5 days ago
15 Epic One Day Hikes in the USA for Thrill Seekers and Nature Lovers
Alright, friends, grab your snacks, lace up those boots, and let's talk epic adventures without the epic exhaustion. As a travel writer and working mom with a deep appreciation for wild views and well-timed naps, I know the magic of a hike that thrills without requiring a Sherpa or three days off-grid.
These are the one-day wonders: bucket list hikes across the USA that pack stunning scenery, Insta-worthy moments, and a glorious sense of accomplishment – all before dinner. Whether you're chasing mountaintop sunrises or coastal cliff paths, each of these trails offers an unforgettable escape and the best kind of bragging rights.
Even better? You'll be back in time for a hot shower, a cold drink, and a proper bed. Because adventure is awesome – but so is room service.
Need to know: Not great with directions? Book a group tour or hire a local guide such as They offer a super efficient 1 hour hike that takes you right under the Hollywood sign landing, if you're short on time and want the best bang for your buck, this tour is an easy answer. If you want to make it to the top, that's the 2.5 hour tour. And finally, if you're reading this and already feeling fatigued, take the easy route and Uber to the Griffith Observatory afterward for coffee and snacks – no hiking required.
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Mileage & Duration: This seven-mile round trip, takes 4-6 hours. If you walk from Curry Village, instead of catching a shuttle bus to the trailhead, add an extra 1.5 miles there and back.
Best Route: Your starting point will be Happy Isles, in the Merced River, in Yosemite Valley. This trail to the Vernal and Nevada Falls is known as nature's 'giant staircase' and a feast for the senses. Waterfalls? Check. Rainbows in the mist? You bet. A little cardio workout? Done. The Mist Trail is moderately challenging but insanely rewarding. Bring a poncho because you'll be getting wet. The Mist Trail is also commonly used to climb up to Half Dome, the epic 16-mile trek Yosemite is famous for, including waterfalls, granite cliffs, and a cable-assisted climb to the summit. Permits are required for the cable section
Need to know: If you only have a couple of hours, hike to the Vernal Falls and back – you won't be disappointed.
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Mileage & Duration: This 5.4 mile round trip takes five hours.
Best Route: Start at The Grotto and follow the West Rim Trail. This hike has jaw-dropping views and sheer drop-offs that will make your adrenaline spike. Not for the faint of heart but trust me when I say the vistas from the top are worth sweaty palms and shaky knees. The trail has some steep parts, however it is well maintained up to Scout Lookout, where you need a permit to go further. There's a chain to hold onto from that point on with cliffs down on either side, making it a day to remember!
Need to know: You can apply for a seasonal permit (required, and rangers will check) up to three months in advance; apply for a Day-Before permit if it's spur of the moment. Permits cost $6 and work on a lottery basis. The non-refundable fee covers an application for up to six people.
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Mileage & Duration: A relatively easy four mile round trip, taking around 3 hours
Best Route: Start at Ke'e Beach. If you've been dreaming of Jurassic-level views without the 11-mile commitment of the full Kalalau Trail, this first stretch to Hanakapiʻai Beach is your sweet spot. The trail hugs the lush, emerald cliffs of Kauai's legendary Nā Pali Coast, with sweeping ocean vistas, waterfalls, and a soundtrack of crashing waves and tropical birds. It's a manageable hike that feels like a major adventure. Once you reach Hanakapiʻai Beach, take it all in, head back and reward yourself with a well-earned shave ice. Reservations are required and can be booked up to 30 days in advance.
Pro Tip: Download or print your ticket beforehand. There's no cell service at the trailhead, so you won't be able to access your online tickets when you arrive.
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Mileage & Duration: This 8.6 mile hike takes around 6-8 hours.
Best Route: Start at Falling Waters Trailhead. Ascend via Falling Waters Trail, traverse the ridge, then descend on Old Bridle Path. Franconia Ridge Loop is a showstopper, especially in autumn, when the foliage blazes beneath your boots. This classic New England hike winds through waterfalls, summits three 4,000-footers, and rewards you with jaw-dropping, 360° views across the White Mountains. The exposed ridgeline is dramatic and unforgettable, especially when the clouds roll in.
