10 Great American Day Hikes

Mount Rogers, Virginia

Rating: Easy.

Conquer the Rhododendron Trail and you'll get bragging points for having climbed Virginia's highest peak (Mount Rogers). You might even see a wild pony on the way, too. The loop is just 1.5 miles round-trip, and if you visit in June then the trail's namesake flowers will be in full  bloom.

Half Dome, California

Rating: Difficult.

The 14- to 16-mile round-trip hike (depending on which trail you choose) to Half Dome is one of the most nerve-racking day hikes on this list, thanks to its famous cable section. Two metal cables have been installed on the side of the rock face to allow hikers to climb the trail's last 400 feet and reach the summit without using rock climbing equipment. Still, thousands of people complete this hike (most taking about 10 to 12 hours) every year for the views of Vernal and Nevada Falls and the Yosemite Valley.

Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Rating: Intermediate.

Mount Washington holds a lot of titles: It's home to the worst weather in the world (in fact, experienced climbers use it in the winter to train for Everest), it's the highest mountain in the northeast, and it's one of the deadliest small mountains to hike (thanks to rapidly changing weather conditions). Still, if you go up on a good weather day, the 8.4 mile hike is one of the best in New England.

The Tuckerman Ravine Trail is one of the most direct routes to the top. On the way, marvel at Tuckerman's Ravine, where hardcore skiers and snowboarders hike up and slide down in the winter.

The hike alone is worthwhile, and you'll often have the trail all to yourself. But be prepared for disappointment at the summit—people can also drive or take a train to the top, so you'll end up sharing the views with lots of tourists.

Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, Minnesota

Rating: Easy.

You'll have trouble keeping your eyes on the ground as you traverse the Ridge Loop Trail portion of the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota's Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. This state park attracts hawks, peregrine falcons, ospreys, and many other unique birds, which you'll be able to easily spot as you walk.

The entire Superior Hiking Trail is 310 miles, but there are plenty of smaller sections that you can do as a day hike. If you want to do a route that's not a loop, there's even a shuttle that you can take one-way to/from your car.

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Rating: Easy to Intermediate.

Tennessee's  Rainbow Falls trail puts show-stopping waterfalls front and center. If you reach the falls in the afternoon, the sun will often create rainbows in the crashing water. It's equally spectacular if you hike in the winter when the waterfall might be frozen into an hourglass shape. You can either stop and head back after the 2.7 mile (one-way) journey to Rainbow Falls, or continue on for a total of 6.7 miles (one-way) to reach Mount Le Conte's summit.

Tall Trees Grove, California

Rating; Easy.

Most people drive to see California's famous redwoods, but they're better experienced at a slower pace by hiking the four-mile round-trip Tall Trees Grove Trail. The highlight is seeing the Libby Tree (which was considered the tallest tree in the world until the top part of it died in 1994).

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Rating: Easy.

The Kilauea Iki Trail takes visitors on a four-mile loop by the still-steaming Kilauea Iki Crater lava lake, through rainforest, and across challenging rocky terrain. You'll get to experience some of Hawaii's most diverse ecosystems in just a few hours.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Rating: Intermediate.

You'll want to wait for a clear day to hike Mount Rainier National Park's Crystal Peak, lest you end up walking 7.8 miles round-trip and miss out on the unparalleled summit view. From the top, you can see six volcanoes (Baker, Glacier, Adams, Rainier, St. Helens, and Hood) over two states (Washington and Oregon).

Arches National Park, Utah

Rating: Easy.

While the other tourists are crowding around Delicate Arch, one of Arches National Park's most popular paths, you'll be at the less accessible 3 mile (round-trip) Tower Arch, which starts with an unpaved road. After traversing a pink, sandy trail, you'll arrive underneath the massive Tower Arch. Take a break, snap a picture, and then head back.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Rating: Intermediate.

If you want to cut a few miles off of the 7.6 mile round-trip Grinnell Glacier trail without missing too much scenery, you can catch a boat shuttle and bypass a bit of walking. Along the way to the eponymous Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake, you'll pass by cliffs, waterfalls, and even some big horn sheep and goats.