The National Park Service protects some of the most fantastic landscapes and geological features in the United States. Hikers, tourists, and explorers from all over the world travel to the system's 63 national parks to see tall waterfalls, stunning old-growth forests, and wildlife in their natural habitats.
The one-mile interpretive trail behind many park visitor centers will be a challenge for some travelers. Hikers who find flat trails boring may need something more challenging. The hardest hikes in the US national parks are steep, unpredictable and go through some of the country's harshest landscapes. If you're an expert hiker looking for a hike that offers a little more challenge, here are nine of the hardest hikes in the US National Park Service.
The photo was taken by the National Park Service.
You can't truly understand the enormity of the Grand Canyon until you stand on its edge. You need to go below the rim to see the canyon, which is 18 miles across. It is not easy to get to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, and many hikers choose to go down in two or three days.
The South Kaibab Trail is one of the hardest hikes in the US, so fit travelers may want to consider a day hike. Hikers will go through a canyon that feels like a giant stairway. canyons are harder to return to than mountains. You will take one back up for every step you take down.
In the summer, the temperature in the canyon can reach 120 degrees. Hikers attempting the South Kaibab to the Bright Angel Trailhead will only be able to get water year-round at the Indian Garden Campground. Dehydration is a problem. More hikers were rescued by the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon in 2020 than any other national park. Make sure you are prepared for this challenge.
The photo was taken by the National Park Service.
The weather and terrain in the Stephen Mather Wilderness can change instantly, leaving hikers to walk through deep snowfields along steep mountain ridges. Hikers who are brave enough to tackle the 12-mile hike will find amazing views of features like the torture tower and Cutthroat Lake.
Most of the mountain pass is in the subalpine zone. The area is exposed to heavy snow and wind. Hikers who choose to hike the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm should be prepared to ascend over 4,000 feet, with a big portion of that packed into the final push to the glacier.
Three miles from the trailhead, the road to Cascade Pass is closed. This trail is 18 miles long even though it is still open for hiking. It's one of the hardest hikes in the US, even when the weather is good, and it's reserved for travelers who don't mind a little pain.
Photo by Dan Thornberg.
One of the most famous mountain ranges in the country is located in Grand Teton National Park, and the Cascade loop trail gives you a glimpse of its ruggedness. The 21-mile trail includes an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet, and while most hikers choose to complete the hike in two days, others attempt to do it in one.
After just a few minutes, the trail begins at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level and is high enough to cause elevation sickness. Hikers may face dangerous storms. If you are attempting to complete the hike in a single day, you may want to start early to allow time to rest along the trail and avoid getting caught in the dark.
The photo is by Mike Peters.
The first part of Mt. is the Camp Muir Trail. The summit was for three days. It is best to do the summit in a group with a professional guide. It is not a day hike.
One of the hardest hikes in the US to complete in a single day is the Camp Muir Trail. Some hikers decided to bail below the camp base. It only covers nine miles out and back, but you can reach Camp Muir more than 4,500 feet up. The trail is difficult due to the intense elevation gain.
Hikers will enter the snowfield after a 2.3-mile hike past McClure Rock. Those attempting the ascent will have to navigate 2.2 miles along a route that is not marked. It is possible at any time to posthole with each step. One mistake could lead to getting lost, injured, or worse. It's not technically mountaineering, but it's a challenging hike that requires knowledge of how to safely move across snow. It is the hardest one-day hike in the park.
Hikers attempting to summit Mount Rainier will need a permit if they hike above the camp.
The photo is of Suzie Dundas.
Half Dome has drawn the attention of the most hardened explorers. Hikers will cover nearly 15 miles along the trail and ascend 4,800 feet to stand on top of the park's defining feature. The shortest route starts at the Mist Trail.
Without the cables, the hike to the summit wouldn't be possible. Hikers will have views of the High Sierras and the valley below as soon as they get to Vernal Falls.
It is a good idea to pace yourself just before the cable-assisted climb of the sub dome, which is 600 feet high. The hike up the half dome is followed immediately. You should expect sore legs.
