Category: Travel

Unfurling for more than 1.5 million acres across South Florida, Everglades National Park is a wonderland of marshland, sawgrass and mangroves.

Covering such a vast expanse, the park can intimidate first-timers as it is hard to know where to begin. How you explore the Everglades makes all the difference. You can hike, airboat, canoe, kayak, or even travel by tram here and each presents visitors with a different landscape. So whether strolling on a boardwalk above gator-filled waters or embarking on a backcountry camping adventure, here are the best things to do in Everglades National Park.

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1. Visit all four of the park’s entrances for different vibes 

There are four total entrances to the park each segueing to distinct terrains. To make the most of an Everglades trip, you should try to visit them all. The Shark Valley Visitor Center is approximately 40 miles west of Miami. It’s home to the quintessential, 15-mile paved Tram Road, a haven for bike rides, walks, and, yes, tram rides, always with gators lounging on the side of the road. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City is a hub for boating excursions, providing the perfect seaside jumping-off point for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a wildlife refuge for thousands of water birds.

Homestead is home to two visitor centers. Royal Palm Visitor Center provides access to a number of shorter hiking trails (less than a mile), ranging from strolls under canopy trees to walks on boardwalks over the marshland. The Flamingo Visitor Center is approximately 40 miles south of Royal Palm – a gateway to the mangrove-draped Florida Bay, canoe trails, and the 275-pitch Flamingo Campground.

2. See how many alligators you can spot along the Anhinga Trail

Fewer than 50ft from the Royal Palm Visitor Center is the park’s most popular hike. The Anhinga Trail is short – just an 0.8-mile round-trip – but it carries so much Everglades pizzazz. Along wooden boardwalks, which often hover above lily and sawgrass marsh,  and asphalt terrain, this is where you have a solid shot at seeing gators, turtles, and the trail’s namesake, the anhinga, a large water bird with a tail that resembles a turkey.

Detour: For a bonus short hike, the 0.4-mile Gumbo Limbo Trail is right by the Royal Palm Visitor Center, too.

3. Zip through water lily-covered water on an airboat

If the Everglades were to have an official vehicle, it would be the airboat. Not sure what one is? Cruise down the Tamiami Trail and you’ll be greeted with “AIRBOAT TOURS” signs aplenty – they are flat-bottomed boats with giant propeller fans on the back, designed to safely navigate the grass and lily-heavy waters. 

While there are oodles of airboat operators beyond the national park’s confines, there are only three that operate within the park: Gator Park, Everglades Safari Park, and Coopertown Airboats. Whichever you choose, just make sure to keep your hands inside when you coast by the inevitable gator (or ten).

4. Camp on a chickee 

What is a chickee, you ask? In Everglades National Park, it equates to a wooden platform positioned above the water where you can set up a tent. It’s like having your own little island. The bulk of the chickee sites are found near the Flamingo Visitor Center. You’ll need a few things in addition to your camping gear, including a backcountry camping permit (available from any park visitor center), bug repellant for the inevitable mosquitos, and a canoe (as you’ll need to venture to the sites via water). Canoes and kayaks can be rented from several spots around the park.

Off the Hell’s Bay Trail are a handful of chickee sites within a 5-mile canoe jaunt, including Lard Can and Pearl Bay Chickee.

5. Learn about The Everglades’ tribal roots at the Miccosukee’s museum

The Everglades have been inhabited by humans for upwards of 15,000 years. Long before European colonization began in the 19th century, tribes like the Seminoles and Miccosukees comprised the bulk of the population. 

Today, you can learn all about the Miccosukee tribe’s history and legacy at the Miccosukee Indian Village, nestled less than a half-mile from the park’s Shark Valley entrance. The village includes a 40-year-old museum with beadwork and photographs as well as regular and ethical alligator demonstrations, which demonstrate the importance of the gators to the tribe, so there are no wrestling elements to the show.

Detour: The Museum of the Everglades also has exhibits covering more than 2000 years of The Everglades’ history. Cruising through Everglades City, you can’t miss it – it’s a restored pink building that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

6. Spot pelicans and storks on a pondside birdwatching adventure

Among the seemingly infinite number of waterways and ponds within the park’s confines, two spots remain supreme for birdwatching. Eco Pond is located across the street from the Flamingo Campground and features a half-mile paved trail around it. Year-round, you can stroll and witness ducks frolicking about and the spectrum of wading birds – storks, herons, and egrets – taking a dip or soaring above. 

