We share the three best hiking trails in every US state, according to America’s most popular hiking app
The US knows how to do wilderness. Wedged between the two great oceans of the world, it is home to practically every landscape under the sun. Beaches, lakes, mountains, rainforests, deserts, canyons and glaciers all rise and fall across this continent-sized country. And thanks to the outstanding National Park Service, huge swathes of it are readily accessible.
When, in 1872, the US established Yellowstone, its first national park (and the world’s second after Bogd Khan Uul in Mongolia), it signalled the start of something truly special. Yellowstone became a global model for the preservation of biodiversity and cultural history; a model that has been replicated all over the world.
The country’s national parks – along with a multitude of other protected areas – make the US an adventurer’s dream and one of the world’s best countries for hiking.
Here at Atlas & Boots, we’re always seeking out the most thrilling hikes, the finest trails and the most diverse landscapes. But, in a country of such extremes, how does one even begin to unearth the best hiking trails in every US state?
Perhaps crowdsourcing is the answer. Home to over 100,000 trails, AllTrails is one of the world’s premier hiking apps. It has over 20 million global users and is extensively downloaded in the US.
Everyone will have an opinion on what constitutes ‘the best’, but with reviews running in the hundreds of thousands, we believe the ‘AllTrails method’ is a feasible way of selecting the best hiking trails in every US state. That said, it’s worth recognising that popularity does not necessarily equate to ‘the best’.
Best hiking trails in every US State
AllTrails user reviews are calculated using a five-star rating system with one star being terrible, two stars poor, three stars average, four stars very good and five stars excellent.
To find the three best hiking trails in every US state, we’ve selected the three highest-rated hikes according to their average rating on AllTrails.
Alabama
1. WALLS OF JERICHO TRAIL
Distance: 14.5km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. CAVE CREEK TRAIL
Distance: 10.8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. SOUGAHOAGDEE FALLS
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
Alaska
1. FLATTOP MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 5.3km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. HARDING ICE FIELD TRAIL
Distance: 13.2km
Duration: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. MOUNT BALDY VIA BLACKTAIL ROCKS TRAIL
Distance: 8.7km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Arizona
1. DEVILS BRIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 6.8km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. CATHEDRAL ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 2.1km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. WEST FORK TRAIL #108 OAK CREEK
Distance: 12.1km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Arkansas
1. WHITAKER POINT TRAIL (HAWKSBILL CRAG)
Distance: 4.7km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. CENTERPOINT TO GOAT TRAIL
Distance: 9.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. LOST VALLEY TRAIL
Distance: 3.4km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
California
1. VERNAL AND NEVADA FALLS VIA THE MIST TRAIL
Distance: 14.2km
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. POTATO CHIP ROCK VIA MT. WOODSON TRAIL
Distance: 12.2km
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. MISSION PEAK LOOP
Distance: 9.3km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Colorado
1. ROYAL ARCH TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. CHAVEZ AND BEAVER BROOK TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 8.2km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. QUANDARY PEAK TRAIL
Distance: 12.1km
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Connecticut
1. BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. RAGGED MOUNTAIN BLUE AND RED BLAZED LOOP
Distance: 8.9km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. MIRROR LAKE, CASTLE CRAIG, MERIMERE RESERVOIR LOOP
Distance: 7.1km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Delaware
1. ALAPOCAS WOODS TRAIL
Distance: 2.9km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. GORDONS POND TRAIL
Distance: 8.4km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. SWAMP FOREST TRAIL
Distance: 10.9km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
Florida
1. BLACK BEAR WILDERNESS AREA TRAIL
Distance: 11.7km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. WEKIWA SPRINGS ORANGE TRAIL
Distance: 10.1km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. LITTLE BIG RIVER, DIGBAT, DITCH OF DOOM AND FLAGLER TRAIL
Distance: 15.1km
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Georgia
1. RAVEN CLIFF FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 9.3km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. MOUNT YONAH TRAIL
Distance: 7.7km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. BLOOD MOUNTAIN AND FREEMAN LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 9.8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Hawaii
1. KOKO CRATER TRAIL
Distance: 2.9km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. MAKAPU’U POINT LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL
Distance: 4km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. KULIOUOU RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Idaho
1. SAWTOOTH LAKE
Distance: 16.1km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. MINERAL RIDGE NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL
Distance: 5.3km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. TUBBS HILL
Distance: 3.1km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
More info
Illinois
1. LITTLE GRAND CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 4.8km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. WATERFALL GLEN TRAIL
Distance: 15km
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. GARDEN OF THE GODS OBSERVATION TRAIL
Distance: 0.8km
Duration: 15-30 mins
Difficulty: Easy
More info
Indiana
1. CLIFTY FALLS, HOFFMAN FALLS, TUNNEL FALLS
