571 Best Sights in USA

Accessible from the parking area at Grandview Point, the trailhead is at 7,400 feet. The path heads steeply down into the canyon for 3 miles to the junction and campsite at East Horseshoe Mesa Trail. Classified as a wilderness trail, the route is aggressive and not as heavily traveled as some of the more well-known trails, such as Bright Angel and Hermit. There is no water available along the trail, which follows a steep descent to 4,900 feet at Horseshoe Mesa, where Hopi Indians once collected mineral paints. Hike 0.7 mile farther to Page Spring, a reliable water source year-round. Parts of this trail are icy in winter, and traction crampons are mandatory. Difficult.

Starting on top of Mammoth Cave Ridge in the park's main picnic area, Green River Bluffs Trail slowly descends the forested flank of the ridge, passing large boulders that mark the point where the sandstone cap of the ridge gives way to the limestones beneath. Glimpses of the Green River appear below in its valley, coming into full view at the Green River Bluffs Overlook. The trail continues down toward the river bottom, finally joining the River Styx Spring Trail near River Styx Spring. A wide array of wildflowers can be found seasonally. 1.3 miles. Moderate.

In 1926, one giant ice mass broke apart to create the Salamander and Grinnell glaciers, which have been shrinking ever since. The 5½-mile trail to Grinnell Glacier, the park's most accessible, is marked by several spectacular viewpoints. You start at Swiftcurrent Lake's picnic area, climb a moraine to Lake Josephine, then climb to the Grinnell Glacier overlook. Halfway up, turn around to see the prairie land to the northeast. You can cut about 2 miles (each way) off the hike by taking scenic boat rides across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. From July to mid-September, a ranger-led hike departs from the Many Glacier Hotel boat dock on most mornings at 8:30. Difficult.

This level, 1-mile round-trip trail takes you from Zion Lodge to the lovely, tree-shaded Grotto picnic area, traveling much of the way parallel to the park road. Allow 20 minutes or less for this easy stroll through meadows and beneath a light tree canopy. From here, you can cross the footbridge over the Virgin River to connect with the Kayenta Trail, which leads south to the Emerald Pools trails or north to the West Rim Trail and eventually up to Angels Landing (for which a permit is required). Easy.

Protected from the periodic fires that sweep through the surrounding areas, this small island of 1,000-year-old trees is one of Mt. Rainier National Park's most memorable features. A 1½-mile loop trail heads through the old-growth forest of Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock.  Grove of the Patriarchs has experienced a temporary closure due to flooding and a bridge washout in 2021. Although the parking lot is still open, the trail is not expected to reopen until 2027.

This long, winding trail extends for some 100 miles through the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico and western Texas and can be hiked from Carlsbad Caverns through to the Guadalupe Mountains. Within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the most interesting portion runs for about 12 miles one-way from the western side of Walnut Canyon Desert Drive to the park's western boundary with Lincoln National Forest. If you hike all 12 miles and back, an overnight stay in the backcountry is strongly recommended. The hike may be long, but for serious hikers the up-close-and-personal views into Rattlesnake and Slaughter canyons are more than worth it—not to mention the serenity of being miles away from civilization. Note that the roughly 9-mile section of this trail from the visitor center to the junction with the Slaughter Canyon Trail is closed until the severe damage sustained during the major flood of summer 2022 is repaired; check the park website for updates. Difficult.

Old-growth forests are the focus of this kid-friendly boardwalk route, a ½-mile loop through the trees off the North Cascades Scenic Highway. Interpretive signs provide details about flora along the way. Easy.

This 8.6-mile hike begins on the valley floor and with a gain of 1,000 feet, makes its way up through forests, then above the tree line and offers a stunning view of the Harding Icefield. This hike is considered strenuous and usually takes 6 to 8 hours. Difficult.

