According to the National Park Service, hiking has a variety of benefits, from physical exercise to feeling improved mental health.
You can reap these benefits even on short hikes. These hikes are more manageable and suitable for first-time hikers, families with young children, people with health conditions, and busy people.
National parks perfect for new hikers
There are over 31,000 miles of trails to explore throughout the National Park Service. Many of these trails are short, but still offer great views. If you’re up for it, consider going on more than one hike.
Here are five great national parks and some of their easy hikes, with details for each hike sourced from the National Park Service and AllTrails.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is famous for its tall, red rock formations called hoodoos. Tourists come from all over the world to see its views, explore its trails, and stargaze.
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point: Pet friendly, 20-60 minutes, 1.7 miles, 82 feet elevation. Mossy Cave Trail: No pets allowed, 30-60 minutes, 1.5 miles, 32 feet elevation. Bristlecone Loop Trail: No pets allowed. , 30-60 minutes, 1 mile, 88 feet elevation gain.grand canyon national park
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is home to a deep and incredibly long canyon formed by the Colorado River. People come for hiking, rafting, or just to enjoy the scenery.
Yavapai Point via Rim Trail: No pets allowed, 2.7 miles, 82 feet elevation, wheelchair accessible. Shoshone Point: Pet friendly, 45 minutes, 3.4 miles, 44 feet elevation. Mather Point via Visitor Center: No pets, 0.6 miles, less than 30 minutes, 4 feet elevation, wheelchair accessible.olympic national park
Olympic National Park in Washington State offers a variety of landscapes including coastline, rainforest, and meadows. You can go hiking, relax in hot springs, and enjoy nature.
Marymere Falls Trail: No pets allowed, 49 minutes, 2.7 miles, 314 feet of elevation gain. Hall of Moss Trail: No pets allowed, 24 minutes, 1.8 miles, 82 feet elevation gain. Sol Duc Falls Trail: No pets allowed, 42 minutes, 2.6 miles, 76 feet elevation.shenandoah national park
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is known for its beautiful mountains and forests. Visitors can hike or drive along Skyline Drive, which offers stunning views, and sees plenty of wildlife and waterfalls.
Trayfoot Mountain and Blackrock Summit via Appalachian Trail: Pet friendly, 1.7 miles, 150 feet elevation gain. Forest Trail Story: No pets allowed, 42 minutes, 2.9 miles, 50 meters elevation. Limberlost Trail: No pets allowed, 31 minutes, 2.3 miles, 31 feet elevation gain.yosemite national park
Located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park is home to large cliffs, waterfalls, and giant trees. People come to hike to landmarks like Half Dome and enjoy Yosemite Valley.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail: Pet friendly, 24 minutes, 1.2 miles, 55 feet elevation, wheelchair accessible. Sentinel Meadow Cooks Meadow Loop Trail: Pet friendly, 39 minutes, 2 miles, 78 feet elevation, wheelchair accessible. Mirror Lake Paved Trail: Pet friendly, 41 minutes, 2 miles, 108 feet elevation, wheelchair accessible.
How can I get better at hiking?
To get better at hiking, you have to start somewhere. It doesn’t hurt to start with short, easy hikes.
One of the great things about the national parks mentioned above is that they offer a wide selection of hiking trails. As you begin to feel comfortable, move on to more gentle hikes and try hiking longer distances and higher elevations.
According to REI, training for hiking requires the following:
Increase the strength of your hiking muscles (legs and core). Increases endurance. Improve your balance. Do aerobic exercise.
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