Hiking is one of my absolute favorite pastimes. It’s a great workout in a beautiful setting and has proven mental health benefits. Dozens of studies have shown that being in nature reduces stress, boosts mental health and cognition, aids in creativity and sleep, and so much more. Plus, going for a hike can feel like a mini vacation, often taking you to a place you have never been before that feels very different from city or suburban living.
Many of the most beautiful hikes are at U.S. National Parks. Indeed, the U.S. has stunning and diverse landscapes. Visiting one of these national parks or road tripping to multiple can make for an impactful, awe-inspiring, and relatively inexpensive trip.
For many people, their first or biggest hikes are at national parks. However, we may attempt a hike because we’ve seen it on Instagram or online. However, we might not have a good sense of what we need to make our hikes safe and successful. What kind of gear do you actually need? How much food and water are sufficient? How do you find a hike that’s right for you and your fitness level?
In this post, I go over how to plan and prepare for a hike. I also discuss almost all of the national parks so you can figure out which ones you most want to visit. Finally, I include a free printable checklist of all the U.S. National Parks. You can use this checklist to keep track of all of your adventures! Happy hiking!
How Do You Choose a Hike Near You?
My favorite resource for choosing a hike is AllTrails and the AllTrails app. The name says it all, they have great coverage of trails not only across the U.S., but also across other countries. You can filter trails by length, elevation gain, point of interest (the trail has a waterfall, waterfront views, wildflowers, etc.), difficulty (easy/moderate/hard), suitability (for dogs, kids, ADA, etc.), and more.
Plus, you can check reports from recent hikers to see if the hike is currently covered in snow, super muddy, blocked by downed trees, and more. These trail reports will give you a sense of what gear you need to bring to be safe (like microspikes if it’s icy or trekking poles if the trail is slippery).
If you live in Washington, the Washington Trails Association (wta.org) is also a great resource. Your own state/country may have a similar trails association. Likewise, National Park and Forest websites can provide information on trails, road closures, safety precautions, and more.
How to Choose a Hike That’s a Good Fit For You
If you are just getting started, I’d recommend erring on the easier or moderate side, even if you are quite fit. For example, if you regularly walk or run but have limited hiking experience, you might try out a 5- or 6-mile hike with 1,500 feet or less of elevation gain. In contrast, if you have no hiking experience or are just getting started with a fitness journey, you might aim for a hike that is 4 miles or less with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
We’re all probably tempted to start with a big, exciting hike. However, hiking is an inherently risky activity. You’re generally somewhat distant from civilization. That means less access to food, cellphone reception, bathrooms, etc. You’re also more exposed to dangers. These dangers can include high and low temperatures, fall hazards, chances of getting lost, and wild animals.
Consequently, I recommend that you start with an easier, shorter hike. This hike will help give you a better sense of your preparedness. It sucks to not bring enough water and have crappy shoes on a 4 mile hike, it sucks way more and can be more dangerous if you didn’t bring enough water and have crappy shoes on a 10 mile hike.
Exploring United States National Parks
There are so many incredible US National Parks to explore. If you have the opportunity to visit a US National Park or, ideally, multiple national park sites(!) which ones should you choose?
Best National Parks with Little to No Walking Needed
Many national parks have incredible scenic drive options, allowing you to see the national park with little to no walking. This is the best way of seeing incredible sites if you have any members of your party with mobility limitations or if you are are not a big fan of hiking longer distances. It’s also a great option for places like Death Valley National Park that can get *ahem* uncomfortably hot.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
- Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri. This is also the smallest national park, so you know it’s easy to get around.
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Death Valley National Park, California
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Best National Parks with Wild Animals
Want to see a brown bear or black bear? How about alligators or crocodiles? Elk and deer? Many national parks have incredible wildlife. The ones below have especially rich populations of wildlife. Always be sure to follow park regulations, however. For example, never feed wild animals or approach them closely. An Instagram story is not worth getting impaled or munched on.
- Everglades National Park for alligators, manatees, so many different kinds of birds (like flamingos!), saltwater racoons(!?!), and more!
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota for elk, pronghorns, bison, and more
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota for elk, pronghorns, bison, and wild horses(!)
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida for turtles (though if you know your Spanish, you may have guessed that :))
- Lake Clark National Park, Alaska for brown bears, foxes, wolves, and so much more
- Acadia National Park, Maine for black bears, moose, whales, and many kinds of birds
Best Places with Tropical Vibes
If you want a place with incredible scenery and beautiful sandy beaches, you can’t do much better than the U.S. national parks below.
- National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa – this is also the least visited national park. However, it’s so gorgeous that it’s worth the visit if you can get there.
- Biscayne National Park, Florida
- Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
- Honorable Mention: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado – okay, there aren’t any turquoise sparkling waters with this one, but if you want plentiful white sands, Great Sand Dunes National Park has you covered
Best National Parks with Outdoor Adventure
If you’re into outdoor adventure, you should definitely check out the national parks below. From rock climbing to scuba diving to kayaking and more, you can find once in a lifetime experiences at all of these parks.
