If you're looking for an epic hike into the Grand Canyon away from the crowds, the Hermit Trail is your move. This hike to Santa Maria Spring takes you to a beautiful shelter with views into Hermit Canyon. Source ..read more

Hiking to The Wave in Arizona can be overwhelming. There are permits, a remote location, and off-trail hiking. I'll show you how to hike it safely and easily in this guide. Despite all the hassle, the Wave is spectacular and worth it. Source ..read more

The Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is short hike but packs a lot in. You'll hike through dramatic terrain formed by a volcanic eruption. The hike is worth a side trip to explore and stretch your legs. Source ..read more

Horseshoe Bend, just 9 miles upstream from the Grand Canyon, has become one of the most iconic spots in the American Southwest. It's a short hike but worth every second. And recent improvements have made Horseshoe Bend accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Source ..read more

The hike to Mount Perry along Dante's Ridge is easily the most underrated in Death Valley National Park. The easy-to-follow trail follows a ridge along the Black Mountains, offering jaw-dropping views into Badwater Basin and as far as Mt Whitney and the Sierras. Source ..read more

Charlies Bunion Trail is an underrated hike; it's among the best day hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's challenging without being too hard and offers incredible views and a mini-Application Trail experience. The Charlies Bunion Trail is one of my favorites in the park. Source ..read more

If you can do only one hike in Congaree National Park, the Boardwalk Loop is the one. Congaree is unique for preserving the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, and the Boardwalk trail shows you the best of this remarkable place. The trail is easy, accessible, and family-friendly. Source ..read more

Hiking Mount Baden-Powell gives you a spectacular taste of the Angeles National Forest's high peaks without that much effort. You have to climb up the PCT, but the hike's shorter distance and steady gradient make it more of a challenging workout than a backcountry expedition. Baden-Powell is one of the classic hikes in the San Gabriels that you must add to your peak-bagging bucket list. Source ..read more

The Main Loop Trail at Muir Woods National Monument is a must-visit for just about anyone and everyone. This iconic trail meanders through the heart of the ancient redwood forest, providing an awe-inspiring experience of towering trees that have stood for centuries. The Main Loop Trail offers a manageable and family-friendly hiking experience, with multiple distance options and a stroller and wheelchair friendly trail. Source ..read more

This hike is for you if you want to get away from the crowds and into the Redwood canopy. We'll climb the Canopy View Trail, then make a picturesque descent on the Fern Creek Trail, maybe the prettiest in Muir Woods National Monument. It's moderately challenging with some climbing, but I've seen kids, seniors, and casual folks enjoy it. Source ..read more