571 Best Sights in USA

Before heading out along this short (0.6-mile) loop pick up the accompanying map and brochure with information designed to enlighten you on the ecology of the badlands. The first few yards are steep and difficult, and there's a steep descent at the end, but otherwise the trail is even. You'll complete this trail in about a half hour. Moderate.

One of the park's two true backpacker trails, this rigorous 8.8-mile path has overnight options at three campsites along the way. You'll journey past groves of twinkling aspen trees and the eponymous spring close to the campsite. Start at either Yovimpa or Rainbow Point and be prepared for 1,500 feet of elevation change. Campers need to check in at the visitor center ahead of time to obtain a backcountry permit. Difficult.

The terrain on this 1-mile round-trip trail is primarily flat and exposed to the sun, with a bird's-eye view into the canyon. The trail connects the visitor center and the campground. There's an interpretive pamphlet, which corresponds to markers along the route, available at both destinations. Easy.

Down by the Rio Grande, this short, ¾-mile loop trail packs a powerful wildlife punch. The village is one of the best spots in the park to see rare birds, and other wildlife isn't in short supply either. Keep a lookout for coyotes, javelinas (they look like wild pigs), and other mammals. This is a good trail for kids, so expect higher traffic. Restrooms are nearby, and the trail can be done in less than an hour. The first ¼ mile is wheelchair accessible. Easy.

Take this flat and easy, 1¾-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail through stands of huge old-growth firs and cedars toward the Skagit River. Easy.

Stretching 35 miles around the River Mountains, this multiuse paved trail is perfect for hiking, biking, running, jogging, and horseback riding. For a stretch, the trail parallels the shores of Lake Mead, and it connects with a historic spur that leads from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area to a parking lot just north of Hoover Dam. The route runs through Boulder City, Henderson, and Lake Las Vegas. You can rent bikes at All Mountain Cyclery ( www.allmountaincyclery.com) in Boulder City. The most popular trailheads are at the Alan Bible Visitor Center inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Bootleg Canyon Park, at the north end of Yucca Street in Boulder City. But you can also reach the trail from the eastern end of Equestrian Drive and from the Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino, both in Henderson.

Descending past Historic Entrance, this trail follows the drainage toward Green River, hugging the forested hillside, where seasonal wildflowers bloom. Arriving in the river bottom, the trail curves left to a viewing platform above River Styx Spring, where the subterranean waterway emerges from its long, dark journey to join the Green River. 0.4 mile. Moderate.

Accessed via the Oakridge Trail, this spur loops 5.4 miles to the Congaree River from the Oakridge Trail (10.1 miles round-trip from the Visitor Center); 1.6 miles of the trail parallel the river. Parts of this forest were logged in the 20th century, creating thicker undergrowth than is found in other parts of the park. Be prepared for muddy and overgrown sections. You're likely to have the River Trail to yourself. Difficult.

The heart of Missoula is the Clark Fork River, which cuts through Hellgate Canyon between Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo, and then flows by the university and through downtown. A 6-mile-long riverside trail (as well as the connecting 2½-mile Kim Williams Trail) makes for pleasant walks, with plenty of picnic spots and benches along the way. Look down from Higgin's Bridge and watch the surfers, kayakers, and paddleboarders on Brennan's Wave. Take note: the powerful currents of the Clark Fork are dangerous—they've taken many lives over the years.

This 2.2-mile round-trip hike that's also sometimes referred to as the Gateway to The Narrows Trail shadows the Virgin River. In spring, wildflowers bloom on the opposite canyon wall in lovely hanging gardens. The trail, which begins at the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, is one of the park's most visited, so be prepared for crowds. The Riverside Walk is paved and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, though some wheelchair users may need assistance. Round-trip it takes about 90 minutes. At the end, The Narrows Trail—which is much more challenging—begins. Easy.

Take a shady five-minute walk to this forceful waterfall that rushes through a narrow granite chute. The trail is paved and mostly accessible. Easy.

Plaques along this easy 1.2-mile wooded trail bear quotations from Frost's poems. A picnic area is across the road from the trailhead.

After following the Taiga Trail for a short time, the Rock Creek Trail splits to the west and offers a steeper, challenging, and quieter journey through the woods. Farther from the road than many of the trails near the park entrance, this 30-inch-wide trail can have a steep grade at times of up to 15%. All together the trail runs about 2.5 miles one-way, ending at the Sled Dog Kennels. Moderate.

This short trail—partly boardwalk—leads to a campsite used 1,400 years ago by Native Americans; interpretive signs tell the history of human presence in the region. Easy.

Enjoy fantastic mountain and lake views on this family-friendly, 1.9-mile trail along the western shore of Lake McDonald. Easy.

This easy 0.2-mile round-trip trail loops through the forest to the scenic viewpoint. Allow 20 minutes for this relaxed, secluded hike. Easy.