- Joshua Tree, California for rock climbing
- Yosemite National Park, California for rock climbing
- Kings Canyon National Park, California for canyoneering
- Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska for glacier and regular hiking, kayaking, mountaineering, ice climbing, and so much more
- Channel Islands National Park for kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving
- New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia for whitewater river rafting and climbing
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado for canyoneering, rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing
Best National Parks with Water Features
Yes, many of the national parks mentioned above have incredible water features. BUT these national parks outdo themselves with their water features. There’s Crater Lake’s otherworldly deep, blue waters. Or the steamy hot springs at the appropriately named Hot Springs National Park. Voyageurs National Park has incredible waterways snaking through beautiful forested islands. And perhaps most famously, Yellowstone National Park is full of incredibly powerful geysers that rival those found anywhere else in the world.
- Crater Lake, Oregon
- Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
- Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Fun fact, this was the first national park!
- Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Best National Parks with Incredible Forests
Forests really don’t get enough credit. We tend to prioritize them less than water features or expansive views. However, studies have found that forest environments are incredibly relaxing for our nervous system. The essential oils and aromas that forests give off are also super good for our health and mood. The national parks below (and many of the ones on the other lists) have incredible forests that will hopefully leave you feeling restored.
- Sequoia National Park, California
- Redwood National Park, California
- Olympic National Park, Washington – parts of Olympic National Park are also considered dark sky areas, which means it’s a great place for stargazing
- Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Best National Parks for Mountains
Is there anything more awe-inspiring than sweeping mountain ranges? These national parks offer incredible views and some of the best hikes on offer. For the very adventurous (and trained!), they also offer incredible opportunities for mountaineering.
- Glacier National Park, Alaska
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Denali National Park, Alaska. Fun fact, Denali is one of the highest peaks in the world and is the tallest mountain in North America!
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- North Cascades National Park, Washington
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Best National Parks for Unique Landscapes
Looking to see something you can’t see almost anywhere else in the world? Yes, the Grand Canyon is an obvious choice here. As, perhaps, are the incredible rock formations at Zion, Bryce, and Arches. However, you’ll also want to check out Mesa Verde for it’s incredible pueblo (town) built into a cliff face and Carlsbad Cavern’s uniquely intricate limestone caves.
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
- Arches National Park, Utah
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
- Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
- Pinnacles National Park, California
Least Traveled National Parks
Some of the parks above are also among the least traveled, such as the American Samoa National Park. These parks tend to be more difficult to get to. However, they make up for that in their incredible landscapes and the peace and solitude they offer.
- Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
- Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
- Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
- Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Fun fact, despite being one of the least traveled national parks, this is actually the biggest national park in terms of square miles!
Complete National Parks List
If you’re like me, you probably want to visit all of these national parks. So I’ve created a printable list of national parks. You can download this national park checklist as a PDF and print it at home or your local library or print shop. You can then use it to check off all the U.S. National Parks you visit or create your own, curated National Parks bucket list if you want a more concise national park list. I hope you use it as inspiration for your next adventure or road trip!
More National Park Tips
Before going on your adventure, make sure you check any rules and regulations for the park you are visiting. Consult with the park rangers at the local visitor center and get any recommendations from them as well. They are a fount of knowledge and can offer tips and tricks to make your trip so much better.
Also, check to see whether there are fees or permits required for entering the park. The America the Beautiful pass will get you into all of the National Parks and Forests. For most people, it costs $80 annually. However, if you are a senior, veteran or dependent of a veteran, federal lands volunteer, or 4th grader, you can get a discounted or even free pass.
It’s also best to plan ahead when you are visiting a national park. Many national parks are super busy. To have the most enjoyable trip possible, research the best time to visit the park you’re interested in. Keep in mind that for the most popular national parks, you may want to go during off-peak season when weather is a little worse but the crowds are much smaller.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds, you can also check out U.S National Monuments and National Forests. Both sets of locations offer incredible scenery. Many of them also have amazing hiking. However, they tend to be much less trafficked than the national parks.
Finally, always make sure to pack appropriately for your trip. I provide guidance on the gear you should bring on a hike below. If you will be traveling to a remote location, one of the best things you can do to avoid disaster is bring extra supplies.
What Gear Do I Need to Prepare For Hiking Trips?
The gear you need depends, to a certain extent, on the kind of trail you’re doing, the trail conditions, and the weather. Most outdoor organizations recommend that you bring the 10 essentials: (1) water, (2) food, (3) insulation (basically clothing and extra layers), (4) first aid kit, (5) sun protection, (6) navigation (i.e. a map and, if necessary, a compass and GPS), (7) illumination (like a flashlight), (8) repair kit (duct tape, scissors, multi-tool, etc.), (9) fire supplies, and (10) emergency shelter. I’ll be honest, unless I’m going for a really big hike, I just focus on the first 6 (shhh don’t tell other hikers!)
Clothing for Hiking
Regardless of the trail, you should aim to wear comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing. Cotton is a big no-no because it doesn’t dry out when you sweat or get wet through other means. At best, it’s uncomfortable, at worst, it can put you at risk of hypothermia. Wool and synthetics are generally your best bet for staying dry and comfortable. If all you have is cotton, it’s important to choose an easy, safe, close-to-home hike on a comfortably warm day to reduce your risk.
