Not all hikes need to be intimidating adventures to the top of Mt. Everest. In fact, before you do try longer, more difficult hiking trails, it’s best to try out lots of short, not-too-difficult trips until you’re able to build your fitness, skill and confidence. After all, your first hikes should be fun, not frightening.
From California to Wyoming, we rounded up the best beginner hikes in America. Give one of these U.S. hikes for beginners a try that feature minimal elevation gain, are short in distance and offer stunning views of the great outdoors. Are you ready to start hiking?
These are the top 15 bucket list hikes for beginners.
1. Lassen Peak Trail Hike
Where: Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Distance: 5 miles round trip
Best for: Beginners looking to climb to the top of a volcano.
This still-active volcano is a short hike that’s easily accessible and doable even during hotter summer temperatures. Lassen Peak is the southernmost volcanic peak in the Cascades and is one of the best options for beginners looking to tackle the summit of a true U.S. giant. The 2.5-mile climb to the top covers 2,200 vertical feet, but the other 2.5 miles are all downhill! Learn more.
2. North Vista Trail Hike
Where: Black Canyon, Colorado
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Best for: Hikers looking for awesome vertical views of the canyons below.
Not far from the visitor center, the views down into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison are some of the deepest in the world. After a short 1.5-mile hike you’ll get to witness natural beauty such as the 2,250-foot cliff of the Painted Wall created by the beautiful Gunnison River down below. Learn more.
3. Glacier Point Hike
Where: Yosemite Valley, California
Distance: 1 mile round trip
Best for: Hikers looking for an easier alternative to Half Dome.
Just because the Half Dome hike might be too difficult for your first time out doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the other hikes in Yosemite. At just one mile and mostly flat, Glacier Point might feature more beauty per footstep than any other hiking trail in the U.S. Once you’re at the vantage point, you’ll get epic 270-degree panoramas of some of the area’s more difficult hikes, like Cloud Rest, Mist Trail and the peaks in the Sierra range. Learn more.
4. Coastal Trail Hike
Where: Cutler, Maine
Distance: 2.8 miles round trip
Best for: Majestic ocean views and craggy cliffs.
While there are other more difficult trails on the Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, this hiking trail is by far the easiest and most accessible for beginners. The 2.8-mile hike will take you about two hours at a leisurely pace, and you’ll get plenty of rewards for your efforts along the way. Cedar swamps, maritime spruce-fir forests and spectacular ocean views from atop rock cliffs are just a few perks of this unique hike along the Maine Coast. For more difficult options, try the Black Point Brook Loop or the Fairy Head Loop. Learn more.
5. Frozen Niagara Cave Hike
Where: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Distance: 0.25 miles round trip
Best for: Families looking or a cave tour that’s not too difficult for small children.
Tight spaces and stair climbing often make cave tours too difficult for children. The Frozen Niagara Tour in Kentucky is the exception, and is doable in one hour or less. The rock formations around the cave provide plenty of entertainment too, with the Rainbow Dome, Drapery Room and Crystal Lake just a few of the must-see attractions. Learn more.
6. Templeton Trail Hike
Where: Coconino National Forest, Arizona
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Best for: Classic views of Sedona’s red rock.
Winding around the base of the famous Cathedral Rock, this not-too-steep hike is one of the most photographed landmarks in the U.S. In addition to the towering red rock formation, you’ll also see incredible open landscapes that surround the area and mysterious vortexes that the area is known for. If you’d like to veer off and do more exploring, the trail links up to Bell Rock and the H.T. trail for views of more historic landmarks. Learn more.
7. Ewoldsen Trail Hike
Where: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California
Distance: 5 miles round trip
Best for: Anyone who hasn’t been to Big Sur.
With incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, redwood groves, grassy valleys and epic mountain top scenery, this 5-mile loop in Big Sur has it all. Though there will be some climbing involved, it’s manageable and easy to extend if you’re feeling up for the effort. Be sure to check out the quarter-mile Canyon Trail that links to this one and follows McWay Creek to a 60-foot waterfall. Learn more.
