Find Your First Trail: A Beginner’s Guide to One Easy Hike in Every U.S. State

A scenic view within Moss Rock Preserve, featuring large, moss-covered boulders scattered amongst a lush green forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a dappled effect on the rocks and foliage.

Moss Rock Preserve Trail, Alabama

Discover Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover, Alabama. A beginner-friendly hike filled with waterfalls, forested trails and fun boulder fields. Perfect …

A long exposure near Girdwood where Winner Creek Trail is located

Winner Creek Trail, Alaska

Winner Creek Trail in Girdwood, Alaska is one of the most beginner-friendly hikes in the state, offering lush rainforest scenery, …

Desert hiking path lined with tall cacti and succulents on the Lost Dog Wash Trail in Arizona.

Lost Dog Wash Trail, Arizona

Lost Dog Wash Trail in Scottsdale, Arizona offers a peaceful and beginner-friendly hike through the Sonoran Desert with sweeping views, …

Golden hour light on iconic Hawksbill Crag from Whitaker Point Trail.

Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag), Arkansas

Begin your hiking journey on the Whitaker Point Trail, a gentle Ozark walk through blooming woods leading to jaw-dropping Hawksbill …

Clear reflection of Half Dome and Yosemite mountains in Mirror Lake Loop

Mirror Lake Loop Yosemite, California

Experience Yosemite’s beauty without the climb. Mirror Lake Loop is a flat, beginner-friendly trail with forest paths, wildflowers, and stunning …

Scenic view of Bear Lake with pine forests and mountains on the Bear Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bear Lake Trail, Colorado

If you’re craving alpine beauty without a tough climb, the Bear Lake Trail in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is …

sweeping autumn views where Tower Trail at Sleeping Giant State Park is.

Tower Trail at Sleeping Giant State Park, Connecticut

If you’re new to hiking but craving a trail that feels rewarding without being exhausting, the Tower Trail at Sleeping …

A view of the Pinelands Trail Cape Henlopen.

Pinelands Trail, Delaware

Looking for a peaceful, beginner-friendly hike in Delaware? The Pinelands Trail Loop at Cape Henlopen State Park is a hidden …

Kolokee Loop Trail, Florida

Nestled in the heart of Little Big Econ State Forest near Oviedo, Kolokee Loop Trail delivers a relaxed, beginner-friendly hike …

Stunning twin waterfalls at Anna Ruby Falls Trail in Georgia.

Anna Ruby Falls Trail, Georgia

Anna Ruby Falls Trail in northern Georgia offers a short, paved walk through lush forest to stunning twin waterfalls. It’s …

Iconic Makapu'u Point Lighthouse stands tall on the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail in Oahu.

Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail, Hawaii

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail on Oʻahu offers a scenic, beginner-friendly hike along a paved path with stunning views of the …

Sawtooth Lake Trail, Idaho

Sawtooth Lake Trail offers an inviting adventure for beginners and nature lovers alike. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Idaho’s …

Beautiful waterfall cascading in St. Louis Canyon at Starved Rock State Park.

St. Louis Canyon Trail, Illinois

The St. Louis Canyon Trail at Starved Rock State Park offers an easy, scenic 1.5-mile hike featuring waterfalls, wooden bridges, …

Shaded sandstone gorge and creek crossing on Turkey Run Trail 3.

Turkey Run State Park’s Trail 3, Indiana

Discover Turkey Run State Park’s Trail 3, also known as The Punch Bowl—a beginner-friendly loop trail offering stunning sandstone gorges, …

The winding path of the Canyon Road Trail, perfect for beginner hikers.

The Canyon Road Trail, Ledges State Park, Iowa

Ledges State Park in Iowa offers an inviting beginner hiking experience along the Canyon Road Trail. Featuring towering sandstone cliffs, …

Scenic view of Clinton State Parkwhere Lake Henry Loop is located

The Lake Henry Loop, Clinton State Park, Kansas

The Lake Henry Loop Trail in Clinton State Park offers an inviting escape for beginner hikers and nature lovers alike …

Kentucky's tallest waterfall, Yahoo Falls, viewed from Yahoo Falls Trail.

