For Day Hiking

1. Day Pack →

A reliable and comfortable day pack helps you bring everything you need. We have a few different day packs we rotate through depending on the length of the hike or whether we need our camera equipment. 

• REI Flashpack – lightweight and a great all-around choice
• Wandrd Prvke – when we need to carry camera gear with us
• Topo Designs Rover Pack – cuter for photos but not as many pockets or compartments as I would like

See More: The Best Travel Backpacks

2. Hiking Boots →

Hiking boots can make or break a trip. Ever since we discovered Danners, they’ve been our go-to! We each have a pair of Mountain 600s and an insulated version for colder weather.

See More: 25 Gifts Your Outdoor Adventurers Will Actually Love

3. National Park Annual Pass →

This is one of the most practical and best gifts for hikers. We buy an America the Beautiful Pass every year, which gives us access to 2,000+ federal recreation sites, including all of the National Parks. National monuments, and more. If the hiker in your life likes exploring state parks instead, you can get the annual state park pass.

Pro Tip: This covers park entrance fees, but some still require a separate reservation fee.

See More: Your Complete List of All National Parks in the US

4. Headlamps →

Even if you don’t plan on hiking at night, sometimes we get lost, and hikes can take longer than anticipated. Headlamps are always helpful; we like to leave one in each bag just in case. 

Pro Tip:  If you’re buying for someone who camps or does astrophotography, get one with a red light feature.

5. Mid-Layer / Insulated Layer →

A mid-layer is what goes between a base layer and an outer layer. You can use it as a primary layer when it’s not that cold. We use a fleece, insulated jacket, or stack both, depending on the weather.

Our favorite fleeces or performance fabric layers are the Patagonia Better Sweater and Arcteryx Fleece. We’ve had both for a long time.

The Arcteryx Down Jacket and Patagonia Nano Puff are our insulated layers and have kept us warm over the years. These are also great when space is limited since they pack small.

See More: 25 Best Hikes in the World to Put on Your Bucket List

6. Outer Layer →

Although you can get jackets that do it all, we’ve found that having a separate outer layer works better for us. You can have an outer layer that performs well in keeping out wind and water but not worry about sacrificing breathability when you don’t need it. We have the Arcteryx Rain Coat.

See More: 15+ Best Jackets for Travel for Any Weather

7. Hiking Pants →

When we first started hiking, we used to wear hiking-specific pants, but over the years, we’ve found plenty of travel pants and even climbing pants that perform well for urban and outdoor exploration.

Pro Tip:  Down pants keep you warmer and are great for cold-weather camping.

See More: 12 Best Travel Pants For Both Comfort and Style

8. Trekking Poles →

I remember the first time I brought trekking poles on a hike. It made such a huge difference, and I appreciate them more the older I get. Trekking poles help stabilize you and take some of the weight off your legs and knees. 

We’ve had these REI Trekking Poles for years, and we bring them with us on longer hikes (6+ miles for us) or if we’re carrying a heavy pack.

See More: 15 Best Day Hikes in the US to Put On Your Bucket List

9. Water Bottle or Water Reservoir →

We carry our water one of three ways.

• Insulated Water Bottle – we use Hyrdroflask bottles to keep our drinks cool/warm.
• Filtering Bottle – when we need to refill in natural sources
• Water Bladder – for backpacking and when we need to carry larger quantities 

Stay hydrated!

You’ll Also Love: Best Travel Water Bottle Tested On The Road

10. Hiking Socks →

Socks always get a bad rap as boring, unromantic gifts, but we love them. Hiking socks can save you from blisters, and we appreciate them more in hindsight. I have a few pairs of REI Hiking Socks and a few pairs of Balega socks.

11. Crampons →

Crampons are a good gift if you’re hiking on icy trails. They help give you extra grip where it would typically be slippery. Unless they go on seriously icy trails, they may not need crampons with crazy spikes. The chain or small ones work best for us and are more travel-friendly.

12. Gaiters →

Gaiters are great to help keep things out of your boots. You can either go with a cold weather gaiter to help with winter hiking or warm weather gaiters to keep rocks out of your shoes, which we use more in the desert.

We’ve been on multiple snow adventures like snowshoeing and were always jealous of our friends who were more prepared with gaiters and never got snow in their shoes.

13. Rechargeable Hand Warmer →

We used to carry hot hands on cold weather hikes, but ever since we discovered rechargeable hand warmers, we have used these to avoid creating more waste. They’ve been great to warm up our hands when we’re shooting photos at night or climbing through send temps too! 

14. Hiking Books →

Although you can find a lot of trails online (we like to use the AllTrails app – the plus lets you access trails offlline), if your friend likes the tangible feeling of books, you can also pick up a local hiking book.

15. Warm Gloves →

A nice pair of gloves is another great gift for hikers in colder weather. We have thinner gloves for mobility and super thick gloves to prioritize staying warm. 

For Backpacking

16. Backpacking Backpack →

When we were looking for bags for our first backpacking trip, the folks at REI taught us so much about how they should fit and how you should distribute the weight. We tried them all on and settled on Osprey bags (I use a kid’s one since I’m petite).

Pro Tip:  REI has weights you can use to test the backpacks.

See More: We Found the Best Camera Backpack of All Time

17. Camp Shoes →

After a long hike, it feels good to get out of your boots. We bring flip-flops when we’re going as light as possible or Danner Jag Lofts if it’s cold. The heel also steps down, so slipping them on and off is easy.

18. Sleeping Bag →

A lightweight but warm sleeping bag is an excellent option if you’re going for a splurge or if you’re splitting a gift with multiple people. We both have REI sleeping bags that have been amazing for the price. They are lightweight and keep us warm.

Pro Tip:  If you run colder, consider getting a women’s bag, which has more insulation, or down booties.

19. Jetboil →

We aren’t big camp cooks and prefer easy meals. When we’re backpacking, we bring our trusty Jetboil. It makes warm drinks and boils water for our Mountain House meals or ramen.

We also just got the Jetboil Genesis for us to cook larger meals when we’re car camping!

20. Dry Sack →

We carry a dry sack with us anytime when we travel. I keep one in my suitcase and usually have a small one in my backpack. You never know when you’ll need to keep your gear dry.

21. Leatherman Multi-Tool →

A multi-tool is a backpacker’s best friend. It’s one of those things you may only realize you need once you do. And when you do, you’ll be glad you have it.

22. Pack Towel →

We use our Pack Towels for backpacking, traveling, and even at home.

23. Buff →

A buff is a great lightweight item to have with you when hiking, whether you want to use it as protection from the sun, keep your sweat out of your eyes, or stay warmer. We have some made for warm weather and a couple for colder temps!

See More: 17 Practical Gifts for Rock Climbers They’ll Love and Use

24. Dr. Bronners →

We love Dr. Bronners at home and when we travel because of its many uses. You only need one soap to do it all, although I don’t recommend it as toothpaste!

25. First Aid Kit →

We recently learned that bandages, sterile supplies, medication, and protective equipment all have expiration dates. Since first aid kits come in all shapes and sizes, it’s an easy gift. We carry a small one with us on day hikes and a larger one for longer outings.

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17 Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park

1. Grand Canyon Village, South Rim

36.0459052,-112.1871914, map

The Grand Canyon Village is on the South Rim and mainly focused on accommodating tourists. There are three main areas or districts in the village.

The Visitor Center / Mather Point area is where most visitors see the Grand Canyon for the first time. There are four large parking areas and a transit center for the free shuttle bus.

If you’re looking for services, head to the Market Plaza district, where you’ll find the general store, bank, and US Post Office.

The Historic District was where the village started roughly 120 years ago. You’ll find historic lodges and the railroad depot her

Local Tip: The free shuttle bus can easily take you around Grand Canyon Village.

See More: The Ultimate Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Road Trip

2. Grand Canyon Skywalk, Grand Canyon West

808 Eagle Point Rd, Peach Springs, AZ 86434, map

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is in Grand Canyon West on Hualapai Tribal land, not the national park. The glass bridge gives you a unique opportunity to walk over the canyon.

Having been to both, we prefer the National Park as it offers better and more natural views. However, if you don’t have much time, Grand Canyon West is the closest to Las Vegas and the easiest way to experience the canyon.

Keep in mind that you cannot bring any camera gear or even your phone with you onto the bridge. There is a separate line to get photos taken by official photographers. You won’t get the best photos, and they all come with a watermark, but it’s a massive improvement from a few years ago. On our second visit, we decided to purchase them. At the very least, they took their time and did various serious and silly poses.

Local Tip: Lines can get extremely long (up to a couple of hours) during holidays and summer weekends.

3. Guano Point, Grand Canyon West

36.0306029,-113.8290033, map

Guano Point is located in Grand Canyon West. It’s a fun and short hike with 360-degree views of the canyon. You can also shoot photos with the optical illusion that you’re at the cliff’s edge. There’s also a cafe with food and drinks (we got the pulled pork sandwich).