8. Wildcat Den Trail Hike
Where: Wildcat Den State Park, Iowa
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Best for: A fall family hike with kiddos above seven.
Park of an intricate network of hiking trails, this one is best to take in during fall months when the leaves change. Beautiful rock formations, 75-foot cliffs, wild flowers and beautiful bluffs are some of the attractions you’ll find on this easy hike that’s doable in one to two hours. Steamboat Rock and Devil’s Punchbowl are a few other spots you won’t want to miss in Wildcat Den State Park. Learn more.
9. Rubicon Trail Hike
Where: South Lake Tahoe, California
Distance: 8 miles round trip
Best for: Cooling off in the lake during the warm summer months.
Located on the southwest shore of Tahoe, this hiking trail will give you the best views of the D.L Bliss and Emerald Bay state parks. The eight-mile trail is also easy to navigate, well-marked, and ideal for skipping down to the shore or picnic along one of the many beaches that are accessible along the way. Learn more.
10. Hoh River Trail Hike
Where: Olympic National Park, Washington
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Best for: Forest hikers who want to avoid steep inclines.
With incredible views inside this rainforest, the Hoh River Trail is perfect for beginners because there’s very little elevation gain and the hike can be extended easily depending on your fitness. In addition to subalpine meadows and montane forests, if you’re feeling adventurous you can continue along another 11 miles to Glacier Meadows which offer stunning mountain top views. Learn more.
11. Canyon Overlook Trail Hike
Where: Zion National Park, Utah
Distance: 1 mile round trip
Best for: A short, fun hike without a ton of climbing.
If you’re looking for stunning views of Zion Canyon, this scenic hike isn’t too difficult and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The path is mostly sandstone and dirt, and it climbs above the Mt. Carmel tunnel along Pine Creek Canyon where you’ll be privileged to amazing cliff views of the most famous landmarks in Zion National Park. Learn more.
12. Fairy Falls Trail Hike
Where: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Distance: 5 miles round trip
Best for: An alternative to the more difficult trails in Yellowstone.
A few miles north of Old Faithful, this hiking trail features an incredible waterfall, geysers and a hot spring. And though the trail is at elevation, there’s minimal climbing and lots of stop and look points that are safe, making it easy to capture spectacular views of all the sights and sounds of Yellowstone National Park. Learn more.
13. The Highline Trail Hike
Where: Glacier National Park, Montana
Distance: 7.6 miles round trip
Best for: Anyone looking to get away from large crowds.
This high country trail is on a well-groomed path that is mostly flat, which is unusual considering the nearby spectacular views of the many rugged peaks, glacial meadows and glistening blue lake below. It’s also your best chance to follow the legendary Continental Divide and see a few bighorn sheep along the way. Just make sure to check conditions beforehand, as the Highline Trail commonly closes due to weather. Learn more.
14. Base Loop Trail Hike
Where: Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Distance: 1.3 miles round trip
Best for: American history buffs and families.
Established in 1906, this sacred spot of Native Americans is the first national monument in the U.S. The easy 1.3-mile loop around Devils Tower will provide fascinating views of the solidified magma volcano, which looks similar-to granite and stands 867 feet above the red rock that surrounds the area beneath it. Learn more.
15. Billy Goat Trail Hike
Where: Potomac, Maryland
Distance: 7.8 miles round trip
Best for: Adventurers who don’t mind a little rock hopping.
The Potomac River and its surrounding forested terrain are the main attractions on this popular Maryland trek. Split into three sections, if you complete all three you’ll cover about 7.8 miles total. The easiest and most relaxing of the three is section C, though none of your options are extremely difficult, as long as you don’t mind some rock climbing and hopping from stone to stone. Learn more.
Are you ready for an adventure? Find the best campsites in America.