Tag: hiking trails

See 10 waterfalls on a trip to Silver Falls State Park in Oregon

Here are five things to know before you go.

Oregon is rich in waterfalls, with many excellent waterfall hikes around the state. But the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park is a huge crowd favorite. If you’re a waterfall lover, you’ll want to take this hike.

Silver Falls State Park is located near Silverton, Oregon, 20 miles southeast of Salem. With more than 9,000 acres, it’s Oregon’s largest state park. Explore 24 miles of walking trails, or ride a horse or bike in some parts of the park. It’s also a gorgeous place for a picnic if you just want to chill and enjoy the trees.

Hikers near a forest waterfall.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

The top 3 hiking trails at White Sands National Park

Hike the dunes.

Venture into the wonderful world of White Sands National Park. Miles of bright white sand make this New Mexico park a uniquely gorgeous place for hiking. Trails travel along the dunes and treat visitors to a look at the hypnotic landscapes, curious critters, and intriguing plants found throughout the desert. Before you take a trip to the park, explore this guide to the region’s three best hiking trails.

As you might expect, a desert hike will expose you to a lot of sunlight. Protect yourself from sunburn with a quality sunscreen, and bring more than enough water. You don’t want to ruin a great hike with dehydration or burns. If you need to replace any old or unreliable hiking gear, check out this gear guide before your park visit.

Now that you’re geared up for a desert adventure, here are the three best hiking trails at White Sands National Park.

See why you should add Flume Gorge to your hiking bucket list

Visit this enchanting trail.

What makes a hiking trail great? Though every hiker has different preferences, everyone enjoys gorgeous scenery. When that scenery is paired with well-established paths and interesting landmarks, it helps a hiking trail rocket to the top of people’s favorites list. These factors are what contribute to the popularity of Flume Gorge.

Located within beautiful Franconia Notch State Park, Flume Gorge offers guests hours of adventure. Visitors will find the gorge at the base of Mount Liberty. Nearby, the one-and-only Flume Gorge Trail leads hikers along stunning local water features.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the area or researching destinations for your hiking bucket list, let this photo gallery treat you to a preview of Flume Gorge’s lovely landscapes.

10 beach hikes to explore across the US this summer

Let’s go to the beach.

Summer means sun, beaches, and hours of outdoor fun. For sun-loving hikers, there’s no better season to get out and explore the wilderness. This year, discover some of the best summer trails in the United States by tackling these dazzling beach hikes.

If you live in a coastal state, stunning beachy walking paths are probably easy to find. However, even hikers in landlocked states can find gorgeous beach hikes to visit this summer.

Ready to plan your next summer hike? Then slather on the sunscreen and check out this list of the country’s 10 best beach hikes. Peruse even more hiking adventures with this guide to the best trail in every state.

Find weird rocks and waterfalls on the Hemlock Cliffs Scenic Trail

Explore this woodland wonder.

Hikers in Indiana have the privilege of living near the gorgeous Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail. Located southwest of Indianapolis in English, Indiana, this loop trail takes hikers on a 1.2-mile journey through Hoosier National Forest. The unique location’s mix of weird and wonderful scenery makes it perfect for a day of outdoor exploration.

What can hikers expect to see on the Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail? As a forest trail, the trek will treat visitors to verdant green canopies in the summer and spring. Hikers seeking diverse sights can also search for the region’s seasonal waterfalls and “honeycombed” sandstone. Preview these curious landmarks in the virtual hiking gallery below.

Discover Old Man’s Cave on this intense virtual hike

Adventure awaits.

Ohio’s Hocking Hills region is full of adventures for outdoor explorers. Families can search for wildlife on the new Butterfly Trail. Kayakers can paddle through the waters at nearby Lake Hope State Park. Hikers also have a variety of fascinating places to spend the day. However, only one of these hiking destinations offers the curious sights found at Old Man’s Cave.

Old Man’s Cave is the name of both a trail and a specific site. Trekking along Old Man’s Cave Trail will lead adventurers to many natural wonders, including the cave bearing the trail’s name. Discover more about this unique attraction with the virtual hike below.

The 10 most accessible national parks in the United States

Accessible adventures for all.

If you use a wheelchair or travel with someone who does, you know how quickly your day can go downhill when a destination has no ramps or accessible restrooms. That’s why Elysia Everett and Dave Jensen co-founded the Friendly Like Me app — so people could know this vital info before they go.

“People are more than just one thing, and accessibility means something different for everyone,” said Everett, CEO of Friendly Like Me, in a statement. “Disability is very individual, sometimes temporal, always in front of us, and yet–continues to surprise us.”

The folks at Friendly Like Me helped us put together this list of the 10 most accessible national parks in the United States. Now, let’s all go out and explore.

The 5 best hikes at Yellowstone National Park

Top-notch trails and views.

Yellowstone National Park attracts millions of visitors every year. What draws so many people to the park? Jaw-droppingly gorgeous natural wonders and unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, to start. But of all the park’s many exciting activities, hiking may be the most popular way to explore.

So, if you’re hiking through Yellowstone, which trails should you prioritize? That depends on what’s most important to you. If you want a challenge, Yellowstone River Trail is a strenuous and rewarding choice. If you prefer leisurely nature walks, North Rim Trail will serve you well. Of course, some trails shine no matter what kind of hiker you are.

See the absolute best hikes at Yellowstone National Park in the helpful list of trails below.

The 5 best hikes at Joshua Tree National Park

Incredible sights await.

Joshua Tree National Park shows how gorgeous deserts can be. Amid dusty, arid landscapes, the park shines with its fascinating plants, rocks, and wildlife. Located in southeast California, Joshua Tree encompasses over 1,200 square miles of land. That’s over 795,000 acres of unique natural wonders just waiting to be explored. And there’s no better way to explore Joshua Tree National Park than on a hike.

The park offers tons of fun hikes. For visitors with limited time, choosing which trails to tackle can be difficult. Make those choices easier with this list of Joshua Tree National Park’s best hikes.

The best hiking trails in the US and why you’ll love them

Get out and explore these terrific trails.

Most avid hikers have a few favorite trails. Whether you like coastal climbs or forest paths, there are plenty of wonderful hiking trails throughout the United States that will suit your preferences. While individual tastes vary, a handful of stunning hiking trails stand out as crowd favorites across the country. If you’re curious about which locations make the list of the best hiking trails in the U.S., explore this gallery of nine dreamy destinations. These popular spots will take you from lush landscapes along the Appalachian Trail to colorful canyons near Buckskin Gulch. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore!

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