10 Awesome Hikes from 10 Major Cities

Ditch the concrete jungle and head out into your naturehood! Throw some supplies in a day pack, rendezvous with your nature-loving friends and get out to a trailhead for an outdoor adventure everyone will enjoy. Here are 10 places to hike a short distance from 10 major cities that offer great trail conditions, diverse landscapes, and spectacular views.

A short drive from major cities, these day-trip hikes can't be beat

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Near Sacramento, CA

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management)

Co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Mendocino National Forest, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is a convenient getaway from the Sacramento metro area. Whether you’re day hiking, backpacking, or camping, endless opportunities await at this unique destination. Stebbins Blue Ridge Loop (5 mi / 8.05 km) is challenging but beautiful with fields of wildflowers and views of Lake Berryessa. If you’re in it for the long haul, Berryessa Peak Trail (14.5 mi / 23.3 km) is a difficult but rewarding hike with stunning views of surrounding peaks. On a clear day, be on the lookout for downtown Sacramento, Shasta, and the Sierra Nevada.

Pro Tip: this guide (PDF) is a great resource for planning your trip.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Near Chicago, IL

Indiana Dunes National Park (Timothy Burton, Share the Experience)

Indiana Dunes National Park offers more than just shoreline for day trippers - 50 miles (80.5 km) of trails await your exploration in one of the nation's newest national parks. The varied terrain offers hiking opportunities for everyone in your crew, from the leisurely 0.9-mile (1.4 km) Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail to the extensive Glenwood Dunes Trails system. Check the park's calendar around the time of your visit for special hiking opportunities and guided tours.

Superstition Wilderness

Near Phoenix, AZ

Tonto National Forest (Jordan Griffith, Share the Experience)

Superstition Wilderness, in the Tonto National Forest, is a starkly beautiful wilderness area. The area has a well-developed, well-marked trail system and is ideal for spring and fall hikes. Peralta Canyon Trail is a rocky, moderately difficult trail that features expansive views of classic southwestern landscapes. This hike is particularly vibrant in the spring when wildflowers are blooming, and temperatures are mild.

Like all wilderness hikes, this destination requires extra planning and safety measures. Before you go, check out these tips for exploring wilderness areas and other remote destinations.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Near Las Vegas, NV

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Stephanie Tanner, Share the Experience)

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a spectacular getaway just minutes from Las Vegas. The recreation area offers every kind of hike you could wish for – from lake views and Mojave Desert landscapes to easy loops and strenuous climbs. With so many trails to choose from, you may wish to camp overnight to make the most of your trip.

Callville Bay Campground is close to the city, with lake views and vegetation offering some shade. The nearby Callville Summit Trail is a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) moderate hike that requires a short climb to a spectacular view of Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, the Hemenway Valley and the River Mountains. The best time to visit is October – April, but it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast for abnormally high temperatures or storms.

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Near Seattle, WA

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (US Forest Service)

Just a few hours northeast of Seattle, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers adventures for every person in your group. For a family-friendly outing, check out Gold Creek Pond Trail 1250, a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) paved accessible trail with interpretive signage, picnic tables, and fire grates. Ira Spring (Mason Lake) Trail 1038 is a 6.8-mile (10.9 km) trail to the summit of Bendera Mountain, with an excellent view of Mt. Rainier. Snow may be present on the trail through late spring and be on the lookout for wildflowers through the summer.

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Near Minneapolis, MI

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (National Park Service)

Just an hour drive from bustling Minneapolis, explore Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway for outdoor adventures and wildlife viewing opportunities along this Congressionally-designated river. Sandrock Cliffs Trail (5 mi / 8.05 km) comprises four loops of easy to moderate hiking. The highlight of this trail is the river’s sandstone cliffs, which originated 600 million years ago and were finally shaped by the end of the last ice age. Parking is available at the trailhead.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Near New York, NY

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (National Park Service)

Ditch the big city and head for the hills to this outdoor playground between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With access to over 150 miles (241.4 km) of trails for all ability levels, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers year-round hiking with each season offering its own reward. Hidden Lake Trail (1.9 mi / 3 km) offers an easy loop around a quiet, scenic lake in the Central Pennsylvania district. For a tough but rewarding challenge, Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze) is one of two trails that lead to the outstanding view looking into the Delaware Water Gap. Plan ahead – parking lots for the most popular trailheads are usually full by 9:00 AM on the weekend, so have a backup plan in mind if one of these trails is your destination!

Pro Tip: Check the table on the agency’s website for a helpful snapshot of trail closures, difficulty ratings, lengths, and additional details.

Big Thicket National Preserve

Near Houston, TX

Big Thicket National Preserve (Max Harper, National Park Service)

Just under two hours from Houston, Big Thicket National Preserve protects nine different southeast Texas ecosystems. Approximately 40 miles (64.4 km) of hiking trails wind through Big Thicket, and vary in length from 0.3 miles to 18 miles (0.5 to 29 km) roundtrip. Keep an eye out for a variety of carnivorous plants on the eponymous Pitcher Plant and Sundew Trails. Park rangers lead free guided tours of the carnivorous plants on the Pitcher Plant Trail in spring and summer.

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Near Washington, DC

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Just 18 miles (28.9 km) south of Washington, DC, lies Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, the first national wildlife refuge established especially for the protection of bald eagles. The refuge is dominated by upland forests and freshwater marshes, offering relief from the busy suburbs of Washington, DC. The Woodmarsh Trail (3 mi / 4.8 km) is the longest trail on the refuge and covers the widest variety of scenery. For additional mileage, add neighboring Mason Neck State Park or Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to your public lands outing.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Near Jacksonville, FL

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Whether you bring your friends, kids, or go solo (with a plan), Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has a variety of trails to suit your group’s needs. Most of the refuge’s trails are less than one mile (1.6 km) in length and are rated easy, so you can mix and match trails to make the most of your day. There are also two fully accessible trails under one mile (1.6 km) offering great birdwatching opportunities and scenic views of wetland prairies. Wildlife – including waterfowl, gopher tortoises, and alligators – abound in this refuge, so if you bring your dog, check which trails permit pets. Take lots of pictures and bring home a story!

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Bring Home a Story

• Middle Delaware National Scenic & Recreational River Primitive Campsites Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PA
• Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Overnight Camping Permit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA
• Oak Ridge Campground Prince William Forest Park, VA
• Callville Bay Campground Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV
• Middle Fork Campground Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
• Double Lake Recreation Area Sam Houston National Forest, TX
• Burnt Corral Campground Tonto National Forest, AZ