Yahoo Falls Trail, Kentucky

Explore the Yahoo Falls Trail in Daniel Boone National Forest. An accessible, beginner-friendly loop that leads to the tallest waterfall …

Chicot State Park Loop Trail, Louisiana

Chicot State Park’s Loop Trail is the perfect intro to Louisiana hiking. With calm lake views, cypress-shaded paths, and easy …

Bradbury Mountain Summit Trail, Maine

Bradbury Mountain Summit Trail is a perfect beginner hike in Maine, featuring a gentle ascent through peaceful woods and rewarding …

forested path near Billy Goat Trail C. at C&O Towpath

Billy Goat Trail, Maryland

Discover the gentlest stretch of the Billy Goat Trail with Section C, an easy riverside hike through lush woods and …

View at the middle resrvoir along the Skyline Trail Middlesex Fells in Stoneham.

Skyline Trail (Short Loop), Middlesex Fells Reservation, Massachusetts

Explore the short loop of Skyline Trail in Middlesex Fells Reservation. A beginner-friendly hike with scenic Boston views, wooded trails, …

Iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse at the end of Lighthouse Trail Ludington.

Lighthouse Trail, Ludington State Park, Michigan

The Lighthouse Trail at Ludington State Park welcomes beginner hikers with its easy and scenic path along Lake Michigan’s shore …

Iconic 53-foot Minnehaha Falls on the Minnehaha Falls Trail in Minneapolis.

Minnehaha Falls Trail, Minnesota

Minnehaha Falls Trail in Minneapolis is a beginner friendly one mile loop featuring a stunning 53 foot waterfall gentle creekside …

Lush forest canopy shading the Bear Creek Outcropping Trail in Tishomingo State Park

Bear Creek Outcropping Trail, Mississippi

Discover Bear Creek Outcropping Trail in Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi, a short, beginner-friendly hike featuring stunning rock formations, peaceful creekside …

Castlewood River Scene Trail in Missouri.

River Scene Trail, Missouri

Just 30 minutes from St. Louis, the River Scene Trail offers stunning Meramec River overlooks, shaded woodlands, and historic charm …

A stunning view of the Glacier National Park in Montana where The Trail of the Cedars is.

Trail of the Cedars, Montana

Discover the magic of Montana’s Trail of the Cedars. A beginner-friendly hike in Glacier National Park with towering trees, cascading …

Wooden path winding through Pioneers Park Nature Trail in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Pioneers Park Nature Trail, Nebraska

Discover the peaceful charm of Pioneers Park Nature Trail in Lincoln, Nebraska. This beginner-friendly 2-mile loop winds through tallgrass prairie, …

Panoramic view of Red Rock Canyon's vibrant red and white sandstone cliffs Calico Tanks Trail

Calico Tanks Trail, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

Calico Tanks Trail is a beginner-friendly gem in Red Rock Canyon, just outside Las Vegas. With scenic sandstone paths, light …

Breathtaking panoramic view of Crawford Notch from the Mount Willard Trail NH summit.

Mount Willard Trail, New Hampshire

Looking for a beginner-friendly hike with big rewards? Mount Willard Trail in New Hampshire is your perfect intro to mountain …

An expansive marsh scene at Cheesequake State Park, typical of the landscapes found along or near the Green Trail Cheesequake. A narrow creek winds through golden and green marsh grasses, framed by trees with scattered fall colors.

Green Trail Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey

Cheesequake State Park’s Green Trail offers a gentle, 1.5-mile loop through marshlands, forests, and fields ideal for new hikers. With …

A dramatic high-altitude desert sunset scene in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains, an area where the Pino Trail is located. The view overlooks a sprawling valley, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun

Pino Trail, Sandia Mountains, New Mexico

Pino Trail in the Sandia Mountains is perfect for new hikers seeking a peaceful escape with rewarding views. This 4.5-mile …

Loop Trail Minnewaska State Park Preserve, New York

Gentle trails, sparkling lake views, and forest serenity make the Loop Trail at Minnewaska State Park a top beginner hike …

Crabtree Falls, North Carolina

Crabtree Falls delivers everything a new hiker could want: lush woods, mountain air and a stunning waterfall finale, all on …

Landscape along the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a long-distance hiking trail through the badlands of North Dakota

Maah Daah Hey Trail, North Dakota

Explore North Dakota’s Maah Daah Hey Trail (North Unit), a beginner-friendly hike through rolling badlands and quiet prairie. This peaceful …

A serene view of Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave Trail in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio, featuring a smooth waterfall flowing into a shallow, clear green pool, framed by ancient rock walls and an arched stone bridge overhead, surrounded by dense forest.

