20 Day Hikes For Those Who Love Being Outdoors
Angel’s Landing - Zion National Park, Utah, USA
This hike is one for the books and it still takes the cake. We did this hike in September and the weather was just perfect. That’s such a good time to visit the park as kids are back in school and it starts to become less busy. We completed this hike back in 2020 and it now has since changed its requirements to need a permit. So you have to apply for a permit before doing this hike but if you can get your hands on one, don’t pass it up! It’s only a 4.5-mile hike, but don’t let the switchbacks fool you. You can find out about permit information here.
2. Mount LeConte (via alum cave trail) - Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA
This hike is about 11 miles and it’s a tough one if you’re not in good shape. We completed this hike in the first week of July - it was VERY humid. Make sure you bring lots of water with you on this hike because when it’s warm, it’s quite muggy for the first half of the hike until you can see the sky and the forest opens up a bit. Although it was 85+ degrees outside, we still got chilly at the top so I would recommend taking some light warmer layers with you just in case. You can find more information about this trail here.
3. Wall Street + Queens Garden Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
This hike is a switchback haven. You’ll experience some really cool red/orange rock walls and so many rock arches throughout. It looks as though this trail is currently closed due to rock fall but hopefully when it opens back up, you can go experience its beauty! Find more information about the trail here.
4. Black Balsam Knob + Tennent Mountain Loop (via Art Loeb Trail) - Shining Rock Wilderness Area, North Carolina, USA
This hike is lush with trees and 360 views of the vistas around. It’s approximately 4.5 miles in length and isn’t super difficult. We did this hike at the end of May and the weather was fantastic. The trail wasn’t crowded either which is a plus. Be sure to watch out for snakes because I nearly stepped on one when we were hiking. If you’d like more trail information, check here.
5. Antelope Canyon - Arizona, USA
This was one of our favorites. The canyon is so jaw-droppingly beautiful that it almost seems unreal. When we visited, the upper canyon was not open due to COVID restrictions so we had to access it through the lower canyon. To do so, we rented kayaks from a local outdoor rental company and kayaked Lake Powell into the lower canyon. It was about a 1.5-mile kayak ride into the base of the canyon. You then can park your kayaks at hike into the canyon base. The further you hike into the canyon, the more scrambling you have to do. We spent a couple of hours here and then kayaked back to the launch. Find out how you can tour the upper canyon here. Because the land is private, a tour is required to enter the upper canyon.
6. The Narrows - Zion National Park, Utah, USA
This was a fun and wet hike! I would definitely recommend renting shoes and a hiking stick from Zion Outfitters right near the visitor center. The equipment definitely made for a better experience, especially the shoes. I didn’t dress super warm and I ended up getting cold in the canyon because the water is quite chilly. So bring extra layers if you can in a dry sack. You can find out opening dates and the best time to hike the Narrows here.
7. Mosquito Falls + Chapel Falls Via Chapel Loop - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, USA
This hike is approximately 10 miles round trip. This is a great hike to do in the summer or fall. If you want the vibrant-colored leaves, definitely go in the fall because it will be breathtaking. But if you want more warmth, the summer is a great option as well. This hike is full of beautiful views of Lake Superior. This trail is definitely family-friendly and quite doable for someone who hasn’t hiked a ton. You can find more information about the trail here.
8. Plateau Point Trail Via Bright Angel Trail - Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
This hike is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard yet so rewarding and incredibly grand (see what I did there?…lol). You hike straight down into the canyon and then right back up again. We started in winter coats, hats, gloves, and warm gear and finished our hike in tank tops and shorts. We did this hike in mid-September so it was really windy at the top of the canyon and VERY warm at the bottom (per usual). The hike took us past lots of wildlife, and tons of different vegetation based on the climate at different points along the trail. There are water stations along the trail for refilling (you’re going to want a lot of it) - check the ranger station to see which ones are open at the time you visit. Our initial plan was to hike rim to rim via a 1-night backpacking adventure but the north rim was closed due to COVID restrictions. It’s definitely a hike for the bucket list! Find more information on it here.
9. Chain Lakes Loop - Mount Baker, Washington, USA
This hike will beckon you to stay. It’s a 7-mile loop full of lakes, pristine mountain views, and wild blueberries + huckleberries that you can eat along the way. Go on a clear day and see mount Baker in all its beauty or visit in the winter with your snowshoes and experience a beautiful, sunny, winter day. Visit in the summer for a warm, lush forest experience or stop by in the fall and experience all the vegetation changing colors and see the larches turn their bright yellow. You can find more information about the trail here.
