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| Swiftcurrent Lake at Glacier National Park |
The Great Smoky Mountains’ geography consists of several mountains with valleys tucked between them and the ridgelines leading to their peaks. The result is a number of great, diverse hiking trails to explore.
Trail leads to incredible vista on Stony Man
Fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its famous Shenandoah Valley await day hikers on a segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Shenandoah National Park. About 101 miles of the famed backpacking trail passes through Shenandoah, with many sections accessible from Skyline Drive. An excellent segment to hike is the Stony Man Trail, which runs about 1.6-miles round trip and gains 340 feet in elevation.
Alpine Ridge Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re looking to prove your mettle, you may want to hike one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s shortest trails. The 0.6-mile round trip Alpine Ridge Trail gains 300 feet while sitting at an altitude of 12,000 feet above sea level, where there’s significantly less oxygen than most of us are used to. Because of that, the route through the alpine tundra appropriately is nicknamed Huffer’s Hill.
Swiftcurrent Lake Loop Trail
Glacier National Park
A scenic stroll around a high mountain lake awaits day hikers on the Swiftcurrent Lake Loop Trail at Glacier National Park in Montana. Flat and full of great views as well as wildlife, the 2.9-mile loop – made up of segments of three other trails – is perfect for families with children.
Queen's Garden
Bryce Canyon National Park
Fairyland really does exist – it’s smack dab in southcentral in Utah, where a maze of totem pole-like rock formations called hoodoos grace Bryce Canyon National Park. Because of the Queens Garden’s high altitude – some 8000 feet elevation – May to September marks the best time to visit.
Smith Peak Trail
Yosemite National Park
Families can hike a forested mountainside past giant granite boulders on a segment of the Smith Peak Trail at Yosemite National Park. Located in the park’s Hetch Hetchy section, the 2.32-miles round trip trail is one of two routes to Smith Peak. This option makes a nice alternate route as the more popular trail that leaves from the ranger station can be soggy in springtime.
Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks series.
