The Best Hiking Trail in Each State

Hiking is the ultimate outdoor activity and America is home to thousands of excellent trails where you can enjoy some exercise while admiring the Great Outdoors. The following 50 trails either enjoy an iconic status in their home state or are listed as a top trail for their state on All Trails.

You'll start your hike near the headwaters of the Paint Rock River in the Yellowhammer State, but you'll cross over into Tennessee for the climax: The Walls of Jericho. This natural rock amphitheater is rife with enchanting water features and boulders and makes quite the payoff for the six-mile effort.

Located on the outskirts of Anchorage, Flattop is a favorite hike of locals and tourists alike. It only takes about an hour to ascend the state's most visited peak and you are rewarded with sweeping views of Denali (Mount McKinley) and even some Aleutian Islands.

It only takes a glance to see where Camelback got its name and it only takes one hike to see why this trail is so beloved in Phoenix. The two short-but-demanding trails that lead to the top are loaded with Southwest scenery and the peak presents panoramic views of the Valley of the Sun.

One of the most cherished symbols for the state, the rocky outcrop known as Hawksbill Crag is the reward for traversing this approximately three-mile trail in Ozark National Forest. You'll also pass a waterfall along the way.

It's nearly nine miles each way to this sublime waterfall in Point Reyes National Seashore and once you are there you are greeted with the unique scene of a cascade plummeting to the powdery sand of Wildcat Beach. Be sure to take the Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead for the most successful (and safest) experience.

This trail is a little over nine miles round trip and it rewards hikers with two pristine pools of water and a set of waterfalls. You will get the chance to take in Timberline Falls, pause at Lake of Glass and then push through to the fabulous finish at Sky Pond.

This is the tallest peak in the state of Connecticut and trekkers who tackle this six-mile trail at the right time of year are treated to a colorful show of wildflowers.

This brief-yet-brisk trail outside Wilmington stars a waterfall and is the perfect place to get a little exercise with the kids or the dog. There's plenty of pretty woodlands to pique your interest here, too.

Walk along shaded pathways to enjoy quintessentially Floridian flora and fauna on this nine-mile loop trail. Hikers also enjoy prime views of the serpentine Econlockhatchee River.

You'll enjoy several small waterfalls as you make your way towards the big enchilada: Raven Cliff Falls. This moderate trail comes in at just under five miles round trip and is located near the popular "Bavarian" mountain town of Helen.

Overlooking Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head is a Hawaiian icon. This short and steep trail starts in a volcanic crater before leading up to the rim to showcase all-encompassing eyefuls of the shore and sea below.

Surrounded by a lake on three sides, Tubbs Hill is located on a publicly-owned peninsula a stone's toss from downtown Coeur d'Alene. This loop trail skirts Lake Coeur d'Alene and offers hikers both historical points of interest and postcard-perfect views.

The Garden of the Gods is a particularly gorgeous section of the Shawnee National Forest and this trail shows off the best of the area. This two-mile loop offers the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the Garden's unique signature rock formations.

This mile-long loop trail drops quickly to lead hikers to a beautiful box canyon. Along the way, trekkers pass by oak and hemlock forests, a sizeable rock house and a waterfall.

The trail system at Wildcat Den State Park snakes its way through assorted impressive landscape features (think beautiful bluffs and striking geological formations) and historical sites like the Pine Creek Grist Mill.

Wait, you didn't think Kansas was all prairies and sunflowers, did you? If so, this 1.5-mile loop is sure to set you straight. Castle Rock is a wonderland of weathered rock towers and badlands and you're bound to be surprised by what you see here.

The Daniel Boone National Forest is stacked with fantastic sights, but this awesome arch ranks among the best. You'll need to hike 3.5 miles to see this graceful stone span with your own eyes though, but rest assured it's well worth it indeed.

This trail completely encircles Lake Chicot and offers hikers a glimpse of the landscapes that make Louisiana so special. Expect to see the best of the bayou and then some on this 17-mile trail.

You'll have to use iron rungs and sets of hand and foot holds to make to the top of this intense 1.5-mile loop trail in Acadia National Park. The reward? Jaw-dropping views of the beach and the sea below.

Use the Appalachian Trail to make the five-mile return trip to this famous stone. Your prize is ridiculous views of the surrounding landscape and swoon-worthy sunsets.

This 7.5-mile long trail near Medford meanders around a lake and offers distant views of Boston. It's the perfect place to get out of the city and enjoy some fresh air for the day.

This beloved trail is the centerpiece of the "Pure Michigan" wonder that is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The pathway takes hikers by shipwrecks, sand dunes, lighthouses and many of the park's signature rock formations.

Stand on the highest point in the state of Minnesota at the end of this six-mile-long trail that makes its way through Northern forest. Along the way, you will enjoy splendid views of Lake Superior National Forest and Lake Superior itself.

