571 Best Sights in USA

Partly paved and fairly flat, this 1¾-mile trail along the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone affords impressive views and photo opportunities of the canyon and falls of the Yellowstone River. It starts at Chittenden Bridge, passes by magnificent Upper Falls View, and ends at Artist Point. Beyond Artist Point, you can continue your adventures for another 1.3 miles along a less-traveled and stunning trail to Point Sublime, or cut inland through high mountain meadows along the Clear Lake–Ribbon Lake Loop. You'll see fewer humans and possibly more wildlife in this more rugged backcountry, so carry bear spray. Moderate. 

If you're up for a challenge, this is one of the area's best hikes. The 3.7-mile round-trip loop summits both St. Sauveur and Acadia mountains. Ascents and descents are steep and strenuous, but the views of mountains, Somes Sound, and the island-dotted ocean are grand. The hike begins at the Acadia Mountain trailhead. For a shorter excursion follow the Man o' War Brook fire road, which connects with the loop at two points. Difficult.

Civilization quickly recedes as you walk amid the grove's breathtakingly majestic standing and fallen old-growth trees. Ferns and redwood sorrel line the wide and easy path, which loops for ½ mile back to the parking lot. Extend your hike another mile following the slightly more difficult River Trail, which sidles along the Smith River. Easy.

The trail starts from the same parking lot as the Goosenecks Trail, on your way into the park about 3 miles west of the visitor center. Benches along this easy, 0.8-mile round-trip invite you to sit and meditate surrounded by the vast, colorful canyons and soaring mesas and mountain peaks. At the trail's end, you'll be rewarded with incredible vistas into the park. As the name suggests, it's a wonderful spot to watch the sunset. Easy.

One of the most enjoyable ways to get to know the park is to take a 45-minute to 1-hour ranger-guided sunset stroll, which takes place nightly year-round and departs from the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking on Dunes Drive. Look for the "Sunset Stroll Meets Here" signs. The exact departure times vary according to, drum roll please, the time the sun sets, which you can find out each day at the visitor center, but plan to get to the departure point about an hour before sunset. Along this leisurely 1-mile trek, you’ll see dunes similar to those on the Alkali Flat Trail but with a local expert to fill you in on the plants, animals, and geology you encounter.

This rails-to-trails masterpiece runs 22 miles from downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest, with ample waypoints and scenic views along the way. Reedy Rides rents modern cruisers for $30 per half day. Three miles out of town, the backyard seating at Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery fills up on weekends with bikers grabbing gourmet sandwiches after a morning workout. If you push all the way to Travelers Rest, walk the charming downtown strip and fuel up for the return trip with a chili-rubbed tuna or cowboy rib-eye taco from Farmhouse Tacos.

A photogenic 3-mile cycling and walking path linking Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park, this paved lakeside trail edges classic patches of turquoise water, giving way to cobalt blue, with the mountains as a backdrop. You can traverse portions of the trail by stopping at Highway 28 vista points, but parking is for only 20 minutes. Park at the Tunnel Creek Road pay lot for longer walks, less expensive than Sand Harbor's day-use fee.

This trail in the Kolob Canyons area descends parallel to Taylor Creek, sometimes crossing it, sometimes running along the sandstone benches that flank it. The historic Larson Cabin precedes the entrance to the canyon of the Middle Fork, where the trail becomes rougher. After the old Fife Cabin, the canyon bends to the right into Double Arch Alcove, a large, colorful grotto with a high blind arch (or arch "embryo") towering above. To Double Arch, it's 5 miles round-trip and takes about four hours. The elevation change is 450 feet. Moderate.

For the effort of a 2.4-mile hike at the Deep Creek entrance to the park near Bryson City, this trail will reward you with three pretty waterfalls: Tom Branch, Indian Creek, and Juney Whank, which you can see close-up from a 90-foot-long wooden bridge that crosses directly over the falls. Moderate.

Strollers, runners, bikers, dog walkers, and in-line skaters cram this recreation trail on sunny summer evenings, particularly around Westchester Lagoon. In winter, cross-country skiers take to the trail by storm, and the lagoon becomes a buzzing ice rink with city-supplied burn barrels. The trail begins off 2nd Avenue, west of Christensen Drive, and curls along Cook Inlet for approximately 11 miles to Kincaid Park, beyond the airport. In summer you might spot beluga whales offshore in Cook Inlet. Access points are on the waterfront at the ends of 2nd and 5th Avenues and at Westchester Lagoon near the end of 15th Avenue. When you get to the high points in the trail, look north; Denali is visible on clear days.

