Rising in the predawn quiet for a sunrise hike under a starry sky that’s yours alone to savor, is a treat in itself. But the real show awaits just down the trail. As the first hint of light edges over the horizon, you’re rewarded with the most tranquil moments of the day, and of the best times to see wildlife.
A little preparation makes an early hike a lot more enjoyable. Check the official time of sunrise, factor in hiking distance and elevation, and calculate the best time to set your alarm so you have plenty of time to reach your destination. Temperatures are at their lowest before dawn, so wear layers and take a hat, gloves and outer layer. Sip a hot beverage as you get ready and take a headlamp and hiking poles to navigate the trail in the dark. A pair of hiking traction cleats can save the day if there’s ice or snow on the trail. And make the most of your outdoor experience by reserving a campsite nearby.
Enjoy stunning sunrise vistas across the country with these early-rising hikes.
1. Beachcroft and Champlain South Ridge Trails
Acadia National Park, Maine
Watch the sun rise over Frenchman Bay from one of the highest points on the North Atlantic coast. Climb the granite staircase to Champlain Mountain’s summit, where you can linger, or continue your rocky scramble past a glacially carved pond and through the forest to Sand Beach.
Details: 7.4 miles round trip. 950 feet elevation gain. Parking at Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Where to Camp: Blackwoods Campground
2. Discovery Point Trail
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
A family-friendly stroll along the contours of Crater Lake takes you to an overlook where miners first laid eyes on the deepest lake in the country. Watch the sun come up over otherworldly Wizard Island, rising from the rain and snow-fed waters of this pristine high elevation lake.
Details: 4 miles round trip. 100 feet elevation gain. Parking at Rim Village.
Level: Easy.
Where to Camp: Farewell Bend Campground
3. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Death Valley National Park, California / Nevada
There’s no formal trail to Death Valley’s most accessible dunes, but you won’t have any trouble finding your way across this arid landscape. Start out in darkness for one of the clearest views of the Milky Way anywhere on the planet. The crests and shadows of the dunes create a continuously changing landscape as the sun comes up. Avoid the staggering daytime heat by hiking in winter or returning to the trailhead as soon as the sun breaks the horizon.
Details: 2 miles round trip. 185 feet elevation gain. Parking at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Level: Easy.
Where to Camp: Furnace Creek Campground
Also Read: The 15 Best Hikes for Beginners
4. West Ridge Trail to Mount Evans
Idaho Springs, Colorado
There’s nothing quite like catching sunrise after you’ve bagged a 14er, and Mount Evans is one of the easiest places to do it. While there are a number of routes to the summit, the climb from Mount Spaulding is less technical and exposed, as well as being one of the shorter options. You’ll climb the east ridge of Mount Spaulding to the saddle between the two peaks. From there, you’ll hike west just below the ridgeline to your sunrise destination on the summit.
Details: 5 miles round trip. 2,000 feet elevation gain. Parking at Summit Lake. You’ll be exposed, hiking across scree fields above tree line, so be prepared for wind and changing weather conditions.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Where to Camp: Guanella Pass Campground
5. South Rim Trail to Yaki Point
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
There may be no place that attracts more sunrise hikers than the Grand Canyon. Geology, air quality, clouds and the seasons create a different landscape every day, with each morning as stunning as the one before it. Because Yaki Point is not accessible by personal vehicle, it’s one of the best places to take in this awe-inspiring spectacle away from the crowds.
Details: 4 miles round trip. 200 feet elevation gain. The Kaibab Rim shuttle stops at Yaki Point.
Level: Easy.
Where to Camp: Mather Campground
6. Arch Rock
Mackinac Island, Michigan
One of the easiest hikes on our list is one of the harder destinations to reach at sunrise, but your payoff is well worth the effort. Dawn’s gold and crimson skies are framed by Mackinac’s 50-foot-wide Arch Rock from your perch 150 feet above the waters of Lake Huron. Take the ferry and spend the night on the island to reach Arch Rock before the sun comes up. If that’s too much trouble, you can enjoy the show from your beachfront Adirondack chairs at Castle Rock Campground, also on Lake Huron.
Details: 2 miles round trip/less than 100 feet elevation gain. It’s an easy stroll from town but you’ll need to be prepared to climb over 200 stairs that lead to Arch Rock.
Skill: Easy to intermediate.
Where to Camp: Castle Rock Lakefront Mackinac Trail Camp Park
7. Alum Cave Bluffs Trail to Myrtle Point
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina / Tennessee
It’s the biggest hike on our list, but worth all the work for the Smokies highlights you’ll see along the way. Start out along Alum Cave Creek, hiking through dense mountain laurel and rhododendron thickets before climbing through Arch Rock and navigating the smooth footpaths through Alum Cave Bluffs, an area that was mined for alum, magnesium sulfate and saltpeter in the 1800s.
The forest changes to high elevation spruce and fir as you continue your climb to LeConte Lodge, a mountain retreat in the park’s early days that continues to host hike-in only guests. The Appalachian Trail crosses this high peak nearby, where an AT shelter can be reserved if you want to tackle most of the trek the day before you summit. From the lodge, it’s only a half mile to your 360-degree sunrise view at Myrtle Point. You can shorten your morning hike by booking a rustic cabin at LeConte Lodge, but you’ll have to plan ahead because the lodge books out more than a year in advance.
Details: 12 miles round trip. 2,560 feet elevation gain. Park at Alum Cave trailhead.
Level: Advanced.
Where to Camp: Smokemont Campground
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