The sedimentary haberdashery sits 2 miles from the trailhead at Bryce Point. Hard gray caps balance precariously atop narrow pedestals of softer, rust-color rock. Allow three to four hours to travel this somewhat strenuous—there's a 1,380-foot elevation gain—but rewarding 4-mile round-trip trek that's part of the northernmost section of the longer Under-the-Rim Trail. Moderate–Difficult.

There is more than one route to reach Hawksbill Summit, the highest point in the park at an elevation of 4,050 feet. The most popular is the 1½-mile out-and-back hike under a dense forest canopy that leads to Byrds Nest Shelter #2, a day-use shelter with a picnic table, then on to a stone viewing platform for 270-degree views of the Shenandoah Valley, as well as craggy Massanutten and Old Rag Mountains. Hiking time is 90 minutes. Moderate.

Among the hikes in Capitol Reef's South District, this typically quiet (you may have it all to yourself) trek offers a great reward—it leads into a narrow slot canyon with soaring cliff walls—but requires relatively little effort. It takes only about an hour to complete this 2.2-mile round-trip trail with an elevation gain of about 400 feet. Easy.

Designed as an accessible trail, this level walk consists of boardwalk and paved pathways that circle a forested area at the edge of Mammoth Cave Ridge. Platforms overlook the Historic Entrance to the cave. The Old Guide's Cemetery, where lies famed Mammoth Cave Guide Stephen Bishop, is in the center. At the far end of the loop, Sunset Point Overlook offers a view across the Green River Valley. 0.5 mile. Easy.

Beginning on the South Rim just west of Hermits Rest (and 7 miles west of Grand Canyon Village), this steep, unmaintained, 9.7-mile (one-way) trail drops more than 5,000 feet to Hermit Creek, which usually flows year-round. It's a strenuous hike back up and is recommended for experienced long-distance hikers only; plan for six to nine hours. There's an abundance of lush growth and wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, along this trail. The trail descends from the trailhead at 6,640 feet to the Colorado River at 2,300 feet. Day hikers should not go past Santa Maria Spring at 5,000 feet (a 5-mile round-trip).

For much of the year, no water is available along the way; ask a park ranger about the availability of water at Santa Maria Spring and Hermit Creek before you set out. All water from these sources should be treated before drinking. The route leads down to the Colorado River and has inspiring views of Hermit Gorge and the Redwall and Supai formations. Six miles from the trailhead are the ruins of Hermit Camp, which the Santa Fe Railroad ran as a tourist camp from 1911 until 1930. Difficult.

The 1.6-mile (one-way) route parallels the Little Calumet River through a section of the park near the Dunewood Campground. While the namesake great herons have moved on, it remains one of the best places to go bird-watching in the Midwest. It's also known for wildflowers in spring and fishing in spring and fall during the trout and salmon spawning runs. Easy.

This extremely popular trail leads to a natural bridge of Kayenta sandstone, with a 133-foot opening carved by intermittent flash floods. Early on, the route climbs a set of steps along the Fremont River. The trail splits, leading along the right-hand branch to a strenuous uphill climb to the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs. Stay to your left to see the bridge, and you'll encounter a moderate up-and-down trail with an elevation gain. Up the wash on your way to the bridge is a Fremont granary on the right side of the small canyon. Allow about two hours for the 1.8-mile round-trip, which has an elevation gain of about 400 feet. Moderate.

Hidden Lake Overlook is an easy, 1½-mile hike from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Along the way, you'll pass through beautiful alpine meadows known as the Hanging Gardens. Enjoy incredible views of Hidden Lake, Bearhat Mountain, Mt. Cannon, Fusillade Mountain, Gunsight Mountain, and Sperry Glacier. It's common to see mountain goats near the overlook. If you want a challenge, continue hiking all the way down to the edge of the lake—a moderate 5.4-mile round-trip hike. Easy to moderate.