Mrazek Pond is another bird lover’s paradise, particularly during the winter months when hordes of wood storks feast in the shallow waters. Ask a guide at the Flamingo Visitor Center – just three miles south – what’s in season and what to expect.

7. Zigzag through Nine Mile Pond’s mangrove islands via canoe or kayak

The ultimate yet approachable Everglades water excursion awaits at Nine Mile Pond. Located approximately 12 miles northwest of the Flamingo Visitor Center, you’ll find the roadside trailhead for this water course. Despite its name, it’s actually not a nine-mile paddle – it’s 5.2 miles. Along the way, you’ll swish through tree islands, curved mangrove tunnels, and open tranquil waters. Don’t worry, it’s all well-marked with the periodic white PVC pipe sign jutting out of the water with helpful arrows.

Planning tip: If you need to rent a canoe or kayak, head to the Flamingo Visitor Center. The team there will provide you with a key to unlock a canoe or kayak that’s waiting for you at the pond.

8. Tour the Ten Thousand Islands via boat

You’ll need a boat to navigate the majority of Everglades National Park as it consists primarily of swamps, lakes, and marshes. For a true, open-water experience, head to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. The park itself offers 90-minute ranger-narrated boat tours aboard a large catamaran through Florida Bay where you’ll see island after island made of mangroves, sawgrass and other lush flora. You’ll want to book the excursion ahead of time via its partner, Everglades Florida Adventures.

Planning tip: If you seek an upper-body workout, there are four-hour, ranger-led kayak and canoe tours of Florida Bay available at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, too.

While Everglades National Park is loaded with 1.5 million acres of canals, marshes and tropical critters, its hiking options are limited.

In fact, there are less than three dozen formal trails in the entirety of its South Florida confines, many of which are short interpretive trails less than a mile long. Plus, there are entrances to the park in three separate cities that are many miles apart, which means you need to go in with a plan pinpointing the experience you’re looking for.

Regardless of where your Everglades hiking adventure takes you, count on it being flat and a way to get up close and personal with the park’s nearly 400 bird species, lush flora and, yes, perhaps a gator or two. Just make sure to pack sun-protective clothing, sunscreen and bug repellant for any Everglades hike to mitigate sun- or mosquito-related headaches.

With the right goods, you’re ready to hit the trails – here are the five best hikes within Everglades National Park.

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1. Anhinga Trail

Best hike for families
0.8 miles (1.3km) round trip, less than 1 hour, easy

Little did you know that so much Everglades wildlife wonder could be packed into a less-than-a-mile stretch? This pristinely paved trail – with portions of well-kept and railed wooden boardwalks hovering over the marshland – is perhaps your easiest and best chance to see turtles and a hearty selection of the Everglades’ bird species. To access the Anhinga Trail trailhead, venture to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in Homestead and head approximately four miles south to the Royal Palm Visitors Center – the trailhead is around 50ft behind the building.

The bulk of this hike is in unshaded terrain and surrounded by standing water, so pack extra bug repellant. If this quick hike leaves you and yours wanting more, the 0.4-mile Gumbo Limbo Trail is a stone’s throw from the visitor center and is draped in massive hammock trees.

2. Christian Point Trail

Best hike through diverse Florida landscapes
3.6 miles (5.79km) round trip, 2–3 hours, difficult

Whereas you may get a singular vibe on some of the shorter trails in Everglades National Park, this one is multifaceted. You’ll find the trailhead to this difficult hike one mile north of the Flamingo Visitor Center in Homestead. What makes it difficult is the jagged terrain you’ll encounter, including thick mangrove patches and sporadic debris from hurricanes of yesteryear. A stretch of open prairie provides a nice reprieve on dry days.

If rain is in the forecast or the area has experienced recent downpours, prepare for a muddy experience. Even the flattest prairies are a slushy mud-fest, so bring the right pants and boots. And, yes, with standing water in the Everglades are mosquitos, so pack your bug repellant. 

