West and Southwest USA Hiking Trails Search Results - 1298 Trails
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AB Young Trail Length 2.5 miles (4 km) Elevation change 2000 feet (610 meters) Trailhead Bootlegger day use parking area Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ This short but very steep trail ascends the west side of Oak Creek Canyon, leading to the East Pocket Knob look-out tower on a wooded plateau at 7,200 feet, a site which may also be accessed from the top of the plateau by a long drive on forest road 231. Excellent views down the canyon and across to Verde Valley. |
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Abbotts Lagoon Trail Length 1.5 miles (2.4 km) Elevation change 60 feet (18 meters) Trailhead Parking area along Pierce Point Road Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ The largest lagoon in the national seashore is reached by a trail across open, grassy flats, arriving at a footbridge over marshy ground which divides the two parts of the lagoon after 1.1 miles. From here, the Pacific Ocean is 0.4 miles away, beyond a belt of large sand dunes. Like many paths in the northern section of the park, two incidental attractions are wildlife and spring wildflowers. |
Agate House Trail Length 1 miles (1.6 km) Elevation change 50 feet (15 meters) Trailhead Parking lot at Rainbow Forest Museum Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Agate House, a small stone hut, was constructed entirely of petrified wood by Puebloan Indians in the 14th century. The house has been partially reconstructed and is quite an impressive sight. The mostly level trail to the hut passes many petrified wood fragments, though they are not as large as those along the adjacent Long Logs Trail. |
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Agua Canyon Trail Length 1.5 miles (2.4 km) Elevation change 900 feet (274 meters) Trailhead Ponderosa Canyon overlook Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ The southernmost of four connecting paths between the Under-the-Rim Trail and the park road is a fairly steep route that descends the south side of Agua Canyon, starting near Ponderosa Canyon overlook, and meets the main trail 17 miles from its northern trailhead at Bryce Point. The formations along the edge of the plateau occur in quite a narrow band hereabouts; most of the surroundings of the path are densely wooded. |
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Ah-Pah Trail Length 0.3 miles (.5 km) Elevation change 40 feet (12 meters) Trailhead Parking area along the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ This short interpretive trail follows the first section of an old logging road through the redwood forest, a track since removed and the surroundings changed back to a natural condition. Notices along the way illustrate the restorative process. |
Airport Loop Length 3.2 miles (5.1 km) or 4.2 miles including the Table Top spur Elevation change 150 feet (46 meters) Trailhead Airport Road Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Mostly shadeless loop path that circles the flat summit of Table Top Mountain, site of Sedona Airport; a little way below the rim, with spectacular, ever-changing views of the city and its red rock surroundings |
Alamere Falls and Wildcat Beach Length 5.5 miles (8.8 km) to Wildcat Beach Elevation change 100 feet (30 meters) Trailhead Palomarin, at the end of Mesa Road from Bolinas Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Varied destinations along the southern section of the Coast Trail: several freshwater lakes, an unusual shoreline waterfall and a long sandy beach. The path alternates between grassy bluffs and thick woodland, generally staying some way above the ocean. |
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Alamo Boundary Trail Length 1.3 miles (2.1 km) Elevation change 400 feet (122 meters) Trailhead 1.7 miles along St Peters Dome Road (FR 289). Also reached from Hwy 4 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ In the northeast corner of the national monument, the Alamo Boundary Trail climbs a lightly wooded valley to a saddle between two volcanic peaks then has a shorter but slightly steeper descent on the far side, down to an alternative trailhead along Hwy 4 (for the Coyote Call Trail, within Valles Caldera National Preserve). |
Alamo Canyon Trail Length 1.3 miles (2.1 km) Elevation change 130 feet (40 meters) Trailhead At the end of the 4 mile Alamo Wash Road Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Well used path alongside a seasonal wash, passing cottonwood trees and plenty of cacti, to the remains of an old ranch building. After about one mile the trail becomes less clearly defined, and merges with the rather overgrown dry streambed. Better views can be obtained by climbing up the valley sides a way. |
Alcove House Length 1.1 miles (1.8 km) Elevation change 400 feet (122 meters) Trailhead Parking area by the visitor center Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Formerly known as Ceremonial Cave, Alcove House is another cliff dwelling in Frijoles Canyon, reached by a continuation trail that branches off the main loop, follows the streambed to the base of the ruins then climbs 140 feet via four long ladders. The site includes a reconstructed kiva. |