Whether you take the less-beaten primitive path or an improved trail, your reward is the same at this Magnolia State wonder: a superb set of waterfalls.

Castlewood State Park sits on the outskirts of St. Louis and this park offer miles-upon-miles of trails and recreation opportunities. The trail is especially known for prime views of bluffs and the twists and turns of the Meramec River.

This trail scoots past scores of the screensaver quality scenes that Glacier National Park is so famous for. An out-and-back path, the trail comes in at just under 10 miles.

Located on the banks of the Missouri River, Indian Cave State Park is home to a trail system that offers both pleasant views and a chance to view a piece of history. Follow the wooden steps to Indian Cave itself, where a set of ancient petroglyphs can be viewed.

Only a few miles from the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Inside, you will find a myriad of trails that show off the natural beauty of Nevada, but none can top two-mile Calico Tanks.

The Mount Major Trail comes in at just under four miles and offers spectacular views of both Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains.

Take the short but steep Red Dot Trail to the top of Mount Tammany where you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Delaware Water Gap. Then, take the slightly easier to handle Blue Dot trail back down to finish your 3.5-mile loop.

This loop trail is just under four miles long and offers up a striking swath of New Mexican beauty. The best section? The stretch that runs beside the spiky summits of the Organ Mountains.

Mount Cascade is one of the most accessible and popular peaks in the entire Adirondacks. The 4.5-mile hike to the top results in fantastic views of Lake Placid, scores of other notable Adirondacks and even-on a clear day-Lake Champlaign. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Mount Porter for a day you won't soon forget.

Grandfather Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the entire Blue Ridge range, with the four-mile trip to the top considered one of the most technical hikes not requiring equipment east of the Mississippi. All that hard work is richly rewarded with spectacular vistas and an incredible sense of accomplishment. Located near the mountain is the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge tourist attraction.

It may not be the longest or the most challenging trail in the West, but Painted Canyon Nature Trail offers up great Badlands scenery in spades. The trail starts at the visitor center at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where you can also learn more about this underrated park.

You haven't truly been to Hocking Hills until you've made the short hike to Old Man's Cave. Along the way, you will enjoy an enchanting waterfall and scenes that you might be surprised to be seeing in the Buckeye State.

One of the highest peaks in the woefully overlooked Wichita Mountains, Elk Mountain is sure to surprise you. The hike comes in at just over two miles and the top offers wonderful views of the entire Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Oh, what a reflection Mirror Lake provides. As you traverse this 3.7-mile loop you are likely to catch the shimmering spectacle of Mount Hood in this handsome body of water.

This state park is known for its abundance of waterfalls and this trail leads you to almost every last one of them. The path comes in at just over three miles and showcases a cascade at nearly every turn.

Combine views of the rugged Rhode Island coast with those of the grand homes of Newport on this National Recreation Trail.

This is the one that trekkers come to Table Rock State Park for as this six-mile out-and-back trail takes hikers on a strenuous ascent to the top of the park's namesake mountain.

Mount Rushmore is easily South Dakota's most iconic landmark and this trail offers the chance to leave some of the crowds it attracts behind for a few minutes. It's a short loop to be sure, but the fact that it lets visitors see Mount Rushmore from a multitude of angles and perspectives makes it a must-walk.

This trail is certainly not for the faint of heart of unsure of the foot. This out-and-back trail comes in just under 11 miles and starts out crossing streams before ascending rock stairs to progress past panoramic viewpoints to reach Alum Cave itself and then the peak of Mount LeConte.

If you could only do one hike in Big Bend National Park, this would be the one. This four-mile long trail offers stunning views of Casa Grande Peak and Juniper Canyon and education in Big Bend flora and fauna.

Delicate Arch is the undisputed symbol of Utah and it's the trail you simply have to do when you visit Arches National Park.

Just under four miles in length, this trail ascends through a fetching forest to reach its peak high above the town of Stowe. At the summit, you will enjoy glorious views of the Green Mountains.

Sure, everyone knows about it and it's purported to be the most photographed spot on the entire Appalachian Trail, but that doesn't make seeing Mcafee's Knob with your own eyes any less special.

The Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is known far and wide for its mindblowing views of Rattlesnake Lake. This out-and-back path is five miles in length and is one of the most popular day trips in the state.

Take to the hills surrounding the historic town of Harper's Ferry on this tremendous trial. The Maryland Heights Loop offers views of rivers and rolling hills in addition to passing by pieces of Civil War history.

This devious trail inside Devil's Lake State Park will put you to the test over the course of its six-mile loop, but the vistas of the lake from above will make you feel like you just finished a through-hike to heaven.

One of the jewels of Grand Teton National Park, the Jenny Lake Trail shows off everything that is special about this park. Loop around an idyllic body of water while the park's signature jagged peaks form the most remarkable of backgrounds.