Our Pick of the 10 Best Hikes in America for a Day Off

The U.S. is blessed with some of the world's most jaw-dropping scenery, so when looking for the best hikes in America, you'll certainly see sights that stick with you forever.

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Writing one of these lists is next to impossible, so don't hate me.

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Everyone has a different opinion based on their own experiences. So, if you went to summer camp in America in California and you went to see Yosemite National Park on 'one of your best days off ever', you'll feel more of a link with there than elsewhere.

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There's nothing better than having a day off and getting out into the great outdoors, connecting with nature, and finding your adventurous spirit. 

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These 10 best hikes in America allow you to do just that; experience Mother Nature in one day and be back in time for dinner.

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Most of our team have been on work abroad placements through Smaller Earth, and a majority have worked abroad in America for several years through summer camp with Camp Leaders. 

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We got our heads together in the office and decided to pick some of our favourites (and in no particular order to keep it fair). 

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Using the brilliant AllTrails, you can research these in more depth to understand the hikes, their challenges, and whether they're for you or not.

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As always, be sure to stick to official trails, check the conditions before you hike, and only attempt hikes that your ability allows you to.

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Mount Rainier National Park, Washington - Skyline Loop

• Type: Loop

• Distance: Approx 10km

• Elevation Gain: 539m

• Difficulty: Average to Difficult

• Cost: On foot $15USD or $30 per vehicle

• Best time to go: Summer (road closures in winter and only for accomplished hikers)

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Washington state is nestled in the U.S. Northwest, where you'll find some of the most incredible, vast landscapes you see in the movies. 

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One of the jewels in the crown is Mount Rainer National Park. Mount Rainer is an active volcano, and thanks to its snow-capped peak, it is where five different major rivers start. 

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The mountain's surrounding area offers incredible views of Mount Rainer and the luscious greenery you'd find in such fertile places.

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The Skyline Loop from Paradise can be a tough route, at nearly 10km with some steep climbs, but the views are worth it. 

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Expect forests, waterfalls, and mountain ranges everywhere you look.

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Haleakala National Park, Hawaii - Sliding Sands (Keonehe'ehe'e)

• Type: Point to Point

• Distance: Approx 18km

• Elevation Gain: 630m

• Difficulty: Difficult

• Cost: On foot $15USD or $30 per vehicle

• Best time to go: Year round

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Hawaii is high on most people's lists of dream destinations, yet this will take you higher.

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Following the Haleakala Crater in Maui is the Sliding Sands hike. 

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Hiking through its epic landscapes can be challenging, so be sure to prep well and ensure you can complete it. 

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If you are, you'll be rewarded with scenes that feel like you're on another planet, with the wide-open expanses around the crater likely looking like nothing you've seen before.

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Bryce Canyon, Utah - Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail

• Type: Loop

• Distance: Approx 5km

• Elevation Gain: 199m

• Difficulty: Average

• Cost: On foot $20USD or $30 per vehicle

• Best time to go: March - October

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You've likely seen images of Bryce Canyon online, but it's something else to experience walking through it. 

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The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail can be tough, especially depending on weather conditions, but it's also a super popular route, which says something.

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You'll see a range of rock formations and rugged scenery, including its most famous scenery, such as Thor's Hammer.

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You need to see it to believe it.

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Glacier National Park, Montana - Avalanche Lake Trail

• Type: To and back

• Distance: 9.5km

• Elevation Gain: 231m

• Difficulty: Average

• Cost: On foot $20USD or $30 per vehicle

• Best time to go: May to October (better weather and conditions, less seasonal road closures)

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Montana is the fourth largest state in the U.S. by area, but it has long been considered one of the most picturesque.

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Its rolling hills and mountainous ranges are often seen in major films, but as it's another state which tends to be further off the beaten track for tourists, only a few are lucky enough to see it.

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If you are, then visiting the Glacier National Park is a must. 

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Avalanche Lake is postcard-worthy, and the Avalanche Lake Trail is an average-to-challenging hike that will allow you to see some of the most incredible U.S. sights that very few others from back home will.

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Yosemite National Park, California - Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail

• Type: Loop

• Distance: 10.3km

• Elevation Gain: 673m

• Difficulty: Average to Difficult

• Cost: On foot $20USD or $30 per vehicle

• Best time to go: Spring or Autumn (more closures in winter, and summer months become more crowded

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Yosemite National Park is the most famous national park of them all.

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Many have seen the likes of Half Dome or El Capitan in films such as 'The Dawn Wall', but to see it in person is a surreal experience.

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It's a few hours' drive from San Francisco, and within the national park there are more hikes than you'll have time for.