The Old Man’s Cave Trail, Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Step into a storybook setting at Old Man’s Cave Trail in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. With waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and shaded …

Deer grazing near the Clear Bay Trail, a common wildlife sight.

Clear Bay Trail, Lake Thunderbird State Park, Oklahoma

Looking for an easy, scenic hike in Oklahoma? Clear Bay Trail at Lake Thunderbird State Park offers a relaxing 2.5-mile …

The iconic winding road at Rowena Crest Viewpoint, also known as part of the Tom McCall Point trail area, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge with distant hills under a dramatic cloudy sky in Oregon

Tom McCall Point Trail, Oregon

Looking for a scenic beginner hike in the Columbia River Gorge? Tom McCall Point Trail offers sweeping views of Mount …

Panoramic view of Happy Valley from Mount Nittany Loop.

Mount Nittany Loop, Pennsylvania

If you’re new to hiking or looking for a trail that balances ease with unforgettable views, the Mount Nittany Loop …

Providence skyline view from Neutaconkanut Hill Park summit.

Neutaconkanut Hill Park, Rhode Island

Neutaconkanut Hill Park offers one of the best beginner hikes in Rhode Island. Explore forested trails, climb a gentle summit, …

Sunlight filters through tall trees onto the wooden boardwalk loop trail at Congaree National Park in South Carolina, surrounded by forest with fallen leaves.

Boardwalk Loop, Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Boardwalk Loop in Congaree National Park is a peaceful, easy trail through towering cypress trees and rich wildlife. Perfect for …

Arial view of Custer State Park's Sylvan Lake and Sunday Gulch

Sunday Gulch Trail, Custer State Park, South Dakota

Sunday Gulch Trail in Custer State Park offers a scenic loop filled with granite cliffs, peaceful waterfalls, and pine forest …

Radnor Lake’s Lake Trail, Tennessee

Radnor Lake’s Lake Trail offers easy lakeside hiking, shaded paths and wildlife views perfect for beginners seeking a peaceful escape …

Shaded dirt trail alongside Barton Creek Greenbelt.

Barton Creek Greenbelt, Texas

Just minutes from downtown Austin, the Barton Creek Greenbelt offers a refreshing escape for beginner hikers. This easy, scenic trail …

A long exposure shot of a flowing stream with a hazy, smooth appearance, surrounded by rocks and vibrant fall foliage in shades of gold and orange, likely on the Silver Lake Loop Trail in Utah.

Silver Lake Loop, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Silver Lake Loop is a gentle and scenic hike perfect for beginners. This flat trail circles a beautiful alpine lake …

A view from Mount Philo overlooking Champlain Valley

Mount Philo State Park Trail, Vermont

Mount Philo State Park offers a short, scenic hike with sweeping Vermont views that feel like a reward without the …

Great Falls Park River Trail, Virginia

Just minutes from DC, the River Trail at Great Falls Park offers beginner hikers stunning views of roaring waterfalls, forested …

Rattlesnake Lake Trail, Washington

Rattlesnake Ledge is a classic Pacific Northwest hike just outside Seattle, offering beginner hikers a rewarding climb through lush forest …

Seneca Creek Trail, West Virginia

Winding through whispering pines and ending at a gorgeous waterfall, Seneca Creek Trail is West Virginia’s hidden retreat for new …

The Elephant Cave formation at Devil's Lake State Park's East Bluff Trail in Wisconsin, a dark op

East Bluff Trail, Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin

East Bluff Trail at Devil’s Lake State Park offers stunning views, wooded paths and a short climb that rewards beginners …

Medicine Bow Mountains and a serene lake in Wyoming, with trees and rocks.

Medicine Bow Peak Trail, Wyoming

Explore the beauty of Wyoming’s high country on the Medicine Bow Peak Trail. This easy alpine adventure offers stunning views, …