Need to know: Weather changes fast at elevation so pack layers and be ready for anything. And yes, it's a thigh-burner, but you'll earn bragging rights (and dessert).
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Mileage & Duration: This 7.6-mile loop takes 5-6 hours.
Best Route: Start at Maple Pass Trailhead. Go counter-clockwise for a gentler climb and faster descent. Arrive by 10 a.m. on warm weekends as parking can be tricky. You'll need a Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day) or America the Beautiful Pass. This hike is what bucket list dreams are made of; in summer, the ridgelines explode with wildflowers; in autumn, golden larches light up the landscape. Expect a steady 2,000 ft elevation gain, big mountain views, and a dramatic loop around Lake Ann that delivers photo ops at nearly every turn.
Need to know: Want a lower-effort option with lake views and alpine vibes? Head to nearby Blue Lake Trail – just 4.4 miles, it has half the elevation but packs a punch.
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Mileage & Duration: This 4.2 miles roundtrip takes 2-3 hours
Best Route: Start at Dry Creek Vista Trailhead; it's slightly longer, but skips the need for a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. But Devil's Bridge is one of Sedona's most photographed natural wonders – and for good reason. This towering sandstone arch delivers a serious wow factor, with panoramic red rock views. The trail is mostly gentle until the final stretch, where you'll scramble a short but steep section to reach the bridge. The reward? Standing atop a narrow natural span with jaw-dropping desert cliffs all around.
Need to know: That famous photo on the bridge? Yes, you can take it but there's no guardrail, so watch your step. Expect a line at the top for photos during peak hours.
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Mileage & Duration: This three mile roundtrip takes two hours.
Best Route: Start at Logan Pass Visitor Center for this alpine gem that delivers big views in a short distance. Expect jaw-dropping wildflower meadows, rugged peaks, and a lake so picturesque it feels fake. The boardwalk makes the first part of the trail a breeze (even with children in tow), and you've got a decent shot of spotting mountain goats along the way.
Need to know: This hike is an easy win for families – you've got scenery, wildlife, and just enough elevation to feel like you earned that post-hike ice cream. Be aware that snowfields often linger into July, so pack sturdy shoes and check trail conditions.
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Mileage & Duration: This is a 7.1 mile round trip, taking 4-6 hours
Best Route: Plan to start at the South Ridge Trailhead. If you want to be among the first people in the U.S. to see the sunrise, then Cadillac Mountain's summit is where you do it. This granite-topped beauty offers sweeping views of the Atlantic and a peaceful trail through pine forest and open ridgeline. Arrive early for golden-hour magic, or skip the hike up, drive to the top for sunrise, and then hike down for a scenic, knees-first adventure.
Need to know: Sunrise reservations are required from May through to October, if you drive. Bring layers as those crisp coastal Maine mornings can bite.
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Mileage & Duration: This 3.6 mile round trip takes 2-3 hours.
Best Route: Start at the Bear Lake Trailhead and get ready for a hike that feels like walking through a postcard. This alpine gem leads you past mirror-like lakes, babbling brooks, and groves of shimmering aspen. You'll pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching the grand finale: Emerald Lake, cradled beneath jagged peaks and often dusted with snow, even in summer. The 770-foot climb is steady but manageable – though at over 10,000 feet elevation, you'll feel it. Pace yourself.
Need to Know: The Colorado Rockies don't mess around when it comes to weather. Sunshine can flip to sleet in minutes, so pack layers, even in July. And don't forget water – high-altitude dehydration hits fast.
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Mileage & Duration: This 0.8 mile round trip takes 30 minutes
Best Route: This easy trail starts just outside the Hoh Visitor Center, where you'll find restrooms, a ranger station, and interpretive displays that explain the unique ecology of this temperate rainforest. As you leave the centre, you'll immediately enter a cathedral of towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock, their trunks blanketed in moss. Expect the path to feel soft underfoot and the air cool and damp, even in summer.
It's currently closed for repair but won't be forever and that's just as well because it's 50 shades of green and akin to stepping into a fairy tale with lush greenery, moss-covered trees, and misty vibes.
Need to know: Even on sunny days, this rainforest is drizzly, so don't forget a lightweight rain jacket!