Bringing layers is also important for most times of the year. Generally, I’ll wear a synthetic t-shirt and water-resistant pants and pack a light fleece, down jacket, waterproof shell (i.e. a jacket that doesn’t have any filling), hat, and mittens. Pro tip: leave a sweatshirt and clean socks and shoes in your car to change into at the end of your hike so you can have a comfy drive back and keep your car cleaner.
Waterproof hiking boots with good traction are also a very worthwhile investment. If you are hiking dry, relatively flat trails with few obstacles then you can often get by with tennis shoes. However, as soon as trails get steep, slippery, rocky, or certainly snowy and icy it is very unsafe to hike in tennis shoes. Hiking boots also don’t have to be overly pricey. I got my Women’s Columbia Newton Ridge Waterproof hiking boots off of Amazon for $65 (they’re on sale for $60 as of this writing). I’ve used them for 5 years and love them.
Additional Gear for Hiking
After clothes and hiking boots, in my personal opinion, the next best investment is trekking poles. They’re not strictly necessary for most hikes, but they are incredibly helpful. Before I tried them, I was a trekking pole hater. They only seemed worthwhile if you were climbing an actual mountain or were older and had creaky joints. However, they have saved my butt from falling countless times.
On top of that, they make navigating river/stream crossings easier and safer. And the biggest bonus of all, they reduce the weight on your knees by 30%, which means that going up and down hills is easier and way less painful.
A first aid kit is a must and it doesn’t have to be extensive. It should, however, be appropriate for the level of hike you’re doing. For most hikes, bandaids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and sunscreen are sufficient. For a more complete list of items you might want for more involved hikes, check out this list. Many outdoor stores including REI offer ready-made first aid kits in waterproof bags that can be a little expensive, but an easy, comprehensive option.
If you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, investing in a backpacking pack is a gamechanger. They’re expensive, but they are way more comfortable to wear than regular backpacks and are far more durable for all kinds of weather.
How Much Food and Water Should I Bring Hiking?
The general rule of thumb is to bring 1/2 liter of water for every hour of moderate activity in moderate weather. However, if the hike will be hot, if you sweat a lot like me, if you packed lots of salty snacks, if you’re unsure of how long the hike will take you, if you think there will be any route finding involved (and so a chance of getting lost or taking longer to complete the hike), or really any reason at all the hike might be longer or tougher than you expect, err on the side of more water. While it can be annoying to carry extra weight, it will feel pretty horrible to not have enough water.
The Best Foods for Hiking
Food is one of the most fun parts of hiking. Hiking is one of those situations where it is totally acceptable to pack gummy candies, add extra heaps of M&Ms to your trail mix, and generally eat the foods you loved as a kid. If the hike is on the longer side, you actually want some sugar for a boost of energy and salt to help replenish electrolytes.
Aim for 200-300 calories per hour, but you may need more if the hike is extra strenuous. If the hike is at a high elevation, you may experience the common phenomena of losing your appetite. However, fueling consistently is very important so you’ll want to bring easy to digest snacks that you are likely to find appealing even with a bit of a queasy tummy (like Saltine’s or, again, gummy candy!).
Keep in mind that it’s easy for food to get crushed in your pack, so if you’re bringing bananas, sandwiches, apples, crackers, or other things that are much less appealing when crushed, make sure to arrange things mindfully in your backpack. If it’s cold out, your protein bar will also probably end up rock hard, so packing food close to your body (in an inside pocket for example) can help with that issue.
Hiking Safety Tips
- Have an offline, downloaded map of the trail (and your driving route home) available and ideally a backup print version. Reception is generally spotty on trails and phone batteries die more quickly in the cold.
- Review these tips on what to do when you get lost from Sunrise 2 Sunsets.
- Notify someone where you are going and roughly when you’ll text them you’re back so if you get lost someone knows where you are. When estimating the time you’ll text, make sure you are realistic about how long the trail will take you and factor in drive time if it takes you awhile to get reception.
- Err on the side of bringing more food and water, no one likes a hangry hiker.
- If you are hiking at a relatively high elevation, make sure you understand the signs of altitude sickness (headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, sick feeling). Descend immediately if anyone shows signs, the only cure is returning to a lower elevation.
- Hypothermia can happen at surprisingly high temperatures, especially if you get wet and stay wet. Likewise, heat illness can happen at surprisingly low temperatures. If you have any concern at all that you are getting hypothermic or heat sickness, turn around.
Final Thoughts on Hiking at US National Parks
Keep in mind this guide is not totally comprehensive. For more hiking safety tips, you can refer to sources like the National Park Service. I have also erred on the side of making this guide more accessible and not assuming you have hundreds of dollars to drop on gear. There are many more items that help make hikes safer and are vital if you plan to do a more challenging hike and/or a hike in more challenging conditions (like microspikes, crampons, ice axes, water filters, compasses, and more).
Stay safe and have fun! Do you have other tips you think should be here? Let me know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this post and/or feel like it might be useful for others, I would love for you to like, subscribe, or share. Looking for related content? Check out my posts on packing light, how to get started running, and how to train for a marathon.