Explore the Outdoors: 15 National Parks Perfect for Hiking
PHOTO BY ASIF ISLAM/SHUTTERSTOCK; DAVID SPATES/SHUTTERSTOCK; VIRRAGE IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK; KAN_KHAMPANYA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Calling all out and proud hikers! Dust off those poles and boots because it’s time to experience nature at its finest with this list of top hiking experiences in America's national parks.
The National Parks Service boasts 63 national parks with a combined 44,370 miles on 4,155 trails. For hikers, backpackers, and lovers of natural beauty, the parks and other areas managed by the NPS are a true national treasure.
Kuru Footwear has ranked the hiking experiences of all 63 national parks. They examined the number and total miles of trails as well as the average trail rating score from real hikers on AllTrails.com, the number of annual visitors, and the acreage available to the public. They used the data in their research to rank each park from bottom to top.
The list of the top 15 national parks for hiking includes some familiar names, but also a few unexpected ones as well. Each of the parks on the list provides unique opportunities to experience nature on hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles of trails to both well-known attractions as well as deep into pristine backcountry wilderness areas.
We’ve listed the top 15 national parks for hiking according to Kuru Footwear below, along with some of the more notable hikes for each park. You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com.
Keep scrolling to see the top 15 national parks for hiking according to Kuru Footwear, along with notable hikes in each of the parks on the list.
15. Death Valley National Park – California
PHOTO BY VIRRAGE IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 101
Total Miles of Trails: 1,085
Average Trail Rating: 4.19
Notable Trails: Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail, Mosaic Canyon Trail, Dante’s View Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Death Valley National Park at alltrails.com.
14. Acadia National Park – Maine
PHOTO BY F11/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 246
Total Miles of Trails: 951
Average Trail Rating: 4.52
Notable Trails: The Beehive Loop Trail, Jordan Pond Path, Precipice Loop
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Acadia National Park at alltrails.com.
13. Canyonlands National Park – Utah
PHOTO BY COLIN D. YOUNG
Number of Trails: 87
Total Miles of Trails: 1,183
Average Trail Rating: 4.51
Notable Trails: Druid Arch Trail, White Rim Overlook Trail, Chester Park Loop Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Canyonlands National Park at alltrails.com.
12. Mount Rainier Washington
PHOTO BY GALYNA ANDRUSHKO
Number of Trails: 150
Total Miles of Trails: 1,346
Average Trail Rating:4.45
Notable Trails: Skyline Trail Loop, Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail, Tolmie Peak Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Mount Rainier National Park at alltrails.com.
11. Grand Teton National Park Wyoming
PHOTO BY DAVID SPATES
Number of Trails: 118
Total Miles of Trails: 1,519
Average Trail Rating: 4.33
Notable Trails: Phelps Lake Trail, Hidden Falls Trail, Cascade Canyon Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Grand Teton National Park at alltrails.com.
10. Kings Canyon National Park – California
PHOTO BY ASIF ISLAM/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 68
Total Miles of Trails: 1,583
Average Trail Rating: 4.47
Notable Trails: General Grant Trail, Sequoia Lake, Ella Falls Loop
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Kings Canyon National Park at alltrails.com.
9. Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
PHOTO BY MARGARET.WIKTOR/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 133
Total Miles of Trails: 1,562
Average Trail Rating: 4.32
Notable Trails: Rim-to-Rim: Bright Angel Trail, North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trails, South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Grand Canyon National Park at alltrails.com.
8. Sequoia National Park – California
PHOTO BY IVANOVA KSENIA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 98
Total Miles of Trails: 1,624
Average Trail Rating: 4.48
Notable Trails: General Sherman Tree Trail, Lakes Trail, Big Trees Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Sequoia National Park at alltrails.com.
7. Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
PHOTO BY HAVESEEN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 235
Total Miles of Trails: 1,970
Average Trail Rating: 4.5
Notable Trails: Nymph Lake Trail, Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail, Emerald Lake Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Rocky Mountain National Park at alltrails.com.
6. Glacier National Park – Montana
PHOTO BY MARINA POUSHKINA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 154
Total Miles of Trails: 2,160
Average Trail Rating: 4.43
Notable Trails: Grinnell Glacier Trail, Avalanche Lake, The Garden Wall
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Glacier National Park at alltrails.com.
5. Shenandoah National Park – Virginia
PHOTO BY JON BILOUS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 264
Total Miles of Trails: 2,667
Average Trail Rating: 4.43
Notable Trails: Dark Hollow Falls Trail, Old Rag Mountain Loop, White Oak Canyon Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Shenandoah National Park at alltrails.com.
4. Olympic National Park – Washington
KAN_KHAMPANYA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 194
Total Miles of Trails: 3,072
Average Trail Rating: 4.28
Notable Trails: Hall of Mosses Trail, Staircase Rapids Loop, Mount Storm King
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Olympic National Park at alltrails.com.
3. Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
PHOTO BY JAKE EVELER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 267
Total Miles of Trails: 3,507
Average Trail Rating: 4.2
Notable Trails: Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail, Artist Point, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Yellowstone National Park at alltrails.com.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – North Carolina, Tennessee
PHOTO BY ANTHONY HEFLIN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 348
Total Miles of Trails: 4,354
Average Trail Rating: 4.38
Notable Trails: Rainbow Fall Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at alltrails.com.
1. Yosemite National Park – California
PHOTO BY GARY C. TOGNONI/SHUTTERSTOCK
Number of Trails: 278
Total Miles of Trails: 4,729
Average Trail Rating: 4.56
Notable Trails: Half Dome via the John Muir Trail, Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
You can learn more about Kuru Footwear and where they rank the hiking experiences of all 63 U.S. National Parks at kurufootwear.com. You can find detailed information about these and other trails in Yosemite National Park at alltrails.com.