3. Shark Valley Tram Road

Best hike for a gator encounter
15 miles (24.1km), round trip, 4–5 hours, easy

Tram may be in its name, but it is a hot spot for bikers and hikers. Tucked just south of the Tamiami Trail and 40 miles west of Downtown Miami, this trail is located south of the Shark Valley Visitor Center. It’s a paved route that looks like a narrow north-to-south oval. Along the way – and particularly toward the beginning of the trail – count on seeing some gators bathing in the sun in the adjacent canals. 

From there, a popular stop is its midpoint – the Shark Valley Observation Tower. With a winding ramp to its 70-foot-high pinnacle, this is the highest point accessible by foot in the park. While flat and paved, if you’re going to commit to walking this trail, come prepared. There is zero shade along the route, limited water opportunities and the sole bathroom facility (aside from Shark Valley Visitor Center) is at the observation tower.

4. Coastal Prairie Trail

Best hike for a camping adventure
7.5 miles (12km) one-way trip, 3–4 hours, difficult

Situated near the park’s southwesternmost edge, this hike is worth… the hike. It is situated within a quick stroll of the Flamingo Visitor Center in Homestead, which is also home to a drive-in campground with nearly 300 sites. The Flamingo Campground is well-equipped for those who don’t like to be disconnected – this is one of the few spots in the park where cell reception is typically reliable and there are solar-heated showers. Just make sure to book a reservation in advance, particularly during the area’s peak season of December through April.

As for the trail itself, it’s an east-to-west shot through a mix of open prairies and muddy terrain. You’ll want to wear long pants through the thicker forest sections as pesky mangrove roots, thorns, and debris from recent storms can persist. The trail culminates at the white sand-draped Clubhouse Beach, with plenty of space to plop a tent. If you decide to camp overnight, snag a backcountry permit at the Flamingo Visitor Center or online ahead of time.

5. Bear Lake Trail

Best hike with a little history
3.2 miles (5.1km) round trip, 1–2 hours, moderate

Trickling alongside the Bear Lake Trail, you’ll see the Homestead Canal. Constructed in 1922, the canal was originally designed to funnel freshwater from the marshland out to sea. The goal was to create a drier piece of land for future development. Instead, the opposite happened, and saltwater entered the ecosystem, taking over portions of the freshwater system, forever creating a hybrid system in that portion of the park.

The trail itself – located two miles north of the Flamingo Visitor Center in Homestead – is draped in more than 50 different tree species, with hardwood hammocks towering above, culminating in a sweeping vista of Bear Lake with dots of mangrove islands. Regular maintenance has ceased on Bear Lake Trail recently as the park prioritizes protecting the Cape Sable thoroughwort, a small purple-hued sunflower. So, wear sturdier hiking shoes to navigate the periodic thick grass patches and down branches.

With critters basking in the sun, boats whizzing by and educational opportunities aplenty, Everglades National Park is a kid’s paradise. Its marshy landscape begs for exploration, with mangrove islands, carved-out canoe paths and a handful of modern visitor centers with interactive exhibits to check out.

The nice thing about the Everglades is that you can traverse its landscape via many modes – airboat, hiking, kayaking, driving and even a tram – so when you or the little ones need a breather, it’s seamless to shift gears while still taking it all in. Make sure everyone is layered in sunscreen, bug repellant and sun-protective gear, like hats, sunglasses and, if needed, long sleeves. Once ready, these are the six best things to do with kids in Everglades National Park.

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1. Zip around on an airboat

Airboat rides are a quintessential Everglades experience, where you glide along the marsh landscape on a flat boat with a giant fan-like propeller. It’s refreshing and scenic for kids and adults alike.

Everglades National Park has three authorized airboat businesses: Coopertown Airboats, Everglades Safari Park and Gator Park. All three are located closest to the park’s Shark Valley / Miami entrance along the historic Tamiami Trail. Most operators within the national park and beyond offer a children’s discount. Coopertown Airboats, for example, has discounts for children ages 6 to 11 and free rides for those under 6. 

It can be incredibly tempting to reach out to pet wading birds and even friendly seeming alligators, so if you have a particularly hands-on little one, it’s wise to sit toward the middle of the vessel to mitigate temptation. Plus, airboats are typically covered, making the center seats less prone to the often-beaming Florida sun.