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Mileage & Duration: This rangy four to 16 miles roundtrip (the distance depends on how far your soggy shoes will take you), can take from three to 12 hours
Best Route: The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, and most people choose to start their hike from the Temple of Sinawava. As this is one of the more difficult hikes, you may benefit from booking a guide. This stunning – and wet – trail follows a river and water levels vary by season; the park will close the trail if levels are too high, as can happen in Spring with the runoff.
Need to know: Rent footwear designed for this hike at any number of outfitters in nearby Springdale to avoid soggy blister nightmares. Otherwise, you will be wet.
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Mileage & Duration: This 14.4 miles roundtrip takes 6-7 hours
Best Route: Start at the Jenny Lake Trailhead, or shave off miles by taking the ferry across the lake. The Grand Teton National Park is the oft-forgotten younger sibling to Yellowstone; sitting right next door to the south, what it's lacking in volcanic glory it makes up for in mountains majesty. The Lake Solitude hike is a strenuous hike with 2,670 ft of gain but the beautiful lakes and mountains make it worth it.
Need to know: You can always take the leisurely stroll along the Jenny Lake Loop and visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Or if you're feeling hike-resistant, rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around the lake. Either way, you will enjoy fantastic scenery.
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Mileage & Duration: This nine-mile loop takes approximately 7-8 hours.
Best Route: Begin at the Old Rag parking area, located at the end of Route 601, as you prepare for one of the most iconic hikes on the East Coast. Old Rag Mountain is Shenandoah's crown jewel. Expect a full-body workout as you navigate steep ascents, granite rock scrambles, and narrow crevices. But it's worth every step: the summit offers jaw-dropping 360-degree views over the rolling expanse of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Old Rag combines rugged adventure with postcard-perfect vistas, making it a rite of passage for seasoned hikers and bucket-listers alike.
Need to know: This hike gets busy. To help protect the landscape, the park caps access at 800 day-use tickets daily. Reservations are essential: half are released 30 days ahead, the rest five days out.
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Several popular trails at the Grand Canyon National Park offer enjoyable day hikes. For shorter, easier options, the Rim Trail and Bright Angel Trail are great choices. More challenging, but rewarding, options include the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point, the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa, or a section of the Hermit Trail, as described on the Grand Canyon Guru.
Rim Trail
Mileage & Duration: Up to 13 miles, and 7-8 hours.
Best Route: Jump on or off anywhere along the 13-mile paved trail, which runs between Hermit's Rest and the South Kaibab Trailhead. With 14 shuttle stops, you can tailor your walk to suit your time, energy, and sunset plans. This is the Grand Canyon in cruise mode. The Rim Trail hugs the edge of the South Rim, offering nonstop panoramic views without the knee-crushing descents.
Need to know: Perfect for families, casual walkers, or anyone adjusting to the altitude.
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Bright Angel Trail
Mileage & Duration: Up to nine miles to Havasupai Gardens, taking 6-9 hours.
Best Route: For a rewarding day hike, go to the 3-Mile Resthouse and back; this is a six mile round-trip, taking around five hours, offering a hefty 2,120 feet of elevation change. Carved into the cliffside, Bright Angel drops steadily into the gorge, revealing new layers of colour, texture, and rock history with every switchback. It's well-maintained, with water stops and shaded rest houses along the way.
Need to know: Not ready for the full grind? Turn back at one of the tunnels (1st or 2nd) or the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse. Still gorgeous, still worth it. Word to the wise, you're sharing the trail with Grand Canyon's OG hikers, the mules – so watch your step!
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Enjoy the scenery!
There you have it! A bucket list of 15 jaw-dropping hikes for thrill seekers and nature lovers, all right here in the USA.
From alpine lakes in Colorado to desert arches in Arizona, these trails prove you don't need a passport to find epic adventure. Each one offers unforgettable views, a hit of fresh air, and just enough challenge to make that post-hike taco taste even better.
Pressed for time or planning? A local guide can help you make the most of your day by customising the route, dodging the crowds, and showing you secret spots you might otherwise miss. Prefer the DIY route? Just plan ahead and hit the trail early.
So what are you waiting for? America's greatest hits are calling – pick your path and get hiking!
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