10. Fairyland Loop - Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
This heavily trafficked, 8-mile loop is breathtaking on a warm summer/fall day or in the winter when the hoodoos are snowcapped. The trail is full of canyon views that display beautiful red rock formations mixed with green vegetation. Bring enough water with you because it’s quite warm down in the canyon when the sun is beaming. We did this hike in mid-September and enjoyed every minute of it. It’s best to get to this trailhead early because there is very limited parking and we had to wait for a spot. Find more information about the hike here.
11. Deer Mountain - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA
Deer Mountain Trail is a moderate 6-mile out and back hike. The view at the top is flawless - you see Long's Peak in the distance to the south and the whole rest of the range in the other directions. We did this hike in March so it was still pretty snowy up there and we needed our spikes. Find more about this trail here.
12. Heather Lake Trail Loop - Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, USA
This 5.5-mile loop will leave you wanting to come back! It’s the most beautiful in the fall when all the vegetation and larches are changing color. The Larches become a vibrant yellow and the vegetation gives off shades of maroon, orange, and yellow. Pack your layers because it can be pretty windy at the halfway point and if it’s rained a bunch, the trail gets quite muddy and hiking poles or spikes would be advised, especially for descending. Seek more trail information here.
13. Emerald Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA
This is a good hike to do if you don’t have a ton of time because it’s only 3-ish miles long. This hike is beautiful for winter and summer hiking. View the lakes frozen in the winter and come back to see their vibrant blue waters in the summer. This trailhead if full of many family-friendly trails as well if kids are tagging along. Find more information about the trail and it’s conditions here.
14. Mount Pilchuck Trail - Mount Pilchuck State Park, Washington, USA
This hike was really fun to do in the winter and we have had friends do it in the summer (you get better views in the summer). We went when it was snowing and it was so beautiful with the fresh snow however it made the rock scramble at the end really difficult. It’s a 5-mile hike that I think would have been easier to navigate without the snow. You really have to look for the trail markers when you get to the rocky scramble portion of the hike. Find more about the trail here.
15. Arthur’s Rock Trail - Lory State Park, Colorado, USA
This 3.5-mile hike is perfect for an afternoon hike with your dog. Do it in the winter or summer with minimal difficulty. Bring a hammock to hang out at the top for the afternoon and enjoy a lunch with views of Fort Collins and farm plains. Find more about the trail here.
16. The Loch Via Glacier Gorge Trail - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA
This is a 5.5-mile hike that we did in the middle of winter and it was absolutely breathtaking. The gorge looks really cool when there’s a lot of snow - it’s like you are in a snow-covered oasis and bonus…you can slide down the gorge on your butt or back if you have a slippery coat…lol. We did this hike twice and loved it both times. It’s quite strenuous when you get to the gorge before Loch Lake but it’s worth the views! We can’t wait to do this one in the summer and see the blue water at Loch Lake! Find more information on this trail here.
17. Colchuck Lake Via Stuart Lake Trail - Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, USA
We did this 9-miler in the middle of winter and it was the most gorgeous day ever. Because we weren’t at super-high elevation, the lake wasn’t frozen but it was a bright, vibrant blue color. Getting to this trailhead was interesting…lots and lots of potholes so don’t drive a vehicle that doesn’t have much of a clearance. When we got to Colchuck Lake at the top of the hike, the sun came out and made us nice and warm while we enjoyed our lunch. Definitely worth hiking in the winter! Find more about this trail here.
18. Skyline Trail Loop - Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA
This hard 6-mile hike will have you ready for a big juicy burger at the end. You have views of Mount Rainier almost the entire hike which is just simply amazing. You don’t realize how big Rainier is until you go to the park and are looking up at it and it seems like its peak stretches for miles. It was cool to see the snowcapped peak while also hiking in semi-warm weather - surreal feeling. There are so many hikes here that are handicap-friendly with paved trails as well. Find more about the trail and park here.
19. Horsetooth Falls + Horsetooth Rock Trail - Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Colorado, USA
This hike was the first sunrise hike we did and we would do it again 10 times over. It was worth waking up at 4 AM to watch the sunrise at the top. Starting the hike in the dark, you see all the lights of the cities in the distance which was amazing. Then when we reached the top, we cozied up after ascending the final rock scramble and watched the sunrise over Fort Collins and surrounding cities. There just isn’t anything like the peaceful environment of the dark turning into day. Find more about this trail here.
20. Lake 22 Trail - Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, USA
We did this hike in the middle of a stretch of very rainy September days. It wasn’t that hard of a hike but we were drenched the entire time. It was quite warm out so we never really got cold but it helps to have the right gear for being wet. The falls were rushing so hard that you couldn’t even get near them without them spraying and blasting you with water. We wished we had gone on a more clear day because our view at the top was extremely foggy but it was still a really cool hike. Find more about this trail here.
