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16 Must-Do National Park Hikes

Explore the best trails in some of the world's most beautiful parks.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List


Summertime is right around the corner which means it's time to start making your hiking plans! National parks across the U.S. and beyond are home to well-maintained trails through landscapes that you won't soon forget. From the granite cliffs of Yosemite Valley to the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, these 16 hikes belong on top of any national park traveler's hiking bucket list. 

Whether you're spending one night or setting up camp for a week of adventure, check out all the campsites near national parks from KOA!

1. Clouds Rest

Yosemite National Park, CA | 15.5 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Nathaniel Polta

KOA Campsites near Yosemite NP 

2. Rocky Mount Trail

Shenandoah National Park, VA | 9.8 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Christin Healey

KOA Campgrounds near Shenandoah NP: here, here, and here.

3. Crater Lake Rim Trail

Crater Lake National Park, OR | 33 miles round trip | Learn more.Photo: Eric Johnson

KOA Campgrounds near Crater Lake NP herehere, and here.

4. Mt. Ida

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO | 9.6 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Jon King

KOA Campgrounds near Rocky Mountain NP: here, here, and here.

5. Otter Point

Acadia National Park, ME | Optional 1 - 3.5 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Tate Yoder

KOA Campgrounds near Acadia National Park

6. Death Canyon

Grand Teton National Park, WY | 26-30 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Kathleen Morton

KOA Campgrounds near Grand Teton NP here and here.

7. Panorama Point

Rainier National Park, WA | 5.4 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Michael Matti

KOA Campgrounds near Rainier NP here, here, and here.

8. Grinnell Glacier

Glacier National Park, MT | 7.6 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Michael Johnston

KOA Campgrounds near Glacier NP here, here, and here

9. Angel’s Landing

Zion National Park, UT | 5 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Derrick Lytle

KOA Campgrounds near Zion National Park here, here, here, and here. 

10. Hurricane Hill

Olympic National Park, WA | 5 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Michael Matti

KOA Campgrounds near Olympic NP here.

11. Cattail Falls

Big Bend National Park, TX | 3 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Andrew Slaton

KOA Campgrounds near Big Bend NP here.

12. Riggs Spring Loop

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT | 9 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Jason Shepherd

KOA Campgrounds near Bryce Canyon NP here.

13. Mt. Washburn

Yellowstone National Park, WY | 6.4 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Ben Srun

KOA Campgrounds near Yellowstone NP here, here, here, here, and here.

14. Abrams Falls

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN | 6.4 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Jon King

KOA Campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains NP here.

15. Rim-to-Rim

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ | 26-30 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Rob Witt

KOA Campgrounds near Grand Canyon NP here, here, here, and here.

16. Tall Trees Grove

Redwood State and National Park, CA | 6 miles round trip | Learn more. Photo: Austin Trigg

KOA Campgrounds near Redwood National Park here.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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