There’s no better time than now to start pulling together your bucket list for next year. Your list may include places you want to travel, new activities you want to try out (stand-up paddleboarding!) and, hopefully, a few great National Park hikes.
For park lovers, it’s a must to start working on your list of scenic hikes that you absolutely want to do in the new year, whether it’s the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon or The Narrows at Zion National Park. Write them down, make them a reality. Here are a few of our most bucket list-worthy hikes.
Arches, Fiery Furnace
National Park hikes: Arches, Fiery Furnace. Photo Credit: Flickr/Karen Blaha
As National Park hikes go, this trail at Arches National Park is not typical. Instead, it’s a maze of convoluted red rocks (hence “fiery”) that require visitors to hike, climb and scramble, even crawl to complete. It is easy to get lost, so a guide is recommended, as is plenty of water.
Zion, Observation Point
National Park hikes: Zion, Observation Point. Photo Credit: Flickr/Junaidrao
Observation Point at Zion National Park may not be as busy as Angel’s Landing, but you can look down at Angel’s Landing from the top. It’s about an eight mile hike, and there are portions where you will walk next to steep drop-offs. The trail zig-zags and the view is always changing.
Yosemite, Panorama Trail
National Park hikes: Yosemite, Panorama Trail. Photo Credit: Flickr/Fabio Achilli
The Panorama Trail at Yosemite National Park is 8.5 miles one-way and you’ll want to allow lots of time. Take the bus. You will need advance reservations for this hike, at least a day in advance up to Glacier Point. The trail takes you to three different waterfalls, and you get incredible views of Half Dome as you hike around.
Grand Canyon, Bright Angel Trail
National Park hikes: Grand Canyon NP, Bright Angel Trail. Photo Credit: Flickr/Sharon Mollerus
A true classic among National Park hikes, the 12-mile Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park provides some of the most stunning views of the canyon, as well as the surrounding landscape. This hike is steep and strenuous, but it’s also the South Rim’s most popular and rewarding hike. Bring plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Glacier, Grinnell Glacier Trail
National Park hikes: Glacier NP, Grinnell Glacier Trail. Photo Credit: Flickr/Daveynin
Glacier National Park may have the most scenic views of any national park and to really take it all in, you’ve got to hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail. This 11-mile hike takes you up 1,600 vertical feet but the views of Grinnell Lake (a glacial lake) down below are absolutely worth the climb.
Remember, campgrounds and RVs book up very quickly. So the time to get started is now. Book your next adventure to ensure you have access to some great National Park hikes!