Local Tip: If you’re visiting with a tour that includes food, do the hike first, then get food after so you’re not waiting in line too long.

4. Hiking

Hiking is a great way to enjoy the views without the crowds. You have plenty of options for all activity levels, and day hikes do not require permits. Remember that it’s hot in the summer, and you need to stay hydrated. Be prepared with the appropriate gear and understand the difficulty of the hikes before starting them. Here are some popular hikes to check out:

• South Kaibab Trail, South Rim (steep) starts at Yaki Point, and you can hike up to 6 miles round trip. Great views for a shorter hike.
• Bright Angel Trail, South Rim (steep) starts at Bright Angel Lodge, and you can hike up to 12 miles round trip.
• Rim Trail, South Rim: An easy hike that follows along the rim with some paved sections.
• Trail of Time Hike, South Rim: Easy 2.83 mile long paved walk that takes you through the geologic timeline of the canyon. Each meter represents one million years of the canyon’s geologic history.
• North Kaibab Trail, North Rim is the only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Tim, varying in distance from 1.5 miles round trip to Coconino Overlook to a full day 9.4-mile hike to Roaring Springs.

Local Tip: Hikes that take you below the rim require a lot of elevation change. Keep that in mind when you calculate the time you need to allot.

See More: 25 Best Hikes in the World to Put on Your Bucket List

5. Helicopter Tour

Hop on a helicopter tour to get amazing aerial views of the canyon. They even have helicopter tours that land inside of the canyon. All scenic air tours do not go into the National Park.

• Grand Canyon: Helicopter Ride and Optional Hummer Tour ($249 per person)
• From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon Helicopter Air Tour ($449 per person)
• Las Vegas: Grand Canyon Tour & Helicopter Landing Experience ($512.28 per person)
• See more tour options here.

Local Tip: Book a tour closer to sunrise or sunset for the best views and light. As you can see below, we went mid-day and did not get flattering light.

6. Mather Point, South Rim

With its proximity to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Mather Point is often visitors’ first view of the Grand Canyon. It’s also a popular stop for tours.

On a clear day, you can see 30+ miles to the east and 60+ miles to the west from this viewpoint, making it a good spot for sunrise and sunset throughout the year.

Local Tip: There is no parking at Mather Point, but plenty in the area, just a short walk away. It’s also a stop on the Kaibab/Rim Route (orange route) on the shuttle bus.

7. Yavapai Geology Museum + Yavapai Point, South Rim

36.0661012,-112.1197315, map

The Yavapai Geology Museum is a great spot to learn about all the rocks you see in the canyon. They have panoramic windows with displays, a bookstore, and a museum shop.

8. Grandview Point, South Rim

3635.998471,-111.9899443, map

As the name implies, you get quite the grand view here. This spot on the South Rim gives you panoramic views with colorful canyons and ridges. You can also see the Colorado River below. It’s an excellent spot for sunrise, especially if you want to get a sunstar in your photo.

9. Toroweap Overlook, North Rim

36.2144494,-113.0587276, map

Toroweap Overlook (or Tuweep Overlook or Toroweap Point) offers dramatic views 3,000 feet above the Colorado River. It’s a beautiful view away from the crowds with a sheer drop-off and volcanic cinder cones.

If you want to wake up to a sunrise, consider camping at one of the nine small campsites here.

Local Tip: You need a high clearance vehicle to get here. Be prepared with food, water, and supplies for your car since there aren’t any services in the area.

10. Bright Angel Point, North Rim

36.1935375,-112.0508239, map

Bright Angel Point is one of the best views on the North Rim (not to be confused with the Bright Angel Trail hike on the South Rim). It’s a short 0.25 paved trail to the viewpoint where you’ll be over 8,100 feet above sea level. The trail climbs 200 feet so take your time.

11. Point Imperial, North Rim

336.2789688,-111.9808206, map

Point Imperial is the highest overlook on the North Rim at 8,803 feet. It’s also the northernmost overlook, which gives you a unique perspective of the canyon where the cliffs are relatively close (less than a mile apart). This was our favorite view from the North Rim.

Astrophotography Tip: The Milky Way lined up nicely here in June, but it was way too windy to shoot long exposures when we visited, even with weights on our tripod.

12. Colorado River Rafting

Some of our friends have done this river rafting trip, and it’s something we hope to do soon. You get to experience the canyon in such a unique way compared to all the other typical visitors.

• Commercial River Trips: Let professionals guide you down the river.
  • 1 Day Trips – Half and full-day trips over smoother water.
  • 3 to 18 Day Trips – From Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek multi-day expeditions.
• Noncommercial River Trips: Get permits to raft on your own. See details on river support and equipment rental here.
  • 2 to 5 Day Trips – Permits are available one year in advance to launch from Diamond Creek and take-out at Lake Mead.
  • 12 to 25 Day Trips – For longer voyages, try your luck at their weighted lottery (read their FAQs here).

13. Desert View Watchtower, South Rim

336.0440579,-111.8283121, map

The Desert View Watchtower (aka Indian Watchtower at Desert View) is a 70-foot stone building on the South Rim. It was completed in 1932 and initially designed as a visitor concession structure. You can still climb into the tower to get higher vantage points where you can see over 100 miles on clear days.

14. Moran Point, South Rim

3636.0051427,-111.926463, map

Moran Point was named after Thomas Moran (although some believe it was named after his brother, Peter Moran, who traveled to the South Rim in 1881 with explorer John Bourke), who helped establish the National Parks and was known for his landscape paintings. He still has pieces part of the Smithsonian.

It’s a great spot to check out the geology of the Grand Canyon and see the shadows and light change throughout the day.

15. Kaibab Bridge / Black Bridge

36.36.1009764,-112.0914428, map

The Black Suspension Bridge spans 440 feet across the Colorado River and is narrow, requiring you to walk single file. Mule rides going to Phantom Ranch use it, and from 1928 to the 1960s, it was the only river crossing for hundreds of miles until they built the Silver Bridge.

16. Ride a Mule or Horse

You can ride a mule into the canyon from the South Rim and North Rim.

South Rim mule rides are offered year-round and can be booked up to 15 months in advance. You’ll find multiple options for a short ride (starting at $155.77 per person) to some vistas to an overnight ride to Phantom Ranch (starting at $705.13).

North Rim mule rides run between May 15th and October 15th. These are all shorter rides, and none go to the Colorado River. Rides start at $50 per person.

17. Scenic Drive

Desert View Drive is a great way to see some of the best spots along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. It starts near the village and runs 23 miles to the Desert View Services Area. It is an incredibly scenic drive with six developed viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five unmarked pullouts along the South Rim.

If you are spending time in Grand Canyon North, then check out Cape Royal Road. The drive itself wasn’t the most scenic, but the hike and viewpoints near the end are worth going to. There are also a ton of aspens along the road, so I’m sure a visit during fall foliage makes for a beautiful drive. There are multiple pullouts along the way and stunning views at Angel’s Window at the end.

More Things to Do in Grand Canyon

• Biking
• Bright Angel History Room, Bright Angel Lodge
• Camping 
• Grand Canyon IMAX Theater
• Desert Jeep Tour
• Tusayan Ruin and Museum
• Kolb Studio
• Lees Ferry
• Navajo Bridge
• Paragon Skydive
• Ranger Program
• Bar 10 Ranch 
• Grand Canyon Brewing Co 
• Marble Canyon

Frequently Asked Questions

Camping at Grand Canyon

There are four developed campgrounds within Grand Canyon National Park. You can make reservations for all of them.

The Mather Campground is on the South Rim near the Grand Canyon Village and is open all year. There are 327 sites, flush toilets, and drinking water. Most RV spaces are pull-through.

The Desert View Campground is on the South Rim and is open from mid-April to mid-October. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance at 49 sites.

The North Rim Campground is open from May 15 to October 31, and there are 87 sites.

Trailer Village is located on the South Rim and offers RV spots with full hookups. There are 123 sites, and you can make reservations up to 13 months in advance.

Best Places to Stay

We haven’t stayed in Grand Canyon South Rim yet, but we recently returned from a visit to Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim where we stayed in the Cabins. Each cabin is located near the main lodge and you’re also just steps away from amazing views and hikes. It made it easy to get up for sunrise photos and stay up late for astrophotography from the lodge or Bright Angel Point.

It was also convenient to the Visitor Center and the Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room where we had all our meals. We had just come from Bryce where the food was amazing, so in comparison, the food wasn’t as impressive. The highlight here was the epic canyon views surrounding the lodge. You get great views while dining, and they have multiple sitting and viewing areas at the lodge.

If the cabins at the Grand Canyon Lodge are booked, check the map below for more places to stay nearby.

