10 Best National Parks for Hiking

I love to write about our nation's national park system because we are blessed with a tremendous amount of untouched public lands and we should take advantage of it. Traveling through our national parks is incredibly inexpensive and rewarding. From wetlands to desert and glaciers to beaches, our national parks have it all. If you're looking for great hiking it comes as no surprise that there are a lot of great spots to choose from but the decision of where to go can be somewhat intimidating. This list highlights some standout choices.

Top National Park Hiking Experiences

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Choose from 800 miles of stunning trails. You'll also find elk, black bears, and a slew of white tailed deer amongst a host of other species. Then there are the magnificent mountain views. Take the 5.3 mile Alum Cave Trail, a favorite for its steady ascent and endless views when you reach the top. The Alum Cave Trail is accessed from Newfound Gap Road.

2. Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Home to volcanic terrain, rain forests, and endangered species, Haleakala National Park has it all. Haleakala's summit crater is more like Mars than any spot on this blue planet. And the dramatic Halemauu Trail, which dives down nearly 1,200 feet and 2.1 miles from crater rim to floor, is the best way to experience it. The views are stunning, you'll feel like an astronaut.

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3. The Appalachian Trail, East Coast

The Appalachian Trail is a unit of the National Park System. This is a MUCH bigger commitment if you were to hike the whole thing but you can experience as much or as little as you would like at once. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,165 mile hike that spans 14 states starting in Springer Mountain, Ga. and ending up in Mt. Katahdin, Maine. Few people hike its entire length, in fact between 1,500 and 2,000 hikers attempt to hike the AT each year, and approximately 12 percent succeed. It takes between five and seven months to complete the entire length of the trail. You can either "thru" hike the trail (all at once) or portion hike the trail in smaller increments.

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4. Yosemite National Park, California

It's one of the oldest and most famous national parks in the country and offers tons of amazing hikes. Half Dome is one of the more famous trails within the park. The hike is approximately 17 miles round trip. The hike to Half Dome can take anywhere from 10 to 12 hours. Cable cars are put up in late May and taken down in October.

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5. Glacier National Park, Montana

The spectacular glacier laden landscape is a hiker's utopia containing 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. Take the Highline Trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. With great views of the peaks and good opportunities for viewing wildlife like mountain goats and sheep, prepare for an adventure. My husband saw a grizzly bear four times his size on the trail.

iStockphoto.com/Aimin Tang

6. Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail, Alaska

Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail is marked with rock cliffs, open tundra, and views of the north Yukon River. This is one of the most memorable short backpack routes in the state. The maintained path is above the tree line. Two emergency shelters are available but hikers should be well prepared as weather conditions can change dramatically.

Courtesy of Sally Berens

7. Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina

With mountains over 5,000 feet and endless cascading waterfalls, this North Carolina forest is a whimsical wonderland. The towering hardwood forests and whitewater rivers make this one of my favorite hikes. Consider the 2 mile loop trail to the top of the Whiteside cliffs.

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8. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier is a famous active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The Wonderland Trail, which completely circles Mount Rainier, is not only an amazing long hike in Washington; it is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. The route is dotted with wildflowers, old-growth forests, glaciers, and waterfalls.

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9. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

With elevations from 8,000 feet, the Rocky Mountain National Park has no shortage of memorable views. Glacier Gorge is one of the most beautiful spots in Rocky Mountain National Park. Blanketing wildflowers and crystal clear alpine lakes are what you will find on your hike. Bring along a fishing rod if you fancy catching a few.

iStockphoto.com/Ricardo Reitmeyer

10. Cumberland Island National Park, Georgia

There's a total of 50 miles of hiking trails throughout the maritime forests, interior wetlands, historic districts, marsh ecosystems, and the beautiful beaches. Trails are accessible only by foot. Bird watch as you hike. As a favorite resting point on the transatlantic migratory flyway, over 335 species of birds have been recorded on Cumberland Island. Go animal viewing as well and you'll likely see wild turkeys, armadillos, feral horses, vultures, dolphins, and lizards all in the same day. To experience the more hidden bobcats and otters you'll likely need to camp for a few days.

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More on Hiking:
Top 5 Hiking Spots in the U.S
How to Go Green: Outdoor Sports
How to Extend the Life of Your Hiking Boots