571 Best Sights in USA

A forest trail leads to the brim of Cedar Sink. From there, stairways down to viewing platforms along the path leading into the sink allow hikers a peek at the underground waters from the Sinkhole Plain as it makes its way toward Green River. This massive sinkhole creates a microclimate of its own where wildflowers often bloom slightly out-of-season. The first half-mile through the woods is an easy, level path. Getting down into the sink from there requires navigating stairs, and the footing inside the sink is uneven. Those with limited mobility may wish to enjoy the view from the top. 1 mile. Moderate.

Constructed to celebrate South Dakota's centennial in 1989, this trail bisects the Black Hills, covering about 124 miles from north to south, from Bear Butte State Park through Black Hills National Forest, Black Elk Wilderness, Custer State Park, and into Wind Cave National Park. Designed for bikers, hikers, and horses, the trail is rugged but accommodating (note, however, that bicycling on the trail is not allowed within park boundaries). It will take you at least a half day to cover the 6-mile Wind Cave segment. Moderate.

If you choose this strenuous 9-mile round-trip hike (2,040 feet of elevation gain), you'll be rewarded with views of the surrounding valleys from the highest point in the park at 3,304 feet, North Chalone Peak (where there are pit toilets). If you want to extend the hike, proceed south along the unmaintained portion of the trail for 1.6 miles to South Chalone Peak (3,269 feet). Difficult.

This is a tough hike, but it comes with great views of the park's eastern lower valleys. It's about 3½ miles one way, including a 2,874-foot gain in elevation to the summit of Ypsilon Mountain (elevation 13,514 feet); you pass the summits of Mount Chapin and Mount Chiquita on the way. From the trailhead, the path heads downhill to Chapin Creek. For a short distance after leaving the trailhead, keep a sharp eye out to the right for a less obvious trail that heads uphill to the tree line and disappears. From here head up along the steep ridge to the summit of Mount Chapin. Chiquita and Ypsilon are to the left, and the distance between each peak is about 1 mile and involves a descent of about 400 feet to the saddle and an ascent of 1,000 feet along the ridge to Chiquita. From Ypsilon's summit you'll look down 2,000 feet at Spectacle Lakes. You may wish to bring a topo map and compass. Difficult.

Nestled in the shadow of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker, Chasm Lake offers one of Colorado's most impressive backdrops, which also means you can expect to encounter plenty of other hikers on the way. The 4.2-mile Chasm Lake Trail, reached via the Longs Peak Trail, has a 2,360-foot elevation gain. Just before the lake, you'll need to climb a small rock ledge, which can be a bit of a challenge for the less sure-footed; follow the cairns for the most straightforward route. Once atop the ledge, you'll catch your first memorable view of the lake. Difficult.

The park's shortest trail (0.3 miles round-trip) starts at North Rim Campground and offers an impressive 50-yard walk right along the canyon rim as well as an eye-popping view of Painted Wall and Serpent Point. This is also an excellent place to spot raptors, swifts, and other birds. Easy.

While waiting for the evening bat-flight program, take this ½-mile self-guided loop hike that begins just east of the visitor center. The tagged and identified flowers and plants make this a good place to get acquainted with local desert flora. Part of the trail is an easy stroll even for the littlest ones, and part is wheelchair accessible. The payoff is great for everyone, too: a sweeping, vivid view of the desert basin. Easy.

A windmill and spring form a desert oasis, a refreshing backdrop to a ½-mile round-trip, hot and flat nature trail; wild doves are abundant, the hike is pleasant, and kids will do just fine. Keep an eye out for the elf owl, one of the sought-after birds in the park. Easy.

This Wawona-area trail runs 4 miles one-way to the top of the falls, then leads into the backcountry, connecting with other trails. This is one of the park's most inspiring and secluded—albeit strenuous—hikes. Past the tumbling cascade, and up through forests, you'll emerge before a panorama at the top. Difficult.

This forested 1.9-mile round-trip romp that begins at 5,400-foot elevation affords sweeping views of the lower desert and distant volcanic mountains. The loop intersects with a few longer trails but offers a good sense of the basin if you have only an hour or so. The trail is closed due to construction until mid-2027. Easy–moderate, elevation gain 300 feet.

This multiday, 9-mile hike (each way) departs from Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon and crosses the Tonto Platform to Clear Creek, where drinking water is usually available but should be treated. You can continue an additional 6 miles to the Colorado River and, from that point, it's another 5 miles to Cheyava Falls, which flows in the spring after a winter of heavy snows. These last two legs extend the hike several days and require some scrambling and free climbing. Because the slope is south-facing and has no shade, this trail shouldn't be attempted in the summer. Moderate.

This strenuous 2¼-mile round-trip hike descends 700 feet down nearly vertical cliffs along the lake to the boat dock. Be in very good shape before you tackle this well-maintained trail—it's the hike back up that catches some visitors unprepared. Bring along plenty of water. Difficult.

This ½-mile loop winds through a wooded prairie oasis in the middle of dry, rocky ridges and climbs 200 feet to a peak above White River Valley for an incomparable view. Look for chipmunks, squirrels, and red-winged blackbirds and eagles, hawks, and vultures at hilltop. Even casual hikers can complete this trail in far less than an hour, but if you want to observe the true diversity of wildlife present here, stay longer. Moderate.