What to Pack

• Sunscreen, sun protection
• Down jackets in Spring / Fall / Winter
• Food
• Hiking shoes if you plan on doing moderate to challenging hikes.
• Reusable water bottles (our current favorites)
• Day Pack
• Camera

More Resources

• Moon USA National Parks Guide
• National Park Annual Pass
• Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West
• National Parks Passport
• Lonely Planet Southwest USA Travel Guide

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How to Get Havasupai Reservations / Permits

People scramble to get the coveted Havasupai Falls reservation every year. In the past, reservations for the year started at the beginning of February and would sell out within minutes. They used to do it through a phone line, where they often did not pick up, but now you can reserve online here.

The 2025 season is different because they have a presale reservation system, giving people access to a limited number of permit reservations before the opening day sale on February 1, 2025. The presale doesn’t guarantee a reservation spot but significantly increases your chances of securing a reservation for your preferred dates.

Havasupai Falls Presale Reservation Info

• Starts: December 16, 2024, 8 AM (Arizona Time)
• Ends: January 3, 2025, 5 PM (Arizona Time)
• Reservation Site: Click here to set up your account
• Presale Fee: $20 per person/per reservation (non-refundable)
• Registration: You can select campground and/or lodge and three desired reservation start dates (or month if your specific date isn’t available)
• Reservation Limits: Campgrounds are limited to one reservation (up to 12 permits) per trip leader. Lodge reservations are limited to three rooms (4 people per room, 12 permits) per trip leader.
• Selection: After the presale period closes, the permits will be randomly given out.
• Notification: If they award you a date, they will email you by January 6, 2025. Total reservation payment will be due at that time.

Havasupai Falls Public Reservation Info

• Starts: February 1, 2025, 8 AM (Arizona Time)
• Lodge Reservations: April 1 – November 30, 2024
• Reservation Site: Click here to set up your account
• Registration: You can select the campground and/or lodge and three desired reservation start dates or a month if your specific date isn’t available.
• Reservation Limits: Campgrounds are limited to one reservation (up to 12 permits) per trip leader. Lodge reservations are limited to three rooms (4 people per room, 12 permits) per trip leader.
  

Pro Tip: Sign up for an account before registration day and enter all your personal and credit card info to save time.

See More: 11 Famous Hiking Trails and Hardest Adventure Permits to Get in the US

Havasupai Falls Fees

• Campground Reservations: $455 per person (all campground reservations are 3 nights)
• Lodge Reservations: $2,277 per lodge room for up to four people (all lodge reservations are three nights)
• Pack Mules: $200 per mule each way or $400 per mule round trip
• Helicopter Transport: Call 623.516.2790 for schedule and pricing

The Hike to Supai Village + Campgrounds

The hike is a total of 10 miles each way.

• The trail into Supai begins at Hualapai Hilltop, where there is plenty of parking for regular vehicles (and very limited for RVs).
• From Hualapai Hilltop, there is a quick 2-mile descent into the canyon. You will go down switchbacks, and hiking poles come in handy.
• The next 6 miles to Supai Village is a relatively flat or very slow descent, which means getting out is mostly uphill.
• After arriving in Supai, you hike another 2 miles to the campground, continuing to descend into the canyon.

Pro Tip: During the hot months, people typically start hiking at night to avoid the heat.

See More: Your Ultimate Havasupai Packing List

Havasupai Campgrounds

The Campground is a “camp wherever you want” campground. It runs for over a mile on both sides of Havasu Creek between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. Finding an area big enough for our 13-person group took us over an hour. There is also drinking water available and primitive toilets.

Pro Tip: Bring your own toilet paper, because sometimes they run out.

The Five Waterfalls of Havasu Creek

1. Little Navajo Falls

Little Navajo Falls, aka New Navajo Falls or Upper Navajo Falls, are the first set of falls you see from Supai to the campground.

This one was confusing to find. The 2008 floods destroyed the 70-foot Navajo Falls and created multiple falls in its place. Some people refer to them as Upper and Lower Navajo Falls, but the only one notated by a sign there refers to them as Little Navajo Falls. Either way, they are beautiful and worth exploring.

2. Lower Navajo Falls / Rock Falls

The Lower Navajo Falls were much easier to find.

3. Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is 0.5 miles away from the campgrounds. It drops over 100 feet into a beautiful pool. When hiking from Supai Village to the campgrounds, you will pass these falls.

4. Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls is the largest of the Havasupai waterfalls. It’s only 0.5 miles after you pass the campgrounds, but you must descend through two tunnels, chains, and ladders. The lines can get long, and it took us over an hour to get down.

Local Tip: Watch out for centipedes!

5. Beaver Falls

Beaver Falls is the furthest away and requires trekking through water, narrow trails, and over sketchy wooden bridges. It’s 3.5 miles each way (7 miles round trip) and an excellent cliff-jumping spot.

What You Need to Know Before Your Hike

• Want to know what to pack? Here’s our ultimate packing guide for backpacking Havasupai.
• Pack enough water to get to the campground. There is fresh water you can refill there.
• Create and update your account online before reservation dates to quickly log in and look for dates once they open.
• All reservations include necessary permits, fees, and taxes.
• There is only one name per reservation, and that person must be present to check in with a photo ID, or the entire reservation will be forfeited.
• Enter a Potential Alternative Trip Leader (PATL) when you sign up and transfer to that person if you can’t make it.
• Pack Mule reservations are also online and are limited. Each Pack Mule can carry up to 4 bags with a maximum of 32 pounds per bag and a maximum size of 36 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 19 inches tall. All bags must be soft-sided with nothing hanging on the outside. Ice chests or coolers are NOT permitted. A lot of people put their backpacks into duffel bags for more protection. Remember that they only bring your bags to the village, so you must carry your gear to your campsite for the final 2 miles.
• Helicopters are not guaranteed. The locals primarily use them, and a reservation is simply a waitlist for a potential open space. If there are no spaces, prepare to hike.
• Check the weather forecast and always know where to find high ground (there are signs). Havasupai is subject to flash floods, and the monsoon season runs from late June through August.
• Purchase travel insurance after making your reservation if you don’t want to risk losing money.

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25 Best Hikes in the World to Put on Your BUcket List

1. Inca Trail →

Location: Peru
Distance: 26 miles
Time: 4 days
Best Time to Go: May to September

One of the most popular hikes in the world, the Inca Trail takes you through 26 miles of grueling inclines and declines. You get a chance to explore ruins, jungle, and beautiful mountain scenery, and of course, end the hike at Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail Alternates: Check out The Ancascocha Trail, Lares Valley Hike, or Salcantay Trek if you’re looking for less crowded alternatives. With each, you still get amazing views and you can easily add a day to explore Machu Picchu as well.

See More: How to Hike the Inca Trail in 4 Days + What to Pack for Your Inca Trail Hike

2. The Torres Del Paine W Circuit →

Location: Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Distance: 37-50 miles
Time: 4-6 days
Best Time to Go: Popular from October and April. We preferred July (their winter).

The popular route that follows the letter “W” takes you through the wondrous Torres del Paine National Park. You get a chance to see volcanic peaks, glaciers, and beautiful lakes.

You can also do the longer longer “O” circuit that encompasses the “W”.

If you want to beat the crowds, try the hike in their winter. It’s probably not as cushy as the summer trek, but during our hike we only saw one other person with a guide vs 800-1000 people who are on the trail every day during their summer. It’s unreal to have the park to yourself.

Here are some posts we wrote to help you plan your trip:

• How to Hike the W Circuit in the Winter
• W Circuit Winter Packing List
• Summer Packing List for the W Circuit

See More: Ultimate Guide to Torres del Paine National Park

3. Appalachian Trail

Location: Georgia to Maine, United States
Distance: 2,180 miles
Time: 5-7 months
Best Time to Go: Year Round

This hike is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world and is not an easy feat. It takes you through 14 states and takes careful planning and execution if you want to do it one go. Check out REI’s guide here.

4. Kilimanjaro →

Location: Tanzania, Africa
Distance: roughly 35 miles
Time: 7+ days
Best Time to Go: January, February, or September

Africa’s highest peak (19,340 feet) is widely popular and still on most people’s bucket list. With a wide range of climbing routes, most travel with a guided tour to reach the spectacular view above the clouds. This is the next major hike we want to do.

Guides: If you’re seeking a reliable Kilimanjaro outfitter, we highly recommend considering Altezza Travel. This company offers supremely serviced Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and is highly rated, securing the #1 spot on TripAdvisor. With over a decade of experience in the field, Altezza Travel is a trusted choice for your adventure.

5. Kungsleden

Location: Sweden
Distance: 65 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: August to Early September

Kungsleden, or “The King’s Trail,” is a 275-mile traverse, but get a glimpse of this amazing landscape with a shorter hike. See the amazing Arctic landscape, open tundra, big glaciers, and brush up against Sweden’s highest peak, Mount Kebnekaise.

6. Everest Base Camp Trek →

Location: Nepal
Distance: 70 miles
Time: 16 days
Best Time to Go: March to May, September to November

This trek is becoming popular as you get the opportunity to experience the people and culture that makes their home at these elevations. You also get to be face-to-face with the highest point on Earth.

