Best Hiking Trails for Beginners in the US

You don't need to be an expert mountaineer to experience America's most beautiful landscapes. These beginner-friendly trails offer stunning scenery, manageable distances, and well-maintained paths perfect for those just starting their hiking journey.

What Makes a Trail "Beginner-Friendly"?

Before we dive in, here's what we looked for:

• Distance: Under 5 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: Less than 500 feet
• Trail surface: Well-maintained, clearly marked
• Accessibility: Easy to reach trailheads

Top Beginner Trails by Region

Northeast

Cascade Falls Trail, Virginia

• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Highlights: Beautiful 66-foot waterfall
• Best time: Spring for peak water flow

Jordan Pond Path, Acadia National Park, Maine

• Distance: 3.5 miles loop
• Highlights: Lakeside views, famous popovers at Jordan Pond House
• Best time: Fall foliage season

Southeast

Grotto Falls Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

• Distance: 2.6 miles round trip
• Highlights: Walk behind a waterfall
• Best time: Spring and early summer

Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park, Florida

• Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
• Highlights: Incredible wildlife viewing, boardwalk trail
• Best time: Winter (dry season)

Midwest

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

• Distance: Various trails, 1-3 miles
• Highlights: 18 canyons, waterfalls, bluffs
• Best time: Spring after rainfall

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

• Distance: Chapel Falls Trail, 3 miles round trip
• Highlights: Stunning cliff formations, Lake Superior views
• Best time: Summer and fall

Southwest

Watchman Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

• Distance: 3.3 miles round trip
• Highlights: Panoramic canyon views
• Best time: Spring and fall

Desert View Trail, Grand Canyon, Arizona

• Distance: 2 miles one way
• Highlights: Canyon rim views without the crowds
• Best time: Spring and fall

Pacific Northwest

Multnomah Falls Trail, Oregon

• Distance: 2.4 miles round trip
• Highlights: 620-foot waterfall, iconic bridge
• Best time: Late spring

Hurricane Hill Trail, Olympic National Park, Washington

• Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
• Highlights: 360-degree mountain and ocean views
• Best time: Summer (trail is snow-covered in winter)

Beginner Hiking Tips

1. Start early to avoid afternoon heat and crowds
2. Bring more water than you think you need
3. Wear proper footwear—no flip-flops!
4. Tell someone your plans
5. Check weather conditions before heading out
6. Turn back if conditions change

Build Your Skills Gradually

Start with shorter, flatter trails and gradually increase difficulty. Pay attention to how your body responds to distance and elevation gain. Before you know it, you'll be ready for more challenging adventures!

Find more trails on the CampSeek explore map and filter by hiking difficulty.

Happy trails! 🥾