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Outdoor Experiences
Retreats
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Interested in hiking some of the most iconic trails in the country on your next vacation? Many of the best hikes can be found in the stunning national parks of the United States. Take in incredible sights while reaching mountain peaks on hiking enthusiasts’ favorite trails. Read more to learn about what trails to visit on the best hiking vacations, where to find them, and where to stay during your trip.
As the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is renowned among the hiking community for some of the most iconic trails to explore. There is so much to explore with over 1,100 miles of hiking paths. What’s more, these trails do not require a permit for day hikes. Along these trails, you can spot alpine lakes, beautiful mountains, and other incredible scenery. Whether you prefer easy trails or steep climbs, this national park has the versatility to satisfy the whole group.
If you are looking for an easy trail to hike, Cascade Lake may become one of your favorites. This relatively flat trail will take you through meadows and wildflowers around the gorgeous Cascade Lake. If you want to supplement this hike with a challenge, there is a more difficult additional path from Cascade Lake. Here, you can take a strenuous 1,400-foot climb to a mountain peak with spectacular views of the wilderness. Experts recommend hiking this trip outside of the summer months, because it can sometimes get muddy.
One of the most popular hikes is the rigorous Avalanche Peak Trail. With an elevation gain of 2,070 and a total distance of 4.6 miles, this trail is a longer hike with gorgeous panoramic views at the top. If you are looking for a parking spot for a hike at this peak, parking is located directly off U.S. 14 on the left if you are coming from Cody, or right if you are coming from Yellowstone Lake. When you are done hiking, catch the sunset from the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, a great place to end the day. The canyon itself also offers multiple hiking trails and numerous viewpoints. From these spots, you can further witness stunning rock formations and the canyon’s two large waterfalls.
While you are there, also visit the nearby Grand Teton National Park. If you are seeking the best hiking vacations, why not knock another national park off your bucket list! People admire this park for the jagged peaks that rise dramatically. Some even say it is reminiscent of Yosemite National Park’s iconic mountain views. Additionally, there are many hikes to choose from at this park, with over 250 miles of hiking trails.
Looking for a great place to stay during the best hiking adventures? Anvil Hotel and Cache House is a gorgeous boutique hotel and is located directly south of Yellowstone. With the famous Wyoming National Parks as your backdrop, you will immerse yourself in your outdoor adventure, even after a day of hiking trails.
Renowned for its diverse plants and opportunities for spotting wildlife, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is North America’s most visited national park. This park is home to 150 different hiking trails spanning over 848 miles. Within these paths, you can find several waterfalls, mountains, and tons of natural beauty.
If you want to reach the highest point of the Great Smoky Mountains, check out the Kuwohi Trail. Hikers formerly knew this trail as Clingmans Dome Trail. This 6,643-foot-high peak is the third-highest mountain east of the Mississippi. For those willing to take the steep half-mile walk up to the very top, you will find an observation tower. This tower offers panoramic views of the Smokies and beyond.
If you are looking for a simpler trail at this park, Laurel Falls might be a good pick for you. This hike is only 2.3 miles round-trip and is known as one of the best waterfall hikes in the park. This is a very popular trail for hikers of all skill and endurance levels. It gets its name from the Mountain Laurel that grows within it. The peak blooming time of these wildflowers is in May, making it a great time to visit.
Tapoco Lodge is situated between the cities of Asheville and Knoxville, making it an ideal resort for the ultimate hiking vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. This boutique outdoor resort is not only near hiking options at the National Park, but it also features trails within its 120-acre campus. A hiking lover’s paradise, this resort has much to explore. Additionally, it can also serve as a comfortable home away from home for adventures beyond.
With a unique combination of mountains, woodlands, lakes, ponds, and the Atlantic Coast, the diversity within this park is truly breathtaking. The natural beauty of this land reflects the dynamics of several geologic processes that occur here. What’s more, this park also boasts a unique historical 45-mile system of carriage roads. These roads were built between 1913 and 1940 as roads for horse-drawn carriages.
Acadia National Park is home to twenty-six mountains, including the tallest mountain on the East Coast of the U.S. This mountain is Cadillac Mountain, which is 1,527 feet tall and is known for its stunning views of the sunrise. There are two different trail options for hiking this mountain: the North Ridge Trail or the South Ridge Trail. The North Ridge Trail is the shorter option at 4.4 miles round-trip. This option is known as having a moderate difficulty level. The South Ridge Trail is longer, at approximately 7 miles round trip. This one offers a more leisurely climb with diverse scenery.
If you are looking for a scenic loop hike that’s not too strenuous, consider the Jordan Pond Path. This path takes you around the shore of Jordan Pond, one of the most popular landscapes in the park. This loop is 3.3 miles long and intersects with several other trails, taking most hikers anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. Something to note about this trail is that you can bring your pet along with you! Pets are permitted (with a leash) on this hike!
Terramor Outdoor Resort is situated within driving distance of Acadia National Park. Here, guests have the opportunity to connect with the outdoor world beyond what is typically found at resorts. This glamping-style resort provides a variety of luxury tent accommodations that will make you feel like the adventure never ends on your best hiking vacation.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unique parks due to the diverse volcanic structures that can be viewed during your visit. Hiking destinations in this national park will teach you so much about nature’s beauty. Along these trails, you can find some of the most fascinating volcanic formations and go on hikes along the hardened lava fields, volcanic craters, and steaming vents. Moreover, the one-of-a-kind scenery and environment certainly make this park one of the best hiking vacations for nature lovers.
Devastation Trail is a great option for those looking to take in incredible views without too challenging of a hike. This short hike is less than a mile and takes you through the natural wonders left behind by the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki. Furthermore, along this hike, you’ll see cinder deposits and vegetation that is regrowing after the eruption. This makes for an enriching journey perfect for all levels as an introduction to the park’s unique geology and ecosystem.
For a more demanding hiking experience, the Kīlauea Iki Trail is an immersive journey through a lush rainforest where you can walk across the solidified lava lake that formed during the volcano’s eruption. This trail is a loop hike that spans about 4 miles. The mixture of uneven terrain and steep inclines makes this a more challenging, but rewarding experience.
Located on the Big Island, Pacific 19 is a fantastic place to stay after a great hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This resort is situated on the Kona Coast, making it the ideal location to unwind during your time off the trails while still being near some fantastic hiking options. You can also grab a famous Kona Coffee to start the day off on your hiking vacation.
Looking for more adventurous places to travel to? Staying immersed in the adventure is easy with Nook’s collection of unique resorts. Our boutique hotels, glamping resorts, and cabin rentals are in great locations for exploring the outdoors. Browse the entire list of incredible resorts in just as awesome locations below, and plan your next adventure now!
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