Distance: 11.3km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. COWLES BOG TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. THREE LAKES TRAIL
Distance: 14.8km
Duration: 3.4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Iowa
1. HITCHCOCK NATURE CENTER LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 10.1km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. MAQUOKETA CAVES LOOP
Distance: 2.7km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. WILDCAT DEN TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Kansas
1. ELK RIVER HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 24.6km
Duration: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. TURKEY CREEK STREAMWAY TRAIL
Distance: 11.6km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. SHAWNEE MISSION PARK ORANGE, VIOLET AND RED TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Kentucky
1. DOG SLAUGHTER FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 3.9km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. VAN HOOK FALLS AND CANE CREEK VALLEY
Distance: 9.2km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. GRAY’S ARCH TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 5.5km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Louisiana
1. BOGUE CHITTO STATE PARK GORGE RUN TRAIL
Distance: 9.2km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. LONGLEAF VISTA ROAD TO BACKBONE TRAIL
Distance: 17.1km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. PALMETTO, BAYOU COQUILLE AND MARSH OVERLOOK
Distance: 6.8km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
Maine
1. THE BEEHIVE LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 2.3km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. CADILLAC NORTH RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. PRECIPICE, ORANGE AND BLACK AND CHAMPLAIN NORTH RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 3.4km
Duration: 1 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Maryland
1. ANNAPOLIS ROCK VIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Distance: 8.2km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. CASCADE FALLS LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 3.7km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. BILLY GOAT TRAIL AND CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 11.6km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Massachusetts
1. GREAT BLUE HILL VIA SKYLINE TRAIL
Distance: 4.8km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. MOUNT GREYLOCK VIA BELLOWS PIPE AND THUNDERBOLT TRAIL
Distance: 8.2km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. MOUNT WATATIC AND NUTTING HILL VIA WAPACK TRAIL
Distance: 4.5km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Michigan
1. MOSQUITO FALLS AND CHAPEL FALLS VIA CHAPEL LOOP
Distance: 16.3km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. THE MANISTEE RIVER LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 31.1km
Duration: 8-10 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. EMPIRE BLUFF TRAIL
Distance: 2.4km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Minnesota
1. FIFTH FALLS AND SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 4.8km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
2. LEBANON HILLS LOOP
Distance: 8.5km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL: SPLIT ROCK RIDGE
Distance: 8km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Mississippi
1. BEAR CREEK OUTCROPPING TRAIL
Distance: 2.9km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. CLARK CREEK PRIMITIVE TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. RICHARDSON CREEK TRAIL
Distance: 15.6km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Missouri
1. RIVER SCENE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 5km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL AND LEWIS TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 13.4km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. PICKLE SPRINGS NATURAL AREA
Distance: 3.1km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Montana
1. AVALANCHE LAKE VIA THE TRAIL OF THE CEDARS
Distance: 10.8km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. HIGHLINE TRAIL: LOGAN PASS TO GRANITE PARK CHALET
Distance: 24km
Duration: 7-8 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. HIDDEN LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 8.5km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Nebraska
1. PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 10.8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. HACKBERRY, HAWTHORN, CHICKADEE, HICKORY AND RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 3.5km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. FLANAGAN LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 8.4km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
Nevada
1. CALICO TANKS TRAIL
Distance: 3.5km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. HUNTER CREEK TRAIL
Distance: 10.3km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. MOUNT ROSE TRAIL
Distance: 19km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
New Hampshire
1. MOUNT LAFAYETTE AND FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 13.8km
Duration: 6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. WELCH AND DICKEY LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. MOUNT WILLARD TRAIL
Distance: 5.1km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
New Jersey
1. MOUNT TAMMANY: RED DOT AND BLUE DOT LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 8.7km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. WHITE SHORE AND LONG PATH LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 6.6km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN TRAIL
Distance: 4.7km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
New Mexico
1. WHEELER PEAK VIA WILLIAMS LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 15.3km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. NAMBE LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. WILLIAMS LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
New York
1. CASCADE MOUNTAIN AND PORTER MOUNTAIN VIA CASCADE MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. BEAR MOUNTAIN
Distance: 6.1km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. GERTRUDE’S NOSE TRAIL