2. Hike the Gumbo Limbo or Anhinga trails

Florida is about as flat as a US state can get, so for those seeking non-strenuous hikes, the Everglades is bliss. However, this 1.5-million-acre park only has 30 hiking trails. The majority of the land is freshwater and saltwater habitats. 

For kid-friendly hikes, head to the Royal Palm Visitor Center in Homestead. Once you’ve parked, the Gumbo Limbo and Anhinga trails are within 50ft of the visitor center. Just less than a half-mile round trip, the Gumbo Limbo Trail is paved for the stroller crowd and guides you through ferns, royal palms and, yes, large-limbed gumbo limbos.

The Anhinga Trail is a bit longer – 0.8 miles – and often loaded with sunbathing critters, like gators, herons and turtles. When you and yours need a bathroom or diaper break, the Royal Palm Visitor Center is well-equipped.

3. Bike or tram the Shark Valley Tram Road

A 15-mile-long paved circular trail, the Shark Valley Tram Rd is surrounded by islands, with trees, tall grass and the sporadic bathing alligator. No matter how you tackle the trail – hiking, biking and tramming are all options – bring plenty of sunscreen and plan a pit stop at the midpoint: an observation tower with a ramp winding over a gator-dotted waterway.

On the lower-energy side, two-hour ranger-led tram tours start hourly from 9am to 4pm between mid-December and April. Otherwise, the tram has four departures daily, so check the schedule ahead.

For bike rentals, there is a shop attached to the Shark Valley Visitor Center with kids’ and adult bikes with child seats. The Shark Valley area of the park opens at 8:30am, and bike rentals can sell out quickly, so reserve ahead of time to prevent on-site disappointment. The shop also has helmets – it is Florida law for bicyclists under 16 to wear a helmet.  

4. Embark on a ranger-led journey (and have your kid become a junior ranger too)

Beyond the educational tram tour at Shark Valley, there are ranger-led adventures from the Royal Palm and Flamingo visitors’ centers in Homestead and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. Keep an eye on scheduling, as most tours only occur during the dry season (November through April).

Popular programs include a wildlife-centric stroll along the Anhinga Trail, a “Hidden History” journey on the Guy Bradley Trail and narrated boat tours focused on the geography of the Gulf Coast’s 10,000-plus islands. 

Select national parks have junior ranger programs. Kids (and adults) can snag an interactive booklet at a visitor center, complete educational activities within the park and earn a badge. The Everglades is one of these parks and has recently provided a bingo sheet for kids to spot certain wildlife – pelicans, raccoons and even mosquitos – to earn their badge. 

5. Canoe or kayak and gawk at more than 350 bird species

Okay, perhaps the Everglades Wilderness Waterway – a 99-mile recreational route connecting Everglades City and Flamingo – may not be the most kid-friendly option for a kayaking excursion. But there are plenty of spots to canoe and kayak in the Everglades for the whole family.

The Flamingo Visitor Center – located 38 miles southwest of the park entrance in Homestead – has an adjacent marina with boat tours of backcountry waters and the Florida Bay. Admission is half-off for kids 12 and under ($20 per child). You can also rent kayaks and canoes at the marina, meaning you’ll receive keys to unlock rentals at nearby ponds and waterways. 

Among the most popular nearby destinations for kayaking and canoeing is the Nine Mile Pond loop, which takes you through mangrove islands and grassy landscapes (though it’s actually 3.5 to 5 miles depending on your route). If a do-it-yourself rental is too much to coordinate, Everglades National Park Institute also has guided tours.

6. Learn about Everglades’ history at local museums and visitor centers

Each of the Everglades’ four visitor centers is very much a museum in its own right, with snippets of park history and wildlife exhibits.

For history-loving young ones, the Miccosukee Indian Village has a museum dedicated to the eponymous tribe and their centuries-old roots in the Everglades. The village also has airboat rides and ethical alligator demonstrations, shedding light on the tribe’s relationship with the critters, which has gone from using them for food to conservation.

Perhaps the most comprehensive museum on the Everglades is in Everglades City. The Museum of the Everglades covers over 2000 years of area history, with puzzles, coloring activities and educational crossword puzzles to keep kids entertained.

