Hiking is an American pastime. And, lucky for us, the United States is one of the most landscape-rich countries in the world. Here are seven of the best day hikes in the country.
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Day hiking is akin to backpacking, but it can often add an extra element of toughness; you’re not on a one-way journey for the day. On a day hike, what goes in must come back out.
It does, however, offer all the creature comforts at the end of a day in the field. And the U.S. is one of the world’s most iconic countries for day hiking.
With 640 million public acres of potential hikes to choose from, it’s difficult to say these are truly the best day hikes in the country.
But, they’re certainly well worth a day’s effort. And most are connected to broader landscapes worthy of a longer visit. It’s no surprise that many National Park hikes make the list, and with 58 to choose from, even that is difficult to narrow down.
So if you’re looking for some ideas to get your shoes dirty, read on for 7-day hikes you should be sure to stick on your bucket list.
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Fuel your inner fire with the Facet 60 OutDry. A technical hiker with a running-inspired fit, this shoe offers extra-light, responsive Techlite+ cushioning, Navic Fit lacing system, and a gripping outsole to tackle any terrain.
Made with breathable waterproofing, you can go from trail to town in any weather.
The Best Day Hikes in the US
Note: We’ve added the nearest city or park to each hike for context, and car travel is likely required to get to the trailhead. And check road descriptions to make sure your vehicle can make it.
Denver, CO: Greys and Torreys
![best day hikes best day hikes](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/bgrenier.jpg)
- Location: Idaho Springs, CO
- Hiking Experience Level: Intermediate to Expert
- Travel Time From Denver: About one hr.
- Total Hiking Distance: 8.1 mi.
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Elevation Gain: 3,622 ft.
- Highlights: Bagging two 14ers in a day, plus killer views of the Rocky Mountains
Arches National Park: Delicate Arch Trail
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- Location: Arches National Park (Utah)
- Hiking Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Travel Time From Moab, UT: 36 min.
- Total Hiking Distance: 3.2 mi.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 629 ft.
- Highlights: The red desert country and an arch like no other in the world
Glacier National Park: Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars
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- Location: Glacier National Park (Montana)
- Hiking Experience Level: Beginner, with bear safety education
- Travel Time From West Entrance: About 30 min.
- Total Hiking Distance: 5.9 mi.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 757 ft.
- Highlights: The blue beauty of Avalanche Creek, giant cedars, incredible scenery, and wildlife potential.
Yosemite National Park: Half Dome via the John Muir Trail
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- Location: Yosemite National Park (California)
- Hiking Experience Level: Expert
- Total Hiking Distance: 15.9 mi.
- Difficulty: Very strenuous
- Elevation Gain: 4,800 ft.
- Highlights: Section bragging rights on the JMT, hiking an icon, incredible views
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte
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- Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina)
- Travel Time From Gatlinburg, TN: 29 min.
- Total Hiking Distance: 10.9 mi.
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Elevation Gain: 2,896 ft.
- Highlights: The iconic Inspiration Point, a cave, lots of historic sites along the way
Zion National Park: The Narrows, Bottom up to Big Spring
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- Location: Zion National Park (Utah)
- Hiking Experience Level: Intermediate to Expert
- Total Hiking Distance: 8.9 mi.
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Elevation Gain: 695 ft.
- Highlights: 1,000-foot cliffs on either side of you, wading in a desert river, the songs of canyon wrens, and much more.
Millinocket, Maine: Mount Katahdin
![best day hikes best day hikes](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/Michael-Hotchkiss.jpg)
- Location: Baxter State Park (Maine)
- Travel Time From Millinocket: 48 min.
- Total Hiking Distance: 10.9 mi.
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Elevation Gain: 4,475 ft.
- Highlights: Truly dramatic landscape, high rocky features similar to the Mountain West, epic views of the Appalachians