7. Snowman Trek

Location: Bhutan
Distance: 200+ miles
Time: 25+ days
Best Time to Go: April or October

Some say this is the most challenging trail on the planet, and many cannot finish because of unpredictable weather in the high Himalayas. Traversing 11 passes, most of which are more than 16,000 feet, you can only do this hike with a guided tour.

8. Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim Hike

Location: Arizona, United States
Distance: 44 miles
Time: 1-2 days
Best Time to Go: March to May, September to November

This hike gives you an in-depth look at on of Earth’s greatest features. Not only does it help you appreciate its vastness physically, the views and scenery that you get by being up close and personal with it will be more rewarding than any view point you’ll get by a quick stop.

See More: 17 Breathtaking Things to Do at the Grand Canyon

9. Pacific Crest Trail

Location: California, Oregon, and Washington, United States
Distance: 2,650 miles
Time: 6-7 months
Best Time to Go: April to October

Trek through 7 national parks and numerous national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas on this hike. Along the way, you will experience the Mojave Desert and also reach heights of over 13,000 feet. After reading Wild, I kept thinking if she can do this, maybe we can too!

See More: 21 Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

10. Yosemite Grand Traverse →

Location: California, United States
Distance: 60 miles
Time: 6-7 days
Best Time to Go: Mid-July to Mid-September

This trek takes you through some of the best of Yosemite National Park (our favorite NP!), part of the John Muir Trail, and the Cathedral Range. You hike through waterfalls, granite basins, sprawling meadows, and even ascend Half Dome via the Cable Route.

See More: 11 Scenic Hikes in Yosemite National Park

11. Chilkoot Trail

Location: Alaska and Yukon Territory, United States and Canada
Distance: 33 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: Late June to Early October

This hike lives up to its name with routes like the Golden Stairs, the Stone Crib, and the Scales. Its rich gold miners’ history brings you amazing views of Alaska and Yukon Territory and helps you experience the wildness and vastness of this area.

See More: 17 Unforgettable Things to Do in Denali National Park

12. Tonquin Valley

Location: Alberta, Canada
Distance: 27 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: July to September

Ansel Adams traveled to Tonquin Valley to take photos of the beautiful scenery and landscape. And a quick Google search will convince you that getting into the valley is well worth the experience and effort.

13. Bay of Fires

Location: Tasmania, Australia
Distance: 16 miles
Time: 4 days
Best Time to Go: October to May

This hike takes you to endless beaches of white sand, boulders covered in blood red lichen, and alongside turquoise water. You can do this hike on a guided trip or on your own, but the scenery makes it one of the best hikes in the world.

See More: 25 Things to Do in Melbourne for First Timers

14. Queen Charlotte Track

Location: New Zealand
Distance: 44 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: Year Round

Located on the north end of the South Island, this trek takes you through sunny hills, next to beautiful blue waters, and gives you plenty of options on how to take this journey.

See More: 10 Day Guide to New Zealand’s South Island

15. Mountains of the Moon

Location: Ruwenzori Range, Uganda
Distance: 38 miles
Time: 6-7 days
Best Time to Go: December to March

These peaks make up the highest range in Africa at over 16,000 feet. Besides the views, this enchanting place also brings you face-to-face with high-altitude glaciers and elephants in the same place.

16. Kalalau Trail

Location: Kauai, Hawaii, United States
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 2-4 days
Best Time to Go: May to September

This stunning coastal hike takes you on steep trails and tropical heat as you trek through jungle, waterfalls, and the mile-long arc of Kalalau Beach.

17. Tour Du Mont Blanc Trek

Location: France, Italy, Switzerland
Distance: 105 miles
Time: Around 10 days
Best Time to Go: Anytime from July to mid-September

Experiencing a Mont Blanc holiday gives you a chance to hike through 3 countries and trek through mountain passes, alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and the base of the highest mountain in Western Europe. Check out REI’s guide here.

18. The Long Range Traverse

Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 3-6 days
Best Time to Go: July to September

Less of a trail and more of a frolic through the Gros Morne National Park. This hike takes you to a land that seems untouched. You will trek over the tundra and explore hidden lakes, and you may even share campsites with moose, caribou, or black bears.

See More: 25 Amazing Things to Do in Newfoundland

19. Laugavegurinn / Fimmvörðuháls Pass

Location: Iceland
Distance: 50 miles
Time: 4 days
Best Time to Go: June to September

Taking you through volcanic landscapes, lichen-covered rocks, and amazing views of rhyolite peaks, this hike packs in more variety in its 50 miles than most hikes. You can also have a 15-mile add-on to start or end at the 200-foot-high Skogafoss waterfall.

See More: Your Iceland Winter Road Trip Guide + 5 Epic Day Trips from Reykjavik

20. Sierra High Route

Location: California, United States
Distance: 195 miles
Time: Around 13 days
Best Time to Go: Summer or Early Fall

Keeping you between 9,000 and 11,500 feet, most of this hike runs parallel to the Join Muir Trail but gives you more scenery and solitude.

21. Routeburn Track

Location: South Island, New Zealand
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 2-4 days
Best Time to Go: November to April

Fiordland National Park has fantastic hiking options. Although Milford Track is the most popular hike in the park, the Routeburn Track allows you to see equally spectacular views with fewer people on the trail.

See More: Photo Diary of Fiordland National Park

22. Scottish National Trail

Location: United Kingdom
Distance: 470 miles
Time: 5-6 weeks
Best Time to Go: April and May

Opened in 2012, this trail is Scotland’s first end-to-end walking route. Giving you views of the most amazing landscapes in the country, this hike becomes more difficult as you go. If time is an issue, you can also break this journey into four sections.

23. Fitz Roy Trek →

Location: Patagonia, Argentina
Distance: 26 miles
Time: 4-7 days
Best Time to Go: February to March

This takes you through Los Glaciares National Park, which by the way is the size of Delaware, and gives you views of beech forests, open plains, glaciers, waterfalls, and the iconic Fitz Roy Massif.

24. Trek to Petra

Location: Jordan
Distance: roughly 50 miles
Time: 5-9 Days
Best Time to Go: October to April

This is considered one of the best hikes in the Middle East and takes you through gorges, ridges, and rocky terrain. You end this epic hike exploring the temples and tombs of this fascinating city.

25. Cinque Terre National Park →

Location: Italy
Distance: Varies
Time: Varies
Best Time to Go: Mid-March to Mid-October

Much less crowded than the Amalfi Coast, the Ligurian coast in Cinque Terre National Park offers spectacular views of the rocky coastline. Two of the most popular hikes are Alta Via or “High Path,” which is 22 miles and Sentiero Azzurro or “Blue Path,” which is 7.5 miles. 

We explored each of the five towns and the Blue Path a couple of years ago but could only hike parts of the trail because a flood destroyed much of it. We hope to go back now that the trail has fully reopened.

See More: Hiking Via Dell’Amore + Essential Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre

Best Hikes in the World Part II + Readers’ Favorites

• Abel Tasman Coast Track, New Zealand
• Boiling Lake, Dominica
• Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Peru
• Fish River Canyon, Namibia
• Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal
• Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory, Australia
• Whale Trail, South Africa

See More: Best Hiking Trips in the World Part II

Recap of the Best Hikes in the World

1. Inca Trail
2. Torres del Paine W Circuit
3. Appalachian Trail
4. Kilimanjaro
5. Kungsleden
6. Everest Base Camp
7. Snowman Trek
8. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim
9. Pacific Crest Trail
10. Yosemite Grand Traverse
11. Chilkoot Trail
12. Tonquin Valley
13. Bay of Fires
14. Queen Charlotte Track
15. Mountains of the Moon
16. Kalalau Trail
17. Tour du Mont Blanc
18. The Long Range Traverse
19. Laugavegurinn / Fimmvörðuháls Pass
20. Sierra High Route
21. Routeburn Track
22. Scottish National Trail
23. Fitz Roy Trek
24. Trek to Petra
25. Cinque Terre National Park

Map of the Best Hikes in the World

Frequently Asked Questions

More Resources

• Lightweight Hiking Journal
• Backpacking Essentials List
• Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart: An Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail

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Map of Zion National Park Hiking Trails

More Zion Hikes

Don’t forget to download the area on google maps or AllTrails+ to have lesser-known trails available offline.