The road that starts in McCarthy and goes right through the Kennicott Mill Town turns into the 4-mile round-trip Root Glacier Trail. The relatively level route winds alongside the Kennicott and Root Glaciers and offers tremendous views of Mt. Blackburn, Regal Mountain, and Donaho Peak. If you're up for a longer trek (8 miles round-trip), you can continue past Root Glacier itself along the Eerie Mine Trail. Easy–Moderate.

This route, which connects with Castle Trail and Medicine Root Loop, is a steep, ¼-mile round-trip route up and down the side of "The Wall," an impressive rock formation. Plan on spending about an hour on this climb. Difficult.

Several stream crossings and boulder outcrops add interest to this winding trail. Turnhole Bend Trail intersects it at 3.8 miles. At 7.2 miles, Sal Hollow backcountry campsite is accessible via a short spur trail. At 8.3 miles a trail on the left leads to the Miles-Davis Cemetery. Another trail at that point leads to the Bluffs backcountry campsite 0.6 miles westward. The trail ends at a junction with Buffalo Creek Trail. Horses and hiking only. 8.6 miles. Moderate.

It's about 1½ miles east from the trailhead to reach this eerily beautiful 2,000-acre expanse of gypsum sand dunes, the largest of which climbs to heights of 60 feet. Allow a couple of hours to walk 3 or 4 miles through this brilliant white-sand landscape, which also offers fine views east of the Guadalupe Mountains western escarpment. Moderate.

The park maintains several hiking and walking trails in the Escondido area. These are part of an intended 70-mile-long Coast to Crest Trail that will eventually link the San Dieguito Lagoon near Del Mar with the river's source on Volcan Mountain, north of Julian. Among the existing trails are three that circle Lake Hodges: the North Shore Lake Hodges Trail; the Piedras Pintadas Trail, which informs about native American Kumeyaay lifestyles and uses for native plants; and the Highland Valley Trail, the first mile of which is the Ruth Merrill Children's Walk. Three trails in Clevenger Canyon lead to sweeping views of the San Pasqual Valley.

Visit the website for a list of upcoming free guided hikes and pay attention to signs warning against leaving valuables in your car.

You may return to the car with shoes full of bright-red sand from this giant sandbox in the desert—it's fun exploring in and around the rock. Set aside 15 minutes for this shady, ½-mile walk and plenty of time if you have kids, who will love playing amid this dramatic landscape. Never climb on this or any other arch in the park, no matter how tempting—it's illegal, and it could lead to damage to the fragile geology or even someone getting hurt. The trail intersects with the Broken Arch Trail—you can visit both arches with an easy 1.2-mile round-trip walk. Easy.

There are four area trails with views of the rushing New River as it leads on to tumbling Sandstone Falls. The easy 0.4-mile round-trip walk along the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk is a popular pick to get up close to the falls. On the way to the trailhead, stop at the scenic overlook that sits 600 feet above the New River. To the south, at Brooks Falls, the Big Branch Trail is a moderate 2.0-mile loop with cascades and stream crossings.

This 9,000-acre wooded preserve provides a glimpse of what this countryside was like back in the day, with bunch-grass prairies frequented by mule deer, golden eagles, and other wildlife. Trails wind through ancient oak forests and past seasonal, vernal pools and rolling grassland. A visitor and operations center has interpretive displays and maps; some of the reserve's hiking trails begin here. There are designated trails for leashed dogs, horses, and mountain bikers.

Running about 4 miles, this trail system connects the Savage River pullout and campground areas. You can use the Savage River Shuttle to access the trailhead or your personal vehicle. Note that if you're using your own vehicle, the trail spits you out about 2 miles down the road system. If you park at one end, you can use the park's shuttle service to get back to your vehicle. Access is dependent on the weather. The trail isn't accessible for most of the winter. Moderate.

True to its name, the River Loop follows the Savage River up the valley carved between Mount Margaret and Healy Ridge for about a mile. The trail crosses a bridge before traveling down the valley and reconnecting with the Savage River Picnic Area. The trail is inaccessible during winter months. Moderate.

In 1824, officials chartered a project to use African American and Irish laborers to dig a 16-mile canal between the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers—by hand. Although it was once used to float lumber and other commodities via a series of tidal locks, only the small portion between Highway 204 and the Ogeechee River remains open to the public. Take the tow path toward the river, and you might see hawks, owls, snakes, and other wildlife; just don't touch the crumbling bricks. Be sure to stop into the on-site museum to chat with Connie the Canoe Lady. If the museum is closed, you can leave the admission fee in the honor box; better yet, PayPal a donation to  [email protected].

Follow a sandy mine road for the first section of this 8-mile round-trip trail in Saguaro West, then ascend via a series of switchbacks to the top of a ridge and cross the Hugh Norris Trail. Descending on the other side, you'll meet up with the King Canyon Trail. The Esperanza ("Hope") Trail is often rocky and sometimes steep, but rewards include ruins of the Gould Mine, dating back to 1907. Moderate.