This difficult, roughly 8.6-mile (one-way) trail is the longest and most diverse trail within the park, traversing mixed-grass prairies, ponderosa pine forests, and the riparian habitats of Highland Creek, Beaver Creek, and Wind Cave Canyon. Even those in good shape will need a full day to cover this trail round-trip. Difficult.

Get a panoramic view of all the surrounding dunes from the top of High Dune. Since there's no formal path, the smartest approach is to zigzag up the dune ridgelines traversing about 2½ miles round-trip. High Dune is 688 feet high, and to get there and back takes about two hours, or longer if there's been no rain for some time and the sand is soft. If you add on the walk to the 736-foot Star Dune, plan on another three or four hours and a strenuous workout.

This easy ½-mile walk on Santa Cruz Island takes you to a historic ranch where you can visit an interpretive center in an 1800s adobe and see remnants of a cattle ranch. Easy.

This 2.2-mile round-trip route takes you to Lake George. You can also walk on the paved Oak Savannah Bike Trail from the same trailhead for an easy 4-mile, in-and-out hike. This park segment (Hobart Prairie Grove) includes one of the largest remaining oak savannas in the Midwest and more than 300 different plant species in all. Easy.

While mostly rocky topography makes swimming and snorkeling a bit difficult here, this little park is still scenic and relaxing. Take the short trail over to the petroglyph trail; interpretive signs will guide you. There are showers, picnic tables, and restrooms; public parking is limited.

Accessible off Main Street in Schererville, Indiana, this segment of the park preserves 1,547 acres at the intersection of tallgrass prairies, marshland, and oak savanna, making for notably diverse plant life (more than 350 species in all). A 0.7-mile network of easy trails explore the prairie, marsh, and savanna. There are no fees or facilities.

This remote region of the park is accessible by dirt road, and only in good weather. Park at the lip of the canyon and hike 7 miles round-trip to the Great Gallery, considered by some to be the most significant rock-art panel in North America. Ghostly life-size figures in the Barrier Canyon style populate the amazing panel. The hike is moderately strenuous, with a 780-foot descent. Allow at least six hours for the trip and take a gallon of water per person. There's no camping allowed in the canyon, although you can camp on top near the parking lot. Difficult.

Call Hans Flat Ranger Station before heading out because rain can make the access road a muddy mess. Also, make sure to use a map as GPS can be unreliable here.

This flat, paved, scenic trail travels alongside the Hot Springs Creek for 5.5 miles, beginning downtown and terminating at Lake Hamilton. Perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride, the trail meanders past a sculpture garden, the city’s farmer’s market pavilion, the Veteran Memorial, a skate park, ballfields, a dog park, and Hollywood Park, with picnic tables, restrooms, and a playground. Easy.

This wooded system has more than 31 miles of world-class mountain biking trails of all levels with cross-country single track and downhill jump and flow routes. The Lucky 13 expert section, the system's only black diamond downhill trail, features a 24-foot jump over a creek. There is also a skills park at the Cedar Glades trailhead. (The Waterworks Trailhead on Pineland Drive is considered the main trailhead.) The Pullman Avenue trailhead provides access directly from downtown, just a short bike ride away. Each November, the Northwoods hosts the annual Güdrun MTB Festival.

For gorgeous canyon views, take this trail from Cedar Grove up a series of switchbacks until it splits. Follow the route left through chaparral to the forested ridge and rocky outcrop known as Cedar Grove Overlook, where you can see the Kings River canyon stretching below. This strenuous, 5-mile round-trip hike gains 1,200 feet and takes three to four hours to complete. Difficult.

This moderately strenuous, 9-mile, round-trip hike passes the gushing Ptarmigan Falls, then climbs to its namesake, where icebergs bob in the chilly mountain loch. Mountain goats hang out on sheer cliffs above, bighorn sheep graze in the high mountain meadows, and grizzly bears dig for glacier lily bulbs, grubs, and other delicacies. Rangers lead hikes here almost daily in summer, leaving at 8:30 am. Moderate.