• Archaeology Trail (0.3 mi RT, 52 ft, easy, shuttle stop #1)
• Lower Emerald Pool Trail (1.2 mi RT, 69 ft, east, shuttle stop #5) 
• Grotto Trail (1 mi RT, 35 ft, easy, shuttle stop #5)
• Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 mi RT, 98 ft, easy, shuttle stop #7) 
• Timber Creek Overlook (1.2 mi loop, 255 ft, easy)
• Riverside Walk (2.2 mi RT, 57 ft, easy, shuttle stop #9)
• Watchman Trail (3.3 mi RT, 368 ft, moderate, shuttle stop #1)
• Pa’rus Trail (3.5 mile RT, 147 ft, easy, shuttle stop #1)
• Middle Fork Taylor Creek Trail (4.9 mi RT, 715 ft, moderate)
• Northgate Peaks Trail (6.0 mi loop, 1118 ft elevation gain, moderate)
• Sand Bench Trail (7.6 mi RT, 466 ft, moderate, shuttle stop #5)
• Upper Emerald Pool Trail (1 mi RT, 200 ft, moderate, shuttle stop #6)
• Kayenta Trail (2 mi RT, 150 ft, moderate, shuttle stop #6)
• Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mi RT, 163 ft, moderate, no shuttle)
• Angels Landing (5.4 mi RT, 1,488 ft, difficult, shuttle stop #6) 
• Hidden Canyon Trail (3 mi roundtrip, 931 ft elevation gain, difficult, shuttle stop 7) – closed due to large rockfall
• Observation Point (8 mi RT, 2148 ft, difficult, shuttle stop #7) 
• The Narrows Bottom-Up (9.4 mi RT, 334 ft, difficult, shuttle stop #9)
• East Rim Trail (9.9 mi point to point, 1354 ft elevation gain, difficult)
• The Narrows Top Down (16 mi point to point, difficult)
• West Rim Trail (14.7 mi point to point, 1253 ft, difficult)
• Zion Traverse (48.7 point to point, 3110 ft, difficult)

Best Places to Stay in Zion

What’s Nearby

• St George (46.6 mi SW / 45 min, map)
• Kanab (41.7 mi SE / 1 hr, map)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (72.4 mi NE / 1 h 21 min, map)
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (89.4 mi E, 1 h 28 min, map)
• Antelope Canyon (113 mi, 1 h 58 min, map)

More Resources

• Lonely Planet Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
• Zion National Park Trails Map
• Best Easy Day Hikes Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

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Overview of the Park

First of all, the park is huge and can be overwhelming with all there is to do. It’s the 8th largest national park in the US and spans 3,472 square miles with a low elevation of 5,282 feet and high elevation of 11,358 feet. There are over 900 miles of trails and 80% of the park is covered in forest.

Most of the park is located in the northeast corner of Wyoming and spills over to Idaho and Montana. There are 5 entrances to the park and once you’re in the roads form a large figure 8. To help you navigate through the park, we will highlight each major area of the park, and what we thought was worthwhile.

If you want a more detailed map, here’s one from NPS.

We’ll be writing more detailed guides on each area of the park.

See More: 11 Incredible Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park

Visitor Centers

We always start our visit to the park at one of the Visitor Centers. You can learn more about the current conditions of the park as well as get insight from rangers on how to spend your time there. They are typically open late May to early October unless otherwise noted below. Hours vary based on location and season (see them here).

• Albright (Mammoth) Visitor Center (open year-round)
• Canyon Visitor Education Center (open late April to early November)
• Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum
• Grant Visitor Center
• Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum
• Museum of the National Park Ranger (open late May to late September)
• Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station
• Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
• West Thumb Information Station
• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (open year-round)

Mammoth Hot Springs Area

Though you can start by exploring the area from where you enter, for this guide, we’ll be starting from the northeast corner of the park and going clockwise. Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the most popular areas of the park where you see the iconic terraces.

Highlights

• Albright Visitor Center – originally quarters for single Army officers but now you can learn about the history and wildlife of Yellowstone here.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces – walk along the boardwalks and stairs that take you through the hydrothermal terraces that are constantly changing. The springs are colorful when active and white when dry. What you see: Opal Terrace, Liberty Cap, Hymen Terrace, Devil’s Thumb, Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Cleopatra Terrace, New Blue Spring, Main Terrace, Canary Spring, Cupid Spring, Grassy Spring, Dryad Spring, Mound Terrace, Jupiter Terrace, and Reservoir Springs.
• Upper Terrace Drive – 1.5-mile drive on a paved road. It wasn’t as scenic as we were told, but it’s not a crowded area and you see Prospect Terrace, New Highland Terrace, Orange Spring Mound, Bath Lake, White Elephant Back Terrace, and Angel Terrace. Horse Corral parking area has a view of Fort Yellowstone and Canary Springs.
• Historic Fort Yellowstone – take a tour of this wilderness outpost that was used in the 1800s to manage poaching, vandalism, and squatters
• Heritage and Research Center – a few miles away from Mammoth Hot Springs is this state-of-the-art facility that houses Yellowstone’s museum collection, archives, library, and archeology lab
• Old Gardiner Road – see the scenery and Yellowstone River along this dirt road for driving, cyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers. You can see elk, bison, and antelope here.
• Roosevelt Arch – beautiful stone arch at the North Entrance dedicated to the president who was famous for his conservation efforts.
• Boiling River – you can take a dip in the secret but not-so-secret Boiling River where the boiling water of the hot springs meets the cool water of the river making it just the right temperature to enjoy. It can get really crowded.
• Undine Falls – upper and lower falls of lava creek. It’s a quick stop.

Popular Day Hikes

• Beaver Ponds Loop (5 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately strenuous)
• Bunsen Peak (4.6 miles RT, 2-3 hours, △1,300 feet, moderately strenuous) – tallest mountain in the Gallatin Range
• Lava Creek (8.5 miles RT, 2-3 hours, moderately strenuous)
• Rescue Creek (16 miles RT, 8-12 hours, strenuous)
• Sepulcher Mountain (11 miles RT, 6-8 hours, △3,400 feet, strenuous)
• Wraith Falls (1 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy) – 90-foot cascades

Tower-Roosevelt Area

The Tower-Roosevelt Area is special because Thomas Moran’s paintings of Tower Falls and Calcite Springs Overlook played an important role in the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872.

Highlights

• Blacktail Plateau Drive – 6-mile scenic one-way drive through elk creek gorge that is partly paved and partly gravel. Avoid driving it if it rained recently. It’s a popular area to spot black bears. We drove it three times on different days and unfortunately didn’t see any here.
• Petrified Tree – Specimen Ridge has the largest concentration of petrified trees in the world.
• Roosevelt Lodge – built in 1920
• Calcite Springs Overlook – short walk to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone at the narrowest point, a 132 waterfall, and basalt columns
• Tower Fall – 132-foot waterfall that’s been documented since the 1800s.
• Lamar Buffalo Ranch – historic ranch originally built to increase bison herd sizes
• Lamar Valley – one of the most popular spots for wildlife viewing. We only saw pronghorn and faraway wolves through binoculars, but you can also find bison, black bears, bighorn sheep, elk, grizzlies, and mule deer too.

Popular Day Hikes

• Garnet Hill Loop (7.6 miles RT, 4-5 hours, moderate)
• Hellroaring (6.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, strenuous)
• Lost Lake Loop (2.8 miles RT, 1-2 hours, △300 feet, moderate)
• Slough Creek (to First Meadow: 3.4 miles RT, 2-5 hours, moderate)
• Trout Lake (1.2 miles RT, 0.5-1.5 hours, moderate) – see river otters, cutthroat trout, and waterfowl
• Yellowstone River Picnic Area (3.7 miles RT, 2-3 hours, moderate)

Canyon Village Area

This area is known as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It’s roughly 20 miles long and has one of the most popular day hikes, plus gorgeous views of waterfalls and wildlife.

Highlights

• Canyon Visitor Education Center – learn about the supervolcano, geyser, and hot springs at Yellowstone
• North Rim Drive – lots of pullouts to see the canyon. Viewpoints include Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point to see Lower Falls of Yellowstone.
• Lower Falls – the larger of the two falls, check out this 308 ft beauty from Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Artist Point, Brink and Lower Falls Trail, South Rim Trail, and Uncle Tom’s Trail.
• South Rim Drive – leads to Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point.
• Artist’s Point – one of the most popular spots in the park giving you a great view of the canyon.
• Upper Falls – at 109 ft, check out the falls from Upper Falls Trail.
• Mount Washburn Hike – hike to the 10,243 feet peak to get panoramic views and look for bears along the hillsides
• Chittenden Road – short drive up to a great view near Mount Washburn
• Hayden Valley – see grizzly bears, bald eagles, bison, black bears, elk, and wolves

Popular Day Hikes

• Cascade Lake (5 mile RT, 2.5-3.5 hours, easy) – grizzly habitat
• Grebe Lake (6.2 mile RT, 3-4 hours, moderately easy)
• Observation Peak (9.6 miles, 5 hours, △1,400 feet, strenuous)
• Ribbon Lake Loop (5.8 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately easy)
• Seven Mile Hole (10 miles, 5-8 hours, strenuous) – starts at Glacier Boulder.
• Mount Washburn (from Dunraven Pass: 6 miles RT, 3-6 hours, △1,343 feet, strenuous || from Chittenden Road: 5 miles RT, 2.5-4 hours, △1,393 feet, strenuous)
• Uncle Tom’s Trail (0.7 mile RT, 1-2 hours, △275, moderate) – great spot to see Lower Falls.