On this lush trek through a mix of old-growth redwoods, ferns, smaller deciduous trees, and some clusters of trillium flowers, you'll encounter the pretty cascades that give the hike its name after the first ½ mile. It's worth continuing along the full 2.8-mile loop, as the walk's southern end offers the best views of soaring redwoods. Roosevelt elk sometimes roam in the meadow by the trailhead. Easy–Moderate.

Starting at Bryce Point, the trail travels 23 miles to Rainbow Point, passing through The Pink Cliffs, traversing Agua Canyon and Ponderosa Canyon, and taking you by several springs. Most of the hike is on the amphitheater floor, characterized by up-and-down terrain among stands of ponderosa pine; the elevation change totals about 4,500 feet. It's the park's longest trail, but four trailheads along the main park road allow you to connect to the Under-the-Rim Trail and cover its length as a series of day hikes.  The connecting Agua Canyon Trail from Ponderosa Point was closed indefinitely due to storm damage in 2023; check with the visitor center and/or the current conditions section of the park website before you visit to find out if it has reopened. Allow at least two days to hike the route in its entirety, and although it's not a hoodoo-heavy hike, there's plenty to see to make it a more leisurely three-day affair. Those camping along the trail must obtain a backcountry permit from the visitor center before they set out. Difficult.

This mysterious crater is one of the wonders of Island in the Sky. Some geologists believe it's an eroded salt dome, but others think it was made by a meteorite. Either way, it's worth the steep hike to see it and decide for yourself. The moderate hike to the first overlook is about a ½-mile each way; energetic visitors can continue another ½-mile to the second overlook for an even better perspective. The trail is steeper and rougher after the first overlook. The round-trip to the second overlook is 2 miles. The trailhead has restrooms and a picnic area. Moderate.

The entire Muley Twist canyon runs about 12 miles north to south, crossing Burr Trail Road. It was used as a pass by pioneers traveling by wagon through the Waterpocket Fold and got its name because it was so narrow that it could "twist a mule." The Upper section has the most impressive scenery. There are two ways to tackle this trek. If using a high-clearance vehicle, you can drive 3.2 miles from Burr Trail along a rough but pretty road to the Strike Valley Overlook parking lot. If you're using a passenger vehicle, you'll need to park at the Upper Muley Twist Canyon trailhead, which is just 0.3 miles off Burr Trail, and then hike the remaining 2.9 miles to the Strike Valley Overlook parking lot. Just remember, the latter approach adds an extra (although very flat) 5.8 miles round-trip of hiking to this 10.3-mile trail, so plan accordingly. From the Strike Valley Overlook lot, it's a pretty easy and level 3.4-mile round-trip hike to Saddle Arch, a dramatic sandstone formation. But for the most magical scenery, from here you'll want to continue on the 5.6-mile Rim Route loop, following it counterclockwise as it passes over slickrock (you'll need to scramble up steep ridges in places) and through juniper and pinyon forests, providing dazzling views of fantastic rock formations, the Waterpocket Fold, and the Strike Valley down below. The trails in this part of the park aren't maintained (rock cairns and occasional signs mark the way), so bring a map, along with plenty of water—it can get very hot here in summer. Difficult.

On clear days you can spot the distinctive slope of Picacho Peak from this relatively easy 1½-mile trail with a gentle ascent in Saguaro West. There are splendid vistas of Avra Valley and signs describing the flora along the way. Moderate.

A 1½-mile-long paved beach walk allows you to stroll among Wailea's prettiest properties, restaurants, and rocky coves. The trail, teeming with joggers in the morning and late afternoon, is landscaped with rare native plants like the silvery hinahina, named after the Hawaiian moon goddess. In winter, keep an eye out for whales. The trail is accessible from Polo Beach as well as from the many Wailea beachfront resorts. Bring your wallet for a treat like banana bread or iced coffee at the resorts' casual eateries along the path.

The 1½-mile round-trip hike starts from High Point. It provides fabulous vistas of the San Juan and West Elk mountains and Uncompahgre Valley. Warner Point, at trail's end, has the steepest drop-off from rim to river: a dizzying 2,722 feet. Moderate.

This is one of the park's best and most easily accessed hikes. Though it's just more than 1½ miles round-trip, the trail climbs more than 400 feet—not counting the steps up to the actual lookout, which has great views of Wizard Island and the lake. Moderate.

First-time day-trippers head to this wild headland at the bottom of Isle au Haut, the open Atlantic beyond. Western Head is most often hiked as a loop that includes Western Head Road and Cliff and Western Head trails. From Duck Harbor, it's approximately 4 miles round-trip. Take the unpaved road to the trailhead for the 0.7-mile Cliff Trail, which alternates between forest and volcanic rock clifftop, with opportunities to go off-course and explore the rocky shoreline. More cobblestone beaches await as the hike continues along the 1.3-mile Western Head Trail, which connects with Western Head Road north of the Cliff Trail. Rock scrambling makes for challenging going at times, but spectacular seascapes and secluded coves are your reward for visiting what is perhaps Acadia National Park's most remote spot. Some visitors bike to one of the trailheads and walk back to their bike after reconnecting with the road. Bicycles are not allowed on park trails; the ferry only drops off bikes at the Town Landing, not in the park at Duck Harbor.