An easy 1-mile (round-trip), one-hour walk near Cape Royal, Cliff Spring Trail leads through a forested ravine to an excellent view of the canyon. The trailhead begins at the Cape Royal parking lot, across from Angels Window Overlook. Narrow and precarious in spots, it passes ancient dwellings, winds beneath a limestone overhang, and ends at Cliff Springs.  Do not drink the water. Easy.

Starting on the west side of U.S. 385, 2 miles south of the visitor center, this 1.4-mile (one-way), mildly strenuous hike runs through an active prairie-dog town, the edge of an area burned by a controlled fire in 1986, and through Cold Brook Canyon to the park boundary fence. Experienced hikers can conquer this trail and return to the trailhead in an hour or less, but more leisurely visitors will probably need more time. Moderate.

A wide path following old roadbeds along the spine of Collie Ridge, this trail serves as an artery connecting several trails deep in the backcountry, and forms the basis for several possible hiking loops. The trail junctions with Blair Springs Hollow, Raymer Hollow, Mill Branch, Buffalo Creek, and Wet Prong Trails. Collie Ridge backcountry campsite is reached via a 0.7-mile spur extending from the end of the trail. Horses and hiking only. 3.8 mi. Moderate.

This walk to the ghost town of Lulu City on the west side of the park is excellent for looking for the bighorn sheep, elk, and moose that reside in the area. Part of the former stagecoach route that went from Granby to Walden, the 3.7-mile trail parallels the infant Colorado River to the meadow where Lulu City once stood. The elevation gain is 350 feet. Moderate.

Just beyond Bar Harbor proper, this easy-to-moderate 0.8-mile round-trip trail through woods to the rocky shore passes through land that belonged to George B. Dorr—Acadia National Park’s first superintendent and a key player in its creation. Views extend to Ironbound Island across Frenchman Bay, and you can check out remnants of Dorr's estate, including the manor house's foundation, remains of a saltwater pool, stone steps to the ocean, and old gardens and apple trees. There's parking, but it's only about 1½ miles by sidewalk from downtown on Main Street/Route 3. There are historic markers along the way; coming or going, you can connect with the Bar Harbor Shore Path via a side street. Check if the Shore Path has fully reopened after major storm damage in 2024. Moderate.

This moderately difficult 2½-mile hike guides visitors east- and west-facing viewpoints with distinctly different rewards. A gentle ascent along the iconic white-blazed Appalachian Trail first leads to a concrete trail marker. A short westbound spur trail reveals a rocky outcrop at Compton Peak for spectacular views of Dickey Ridge and Massanutten Mountain. An eastbound spur trail delivers visitors to a curious hexagonal-patterned geological feature made of greenstone lava and basalt called a columnar jointing. Hiking time is about two hours. Moderate.

This 3,100-mile corridor, which extends from Montana's Canadian border to the southern edge of New Mexico, enters Rocky Mountain National Park in two places, at trailheads only about 4 miles apart and located on either side of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, at the park's southwestern end. Within the park, it covers about 30 miles of spectacular montane and subalpine terrain and follows the existing Green Mountain, Tonahutu Creek, North Inlet, and East Shore Trails. Moderate.

Take this 1-mile, wheelchair-accessible, looped path around Cook's Meadow to see and learn the basics about Yosemite Valley's past, present, and future. A trail guide (available at a kiosk just outside the entrance) explains how to tell oaks, cedars, and pines apart; how fires help keep the forest floor healthy; and how pollution poses significant challenges to the park's inhabitants. Easy.

The 0.3-mile hike to these Wild Basin Area falls is a good option for families, as the terrain is relatively flat (there's only a 15-foot elevation gain). Easy.

At an elevation of 6,000 feet, Craggy Gardens has some of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most colorful displays of rhododendrons, usually blooming in June. You can also hike trails and picnic here. Craggy Pinnacle trail offers stunning 360-degree views.

A sea of ferns signals your arrival at what John Muir called the "gem of the Sierra." A 1-mile trail loops around meadow to Tharp's Log, a cabin built from a fire-hollowed sequoia. From there you can embark on a 60-mile trek to Mt. Whitney, if you're prepared and have the time. Brilliant wildflowers bloom here in midsummer. Easy.

This 2.6-mile round-trip hike through meadows and forests to Cold Boiling and Crumbaugh lakes presents an excellent opportunity to view spring wildflowers, but it's quite pretty throughout summer and fall. At Cold Boiling Lake, it's possible to detour to Bumpass Hell (thereby adding 3.8 miles round-trip to your trek). Moderate.

This easy ¾-mile loop leads you past petrified wood that once held quartz crystals and amethyst chips. Easy.

This 4.6-mile, three-hour (round-trip) hike takes you through meadows and stands of aspen trees and up 540 feet in elevation to a lake with water lilies. Moderate.

There are six area trails made from old roads and abandoned railroad lines that guide hikers past historic sites, like the First Baptist Church of Thurmond and mining camp ruins of the Brooklyn Coal Co. The 5.4-mile round-trip Stone Cliff Trail boasts scenic views and river access as you hike along the banks of the New River.

This easy walk takes you along a 2-mile-long white sand beach on San Miguel. The eastern section is occasionally cut off by high tides. An access permit is required. Easy.