Discover the Best States for Hiking in the US!

Lacing up your boots, hitting the trail, breathing in that fresh air – there’s nothing quite like hiking. It’s a chance to challenge yourself, disconnect from the daily grind, and witness jaw-dropping natural beauty. The United States is a hiker’s paradise, boasting an incredible diversity of landscapes across its vast expanse. But with so many options, where do you even begin? If you’re dreaming of epic climbs, serene forest walks, or dramatic coastal treks, finding the best states for hiking is your first step towards an unforgettable adventure.

Are you planning your next big hiking trip? Do you crave towering peaks, ancient forests, unique desert landscapes, or rugged coastlines? Choosing the right destination can elevate your experience from a simple walk to a journey you’ll talk about for years. This guide explores some of the best states for hiking in the U.S., highlighting what makes each one special. We’ll look beyond just pretty pictures and dive into the variety of trails, iconic parks, and unique opportunities that make these states stand out for trail lovers. Get ready to fuel your wanderlust!

What Makes a State Great for Hiking?

Before we jump into the list, what criteria define the best states for hiking? It’s more than just having mountains. We considered:

• Trail Diversity: A mix of lengths, difficulties (easy nature walks to strenuous multi-day treks), and terrains (mountains, forests, deserts, coasts).
• Mileage & Accessibility: Abundant trail mileage across the state, including well-maintained trails and accessible trailheads.
• Iconic Parks & Public Lands: Significant presence of National Parks, National Forests, State Parks, and other protected areas offering premier hiking experiences.
• Scenic Beauty & Unique Features: Jaw-dropping landscapes, unique geological formations, diverse ecosystems, and overall “wow” factor.
• Hiking Culture & Infrastructure: Well-established support for hikers, including information resources, gear shops, and communities.

The Lineup: America’s Best States for Hiking

(Note: This list is subjective and presented in no particular order – every state here offers world-class hiking!)

1. Colorado

The Rocky Mountain High.

• Why It’s Great: When you think mountains, you think Colorado. Home to a significant portion of the Southern Rocky Mountains, including 58 peaks over 14,000 feet (“Fourteeners”), the state is a magnet for peak baggers and alpine enthusiasts. The sheer scale and accessibility of its high-altitude terrain are unmatched.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Rocky Mountain National Park: Iconic trails like the Emerald Lake Trail, Sky Pond, and the challenging Longs Peak Keyhole Route. Diverse ecosystems from montane forests to alpine tundra.
  • San Juan Mountains (Southwest CO): Rugged, dramatic peaks offering incredible backpacking loops like the Ice Lakes Basin and sections of the Colorado Trail. Towns like Telluride and Ouray are hiking hubs.
  • Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness: Famous for the stunning Maroon Bells (often called the most photographed peaks in North America) and challenging multi-day loops like the Four Pass Loop.
  • Extensive National Forests: Arapaho, Roosevelt, Pike, San Isabel, White River – offering countless miles of trails.
• Trail Diversity: Extreme elevation gain challenges, alpine lake destinations, wildflower meadows in summer, golden aspen groves in fall, and gentler foothills trails near Denver and Boulder.
• Iconic Hike Example: Climbing your first Fourteener (e.g., Grays Peak or Quandary Peak) offers breathtaking views and a serious sense of accomplishment.

2. California

From Granite Peaks to Coastal Bluffs.

• Why It’s Great: California’s incredible size and geographical diversity mean you can hike towering granite peaks, wander through colossal ancient forests, trek across dramatic deserts, and walk along rugged coastlines, all within the same state. Its National Park roster is legendary.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Yosemite National Park: World-famous granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias. Hikes range from the easy stroll to Lower Yosemite Fall to the strenuous multi-day John Muir Trail (JMT starts here). Iconic treks include Half Dome and Clouds Rest.
  • Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: Home to the largest trees on Earth and high Sierra Nevada backcountry similar to Yosemite but often less crowded.
  • Joshua Tree National Park: Unique desert landscape with bizarre rock formations and distinctive Joshua trees. Great for scrambling and shorter hikes, especially in cooler months.
  • Big Sur Coastline: Stunning coastal trails offering dramatic Pacific Ocean views (check for trail status due to potential closures).
  • Death Valley National Park: Hikes through badlands, salt flats, and canyons in the lowest point in North America (best in winter).
  • Redwood National and State Parks: Trails winding beneath towering coastal redwoods.
• Trail Diversity: Unbeatable variety – high alpine, dense forests, vast deserts, coastal paths. Home to sections of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls in Yosemite provides an unforgettable (and wet!) experience.

3. Washington

Volcanoes, Rainforests, and Alpine Lakes.