As Everglades National Park primarily consists of an intricate network of wetlands and canals, roads within and leading to the Florida preserve are few and far between. In fact, amid its mammoth 1.5 million acres of swampy terrain, there are only four total entrances and two principal roads serving motor vehicles.

So beyond cruising on the 39-mile-long Main Park Rd (Florida Rte 9336), which connects the Ernest F Coe Visitor Center and Cape Sable, or spotting alligators along the Tamiami Trail (US 41), the question becomes: in which Florida city should I begin my trek to Everglades National Park? 

Fortunately, in Florida you have road-trip options that touch cosmopolitan cities, additional national parks and orange-grove-draped country roads. Here are the five best ways to get to Everglades National Park. 

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1. The Tamiami Trail

Best road trip for history lovers
Miami-Everglades National Park; 64km (40 miles)

The closest major airport to Everglades National Park is Miami International Airport, some 35 miles east of the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Spend some time in Miami taking in the turquoise Atlantic vistas in Miami Beach, watching the boats zip around Biscayne Bay and snacking on croquetas and cafecitos (Cuban coffee) along Calle Ocho, Little Havana‘s main thoroughfare.  

After Miami, head west along the Tamiami Trail. As you visibly transition from suburbia to swampland, note the numerous attractions that the Miccosukee tribe operates along the trail, including airboat rides and the Miccosukee Indian Village museum. Within the museum, you can see beadwork, patchwork and photography that sheds life on the tribal community, dating back to the early 19th century.

2. The Overseas Highway

Best road trip for water vistas
Key West-Everglades National Park; 216km (134 miles)

Start this three-hour road trip by exploring the coral-reef-surrounded and party-filled downtown of Key West, which is the southernmost city in the continental US. Mallory Square is known for its daily sunset celebrations, but it’s really a place to gather all day, with the raucous Hog’s Breath Saloon and a nearby Ron Jon Surf Shop outpost.

From there, you’ll find only one road leading through the Florida Keys to mainland Florida: the Overseas Highway, which weaves through numerous cozy, art-gallery-draped confines, including Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo. Along your drive, snag a reservation at the Fish House in Key Largo for regional delights, like fresh mahi mahi and conch salad.

For a bonus park en route to the Everglades, Bahia Honda State Park has the clearest of waters and rentable snorkeling equipment on-site.

Detour: Dry Tortugas National Park and Biscayne National Park are both detour options with this road trip. Book reservations months in advance, and note that you’ll need a boat – or access to one – to make the most of them.

3. US Route 41

Best road trip for parks and wildlife in a small stretch
Naples-Everglades National Park; 117km (73 miles) 

It doesn’t get much easier than this. From Downtown Naples’ boutiques and upscale eateries, hop on US Rte 41 and take it directly to the Shark Valley Visitor Center for an Everglades adventure. But you’ll want to make some stops along the way.

Among them are the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which has a 110,000-acre waterway with boat and kayak rentals for navigating the lush mangroves. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve makes for a nice pause as well. Its Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk spans more than half a mile and winds through a swamp, culminating in an alligator pond.

Planning tip: The Gulf Coast Visitor Center – located in Everglades City – is the closest Everglades visitor access area to Naples. Keep an eye on its reopening schedule, following damage sustained from Hurricane Ian.

4. US Route 17

Best road trip for Central Florida charm
Tampa-Everglades National Park; 407km (253 miles)

With vast white-sand beaches and an increasingly hip bar and nightclub district in the form of Ybor City, Tampa is officially a place to be. After touring the Florida Aquarium or getting your thrills at Busch Gardens theme park, the easy way out of town and en route to Everglades National Park is the Interstate 75 straight-shot, but resist temptation and opt for a more rural trek south along US Route 17.

On your way to Shark Valley Visitor Center, make a pit stop in Haines City at Ridge Island Groves for some farm-grown oranges and blueberries. Wauchula has a quaint downtown that’s home to a handful of antique shops, like Heritage Park. Once Rte 17 connects with Interstate 74, Fort Myers and Naples are both seamless detours within 10 minutes of the highway. 