Fishing Bridge Area

The Fishing Bridge area includes Lake Village and Bridge Bay. As the name implies, it was historically a popular spot to fish, but now that fishing is no longer allowed, it’s become a place to watch fish instead. Check out the bubbling sounds and smells of the mud pots and fumaroles. This was one of the least exciting part of the park for us, but it was also a good place to get away from the crowds.

Highlights

• Fishing Bridge – watch fish and check out the bridge that was built in 1937
• Yellowstone Lake – 136-square mile basin part of the large caldera left by a large volcanic eruption
• Mud Volcano & Sulphur Caldron – check out mudpots and fumaroles (steam vents). We also saw a cute group of short-tailed weasels here.
• Pelican Valley – another great spot for wildlife viewing in hopes to spot grizzly bears, bison, elk, and more
• Natural Bridge – short hike to a beautiful natural bridge

Popular Day Hikes

• Avalanche Peak (4.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, △2,100 feet, extremely strenuous)
• Elephant Back Mountain (3.5 miles RT, 1.5-2.5 hours, △800 feet, moderately strenuous) – panorama of Yellowstone Lake
• Natural Bridge (2.5 miles RT, 1-2 hours, easy)
• Pelican Creek (.6 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Pelican Valley (6.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately easy)
• Storm Point (2.3 miles RT, 1-2 miles, easy)

West Thumb Area

The West Thumb area is home to the largest geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. There are tons of hydrothermal features and even some underwater geysers. You can explore via the boardwalks or do a guided kayaking trip. This was my personal favorite area of the park. It was moderately trafficked in comparison to other areas of the park and had beautiful blue hot springs.

Highlights

• West Thumb Geyser Basin – hydrothermal features along Yellowstone Lake. What you see: Fumaroles, Twin Geysers, Hillside Geyser, Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Big Cone Fishing Cone, Lakeshore Geyser, Lakeside Spring, Seismograph and Bluebell Pools, Thumb Paint Pots, Surging Spring, Collapsing Pool, Ledge Spring, Percolating Spring, Thumb Geyser, Perforated Pool, Ephedra Spring, and Blue Funnel Spring.
• Grant Village Visitor Center – learn about the role fire that has shaped the park
• Shoshone Lake – second largest lake in Yellowstone
• Snake River – originates in Yellowstone and continues through Grand Teton National Park

Popular Day Hikes

• Duck Lake (0.8 mile RT, .5-1 hour, easy)
• Lake Overlook (1.5 miles RT, 1 hour, △400, moderately strenuous)
• Riddle Lake (4.8 miles, 2-3 hours, easy)
• Shoshone Lake (5.8 miles RT, 2-3 hours, easy)
• Yellowstone Lake Overlook (1.5 miles RT, 1-2 hours, moderately strenuous)
• West Thumb Geyser Basin (0.6 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)

Old Faithful Area

This area is easily the most crowded area of the park with the two most popular attractions: Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. There are 3 main geyser basins: Upper, Midway, and Lower.

Highlights

• Upper Geyser Basin has the largest number of fragile features in the park (150 hydrothermal features in one square mile) including Old Faithful, Beehive Geyser, Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside, Morning Glory Pool, and more.
• Old Faithful Visitor Center, Upper Geyser Basin – learn more about the geology of this amazing geyser and find out when to expect it to erupt (usually between 60-110 minutes between each eruption. See prediction times here).
• Old Faithful Inn, Upper Geyser Basin – built in 1903-4, it is one of the last remaining log hotels in the US.
• Midway Geyser Basin – Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, Grand Prismatic Spring
• Lower Geyser Basin – Fountain Paint Pots and Great Fountain (which only erupts twice a day within a 2-hour window)
• Lonestar Star Geyser – this geyser erupts every three hours and since it’s a bit off the main boardwalks, it will typically be less crowded

Popular Day Hikes

• Fairy Falls (5 miles RT, 2-4 hours, easy) – tall skinny waterfall with a great view of Grand Prismatic Spring
• Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook (1.2 miles RT, 0.5-1.5 hours, easy)
• Lone Star Geyser (4.8 miles RT, 2-3 hours, easy)
• Mallard Lake (6.8 miles RT, 4-6 hours, moderate-difficult)
• Mystic Falls (2.4 miles RT, 1.5-2.5 hours, moderate-difficult)
• Observation Point (1.6 miles RT, 1-2 hours, △160 feet, difficult)

Madison Area

Artist Paintpots and Firehole Falls both fall in the Madison Area. There are lots of short easy hikes to check out and even a swimming area that’s popular on hot, summer days.

Highlights

• Artist Paintpots – this small thermal area has colorful hot springs, mudpots, and a section of burned forest
• Gibbon Falls – 84-foot cascading waterfall
• Madison Information Station – a National Historic Landmark that has been around since 1929-30 is now a Yellowstone Forever bookstore
• Monument Geyser Basin – dormant thermos-bottle shaped geyser cones
• Terrace Springs – small thermal area with a short boardwalk
• Fishing – fish the Madison or Firehole River
• Firehole Canyon Drive – beautiful scenic drive past 800-foot thick lava flows
• Firehole Falls – 40foot waterfall with a popular swimming area when it’s warm

Popular Day Hikes

• Artists Paintpots (1 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Harlequin Lake (1 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Monument Geyser Basin (2 mile RT, 1-2 hour-moderate) – small geyser area
• Purple Mountain (6 miles RT, 4-6 hours, strenuous)

Norris Area

This is the hottest and oldest thermal area in Yellowstone. There are two main areas to explore: Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. There are some extremely active geysers.

Highlights

• Norris Geyser Basin Museum – one of the original trailside museums built in 1929-30
• Porcelain Basin – barren of trees, walk along the boardwalk to check out all the thermal features: Congress Pool, Porcelain Springs, Hurricane Vent, Sunday Geyser, Constant Geyser, Whirligig Geyser, Pinwheel Geyser, Whale’s Mouth, Crackling Lake, Black Growler Steam Vent, Ledge Geyser.
• Back Basin – a wooded area with geysers and hot springs spread throughout. Here’s what you will see: Emerald Spring, Steamboat Geyser, Cistern Spring, Black Pit Spring, Echinus Geyser, Arch Steam Vent, Mystic Spring, Puff ‘n Stuff Geyser, Black Hermit Caldron, Green Dragon Spring, Blue Mud Steam Vent, Yellow Funnel Spring, Porkchop Geyser, Pearl Geyser, Vixen Geyser, Corporal Geyser, Veteran Geyser, Palpitator Spring, Fearless Geyser, and Minute Geyser.
• Roaring Mountain – large thermal area that makes a hissing sound
• Gibbon River – beautiful river popular with fly-fishers
• Virginia Cascades – three-miles of old roads take you past 60-foot high Virginia Cascades (you can cross-country ski in the winter)
• Museum of the National Park Ranger – talk to a retired ranger and learn more about the history of the rangers who protect our parks.

Popular Day Hikes

• Ice Lake Trail (0.6 miles RT, 0.5 hr, easy)
• Grizzly Lake Trail (3.5 miles RT, 1.5-2.5 hrs, △320 feet, moderate)
• Monument Geyser Basin (2 miles RT, 0.5-1.5 hrs, easy)
• Norris Geyser Basin Trail (to Porcelain Basin: 1.6 mile loop, 0.5-1.5 hours, easy || to Back Basin: 2 mile loop, 1-2 hours, easy)

Winter Tours

Most park roads close by early November, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still see the park. Once there’s enough snow in the park, roads open to “oversnow” travel only. This usually happens by mid-December, when you can hop on a guided snowmobile or snow coach tour. This is a unique time to see the park since the crowds are much smaller. By mid-March, plowing begins with plans to re-open to normal cars in mid-April.

Note: Only authorized companies can provide tours. You can also apply for the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program here.

Wildlife Viewing

One of the main reasons people visit Yellowstone National Park is to see the wildlife! Some people refer to Yellowstone as the Serengeti of North America. You can find bears, bison, elk, moose, and more.

When to Go

Animals tend to feed early morning and evenings so they are more likely to be up and moving around. Bears come out of hibernation in March and April, then head up to higher elevations when it’s hot in the summer. Mid-September is the elk rut season. If you’re hoping to see wolves, coyotes, and foxes winter is a great time because they are easier to see against the snow. Their pups typically come out in may.

Where to Go

Although it depends on the season and weather, these are generally the most popular areas to view wildlife.

• Fishing Bridge: Grizzly Bears
• Hayden Valley: Bison, Black Bears, Elk, Grizzly Bears, Wolves
• Lamar Valley: Bison, Black Bears, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Grizzly Bears, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Wolves
• Mammoth Hot Springs: Bison, Black Bears, Elk, Mule Deer
• Madison: Bison, Elk
• North Entrance: Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Elk, Pronghorn
• Northeast Entrance: Moose
• Old Faithful: Bison, Elk
• South Entrance: Moose
• West Thumb: Elk, Moose

Safety and Tips

• This isn’t a zoo. Seeing wildlife takes planning, timing, and a bit of luck.
• Remain at least 100 yards away from bears or wolves, and at least 25 yards from all other wildlife.
• Never, never, never approach or pursue animals just to take its picture or see it closer up. It’s illegal to remain near or approach wildlife.
• If an animal comes towards you, back up slowly.
• Use pullouts when seeing animals.
• Read more about bear safety here.