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Alcove Nature Trail Length 0.45 miles (.7 km) Elevation change 50 feet (15 meters) Trailhead The visitor center Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Over 30 interpretive notices along the Alcove Nature Trail describe the plants, animals and geology of this high desert region. The path runs close to the road at the foot of sandstone cliffs, ending at a cool, narrow sandstone alcove. |
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Alcove Spring Trail Length 20 miles (32.2 km) Elevation change 1700 feet (518 meters) Trailhead Along the road to Upheaval Dome Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ The longest trail in the Island in the Sky area is the route down Trail Canyon and Taylor Canyon to the Green River, starting near the end of the road to Upheaval Dome. The route switchbacks steeply down a side ravine near the head of Trail Canyon, passing below Alcove Spring nestled in a big overhang in the sandstone cliffs - a good, reliable water source - then follows the streambed downcanyon to the junction with Taylor Canyon. The remaining 10 miles are along a rough 4WD track, eventually meeting the river just north the end of the trail down Upheaval Canyon. |
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Alder Creek Length 6 miles (9.7 km) Elevation change 2400 feet (732 meters) Trailhead Wawona Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ The Alder Creek Trail is a lightly used path that climbs northwards above Wawona through open pine & manzanita woodland, parallel to the main road, then turns away up Alder Creek, past an impressive waterfall (seasonal) then on to the far end of the Westfall Meadows Trail. The first part of the route has distant views over wooded hills while the second half is more enclosed. |
Alkali Flat Trail Length 4.6 miles (7.4 km) Elevation change 0 feet (0 meters) Trailhead Near the end of the Dunes Drive Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Loop path across large dunes, completely lacking any vegetation, to a dry lake bed (Alkali Flat) at the edge of the sands. The return path, a little way north, encounters similar surroundings. Route is indicated only by footprints and marker posts. |
Allens Bend Trail Length 0.5 miles (.8 km) Elevation change 0 feet (0 meters) Trailhead Grasshopper Point picnic area Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ This is one of the few trails right beside Oak Creek, a short path that links the Grasshopper Point picnic area (2 miles north of Sedona on AZ 89A) with the trailhead for Casner Canyon, passing by nice red rocks of the Supai formation on one side and the fast flowing waters of the creek close by on the other, though mostly obscured by trees. |
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Allenspark Length 5.9 miles (9.5 km) to Pear Lake Elevation change 1700 feet (518 meters) Trailhead Meadow Mountain Drive, 1.5 miles from Hwy 7 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Allenspark is an alternative trailhead used to reach Finch Lake and Pear Lake, and may be accessed by a 1.5 mile side road off highway 7; the route is a little shorter and involves less elevation gain than the path starting at the Finch Lake trailhead. The junction with the Finch Lake Trail arrives after a 1.7 mile walk up a densely forested hillside. |
Alpine Lakes Loop Length 2.7 miles (4.3 km) round trip Elevation change 600 feet (183 meters) Trailhead Parking area near the end of the scenic drive Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Popular path through a mix of woodland and meadows to a pair of lakes, in sheltered basins below the north face of Wheeler Peak |
Alpine Pond Trail Length 2.2 miles (3.5 km) (loop) Elevation change 200 feet (61 meters) Trailhead Parking area on the west side of Hwy 148 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ This trail passes major no viewpoints of the eroded formations but instead encounters trees, meadows, flowers and wildlife en route to a tranquil pool fed by meting snow. A cut-off half way along enables a shorter loop, of just one mile |
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Alta Trail Length 9.2 miles (14.8 km) to Alta Peak Elevation change 4800 feet (1463 meters) Trailhead Giant Forest Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ The long distance Alta Trail passes through several different environments; starting at Giant Forest Village the first few miles pass right across the heart of the sequoia groves, intersecting with many other paths in the area. Next the trail moves through more conventional pine and fir forest, all the time gaining height steadily, and eventually emerging above the treeline around 9,500 feet. The final section climbs the south face of Alta Peak to the 11,204 foot summit, for magnificent views of the Sierras. |
Amboy Crater Length 1.7 miles (2.7 km) Elevation change 240 feet (73 meters) Trailhead End of a side road forking south off old Route 66 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Just outside Mojave National Preserve in the new Mojave Trails National Monument, this mostly level path crosses twisted lava formations to the summit of a cinder cone. |