5. Orlando to the Everglades

Best road trip for a bonus National Park experience 
Orlando-Everglades National Park; 410km (255 miles)

For those Walt Disney World–goers seeking a nature-infused reprieve, Everglades National Park is doable in approximately five hours. From Central Florida, the quickest route is Interstate 95 through West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale. However, traffic on I-95 is totally unpredictable, and the road gets particularly congested during snowbird season (October through April).

You’ll find a quieter way south via US Route 98/27. Memorable stops include Immokalee, which is home to the Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch. The operation sheds light on the cowmen, ranchers and pioneers who settled the swamp-adjacent farmland in the late 1800s. Before arriving at Shark Valley Visitor Center, Big Cypress National Preserve is also on the way, and it has swamp tours and eight campgrounds.

Planning tip: As this trip can easily evolve into a multi-day affair, consider lodging well in advance. If all else fails, you can try your luck in Everglades City, but you’ll find fewer than a dozen hotel options there.

With each season, you’ll experience a new and magical side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether popping with wildflowers in the springtime or exuding the most vivid shades of oranges and reds in September and October, you can embark on the same hike(s) year-round and always be left mesmerized by a different perspective.

The most visited national park in the United States, recent years have seen 14 million-plus annual visitors, with hiking being a quintessential experience. While a drive along Newfound Gap Road or The Foothills Parkway will inspire, hikes in the Smoky Mountains get you up close and personal with caves, critters (just don’t get too close to the black bears) and access to the park’s sole lodging option.

There are 150 trails within the park with varying degrees of difficulty, scenery and resources. Amid all the options, here are our top six hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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1. Mt. Sterling via Baxter Creek Trail

Best hike for hiking pros
11.7 miles (18.8km) roundtrip, 8-9 hours, strenuous

Soaring 5,842 feet, climbing this North Carolina mountain is considered one of the top experiences within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To access the deep forest-filled Baxter Creek Trail, head to the Big Creek Ranger Station / Cataloochee Campground. From there, it is an unrelenting steady climb, where you’ll traverse a steel footbridge and pass a variety of towering champion trees – some of the largest in the park. 

At the top of Mt. Sterling, you’ll find a nearly 90-year-old fire tower that was once utilized to keep watch over the vast forest below. Fun fact: it has the highest elevation of any fire tower left standing in the eastern United States. And, yes, you can climb in it. It makes the perfect spot to eat whatever meal you’ve packed.

2. Low Gap Trail to Mount Cammerer

Best hike for panoramic mountain vistas
11.5 miles (18.6km) roundtrip, 7-8 hours, strenuous

With rigid switchbacks, towering hardwoods and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail, this strenuous hike has so much Smoky goodness packed into a single experience. The Low Gap Trail itself is situated near the park’s northeast corner near the town of Cosby. Count on traversing dirt-meets-rock ridges and valleys aplenty during this 3000-foot-plus jaunt. 

The final half-mile or so is steep and strenuous but is worth it in the end. At the peak of the trail is a historic stone fire tower dating back to the 1930s. From the tower – which is octagonal in shape – you can see the Big Creek hydro-electric plant, Mount Sterling, Snowbird Mountain and lines of smaller peaks aplenty.

3. Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte

Best hike for taking in the most Smoky Mountains landscapes
11 miles (17.7km) roundtrip, 7-8 hours, moderately strenuous

Arguably the most popular day hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this easy-to-find trail has it all. Starting just off a large parking lot approximately seven miles south of Sugarlands Visitors Center, you’ll pass under Arch Rock en route to Inspiration Point, which absolutely lives up to its name with vistas of Little Duck Hawk Ridge and beyond. And, yes, there is a cave – Alum Cave itself makes for a nice reprieve and photo op.

Past the cave and en route to Mt LeConte, you’ll find LeConte Lodge, the only lodging option within park boundaries. The lodge – comprising a handful of wooden cottages – is open from mid-March through mid-November. You’ll want to book your reservation as early as possible (up to a year in advance) as it’s a popular spot!

4. Davenport Gap to Max Patch Road

Best hike for an overnight adventure
13.2 miles (21.2km) one-way, 2-3 days, moderately strenuous

Take a weekend for this lengthy and challenging jaunt. Among the highlights, you’ll trek up more than 2500 feet of Snowbird Mountain, navigate a set of towering stone stairs, duck below lengthy lines of canopy trees, coast through flat meadows and tiptoe along dirt roads with steep edges nearby. It has it all.

