Trip guides for 6 best hiking destinations in the USA!

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the wilderness and the great outdoors, and fortunately the USA has been blessed with some of the best landscapes and national parks to satiate your need for some adventure.

The experts at leisure have explored some of the best hiking trails where you can relax and camp in the woods. Be it a day’s hike with moderate difficulty or if you want to challenge yourself with some extreme adventure activities for multiple days, this list of trip guides through 6 best hiking destinations in America.

Hiking destination trip guides included in this article:

1.       Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, WA

2.       Teton Crest Trail, Grand Teton National Park, WY

3.       Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, UT

4.       Highline Trail, Glacier National Park, MT

5.       Monarch Lake to Crater Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO

6.       Clouds Rest, Yosemite National Park, CA

Also checkout: Top Destinations For Adventure Travel And Tours Around The World

Let’s have a look at what each one has to offer:

1. Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, WA

Starting the list with one of the most vigorous and difficult trails in the United States. The wonderland trail in Mount Rainier National Park is a whopping 93 mile long hike which takes 10-12 days of hiking, climbing and camping in the lap of nature to complete it. This trail sits at the top of the list for most experienced adrenaline junkies who wish to conquer it. The trail has something spectacular to offer during any period of the year, however if you plan to catch the most stunning views of the majestic mountains and make the most of its beauty, fall season is the ideal time of the year when you should plan your trek.

For beginners who are simply planning to witness the majestic views and avoid spending nearly two weeks in the wild, they can opt for a shorter trail which can be covered in a day or two. Trip guides are available at the park to guide you through your way, accompanied by food caches to reduce some weight. Hikers are required to make reservations well in advance and have a permit to enjoy this trail. Guided tours allow the less experienced individuals to explore the trail with the help of trip guides while reducing the risk, and not worrying about permits, accommodation and gears.

2. Teton Crest Trail, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The second trial on this list may not be as strenuous as the Wonderland trail but it’s the next most difficult trail. The Teton Crest Trail is a 40 mile hike which takes 4 to 5 days to complete. However the trail offers plenty of options to modify the usual route to make it suitable for your level of experience and preference. Situated in the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, the trail offers some of the majestic views of snow clad Granite Mountains, bursting with different species of wildlife and flowering plants spear over huge meadows.

The trail presents different lakes and tall alpine trees to camp for the night, but beware of dangerous animals, like bears, wolves, elks and moose. Permits are required to go hiking and camping in this trail and reservations to secure campsites, as it is one of the most popular summer trails in the country. Trip guides are present at the park to present you with all the information you need or you can book yourself a guided tour to make your trip a little easier.

3. Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, Utah

Grand Canyon isn’t the only place in the country to experience the grandeur of narrow slots carved in stone through thousands of years of withering.  The Paria Canyon trail set in Vermillion cliffs area in Utah may not be as arduous, as the previous two trails in this list of trip guides, but it is equally beautiful and fun to take on. The trail is 38 miles long which takes 4 days to complete, however beginners can also take on a smaller route which doesn’t require trip guides and explore the vast canyons on their own. This trail is one of the best desert hiking spots in the country, which can be accessed through four starting points, each of which offers a different route to take on.

Late winters and spring season is the best time to enjoy the trail without the scorching heat. If you’re planning to take on this trail you should avoid the rainy seasons at all costs as flash floods are quite common in the region. Make sure you consult the appropriate authorities and trip guides in the regions, to plan your adventure and avoid making any grave mistakes.

4. Highline Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana

This trail sits at the bottom of Logan Pass and takes you through breathtaking mountain views and narrow slopes as you pass through flocks of mountain goats, and sheep. The trail is 15 miles long and takes one to two days to complete the whole loop. The hike is not as difficult as the other trails in this list, and offers beautiful views of the mountains. However it is because of this reason large crowds of people flock to take on this trail making it essential to plan your trip early to enjoy your hike in peace. Along the trail you will witness the garden falls with a narrow path and a steep slope to make your stomach drop, but there are hand cables to grab on to. At the end of the trail you will find the most spectacular views of the Grinnell Glaciers which you can explore further if you want, but make sure you consult expert trip guides as there are grizzly bears along the trail so you need to make sure to have adequate knowledge of handling such interactions.

5. Monarch Lake to Crater Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado

Colorado is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, and offers a great many adventures for people to explore. One such adventure is going on a hike from Monarch Lake to the Crater Lake through some of the most breathtaking meadows full of wild flowers and blissful waterfalls. The Indian Peaks wilderness is full of beautiful hidden spots and landscapes. The hiking trail is of moderate level difficulty and takes 2 days to complete with or without the assistance of trip guides. Along the hike you’ll pass through the photogenic Rocky Mountains and hidden waterfalls, and watch out for deer and moose while you’re hiking.

You can take your vehicles inside and park them before heading off on foot. Hikers are required to get a permit and make reservations in advance. Fall season is the best time to experience this beautiful trail, as the summer heat settles down and the cold breeze starts to come in making it perfect for enjoying a day’s hike and making the most of the weather.

6. Clouds Rest, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park is one of the United States’ top destinations for hiking and other adventure sports, which attracts hundreds of adventure junkies from all across the world. However the park gets massive crowds of people who plan on hiking through its natural beauty. Where most people flock towards, Half Dome, Clouds’ Rest is another amazing and less crowded hike which you can take in a day at the Yosemite National Park. The trail is of moderate to arduous difficulty and spans over 14 miles.

Walk along the side of the mountain with a 3000 foot drop into the valley below, but the summit offers spectacular views to take your breath away. The summit is narrow and nestled in the clouds hence the name. The hike doesn’t require you to take trip guides, but there is an entrance fee of $35 and $20 for vehicles and people respectively.

With summer fast approaching, and COVID-19 vaccines getting rolled out, this is the right opportunity to get out and explore the wilderness without compromising your health by coming into contact with infected people. By referring to these trip guides you can make sure you plan your trip appropriately, in order to keep yourself safe and enjoy an amazing trip with your family and friends.

Checkout Other international destinations for an adventure packed vacation: Top Adventure Travel Places For Travelers To Explore