• Why It’s Great: Washington offers a trifecta of dramatic volcanic peaks, lush temperate rainforests, and stunning alpine lake scenery, primarily within the Cascade Range. Its three major National Parks are hiker’s dreams.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Mount Rainier National Park: Dominated by the massive volcano, offering wildflower meadows (Paradise), glacier views, challenging climbs, and sections of the Wonderland Trail loop.
  • Olympic National Park: Incredible diversity – rugged Pacific coastline (like Shi Shi Beach), temperate rainforests (Hoh Rainforest), and glaciated peaks in the Olympic Mountains (Hurricane Ridge).
  • North Cascades National Park: Rugged, remote, and often called the “American Alps.” Known for jagged peaks, turquoise lakes (like Diablo Lake), and challenging backcountry adventures.
  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Enormous wilderness area with countless lakes, granite peaks, and popular backpacking routes like the Enchantments (permit required).
• Trail Diversity: Glacial traverses, rainforest immersion, coastal backpacking, high-altitude lake circuits. Sections of the PCT run through the state.
• Iconic Hike Example: The Skyline Trail Loop at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park offers stunning wildflower displays (typically July/August) and constant volcano views.

4. Utah

Red Rock Wonders and Mighty Peaks.

• Why It’s Great: Utah is synonymous with otherworldly red rock landscapes, slot canyons, and unique geological formations found in its “Mighty 5” National Parks. It also boasts high-altitude mountain ranges in the north.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Zion National Park: Famous for the Virgin River Narrows (hiking in the river), Angels Landing (permit required), Observation Point, and Emerald Pools.
  • Bryce Canyon National Park: Hiking amongst the surreal hoodoos (rock spires) on trails like the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail.
  • Arches National Park: Trails leading to stunning natural arches like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.
  • Canyonlands National Park: Vast park with distinct districts offering remote canyons, mesas, and challenging hikes like the Syncline Loop.
  • Capitol Reef National Park: Less crowded park featuring the Waterpocket Fold, orchards, and scenic drives with trail access.
  • Wasatch & Uinta Mountains: High mountain ranges near Salt Lake City offering alpine lakes, peaks, and extensive trail networks, including parts of the Highline Trail.
• Trail Diversity: Slot canyon adventures, slickrock scrambling, high desert traverses, alpine peak bagging.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking The Narrows (bottom-up day hike or top-down overnight) in Zion National Park is a unique and unforgettable water-hiking experience.

5. Arizona

Grand Canyons and Desert Oasis.

• Why It’s Great: Home to one of the world’s natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, Arizona offers unparalleled canyon hiking. Beyond that, its diverse landscape includes high mountains, unique Sonoran Desert scenery, and fascinating geological features.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Grand Canyon National Park: Countless rim trails with stunning views, and challenging inner canyon trails like the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails leading down to the Colorado River (requires permits for overnight stays and extreme caution due to heat and elevation change).
  • Sedona: Famous for its red rock formations, vortex sites, and numerous trails like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge.
  • Saguaro National Park: Iconic Sonoran Desert landscape filled with giant saguaro cacti near Tucson.
  • Superstition Mountains: Rugged desert mountains near Phoenix, known for legends and challenging hikes like Flatiron via Siphon Draw.
  • Flagstaff Area: Higher elevation Ponderosa pine forests and access to Humphreys Peak (Arizona’s highest point).
• Trail Diversity: Epic canyon descents, desert botanical walks, red rock scrambling, high-altitude forest hikes. Sections of the Arizona Trail traverse the state.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking partway down the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon offers a perspective shift and appreciation for the canyon’s immense scale (turn around before getting too tired or hot!).

6. Montana

Big Sky, Big Mountains.

• Why It’s Great: Montana lives up to its “Big Sky Country” nickname, offering vast wilderness, rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Glacier National Park is the crown jewel, but the state boasts enormous wilderness areas.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Glacier National Park: Often called the “Crown of the Continent.” Stunning alpine scenery, glaciers, turquoise lakes, abundant wildlife (grizzlies!), and iconic trails like the Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Iceberg Lake Trail. Going-to-the-Sun Road provides access.
  • Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: High plateaus, rugged peaks, and access to Granite Peak (Montana’s highest). Borders Yellowstone.
  • Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex: Huge, remote wilderness area offering challenging, multi-day backpacking adventures.
  • Gallatin National Forest: Extensive trails near Bozeman and Big Sky.
• Trail Diversity: High alpine traverses, glacier-carved valleys, remote wilderness backpacking, wildlife viewing opportunities. Sections of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) pass through.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park provides continuous, breathtaking alpine views along the Garden Wall.

7. Alaska

The Last Frontier of Wilderness.

• Why It’s Great: For sheer scale, remoteness, and untamed wilderness, Alaska is in a league of its own. It offers glaciers, massive peaks (including Denali, North America’s highest), vast tundra, dramatic coastlines, and unparalleled wildlife encounters. Hiking here often requires more self-sufficiency and wilderness skills.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Denali National Park and Preserve: Home to Denali. While summiting is a major expedition, there are accessible day hikes near the park entrance and opportunities for off-trail tundra hiking (permits/knowledge required for backcountry).
  • Kenai Fjords National Park: Glaciers meet the sea. Harding Icefield Trail offers stunning views. Coastal exploration via boat often includes hiking opportunities.
  • Chugach State Park & National Forest: Huge areas near Anchorage with accessible mountains, trails, and glaciers (like Portage Pass Trail).
  • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: The largest US National Park, offering vast, remote wilderness hiking for experienced backcountry travelers.
• Trail Diversity: Glacier trekking, tundra hiking, coastal exploration, challenging mountaineering. True wilderness experiences abound.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park gives you a taste of Alaska’s icy heart, with incredible views over the massive icefield.