Amphitheater Lake Length 4.8 miles (7.7 km) Elevation change 2960 feet (902 meters) Trailhead Lupine Meadows Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Route up forested slopes, consistently steep apart from a short level section at the start, reaching Surprise Lake and the more scenic Amphitheater Lake, set in a beautiful granite bowl beneath the slopes of Disappointment Peak. |
Angels Landing Trail Length 2.5 miles (4 km) Elevation change 1500 feet (457 meters) Trailhead The Grotto - shuttle stop 5 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ One of the most spectacular trails in any national park, the route to 5,785 foot Angels Landing climbs steeply up the cliffs on the west side of Zion Canyon for a panoramic view over the surrounding landscape. Most of the path is the lower end of the West Rim Trail; the Angels Landing Trail is a 0.5 mile spur to the summit. The path runs along a narrow ridge with sheer drops on either side, and chains are provided in some places to assist the ascent. |
Angels Palace Trail Length 1.4 miles (2.3 km) loop Elevation change 120 feet (37 meters) Trailhead Parking area near the state park campground Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Easy, popular path that climbs a short ravine and loops around the flat mesatop on the east side of the park road, giving fine views in most directions - south to the isolated line of spires near the park entrance, west across much more extensive outcrops of red sandstone, including several sand pipes, and north to a tall ridge of white sandstone, along the park boundary. |
Annie Creek Canyon Trail Length 1.7 miles (2.7 km) (loop) Elevation change 300 feet (91 meters) Trailhead Loop C, Mazama Village Campground Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Starting beside Mazama Campground, this loop trail explores the upper end of the deep, wooded valley of Annie Creek, which starts abruptly at Annie Spring just upstream. One half of the loop runs along the rim, at the edge of the campsite; the other is along the canyon floor, returning to the plateau via a short, steep climb. En route are a collection of volcanic spires, like the more well known Pinnacles area in the southeast. |
Antelope Canyon Length 0.1 miles (.2 km) Elevation change 0 feet (0 meters) Trailhead Parking area south of AZ 98 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Beautiful but commercialized slot canyon, visited by hundreds of people on a typical day in summer. Two sections are open to visitors; the 600 foot long upper narrows, south of AZ 98, and the deeper lower narrows to the north. Years ago visitors could walk the 2 miles to the upper slot but now all must be driven. |
Apache Canyon Trail Length 4.4 miles (7.1 km) to the rocks Elevation change 230 feet (70 meters) Trailhead Pull-out along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Remote ravine on the west side of Burro Mesa containing unusual, brightly colored rocks, reached by a little-used trail across flat, grassy land. The latter section of the path descends into an adjacent drainage containing two historic ruins; the rocks are reached by a short, off-trail continuation hike. |
Apache Trail Canyon Length 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, for the whole canyon Elevation change 400 feet (122 meters) Trailhead Pull-out along the Apache Trail, east of Tortilla Flat Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Minor, south-side tributary of Mesquite Creek which is enclosed for nearly a mile and forms 500 feet of shallow slot canyon, containing pools and dryfalls. Located right beside the Apache Trail. The slot section can be explored in less than an hour, while up to two hours are needed if continuing downstream along the deeper, wider lower gorge. |
Aravaipa Canyon Length 10.4 miles (16.7 km) Elevation change 460 feet (140 meters) Trailhead Parking area at the end of the partly unpaved Aravaipa Road, 12.2 miles from Hwy 77 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Hike through the spectacular, riparian, Sonoran Desert drainage of Aravaipa Canyon, from west to east: from relatively wide, wooded surroundings into a narrower, cliff-bound gorge, followed by a long, straight, wider section as the rocks change from volcanic to conglomerate. The final 2 miles, to the eastern trailhead, are narrower again, and more winding. Permits required. |
Arch Canyon Length 2.5 miles (4 km) to the first high-level ruin Elevation change 170 feet (52 meters) Trailhead 2.5 miles along a dirt track, off Hwy 95 Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Northeastern Cedar Mesa canyon containing a large cliff dwelling ruin near its lower end, with pictographs and petroglyphs, while upstream are several smaller ancient sites, mostly high above the streambed. The canyon extends 14 miles in total, and has several arches in its upper reaches |
