.

Wander ponderosa pines through the Sangre de Cristo foothills to a serene river scene just outside Santa Fe.

Roosting buzzards, a city skyline, and a 2,350-foot peak lure hikers to this 3.4-mile out-and-back inside Roanoke's new Read Mountain Preserve.

The reward on this famous, 7.5-mile hike is a sweeping ridgeline view of the Catawba Valley framed by a striking rock ledge.

Looping 6.5 miles through South Mountain State Park, this Charlotte-area dayhike (or overnighter) showcases above-the-trees overlooks and sublime autumn colors.

This 6.3-mile, out-and-back dayhike with an upper loop section explores a quiet desert creek valley and leads to hillsides covered in wildflowers in late spring and views of the Boise skyline and Foothills and the Owyhee Mountains across the Boise River Valley.

Grab unparalleled views of the La Sal Mountains, Arches National Park, Spanish Valley, and the Colorado River on this 4.2-mile hike near downtown Moab.

Climb to a picturesque fire lookout perched above the Cascades on this challenging, hike-bike combo in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Trek through a wildflower-filled basin to the summit of Norse Peak on this 8.3-mile Cascades dayhike with front-row views of Mount Rainier.

This 14.7-mile section hike of the Oregon Coast Trail starts at the mouth of the Columbia River and explores sandy beaches and the remains of a 100-year-old shipwreck.

This popular, and moderately challenging hike climbs through mixed forest and over talus fields to lofty views of Colorado Springs, the eastern plains, and Pikes Peak.

A 12.47-mile cross country backpack in Capitol Reef National park, going from Capitol Gorge to Pleasant Creek. You'll need advanced orienteering skills because this entirely cross country route wanders over slickrock bowls and passes atop the Waterpocket Fold.

Weave through a maze of sandstone fins, squeeze between rock walls, and peek at hidden arches on this 2.3-mile hike in Arches National Park.

Trek 18.2 miles from the South's best view to its most famous mountain.

Ditch the crowds on this lesser-traveled, 8.7-miler in the Columbia River Gorge that features shady old-growth forest, striking rock pinnacles, and a breathtaking waterfall.

Ditch the crowds of the more popular Gorge trails with this 7.2-mile loop, chock-full of shady woods, wildflowers, and big views.

Cross the west edge of the Chugach for glaciers, bears, and wildflowers.

Lakeside cliffs and a couple of Oregon Trail attractions add to this 27-mile loop in one of eastern Wyoming’s most beautiful state parks.

Travel back 19 million years on this easy 1.1-miler that skirts fossilized burrows, roots, and Miocene-era remains in Nebraska's Agate Fossil Bends National Monument.

The crumbling caprock and sheer sandstone faces of Scotts Bluff frightened Oregon Trail-era emigrants, but they're the draw on this challenging, 3.8-mile out-and-back that climbs 500 feet up the towering massif.

Roam Nebraska's Niobrara River valley, just like the rhino-sized Menoceras did 20 million years ago. This wheelchair-accessible 2.9-miler climbs to one of the world's most important bonebed excavation sites.

Cut through Mitchell Pass and follow in the footsteps of Oregon Trail emigrants on this easy, 1.1-mile out-and-back in Nebraska's Scotts Bluff National Monument.

This challenging, 11.6-mile out-and-back scales Lake Placid's iconic peak, Whiteface Mountain, and rewards dayhikers with expansive summit views of the Adirondacks and beyond.

This quick, 1.5-miler in the Adirondacks climbs to Echo Cliff, a rocky perch with more tree-free views than its big brother, Panther Mountain.

On this 4.6-mile loop, enjoy lunch beside a boulder-lined creek then burn off your meal with a steep climb beside the White Rock Falls cascades.

This rocky climb up Cove Mountain ends with a heart-pounding scramble to the top of the Dragon's Tooth, a 35-foot quartzite and sandstone tower.

Tackle two 4,000-foot White Mountain peaks (and 4,000 feet of climbing) on this 10.1-mile out-and-back to a tree-covered ridgeline with panoramic views.

Sharing the same tread as the Duncan Ridge Trail to Rhodes Mountain, this 6.1-mile section of the Benton MacKaye Trail passes intermittent overlooks on a short-but-challenging ridgeline trek.

Tour a southern Civil War battleground on this 15.8-miler that offers Atlanta dayhikers multiple opportunities to experience their own journey through time.

One of the most remote stretches of the Benton MacKaye Trail, this 5.1-mile section hike climbs gently through hardwood forest, rewarding with two far-off overlooks.

Hike from pine plantation to mountain-top mansion on this moderate, 4.6-mile trek that climbs to a trail network atop South Mountain in Pennsylvania's Blue Ridge range.

A perfect spring getaway just northwest of Albuquerque, this 4.3-mile loop cruises the base of a towering mesa, follows a classic desert arroyo, and hits a hoodoo hot spot in the Ojito.

Look for the hidden surprises--wildflowers, turtles, a mineral-rich well, and even a historic greenhouse--on this family-friendly, 3.3-mile loop around Pilcher Park.

On this 16.5-mile overnight in the Paddy Creek Wilderness, you'll see tranquil emerald-green creeks and timeless vistas of the rock-strewn Ozark Highlands.

Hit the Enchanted Mesa en route to this little-visited destination--stone recliners overlooking the city of Boulder--on this 2.9-mile loop in Chautauqua Park.

Red rock cliffs are the backdrop for this 4.8-mile point-to-point that traverses part of a 62,000-acre wildlife preserve near St. George—keep an eye peeled for trailside tortoises!

Climb a lone butte (and spend a few minutes exploring its rugged base) on this easy 1.5-mile loop that offers a panoramic peek at Chadron State Park's rugged terrain.

Climb up to an observation tower atop the migratory-bird crowded shores of Lake Texoma on this easy 0.4-mile interpretive loop in the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.