8. Oregon

Coasts, Cascades, and Craters.

• Why It’s Great: Oregon offers remarkable variety, from the stunningly rugged coastline to the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range and the unique high desert landscape east of the mountains. It’s a state deeply connected to outdoor recreation.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: Numerous waterfalls (Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls), lush forests, and challenging climbs with river views (like Angel’s Rest). Check trail status due to wildfire recovery.
  • Crater Lake National Park: Hiking trails around the rim of the incredibly deep blue caldera lake formed by a collapsed volcano. Garfield Peak Trail offers great views.
  • Oregon Coast Trail: A long-distance trail traversing the entire scenic coastline, with many accessible day hike sections through capes and beaches.
  • Cascade Mountains: Includes areas like the Three Sisters Wilderness (challenging backpacking, permit needed for popular areas), Mount Hood (trails around the volcano), and Smith Rock State Park (famous for climbing, but also great hiking trails).
  • Wallowa Mountains (Eagle Cap Wilderness): Often called the “Swiss Alps of Oregon,” offering stunning granite peaks and alpine lakes in the northeast.
• Trail Diversity: Coastal walks, waterfall canyons, volcanic landscapes, high desert trails, alpine backpacking. Sections of the PCT.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking a section of the Oregon Coast Trail, perhaps around Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor or Ecola State Park, showcases the dramatic beauty of the Pacific meeting the land.

9. North Carolina

Appalachian Peaks and Waterfalls.

• Why It’s Great: Representing the East Coast, North Carolina boasts the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River within the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers lush forests, stunning biodiversity, countless waterfalls, and sections of the iconic Appalachian Trail.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (shared with TN): America’s most visited national park. Dense forests, diverse wildlife, historic buildings, and numerous trails like Alum Cave Bluffs Trail and Chimney Tops Trail.
  • Blue Ridge Parkway: Scenic drive providing access to numerous trailheads, including Mount Mitchell (highest peak in the East), Graveyard Fields (waterfalls, blueberry bushes), and Craggy Gardens.
  • Pisgah National Forest & Nantahala National Forest: Extensive wilderness areas with waterfalls (Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock), challenging climbs (Linville Gorge), and sections of the Appalachian Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
  • Asheville Area: Hub for hiking with access to numerous trails within an hour’s drive.
• Trail Diversity: Waterfall hikes, high-elevation balds with panoramic views, dense hardwood forests, long-distance trail sections.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking to the summit of Mount Mitchell State Park on a clear day provides incredible 360-degree views over the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

10. Maine

Rugged Coasts and the Appalachian Terminus.

• Why It’s Great: Maine offers a distinct New England wilderness experience with its rocky coastline, dense northern forests, pristine lakes, and the challenging northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Baxter State Park.
• Key Hiking Areas:
  • Acadia National Park: Stunning blend of granite peaks, rugged coastline, and carriage roads on Mount Desert Island. Trails like the Precipice Trail (iron rung route), Beehive Trail, and Jordan Pond Path offer diverse experiences.
  • Baxter State Park: Home to Katahdin, the northern end of the AT. A wilder park experience with challenging climbs (Knife Edge on Katahdin), moose sightings, and remote ponds. Requires reservations and planning.
  • Appalachian Trail: Maine hosts the final, and arguably most challenging, section of the AT, including the 100-Mile Wilderness.
  • Grafton Notch State Park & Bigelow Preserve: Offer challenging mountain hikes in western Maine.
• Trail Diversity: Coastal scrambles, challenging mountain ascents, remote wilderness backpacking, lake and pond circuits.
• Iconic Hike Example: Hiking the Precipice Trail or Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park (if you’re comfortable with heights and exposure) provides thrilling climbs and stunning coastal views. Alternatively, summiting Katahdin marks an epic achievement.

Read more: Hiking in Costa Rica: Best Trails to Explore

How to Choose Your Best State for Hiking

The “best” state truly depends on what you’re looking for:

• Love towering peaks and alpine challenges? Colorado, Washington, California, Montana, Alaska.
• Crave unique desert landscapes and canyons? Utah, Arizona, California.
• Dream of lush forests and waterfalls? North Carolina, Oregon, Washington.
• Want rugged coastlines? California, Oregon, Maine, Washington (Olympic NP), Alaska.
• Seeking ultimate wilderness and solitude? Alaska, Montana, Maine (Baxter SP).
• Need variety above all else? California, Washington, Oregon, Utah.

Consider the time of year, your experience level, the type of scenery that inspires you most, and your travel logistics. You can explore trail reviews and photos on sites like AllTrails or consult resources from the National Park Service to find specific hikes that match your interests.

No matter which state you choose from this list (or beyond!), you’re bound to find incredible trails and make lasting memories. The best states for hiking offer endless opportunities to explore the diverse beauty of America on foot.

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FAQ: Best States for Hiking

Always check specific trail conditions and weather forecasts before heading out.