There is a campsite near the top of Max Patch but do keep an eye on local orders as it has been temporarily shuttered in recent years. There are two campsites nearby that operate seasonally as more reliable options, Harmon Den Horse Campground and Rocky Bluff Campground. However many days you plan for this hike, bring water as the streams can be scarce during drier times.

5. Laurel Falls Trail

Best hike for families
2.4 miles (3.9km) roundtrip, 1-2 hours, easy

With a trailhead that’s less than four miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, this asphalt trail is easy to get to and easy to navigate. Once you park, it’s a steady, windy 1.2-mile climb surrounded by rocky terrain and, toward the end, the Laurel Branch Stream trickling below. There are a few spots on the Laurel Falls trail where the asphalt is in rough shape, so bring your all-terrain stroller if you have one. At the end of the hike is a cement bridge splitting two unique falls. If you’re lucky, you’ll snag the sole wooden bench overlooking it all for a family photo or two. 

6. Gatlinburg Trail

Best hike to bring your dog, or bicycle, on
1.9 miles (3.1km) one-way, 1 hour, easy 

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed within Great Smoky Mountains National Park… with the exception of two walking paths: the Oconaluftee River Trail and the Gatlinburg Trail. These are the only two paths you can bicycle on, too. While easy, Fido will surely get a workout and be entertained by this moderately hilly experience, including a pedestrian footbridge, adjacent river banks and even chimneys remaining from prior homesites.

A dramatic area crammed with goose-bump-inducing vistas, shimmering lakes, towering waterfalls, soaring striped granite boulders, and vast emerald-green forests, Yosemite National Park is a beacon for the world’s hiking community – some 4 million people come to explore its 750 miles of trails each year. 

The best way to experience it all is to lace up your boots and head out on two feet. There are hikes for a range of abilities, from short punch-packing walks with staggering scenery to heart-racing overnight backcountry hikes for solitude and nature spotting (more than 400 species of animals reside in the park). Here are the six best hikes in Yosemite National Park.

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1. Half Dome

Best hike for adventurers
17 miles (27km) round trip, 12-16 hours, strenuous

Half Dome has become the trail for thrill-seeking day-trippers visiting Yosemite National Park. The 4900ft climb is one the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the US. It takes in the crowd-pleasing Vernal and Nevada waterfalls, before going through tranquil sequoia forests and above the timber blankets to a vertiginous 200ft cable-assisted nerve-testing granite climb to the 8844ft Half Dome peak. 

The cables are only up between late May and October, and to prevent crowding, permits are required to climb the sub-dome and Half Dome; around 300 are awarded by lottery per day via recreation.gov.

Reach Half Dome via the immensely popular – and steep – Mist Trail, which can be completed as a shorter day hike (see below). It’s also possible to break the hike up over two days and camp on the way to Half Dome, climbing up 4.8 miles from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley Campground.

2. Mist Trail

Best hike for waterfalls
5.4 miles (8.6km) round trip, 5-6 hours, moderate to strenuous

This belter of a hike climbs a long, slippery granite staircase, which winds along the Merced River as the towering falls spray mist on hikers. Many choose to start at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley and just climb the 1000ft, 2.4-mile round trip to the plunging 317ft Vernal Falls. On many days rainbows can be viewed in the frothy cascade from the top. Continue on a little to view the fast-flowing Emerald Pool. 

Those with strength left in their knees can ascend the switchbacks a further 2000ft to the powerful and thunderous 594ft-high Nevada Fall. Climb above it for awesome views of the valley, then descend via the John Muir Trail for soaring views of the Liberty Cap granite dome and Nevada Fall beside it.

11 stunning waterfalls at Yosemite National Park

3. Yosemite Valley Loop

Best hike for major attractions
11.5 mi (18.5 km) full loop, 5-7 hours, easy

Don’t walk this trail for the wow factor, but to soak up some understated Yosemite charm – and find a surprising amount of solitude. With little altitude change, the trail follows some of the first wagon roads in the area and is a great way to get acquainted with the park’s meadows, granite cliffs, and natural water features.

