Must-Do Hikes in Every State

As guides, we often hear from our out-of-state clients how they feel like they need to travel out of state in order to experience a memorable hike. In reality, you don’t need to spend big bucks on a hiking trip to places like Alaska or Montana when there are interesting hikes right in your own backyard. With many states enforcing Stay at Home orders as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to stay local has become more important now than ever. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of hikes in all 50 states. We've also included a family friendly/beginner option for each state. Two things to note about this list: Some of these trails may be experiencing closures due to COVID-19, be sure to check trail conditions and status before heading out. Mileage and elevation numbers were compiled using as many sources as possible but may not be 100% accurate due to variations in data across websites. Take these as an approximation rather than hard numbers.

Alabama: Walls of Jericho Trail 

Alaska: Harding Ice Field Trail

Arizona: Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle

Arkansas: Indian Creek Trail

California: Dipsea, Steep Ravine, and Matt Davis Loop

Colorado: Blue Lakes Trail

Connecticut: Bear Mountain

Delaware: Lenape Loop South, Middle Run Natural Area

Florida:Florida Trail: Clearwater Lake to Alexander Springs

Georgia: Backcountry Trail: Providence Canyon State Park

Hawaii: Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail

Idaho: Scotchman Peak Trail

Illinois: Little Grand Canyon Trail

Indiana: 5 Mile Challenge at Turkey Run State Park

Iowa: Wildcat Den Trail

Kansas: Table Mound Trail

Kentucky: Van Hook Falls and Cane Creek Valley

Louisiana: Comite Park Trail

Maine: Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop

Maryland: Annapolis Rock and Black Rock via the Appalachian Trail

Massachusetts: Tully Lake Loop

Michigan: Chapel Loop

Minnesota: Superior Hiking Trail

Mississippi: Bear Creek Outcropping Trail

Missouri: Whispering Pines Trail

Montana: Bear Creek Overlook Trail

Nebraska: Rock Bluff Run

Nevada: Wheeler Peak Summit Hike

New Hampshire: Welch and Dickey Loop Trail

New Jersey: Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake, and Hemlock Pond Loop

New Mexico: Valley of Dreams Loop

New York: Hurricane Mountain Trail: Northern Approach

North Carolina: Grassy Ridge Bald via the Appalachian Trail

North Dakota: Caprock Coulee Trail

Ohio: Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave via the Buckeye Trail

Oklahoma: Bison Trail

Oregon: Trail of Ten Falls

Pennsylvania: Ricketts Glen Falls Loop

Rhode Island: Long Ponds Woods Trail

South Carolina: Rainbow Falls Trail

South Dakota: Black Elk Peak Loop

Tennessee: Alum Cave

Texas: Emory Peak Hiking Trail

Utah:Lake Blanche Trail

Vermont: Sunset Ridge

Virginia: Virginia’s Triple Crown Loop

Washington: Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

West Virginia: North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top

Wisconsin: Meyer’s Beach Sea Cave Trail

Wyoming:Cascade Canyon Trail

• Written by Hayley Moser. Adventurer and Fly Fishing, Backpacking, and Hiking Guide for Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides.