571 Best Sights in USA

The unpaved but flat outer loop of this 1.1-mile trail passes through badlands and woodlands to the river's edge. The trail's paved 0.7-mile inner loop is wheelchair-accessible. It's a great way to see the park's diverse terrain and wildlife, and because it shouldn't take you longer than an hour, it's a great trail for families with children. Easy.

This 5.1-mile loop (if Cucumber Gap and Jakes Creek trails are included) offers a little of everything—historical buildings, a waterfall, and wildflowers. The first part of the trail wanders up the Little River, past remnants of old logging operations and cottages that were once the summer homes of wealthy Tennesseans. You'll see several inviting swimming holes, beautiful cascades, and perhaps a person or two fly-fishing. Huskey Branch Falls appears at about 2 miles. The Little River Trail passes a junction with three other trails, offering the possibility for even longer hikes—Cucumber Gap at 2.3 miles, Huskey Gap at 2.7 miles, and Goshen Prong Trail at 3.7 miles. The trail is normally open even in winter. This is the habitat of the synchronous fireflies, which put on their light show on late May and June evenings. Moderate.

This 4-mile in-and-out backcountry hike through forest and wetlands covers terrain infamously known as "flat but rugged." There are also several hills en route to the turnaround point. Difficult.

This 2-mile hike pairs the easygoing Frazier Discovery Trail with the Appalachian Trail for an eye-pleasing hike with rock scrambles, creek crossings, and far-reaching views. Take this loop counter-clockwise and you’ll reach a show-stopping vista just past the mid-way point that's perfect for spotting the sunrise. Continue on to connect with the Blue Spring Trail and pass the Ivy Creek maintenance hut before the conclusion of this hike. Hiking time is two hours. Easy.

A little longer, at 4.8 miles round-trip, than many of the other trails in the vicinity of Upper Geyser Basin, this enjoyable ramble along a level, partially paved trail that parallels the Firehole River leads to an overlook where you can watch Lone Star Geyser erupt up to 45 feet into the sky. Eruptions take place every three hours or so, and the trail is also popular with cyclists. Easy–Moderate.

Although barren, this easy 1.6-mile loop passes the largest concentration of wood in the park. Easy.

Climbing this 14,259-foot mountain (one of 53 "Fourteeners" in Colorado) is an ambitious goal for almost anyone—but only those who are very fit and acclimated to the altitude should attempt it. The 16-mile round-trip climb requires a predawn start (3 am is ideal), so that you're off the summit before the typical summer afternoon thunderstorm hits. Also, the last 2 miles or so of the trail are very exposed—you have to traverse narrow ledges with vertigo-inducing drop-offs. That said, summiting Longs can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have. The Keyhole route is the most popular means of ascent, and the number of people going up it on a summer day can be astounding, given the rigors of the climb. Though just as scenic, the Loft route, between Longs and Mount Meeker from Chasm Lake, is less crowded but not as clearly marked and therefore more difficult to navigate. Difficult.

Trail access is located on the west end of the park at one of the South Unit's few public restrooms. The 3½-mile one way trail runs along Paddock Creek and provides access to a couple of other good hikes. Take the Upper Paddock Creek Trail to the far southeast corner of the South Unit, or head north on the Badlands Spur and Lower Talkington trails and connect with Jones Creek Trail, which loops you back to the west. Moderate.

You won't see redwoods on this open, upper-elevation, 3.7-mile round-trip trail, but on summer days when the coast is socked in with rain or fog, an outing to this typically sunny prairie at Redwood National Park's southeastern boundary is highly rewarding, as is the steep—but slow—17-mile drive on Bald Hills Road. The trail leads to a former sheep and cattle ranch with a few interesting old outbuildings that date from the turn of the 20th century. Moderate.

Along this trail, you get an up-close view of unusual animals, including giant fruit bats that hang to munch fruit from wires and fly very close to the open and glass-protected viewing areas and Bengal tigers in front of a maharajah's palace ruins. The tigers have their own view (with no accessibility, of course) of Asian deer and black buck, an antelope species. At the end of the trek, you walk through an aviary with a lotus pool. Disney animal experts are on hand to answer questions. For people with disabilities: Wheelchair accessible; equipped for audio-description devices. Guests with service animals should check with a host before entering the aviary. Come anytime. Crowds stay fairly light, as people are constantly on the move.