All other Mt. Rainier hikes pale in comparison to this stunning 93-mile trek, which completely encircles the mountain. The trail passes through all the major life zones of the park, from the old-growth forests of the lowlands to the alpine meadows and goat-haunted glaciers of the highlands. Wonderland is a rugged trail; elevation gains and losses totaling 3,500 feet are common in a day's hike, which averages 8 miles. Most hikers start out from Longmire or Sunrise and take 10–14 days to cover the 93-mile route. Snow lingers on the high passes well into June (sometimes July); count on rain any time of the year. Campsites are wilderness areas with pit toilets and water that must be purified before drinking. Only hardy, well-equipped, and experienced wilderness trekkers should attempt this trip, but those who do will be amply rewarded. Wilderness permits are required and the campsite reservations are highly competitive; you can enter an optional lottery for early access to the reservations system. Difficult.

Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America. The upper fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and the lower fall (320 feet) combine for a total of 2,425 feet, and when viewed from the valley appear as a single waterfall. The ¼-mile trail leads from the parking lot to the base of the falls. Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, a strenuous 7.2-mile round-trip climb rising 2,700 feet, takes you above the top of the falls. Lower trail: Easy. Upper trail: Difficult.

Sweeping views of the Guadalupe Mountains and El Capitan give allure to this challenging but beautiful trail. Drive past Rattlesnake Springs and stop at the park boundary before reaching the Slaughter Canyon Cave parking lot (four-wheel-drive or high-clearance vehicles are recommended; check with visitor center for road conditions before setting out). Turn west along the boundary fence line to the trailhead. The 7½-mile round-trip begins at the mouth of Yucca Canyon and climbs nearly 1,500 feet up to the top of the escarpment for a panoramic view. Allow about four to five hours round-trip. Difficult.

One of the most popular day hikes in the Cedar Grove area is just 1.6 miles long and takes in not only the lush meadow, but also the South Fork of the Kings River and the high granite walls above, including those of Grand Sentinel and North Dome. Easy.

The finale of a short but vigorous hike (1.6 miles round-trip) over a steep slope is a spectacular view of the Rio Grande and sheer limestone cliffs that rise 1,500 feet to create a narrow, natural box with the U.S. on one side, and Mexico on the other. Summer can feel like a sauna, but you might have this secluded place to yourself.

Created to memorialize Lewis and Clark's explorations here in 1805–06, the 8½-mile Discovery Trail, which is paved or runs over boardwalk and is accessible to bikes and pedestrians, traces the explorers' steps from Ilwaco to north Long Beach. Along the way it passes plenty of sandy dunes and beaches. People can access the trail from the beach parking lots on Sid Snyder Drive or Bolstad Street in Long Beach. Parking is also available at the Beard's Hollow lot in Cape Disappointment State Park.

This 5-mile round-trip trail is one of the most popular in the Smokies, thanks to its trailhead location on Cades Cove Loop Road. Beginning at the wooden bridge over Abrams Creek, the trail first follows a pleasant course through rhododendron, then becomes steeper at a couple of points, especially near Arbutus Ridge. The path then leads above Abrams Falls and down to Wilson Creek. Though only about 20 feet high, the falls are beautiful, with a large volume of water and a broad pool below. Moderate.  It is dangerous to climb, jump from, or swim near the falls.

This 18-mile out-and-back trail begins at Juniper, climbs through the Achenbach Hills, descends to the river, and ends at Sperati Point. Check with rangers about river-fording conditions. For a shorter (6-mile) hike to Oxbow Overlook, the North Achenbach Trail begins at the River Bend Overlook. Moderate--Difficult.

A fairly flat 1-mile trip takes you to an eight-room pueblo sitting high on a knoll. Moderate.

Popular with birders, the Alder trail heads inland, passing fruit trees and alder bushes on an easy 1.2-mile out-and-back hike, but many hit the grassy path as part of a near-loop with the challenging 1.1-mile Anvil Trail. Trailheads for both are near the Blueberry Hill parking area on the loop road; you must cross the road to get to them. Steep and heavily rooted in sections as it climbs Schoodic Head, Anvil requires lots of rock climbing but rewards with wonderful water and island views from the rock knob overlook (side trail) for which it's named. After connecting with Schoodic Head Trail from Alder or Anvil, it's not far to the top of Schoodic Head, where expansive views of the surrounding seascape and landscape await.