You can get a permit to ascend the cable assists via a lottery system at Recreation.gov. It is illegal to hike when the cables are their own during the summer.
Rosemary Woller has a photo.
The hike to Long's Peak is one of the hardest hikes in the US, not just in Colorado. Hikers will cover more than 15 miles on foot and climb 5,000 feet of elevation before reaching the summit at 14,259 feet above sea level; altitude sickness is a common issue. Considered one of the most dangerous hikes in Colorado, the distance and height just don't tell the whole story.
Along with many of Colorado's 14ers, Long's Peak is notorious for its brutal storms. Hikers attempting the summit should start the hike early in the morning to avoid the storms. The boulder field on the mountain is challenging, so those attempting the climb should be cautious. If you end up stuck on the trail into the evening, you should have enough supplies to stay warm and dry. It is not a standard hike.
The photo is of Suzie Dundas.
One of Arizona's most spectacular slot canyons is on the Virgin River. Hikers will find themselves sandwiched between walls just 20 feet apart. Many explorers choose to backpack through these canyons, but others take on the trail in a single day.
Hikers who plan to hike the trail from top to bottom will face unique challenges. Most of the trek involves crossing and wading through the Virgin River. Hikers will want tall, waterproof waders, if not a full wetsuit, with water as cold as 31 degrees in late autumn. This day hike is a formidable one because of that.
Hikers in the depths of The Narrows are at risk of flash floods. The water can be fast, deep, and flowing, and most of the trek is across slippery rocks that can shift and move under your weight.
This is one of the hardest hikes in the US to do in a day, and Zion National Park closely controls its visitors' safety. When the National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning, the park closes the Narrows. It's not perfect. Hikers can be caught off-guard by unpredictable weather and flash floods.
If that wasn't enough to make you think twice, the river is filled with toxins that can be harmful or even deadly if eaten. Don't drink the water.
A permit is required for hiking the narrows from top to bottom. The easiest way to see the southern part of the Narrows is to hike up from the Temple of Sinawava.
The photo was taken by Stefan Wille.
One of the most popular day hikes in the country, the Highline Trail from Logan Pass highlights the enormity of Glacier National Park, which starts at 6,800 feet in elevation. Hikers will travel 15 miles parallel to the snow line to the Grinnell Glacier overlook, where they can sit high above the glacier for half a mile.
The trail is one of the hardest hikes in the US park service. The trail is exposed with no protection from the weather. The snowline makes these areas intimidating as the snow begins to melt. Hikers should be aware of their footing as they traverse the slippery rocks leading to the overlook. Icy sections of the trail are common.
The real challenge begins after 6.8 miles. Hikers must ascend an incredible slope into the mountain range, where melting water quickly freezes along the trail. A slip on this section could lead to serious injury.
Hikers should consider hiking very early and packing extra traction to avoid crowds. In Glacier National Park, there are a lot of grizzly bears. You must have bear spray with you the entire time.
David Boutin has a photo.
The Presidential Range is not part of the park system, but it is worth a spot on this list. Washington is the tallest peak in the White Mountain National Forest. The trek will test hikers with a nine-mile out-and-back trail gaining 3,300 feet of elevation. It is one of the hardest hikes in the US.
If you're an experienced hiker, you should consider whether you can make the hike up Mt. Washington. Nine miles may seem a bit ginger compared to the other strenuous one-day hikes on this list. Washington is known for its unpredictable weather. The highest recorded wind speed on the planet was 231 mph at the summit in 1934. It was only exceeded by an extra four mph by a massive cyclone in Australia in 1996.
Hikers are trying to summit a mountain. Washington should be prepared to change course. Powerful storms can happen at any time. Hikers will face strong wind, snow, and fog, and it's very easy to get blown off course. A wrong turn can lead hikers into the forest. It is common for hikers to attempt this summit several times before one day offers ideal weather and conditions to reach the peak successfully.
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