This half-mile boardwalk trail, accessible for those with disabilities, takes you through a hardwood hammock where the lush vegetation includes gumbo-limbo trees and air plants. This thick canopy forest is typical of South Florida and also happens to be home to America's largest mahogany tree. Along the way, listen for the calls of birds that are hidden within the thick forest. Easy.

Before the age of the automobile, travelers often reached Mammoth Cave on the Mammoth Cave Railroad, a spur line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. (The L&N became the modern CSX line, which offers no passenger service through the region today.) The rails may be gone, but the entire route is now the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail, which begins at the southern park boundary at Park City, and ends at the visitor center, where you can see one of the original engines and its passenger car. Historic stops along the way with parking are at Diamond Caverns, Locust Grove, Sloan's Crossing Pond, and Doyel Valley Overlook. Other historic points of interest accessible on foot or by mountain bike include the sites of Union City and Doyel Valley Trestle, Ferguson Cemetery, and Engine No. 4.

The Mammoth Cave Railroad had its origin station at the site of Bell's Tavern in Park City, the stone remains of which are available to public view in the city park. Diamond Caverns, a show cave unconnected to Mammoth Cave that was a stop along the line, continues to operate today as a private business, and is not part of the national park.

The Mammoth Cave Railroad once brought travelers along a special spur line just to see the cave. Now, its route is a path for hikers and mountain bikers to do the same. This north leg of the bike and hike trail extends from the visitor center area where old Engine No. 4 stands on display, to the Doyel Valley Overlook along the Mammoth Cave Parkway, then joins the south leg at Sloan's Crossing Pond. A spur near the overlook leads to Ferguson Cemetery. Outdoor exhibits share history along the way. The trail surface is rough gravel suitable only for mountain bikes and hikers; use caution on steeper grades and at the road crossings. A 0.2-mile spur connects the beginning of the trail with the front of the visitor center. 4 miles. Moderate.

Designed for hikers and bicyclists, this leg of the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail follows the path of the original Mammoth Cave Railroad, a spur line of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, that brought travelers to visit Mammoth Cave before the turn of the 20th century. This leg visits historic points at Diamond Caverns, Union City, and Locust Grove, ending at Sloan's Crossing Pond. Outdoor exhibit panels share history along the route. The trail surface is rough gravel, suitable for mountain bikes and hikers only. Road crossing is required; be alert for oncoming traffic. 

An extension of the trail continues south of the park into Park City, to the ruins of Bell's Tavern in the city park, the site of the railroad station where the Mammoth Cave Railroad originated.

Diamond Caverns, a location on the trail, is a privately owned show cave and is not part of the national park. Diamond Caverns is not known to be connected to the Mammoth Cave system. 5 miles. Moderate.

An old train trestle was revamped into a pedestrian- and bike-only bridge, now with lighting for night walkers, with pleasant views of Manayunk and the Schuylkill River Valley. It connects to the Cynwyd Heritage trail, an easy 2-mile “rail trail" for biking, jogging, and walking that leads past Laurel Hill Cemetery West and ends at Cynwyd Station. You can also connect to a trail that takes you to the Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing, where there are two restaurants, a beer garden of sorts, a Residence Inn by Marriott, and a different crossing back to Manayunk.

This multiuse hub trail extends from the parking at Maple Springs Trailhead through the interior of the Maple Springs Loop to join Big Hollow Trail and Mill Branch Trail at the Big Hollow Trailhead. A short spur leads to the Maple Springs Group Campground. Horses are not permitted on Big Hollow Trail. 1 mi. Easy.

The 3.7-mile trail to Marble Falls crosses through the rugged foothills before reaching the cascading water. Plan on three to four hours one-way. Moderate.

A 5.2-mile round-trip with a relatively doable 825-foot elevation gain rewards you with a panoramic view of West Dog Canyon and south across the Guadalupe Mountains. Set aside about four to five hours to complete it. Moderate.