Arch Canyon Trail Length 1.3 miles (2.1 km) including the continuation Elevation change 1100 feet (335 meters) Trailhead 9 miles along Ajo Mountain Drive Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Short path into the mouth of a wide canyon containing an arch. A lesser trail climbs far above the valley floor, high into the Ajo Mountains, giving good views of rock formations and the desert below. |
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Arch Rock Length 0.5 miles (.8 km) (loop) Elevation change 0 feet (0 meters) Trailhead White Tank campground Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ From the White Tank campground (near site 9), this easy path leads to a small natural arch in the whitish granite rocks that are abundant in this section of the park. |
Arizona Hot Springs Length 3.1 miles (5 km) Elevation change 760 feet (232 meters) Trailhead Parking area on the east side of US 93, 3.5 miles from the Nevada stateline Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Warm springs in a short, unusually colorful slot canyon bordering Lake Mohave along the Colorado River, reached by the White Rock Canyon Trail starting from US 93. This meets the lake after following a deepening, quite narrow ravine through dark volcanic rocks. The canyon also contains cascades and a 20 foot waterfall, climbed using a metal ladder |
Arrastra Basin Length 3.8 miles (6.1 km) if starting near Mayflower Mill Elevation change 2750 feet (838 meters) Trailhead Along Hwy 2 near Mayflower Mill Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ High elevation basin containing a large lake (Silver Lake) lined with extensive old mine ruins; reached by a stony track, ending at another mine (Mayflower), and then a rough trail. |
Artists Paintpots Length 0.6 miles (1 km) Elevation change 80 feet (24 meters) Trailhead Parking area on the east side of the Grand Loop Road Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Many people drive through Gibbon Geyser Basin without stopping, en route to Norris, but just half a mile from the road is an especially colorful and varied collection of hot pools, mudpots and small geysers, reached by an easy path. The starting point is 4.5 miles south of Norris and well signposted - the trail crosses a meadow and enters pine forest on the slopes of Paintpot Hill, ending with a small loop around the formations. |
Atoko Point Length 1.4 miles (2.3 km) Elevation change 220 feet (67 meters) Trailhead Verge alongside the road to Cape Royal Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Off-trail walk through thin woodland close to the rim of a little-visited part of the Grand Canyon, ending at a narrow promontory. Views are of the canyon around the junction with the Little Colorado River, backed by the unbroken flat expanse of the Painted Desert and the Navajo Indian Reservation. |
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Atwell-Hockett Trail Length 10 miles (16.1 km) to Hockett Meadows Elevation change 1950 feet (594 meters) Trailhead Along Mineral King Road Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Starting point for this hike is Atwell Mill, about 4/5 along the Mineral King road. Unlike others in the vicinity, this doesn't climb particularly high, instead crossing foothills around the East Fork of the Kaweah River, Deer Creek, Clover Creek and later Whitman Creek, ending at Hockett Meadows, which has a ranger station. Other trails lead further south from the meadows, eventually leaving the national park. |
Avalanche Peak Length 2.5 miles (4 km) Elevation change 2120 feet (646 meters) Trailhead Along US 14/16 just west of Eleanor Lake Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ The unmarked but well maintained path to Avalanche Peak, one of several mountains along the eastern park boundary, starts just west of Eleanor Lake along the East Entrance Road, and climbs steadily through forest to bare rock and scree slopes around the summit. |
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Azalea Length 2 miles (3.2 km) Elevation change 900 feet (274 meters) Trailhead Grant Grove visitor center Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ South of the private enclave of Wilsonia, the Azalea Trail links CA 180 with Park Ridge; quite a steep ascent through mixed sequoia-pine forest along upper Sequoia Creek, which is flanked by many ferns and azaleas, the latter in bloom during midsummer. |
Aztec Butte Trail Length 1 miles (1.6 km) Elevation change 200 feet (61 meters) Trailhead Short distance along the road to Upheaval Dome Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Aztec Butte rises 200 feet above the plateau right at the center of the Island district, just north of Willow Flat campground. The easy trail to the top passes a cliff dwelling and several ancient Anasazi granaries, some reached by short spur paths, and also has good views over Trail Canyon that starts just to the north. |
Badger Canyon Length 2.2 miles (3.5 km) Elevation change 250 feet (76 meters) Trailhead Verge along US 89A, just north of the bridge over the canyon Rating (1-5) ★★★★★ Off trail hike a little way down a narrow Colorado River tributary, as far as an impassable pour-off, followed by a level walk along the canyon rim to a viewpoint of the river, at the start of the Grand Canyon. |
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