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The Half Dome hike is also incredible, but it's very tough due to altitude, so we've gone with the Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail route.

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On this semi-challenging hike, you'll see some of the spots that make up this majestic landscape. 

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It can get busier in the summer months, so plan your journey accordingly to make sure you have enough time at each stop. You'll need it, trust us.

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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

• Type: To and back

• Distance: 5km

• Elevation Gain: 360m

• Difficulty: Average

• Cost: $20USD for individual hiker/bicyclists or $30USD per vehicle

• Best time to go: March to June, September to November (thunderstorms and heat in the middle of summer, very icy in winter)

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Everyone in the world knows about the Grand Canyon (it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world), so it's more about which route to take to see it.

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Considering it's a relatively short hike, the South Kaibab Trail will give you spectacular views along the way. 

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It's steep and open, so make sure you've stocked up on water and have your hats to keep the sun off. It's the Grand Canyon, so you won't find much shade.

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The views you'll be rewarded with are as jaw-dropping as they are expansive.

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It's hard to contemplate its sheer size until you're there, and when you are, you won't want to leave.

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Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee - Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte

• Type: To and back

• Distance: 17.7m

• Elevation Gain: 933m

• Difficulty: Difficult

• Cost: No entrance fee, but you need to get a parking tag if driving there

• Best time to go: April to November

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This is one of the best-maintained trails on the list. It is in another famous U.S. mountain range, the Great Smoky Mountains.

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If you're working at a summer camp in America in one of the southeastern U.S. states, such as Tennessee, you may head to the Great Smoky Mountains for a hike.

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There are over 350 trails here, but we've plucked for the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeCounte. 

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It's definitely one for the more athletic, as at nearly 18km and 933m of elevation gain, you'll definitely be tested. 

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If you're up for it, though, you'll see some fantastic viewpoints. They include Inspiration Point and Alum Cave Bluff, and if you fancy it, on the top of Mount Leconte itself.

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Zion National Park - Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail

• Type: To and back

• Distance: 5.8km

• Elevation Gain: 340m

• Difficulty: Average to difficult

• Cost: $20USD for individual hiker/bicyclists or $30USD per vehicle

• Best time to go: March-May and August to October (avoids some of the more extreme weather conditions or busier times)

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Zion National Park is another famous national park you've likely seen all over the internet.

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It's easily distinguishable by its towering rock formations and deep gorges, which are hardly found anywhere else. 

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It's also a favourite for both self-planners and group tours alike, so if you're in this area of the country, you'll want to check it out.

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There are some incredible sights as you climb the paved steps, but make sure you've got a strong stomach; some of the hike can get very steep very quickly.

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming - Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop

• Type: Loop

• Distance: 7.9km

• Elevation Gain: 109m

• Difficulty: Average

• Cost: $20USD for individual hiker/bicyclists or $35USD per vehicle

• Best time to go: May to October (avoids winter road closures and bad conditions)

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Holding the title of America's first national park means a lot of people venture up to Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho to check it out (yes, it's that big).

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The Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point loop trail is a must for adventurers and explorers alike.

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You'll see incredible hot springs and geysers throughout (but keep your distance; even though they look incredible, they're very dangerous). 

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You'll also likely see a fair bit of wildlife dotted throughout, so it's easy to see why this is one of the best hikes in America.

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There are some lovely boardwalks on the way, so stick to safety for the best time.

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Coconino National Forest - Devils Bridge via Mescal Trailhead

• Type: To and back

• Distance: 6.3km

• Elevation Gain: 161m

• Difficulty: Average

• Cost: Free

• Best time to go: September to May (avoids hottest conditions and also busiest peaks)

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On the Devil's Bridge trail, you'll find great photo op after excellent photo op.

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Timing is key on this one, as although it's not the most challenging hike on the list, Arizona weather can get HOT, so you need to plan this one well.

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You'll also encounter large crowds on other popular days, but there's a good reason; it's spectacular.

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Some of the shots you'll get of the actual Devil's Bridge (stay safe and stay away from going on it, though) make for an incredible bit of natural beauty.

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Some other of the best hikes in America that are worth a mention too:

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• Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Halema'uma'u Trail. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
• Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
• Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland
• Cadillac North Ridge Trail, Arcadia National Park, Maine
• Point Lobos Loop Trail, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, California

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If you're working abroad in America, maybe in a hospitality role or at summer camp, trust us; you'll see more of the outdoors than you've ever seen.

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The world becomes your oyster in your free time, so if you want to round up a group of new mates to experience something new, these best hikes in America will be perfect for your day off. 

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