McCoy Hollow Trail is a rugged, challenging trail with loose rock, switchbacks, steep climbs, and wet places, but it rewards the hiker with some splendid views out over the hollows. The Three Springs backcountry campsite can be accessed by a spur trail at 0.8 mile, and the McCoy Hollow backcountry campsite spur is found at 4.4 miles. The trail ends at a junction with Wet Prong Trail. Horses and hiking only. 6.4 mi. Difficult. Note: McCoy Hollow Trail forms a 19.1-mile loop with First Creek Trail and Wet Prong Trail that can be accessed from either First Creek Trailhead or Temple Hill Trailhead.

The McKinley Station trail begins at the Visitor Center and follows a winding path toward Riley and Hines Creeks. While the trail drops more than 100 feet during its 1.5-mile-long path, the grade is never very steep and is made of compacted gravel for easy walking. Easy.

Signs along this nearly 1-mile loop explain the geological and botanical history of the area, and the views, while not spectacular, are engaging. You can take the loop in either of two directions when you come to a fork in the trail. Easy.

Beginning in Deadwood and running the length of the Black Hills, the Mickelson Trail incorporates more than 100 converted railroad bridges, four tunnels, and 15 trailheads along its 109-mile-long course. Although the grade is seldom steep, parts of the trail are strenuous. A $4 day pass or $15 annual pass are available at self-service stations along the trail, some state park offices, and from the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. A portion of the trail is open for snowmobiling in winter.

This woodland trail leads to one of the more than 80 cemeteries that remain within Mammoth Cave National Park. Horses and hiking only. 0.3 mi. Easy.

Mill Branch is rocky and steep in places, in others smooth and steady, and there are stream crossings. The trail descends along drainage toward the Dry Prong of Buffalo Creek, then climbs up Collie Ridge to join Collie Ridge Trail 2.5 miles south of Lincoln Trailhead. Horses and hiking only. 3 mi. Moderate.

This 2½-hour 3.8-mile round-trip hike takes you to where East Sulphur and Bumpass creeks merge to create the park's highest waterfall. You can continue past the falls for 2.5 miles to Crumbaugh Lake, and another 1.3 miles past Cold Boiling Lake to Kings Creek Picnic Area. Moderate.

From this popular spot, you can admire the Keyboard of the Winds, a jagged ridge connecting Pagoda and Longs Peaks that looks like the top of a spiny reptile's back. The 5.6-mile hike gains 750 feet in elevation as it takes you past Alberta Falls and Glacier Falls en route to the shimmering lake at the mouth of Glacier Gorge. Moderate.

Many trails to the high country begin at Mineral King. Two popular day hikes are Eagle Lake (6.8 miles round-trip) and Timber Gap (4.4 miles round-trip). At the Mineral King Ranger Station ( 559/565–3341) you can pick up maps and check about conditions from late May to late September. Difficult.

Along this trail, you'll look up at Half Dome directly from its base and also take in Tenaya Canyon, Mt. Watkins, and Washington Column. The way is paved for a mile to Mirror Lake itself (total of 2 miles out and back). The trail that loops around the lake continues from there (for a total of 5 miles). Interpretive exhibits provide insight on the area's natural and cultural history. Easy–Moderate.

This sandy trail follows the glaciated South Fork Canyon through forest and chaparral, past several rapids and cascades, to one of the largest waterfalls in the two parks. Eight miles round-trip, the hike is relatively flat, but climbs 600 feet in the last 2 miles. It takes from four to five hours to complete. Moderate.

Except for Lower Yosemite Fall, more visitors take this trail (or portions of it) than any other in the park. The trek up to and back from Vernal Fall is 3 miles. Add another 4 miles total by continuing up to 594-foot Nevada Fall; this portion of the trail becomes quite steep and slippery in its final stages. The elevation gain to Vernal Fall is 1,000 feet, and to Nevada Fall an additional 1,000 feet. The Merced River tumbles down both falls on its way to a tranquil flow through the valley. Moderate.