Distance: 12.6km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
North Carolina
1. CLINGMANS DOME OBSERVATION TOWER TRAIL
Distance: 1.9km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. LOOKING GLASS ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 9.8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. CATAWBA FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 3.4km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
More info
North Dakota
1. CAPROCK COULEE LOOP
Distance: 7.1km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. WIND CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 0.8km
Duration: 0.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. PAINTED CANYON NATURE TRAIL
Distance: 16.4km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Ohio
1. LEDGES TRAIL
Distance: 4.2km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. BRANDYWINE GORGE TRAIL
Distance: 2.3km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. STANFORD HOUSE TO BRANDYWINE FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 6.3km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Oklahoma
1. ELK MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 3.7km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. BISON TRAIL
Distance: 9.8km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. FRIENDS TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 2.4km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Oregon
1. TRAIL OF TEN FALLS
Distance: 14km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. RAMONA FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 11.4km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. TAMOLITCH BLUE POOL VIA MCKENZIE RIVER TRAIL
Distance: 6km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Pennsylvania
1. MOUNT MINSI VIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Distance: 8km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. RICKETTS GLEN FALLS LOOP
Distance: 10.6km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. APPALACHIAN TRAIL, PINNACLE TRAIL, VALLEY RIM AND PULPIT ROCK
Distance: 14.6km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Rhode Island
1. CLIFF WALK
Distance: 10.6km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. LONG POND WOODS TRAIL
Distance: 7.2km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. CARR’S POND AND TARBOX POND
Distance: 6.4km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
South Carolina
1. TABLE ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 10.8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. RAVEN CLIFF FALLS AND DISMAL TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 14.2km
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
South Dakota
1. BLACK ELK PEAK SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHPOINT TRAIL
Distance: 11.9km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. NOTCH TRAIL
Distance: 2.1km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. SUNDAY GULCH TRAIL
Distance: 6.3km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Tennessee
1. ALUM CAVE TRAIL TO MOUNT LECONTE
Distance: 17.1km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL
Distance: 7.2km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 8.9km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Texas
1. GUADALUPE PEAK TEXAS HIGHPOINT TRAIL
Distance: 14.5km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. RIVERPLACE NATURE TRAIL
Distance: 8.9km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. LOST MINE TRAIL
Distance: 6.8km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Utah
1. ANGELS LANDING TRAIL
Distance: 8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. LAKE BLANCHE TRAIL
Distance: 11.1km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. NAVAJO LOOP AND QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL
Distance: 4.7km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Vermont
1. CAMEL’S HUMP TRAIL
Distance: 9.7km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. MOUNT MANSFIELD LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 11.7km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. LYE BROOK FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 7.6km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Virginia
1. OLD RAG MOUNTAIN LOOP
Distance: 16.4km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. MCAFEE KNOB VIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Distance: 13km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. WHITE OAK CANYON AND CEDAR RUN TRAILS LOOP
Distance: 14.5km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Washington
1. LAKE 22 TRAIL
Distance: 11.3km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. SNOW LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 10.3km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. SKYLINE TRAIL
Distance: 9.7km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
West Virginia
1. MARYLAND HEIGHTS LOOP
Distance: 10.6km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
2. ENDLESS WALL TRAIL
Distance: 3.7km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
3. MARYLAND HEIGHTS VIA HARPER’S FERRY
Distance: 6.9km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
Wisconsin
1. DEVIL’S LAKE VIA WEST BLUFF TRAIL
Distance: 7.6km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. EAST BLUFF AND EAST BLUFF WOODS TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 4.2km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
3. MEYERS BEACH SEA CAVE TRAIL
Distance: 7.4km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
Wyoming
1. CASCADE CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 5.6km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
More info
2. DELTA LAKE VIA LUPINE MEADOWS ACCESS
Distance: 14.2km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
More info
3. TAGGART LAKE LOOP
Distance: 6.6km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
More info
ENJOYED THIS POST on the best hiking trails in every US state? PIN IT FOR LATER…
Discover more of the best hiking trails in every US state in America’s Best Day Hikes, a beautifully illustrated best-of compendium featuring the most memorable day hikes across every region of the United States.