Best Backcountry Hikes

The best way to avoid crowds, even during the summer, is to get away from the easily accessible areas. There are plenty of backcountry hikes that the vast majority of visitors never explore. We didn’t do any backcountry hikes because quite frankly we were terrified of bears.

The week before our visit, a US forestry officer got mauled by a grizzly near our campground while we were staying in Glacier (it’s very rare and hadn’t happened in over a decade). It was also a very bad idea to read up on every fatal bear attack in North America on our drive to Yellowstone.

Keep in mind, that you should plan appropriately for these hikes. Have the right gear, know how to get around and navigate trials, bring plenty of food and water, and know what to do if you encounter wildlife. If you plan on camping, you will need to get backcountry camping permits.

• Thorofare and South Boundary Trails (68.2 miles one-way, △5,738 ft)  – One of the greatest backpacking routes in the US with some big river crossings and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.
• Firehole Meadows (17.2 miles one way, △1,274 feet) – Connects some of Yellowstone’s best features. See geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows.
• Shoshone Lake (11-mile loop, △393 feet) – Explore some of the most remote shores at the lower 48s largest backcountry lake.
• Bechler River Trail (48.6 miles RT, △4,199 feet) – Head the southwestern area of Yellowstone to explore the wettest part of the park. See rapids, waterfalls, and trek through heavy woods.
• Specimen Ridge (17.6 miles one way, △3,633 feet) 0 A great trail for adventurous hikers that requires you to be good at route finding, river crossings, and light scrambling.
• Agate Creek Trail (14.4 miles RT, △1,336 feet) – See wildlife and thermal features on this hike. This one also requires some scrambling and route finding.
• Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (14 miles one-way, △1,740 feet) – Explore Yellowstone’s deep canyons.
• Sky Rim Trail (16.8 miles one-way, △3,000 feet) – A loop with beautiful panoramic ridges and views.
• Mary Mountain Trail (20.3 miles, △1,423 feet) – Explore the Central Plateau grasslands and woods.

When to Visit Yellowstone

Yellowstone can be seen all year round, but Summer is by far the busiest season. More than half of the annual visitors come between June and August.

• Summer (June-August) – This is the busiest season of the year. It’s the best time to see a variety of wildlife – wolves, bears, moose, elk, and deer. Activities and facilities are in full swing. Temperatures usually stay around 70F with cooler temperatures at night, and even getting below freezing in higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.
• Fall (September-October) – Fall is mating season, and it’s a great time to see elk, bison, and bears.Bears are prepping for hibernation and are active this time of year. Crowds start to thin and campgrounds begin to close, but most facilities are still open and accessible. Daytime temperatures can be anywhere from 30F to 60F. Night time brings temperatures in the teens. The foliage gives you a beautiful backdrop, but you may also start getting snow.
• Winter (November-March) – The slowest time of year and the hardest time to get around. It’s limited to ‘oversnow’ travel and guided tours, so you won’t be dealing with the crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, most people recommend visiting in the winter if you can brave the cold (0-20F and sub-zero temperatures at night). The bears will be hibernating, but this is when it’s easier to spot wolves, foxes, and coyotes against the snow.
• Spring (April-May) – Temperatures start to rise and roads begin to open. Hiking reopens at lower elevations while skiing and snowshoeing is still accessible at higher elevations. Spring weather is similar to Fall, but it’s when there are babies. When the greenery hasn’t grown in, it’s also easier to spot the animals. Daytime temperatures can be anywhere from 30F to 60F. Night time brings temperatures in the teens. You also may also start getting snow.

Check the most up-to-date weather here.

Directions + Roads

The park has limited road access, especially outside of the summer and fall months. Be prepared with the right type of car depending on what you want to see. Roads typically close in early November due to the weather, except for the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and the northeast entrance, which is open year-round. Find the most up-to-date info on the road conditions here.

Essential Tips

• Permits and Passes: Save time at the gate by picking up an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass before heading to the park. It gets you into all the National Parks, National Forests, BLM, and more.
• Driving around the park takes longer than you think and you need a lot of patience. If you visit during the summer, there are A LOT of people at the park. There are also plenty of people who don’t know how to use pullouts and will stop in the middle of the road causing traffic jams. Then add in construction, animal crossings, and the long distances driving around the park.
• Hold onto your hats. The wind can take you by surprise and carry it into areas you’re not allowed to go. You’ll see plenty of lost hats around the park.
• Bears are all over the park. We talk about Bear Safety here.
• DO NOT approach the animals. These are wild animals and they are unpredictable.
• Stay on boardwalks and paths. They are there to protect us and the land. Keep in mind that the park sits on top of an active volcano! We encountered several groups of people who disregarded all the signs and walked all over fragile areas to get photos. I regret not being bolder and telling them off, but maybe you can do what we couldn’t. If it’s not enough that it’s disrespectful, you can read this to know that it’s also for your own safety.
• Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms. Keep that in mind when planning your day. We got pretty far out on a trail and thought we might get hit by lightning.
• Hot springs are very dangerous! These are not the ones you want to take a dip in. They injure and kill more people than any other natural feature in the park.
• Avoid crowds by starting early. Peak hours are from 9 am to 3 pm, and the busiest months are June-August.
• Pick up a day hikes sampler from the visitor center.
• Find the most up-to-date operating hours here.
• Get a preview by checking out one 9 webcams.
• Check out current road conditions here.
• Use AllTrails+ to have trail maps offline.

Photography Tips

• Camera Equipment (Camera, 35mm + 70-200mm Lenses, Tripod)
• Bring an extra long lens for wildlife, this is the one we currently use when we travel.
• Have a good backpack that you can easily carry your gear around in. These are our favorite.
• Geyser spray will ruin your lenses. Make sure you protect or wipe down quickly. Bring a raincoat at Beehive and watch the wind movement. I got drenched. The geyser sprays as far as the benches on the left, which was a lot farther than anyone there anticipated.
• If you’re visiting during the winter, don’t forgot extra batteries since they die quicker.

Where to Eat

The nice thing about a park that has so many visitors is that they also have to have plenty of amenities, including restaurants and stores. During the busy season, it will still be extremely crowded during meal times so try to go at off hours. Also, as it is in most parks, the prices are on the higher side, so if you’re on a budget, plan on bringing food with you.

Restaurants

• Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room, Mammoth Hot Springs Area
• Terrace Grill, Mammoth Hot Springs Area
• Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Old Faithful Area
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room, Old Faithful Area
• Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, Old Faithful Area
• Geyser Grill, Old Faithful Area
• Bear Paw Deli, Old Faithful Area
• Grant Village Dining Room, West Thumb Area
• Lake House Restaurant, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel Deli, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Lodge Cafeteria, Fishing Bridge Area
• Canyon Lodge Dining Room, Canyon Village Area
• Canyon Deli, Canyon Village Area
• Canyon Lodge Cafeteria, Canyon Village Area
• Roosevelt Dining Room, Tower-Roosevelt Area

Stores

• Mammoth General Store, Mammoth Hot Springs Area
• Upper General Store, Old Faithful Area
• Lower General Store, Old Faithful Area
• Fishing Bridge General Store, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Village General Store, Fishing Bridge Area
• Bridge Bay Mini Store, Fishing Bridge Area
• Grant Village General Store, West Thumb Area
• Grant Village Mini Store, West Thumb Area
• Canyon General Store, Canyon Village Area
• Roosevelt General Store, Tower-Roosevelt Area
• Tower Fall General Store, Tower-Roosevelt Area

Best Places to Stay

Yellowstone is a massive park, so if you can stay in the park, it will save you time that you would otherwise be spending just getting in and out. There are plenty of options, but also a lot of people visiting, so be sure to book your accommodations as early as possible. Some of the lodges and reservable campgrounds are filled up a year in advance during the busiest times of the year.

Lodges

There are 9 lodges in the park with over 2,000 rooms. If you’re visiting from late spring through fall, all of them will be open. If you’re visiting in the winter, only Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are open. You can see if they are currently open/close here, and also their availability.

• Canyon Lodge (Just North of the Center of the Park)
• Grant Village Lodge (Center of the Park)
• Lake Hotel (Center of the Park)
• Lake Lodge (Center of the Park)
• Mammoth Hotel and Cabins (North Entrance)
• Old Faithful Inn (Near Main Visitor Center)
• Old Faithful Lodge (Near Main Visitor Center)
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge (Near Main Visitor Center)
• Roosevelt Lodge (North Side of the Park)

Camping at the Park

If you’re looking to camp, there are a bunch of different campgrounds. There are two separate reservation systems. Most are open from late Spring to Fall, except for Mammoth Campground, which is open year-round. Check here for more info.