Ramblers will see the iconic vertical rock formation El Capitan – a 3000ft granite monolith immortalized by Alex Honnold in the Oscar-winning movie Free Solo – and one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, Yosemite Falls, tumbling 2425ft from top to bottom. There are also views of the Three Brothers rock formation, named for the three sons of Chief Tenaya, head of the Ahwahneechee tribe, plus meandering sections of the 145-mile Merced River. 

The route is best completed in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom, or in the fall when the trees turn red and golden. Near dusk, there’s a good chance of spotting mule deer. Keep a lookout too for hawks, woodpeckers, and elusive black bears. The relatively flat path is, in places, wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The loop can be broken into segments or walked in its entirety and is open year-round.

4. Four Mile Trail

Best high hike 
9.6 miles (15.4km) round trip, 6-8 hours, strenuous

This trail is the whole package, connecting two of Yosemite’s big draws – Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point – and boasting magnificent views. Climbing 3200ft from the valley floor to heights of 7200ft, along forest paths, up switchbacks, and along wide rocky ledges, it shows off the park’s most prized landmarks: Yosemite Falls, Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, Sentinel Dome, Mirror Lake, Tenaya Canyon, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, North Dome and the Royal Arches. 

Retrace your steps to return to the starting point, or make it a loop hike by continuing on a further 8.5 miles on the Panorama Trail to Nevada Fall, following the Mist Trail to Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. The trail is closed in winter.

How to spend your first visit to Yosemite National Park

5. Mirror Lake 

Best hike for families
2-5 miles round trip, around 2 hours, easy

Get up close to the base of Half Dome on this relaxing hike through peaceful forests, crossing Tenaya Creek to Mirror Lake – one of the few swimming holes in the park. Mirror Lake’s teardrop-shaped bowl formed as a result of landslides in the area, thought to be caused by a historic earthquake; it refills each year when the Tenaya Creek floods, trapping water in the basin. 

The Ahwahneechee indigenous peoples enjoyed the place too, naming it Ahwiyah, meaning “quiet water.” But these relaxing pools won’t be here forever – sand from Tenaya Creek is building, and the accumulation of sediment means the area will eventually become a meadow. Note that the pool itself is seasonal and gets crowded in early summer, though it’s too dry for swimming during the peak of summer. 

Hikers in spring, however, are rewarded with dogwoods in bloom and reflections of Half Dome and Mt Watkins on the water’s surface – a photo opportunity too irresistible to miss. Go in winter if you’re in search of isolation. 

6. Yosemite Falls

Best hard hike 
6.8 miles (10.9km) round trip, 5-6 hours, strenuous

Built between 1873 and 1877, this switchback-heavy, thigh-burning, sweat-inducing 3000ft elevation-gain hike leads you up stone steps to the tallest waterfall in North America, which drops some 2425ft. The epic views on this historic trail start from 1000ft, around a mile in, at 5031ft-high Columbia Rock, where you can see Half Dome in the distance. 

The path snakes through oaks to Lower Yosemite Fall, where the mist cools you down in spring whether you want it to or not. At 6936ft-high Yosemite Point, you’ll get “it was all worth it” views of Half Dome, North Dome, Clouds Rest, Glacier Point, Cathedral Rocks and the Lost Arrow formation.

Tips for hiking in Yosemite National Park

• Pick up a park map at the entrance and drop by the visitor center for up-to-date trail information – weather, landslides, river flows, fallen trees, fires and more can make hikes inaccessible.
• Be bear-aware, especially in the backcountry. Use a bell on hikes so bears know you are approaching, bring bear canisters if camping in the wild and use bear lockers in campsites. Don’t leave food in your car overnight.
• Don’t forget to enter the permit lottery if you hope to climb Half Dome or leave the park via the John Muir Trail. You’ll likely need a permit for backcountry treks as well, so check your route’s regulations in advance.
• Use the shuttles when possible to help reduce traffic in the park.
• Hike early for fewer crowds. Book campsites in advance where possible.
• If you’re doing multi-day hikes, plan your water consumption: check where you can fill up your water bottles on the route, and use sterilizing tablets or a water filter when filling up from a river.
• Don’t rely on your cell phone – the signal is patchy and almost non-existent in the backcountry. Instead, download offline maps before you enter the park.

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