Reservable through Yellowstone National Park Lodges (these sites also charge tax and/or utility pass-through fees)

• Bridge Bay: $33 per night; 431 sites (5/16/25 – 9/1/25)
• Canyon: $39 per night; 272 sites (5/20/25 – 9/21/25)
• Fishing Bridge RV Park: $89/99 per night; 310 sites (5/9/25 – 10/12/25)
• Grant Village: $39 per night; 429 sites (6/6/25 – 9/14/25)
• Madison: $33 per night; 276 sites (5/2/25.- 10/19/25)

Reservable through Recreation.gov

• Indian Creek: $20 per night; 70 sites (6/13/25 – TBD)
• Lewis Lake: $20 per night; 84 sites (6/15/25 – 10/13/25)
• Mammoth: $25 per night; 82 sites (Open Year-Round)
• Pebble Creek: $20 per night; 27 sites (Closed in 2025)
• Slough Creek: $20 per night; 16 sites (6/15/25 – 10/13/25)
• Tower Fall: $20 per night; 31 sites (5/23/25 – 9/27/25)

Note: There are also backcountry campsites available.

Rving and Other Options

Most of the sites offer some sort of access for RVs. It’s best to check the site for details to see if your RV will fit. If you’re looking for full hook-ups, Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only site that offers that. Reservations book up extremely quick though.

If you can’t find a place to stay in the park, check the map below for other places to stay.

What to Pack

This will vary depending on whether you’re camping or in a hotel, what activities you’ll be doing, and what time of year you’ll be visiting. Here is a general list that will get you started.

• Food – we preferred packing our own food.
• Layers – temperatures change based on elevation
• Binoculars for Wildlife Viewing (serious viewers had spotting scopes)
• Rain Jackets
• Waterproof Hiking Shoes
• Camping Equipment (if camping)
• Camera Equipment (Camera, 35mm + 70-200mm Lenses, Tripod)
• Hiking Gear (Trekking Poles, Daypack)
• Water (Our Favorite Water Bottles)

What’s Nearby

Keep in mind some roads are closed during winter, which means you may have to take a longer way around.

• Grand Teton National Park (130 mi / 2 hr 35 min)
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (245 mi / 4 h 40 min)
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (241 mi / 3 h 58 min)
• Craters of the Moon National Monument (235 mi / 4 h 41 min)
• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (297 mi / 5 h )
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial (519 mi / 8 h 50 min)
• Glacier National Park (376 mi / 6 hr 24 min)
• Devil’s Tower National Monument (472 mi / 7 h 25 min)

More Resources

• Lonely Planet Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
• NatGeo Illustrated Yellowstone National Park Trails Map
• Best Easy Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

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Your Essential Outdoor Gift Guide for 2023

Learn more about how we select gifts for our gift guides and our methodology here.

1. Osprey Backpack →

A good backpack can make your load feel lighter. We used our previous Osprey bags for over 8 years but finally decided to upgrade this year for our Winter Patagonia Trip. You should visit your nearest REI store and try them on with weight in them. I literally tried on every women’s and youth backpacks in the store.

Get yours here: HERS, HIS, + KIDS

Pro Tip: Go to REI and have them help you find the right backpack for your body type. Since I’m petite, the women’s bag was too big for my torso, so I ended up getting the youth bag instead.

See More: The Best Travel Backpacks You Need to Check Out

2. REI Co-op Magma Sleeping Bag →

A good sleeping bag is a gift that keeps on giving. Since every ounce counts when you’re backpacking, we always look for ones that weigh as little as possible, packs down as small as possible, and still manages to keep you warm. It’s always a challenge to compromise between warmth and weight / size.

We have the older versions of these and love them! They’ve kept us warm on all our camping and backpacking trips and are super lightweight.

3. Yeti Roadie Cooler →

Yes, it’s such a pricey cooler, but it’s the ultimate cooler. We recently just picked one up and love it. It can be used outdoors and in the city to keep drinks and food cold longer. All other coolers can bow down.

See More: 21 Car Camping Essentials – Everything You Need to Pack

4. Rumpl Down Puffy Blanket →

This one is for your outdoor-loving friends who also love to go for the gram. It’s super popular on IG. The blanket can work as an extra layer on cold nights, but can also be a replacement for your sleeping bag on warmer nights.

5. Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge Camping Hammock and Tent →

We just recently got this Hammock / Tent but haven’t had a chance to try it yet. It’s able to set up on the ground or suspend as a hammock if you can’t find level ground. Unlike other hammocks, the design keeps the bed flatter so you don’t get that cocooning that happens in other ones. Plus it has a rainfly and bug netting.

6. Danner Mountain 600 →

These have been our go-to hiking shoes for the past few years, and we’ve tested out a lot of hiking shoes. We love that they have a different style than typical hiking shoes so that they blend well into the city but still can take on a rugged trail. They even have insulated ones if you’re spending more time in cold places.

See More: 15 Best Travel Shoes for Comfort, Style, and All Weather Types

7. Rocky Talkies →

These are awesome when you’re carpooling, camping or hiking. We use them to find our friends when we’re climbing and since we all have them, we just make sure we’re on the same frequency. They’re also great on caravan road trips so you can communicate with the other cars without worrying about having service.

8. Patagonia Better Sweater →

We both own the Better Sweater. Because I wore it so much, I ended up getting a second one without a hood. It keeps us really warm and has a nice slim fit.

See More: 13+ Best Jackets for Travel for Any Weather

9. Jetboil Minimo →

This is the perfect gift for someone who backpacks, loves coffee, or just looking for the easiest way to have meals on the trail. We’ve had a JetBoil for over 10 years and it’s still our go to.

10. REI Co-op Flash Carbon Trekking Poles →

Any serious hiker needs a great pair of trekking poles. We recently added these to our arsenal since they are easy to travel with great on the trail.

11. Leatherman Multi-Tool →

We recently just picked up a leatherman to add to our arsenal. We’ve been in multiple scenarios that we’ve needed one and fortunately have been with people who are prepared, but now we’ll have one next time we need it.

12. Hot Chillys Micro-Elite Base Layers →

We recently discovered the Hot Chillys Base Layers and absolutely love them. They are soft and comfortable and keep us warm. I want to get some of the ones with fun patterns on them.

Check out Jacob wearing his baselayer on the top while climbing in this tall/short beta.

13. American the Beautiful Pass →

Give the gift of exploring our beautiful National Parks all year long! We always get a new pass every year, and it’s totally worth it if you visit even a few throughout the year.

See More: Complete List of National Parks by State

14. REI Co-op Flexlite Chair →

These super light camping chairs are always in our trunk when we’re on the road. We use them camping and pull them out when we’re hanging out with friends. When not in use, they pack up really small.

15. REI Co-op Wallace Lake Collection →

Their Wallace Lake collection is comfy and stylish. This is one of the comfiest henley’s I’ve ever had. I wear it at home to stay warm and cozy, and it’s perfect for layering as well. 

16. Platypus Big Zip Reservoir →

Most people who spend time outside will have a water bladder, but they get old and need to be replaced. We love this one because it’s easy to fill and clean with the huge opening.

17. REI Flash Pack →

Daypacks are awesome for anyone who’s active. It’s perfect for day hikes and short trips. When we travel, we pack one in our suitcase to use for the day too, since it’s lightweight and can pack down pretty small. We recently upgraded to the Flash 22 because we like the flap closure better.

18. Hydro Flask Bottle →

Keep drinks cold or hot for longer with a Hydro Flask bottle. We like the Trail series since it’s lightweight, plus they are always coming out with new colors.

See More: 7+ Best Water Bottles for Travel Tested On the Road

19. Petzl Headlamp →

I tend to lose my headlamp more than anything else. Because of that, I have a couple spares. It’s also useful to lend out to other people who don’t bring one with them on camping trips.

20. National Park Passport →

We love collecting stamps at all the National Parks we visit with our passport book. This is a great gift for any National Park lover.

21. Buff →

I bring a Buff with me anytime I travel. It’s a great way to stay protected from the sun but also adds an extra layer of warmth that is versatile like a scarf.

22. Sea to Summit Lightweight Drysack →

I have a few dry bags and love using them for the obvious reason of keeping my gear dry, but also for keeping my gear and clothes organized when I travel. You never know when you’ll get rained on.

23. REI Beanie →

I wear beanies a ton during the cooler months. It’s perfect for adventures or city strolls.

24. Packtowl →

We each have a few towels, larger towels when we are out and about and not worried about space, and small light ones when we’re worried about space. We also bring a small one with us dedicated to our camera gear.

25. Balega Socks →

If you have the right socks, you’re less likely to have blisters on hiking days. These are the current socks we like the most. They’re made to keep your feet cool and dry.

Bonus: Gift Card →

If you have one of those friends or loved ones who seem to have everything, you can always get them a gift card so they can buy what they need when the time comes. I know gift cards sound lame or don’t seem like the most thoughtful gift, but they are practical. I know we’d appreciate it. ;)

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