Mega-List of North America’s Best Hiking Trails

Record numbers of people are expected to hit some of America’s best trails this summer — as the number of hikers and backpackers in the U.S. has been steadily rising over the past few years. Here’s an overview of some of the best hiking trails in North America, including costs, where relevant.

Appalachian Trail (Georgia to Maine)

• • Fees: Although it’s free to hike the trail, certain parks along the way charge a fee. For instance, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park charges $20 per person for a hiker permit (even if you’re just passing through). Baxter State Park, also along the trail, charges hikers $15, plus an additional $21 if you stay overnight.
  • Accessibility: The Southern entrance of the trail is two hours northeast of Atlanta and it remains within an easy driving distance of major east coast cities throughout the trail. If you’re planning on hiking a section of the trail, be sure to arrange your pickup ahead of time. Many parts of the trail don’t receive good cell service.
  • Accommodations: Campsites along the Appalachian Trail cost between $5 and $30 per night. If you are looking to rent a campsite in one of the national parks along the trail, it can cost up to $50 per night (or $100 for a private hut rental).

Arches National Park (Moab, Utah)

• Fees: Because Arches is a national park, there are entrance fees. If you’re driving into the national park, you’ll pay $25 for seven days. Otherwise, the entrance fee for a single person is $10.
• Accessibility: Most people get o the park via car. If you are flying in, it’s 236 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Accommodations: Campgrounds are available in Arches National Park. For a standard campsite, you’ll pay $25 per night. If you’d prefer to camp out, you’ll have to pay for a backpacking permit, which is $7 and is good for up to seven days.

Colorado Trail (Colorado)

• Fees: Hikers aren’t required to pay a fee to hike the Colorado Trail. However, those traveling through wilderness areas will be required to sign in at a registration station.
• Accessibility: You can get pretty easy access to the Colorado Trail at Waterton Canyon, near Denver. The trailhead is easily reached using CO-470, Denver’s outer loop freeway.
• Accommodations: Dispersed camping is free along the trail. Be sure you pitch your tent no closer than 100 feet to the marked trail, as required by Colorado law.

 Columbia River Gorge (Washington and Oregon)

• Fees: Buy a day pass to hike the Columbia River Gorge for $5. You can buy it online or on-site. Depending on your activities, you may be required to purchase other permits and passes along the trail as well.
• Accessibility: It is easy to navigate the Columbia River Gorge. Many people drive to the gorge to hike and perform other outdoor activities from nearby cities, such as Portland and Dallesport.
• Accommodations: Campgrounds along the Columbia River Gorge cost between $15 and $20 per night. However, dispersed camping is allowed and is free-of-charge.

Glacier National Park (Montana)

• Fees: Single entry into the national park is $15. Cars being parked on the premises will cost an additional $20.
• Accessibility: Most people visiting Glacier National Park will be driving. If you’re flying into Montana to hike the park’s trails, Kalispell is the closest airport, with Great Falls being the next closest, and Spokane airport about 4.5 hours from the park.
• Accommodations: Campsites cost between $10 and $23 per night; however, you can get a back-country permit for $7 per night per person. This will allow you to camp wherever you’re able to pitch a tent in the park.

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

• Fees: Yes, there is a charge to visit the Grand Canyon National Park. Single vehicles cost $30 for a seven-day pass and you will pay $15 per person to enter the park via the Grand Canyon Railway. You’ll also be required to purchase a back-country permit, which is $10, plus $8 per person below the rim and $8 per group above the rim.
• Accessibility: Depending on whether you are visiting the north or south rim of the Grand Canyon, it is fairly accessible via public transportation. If you’re traveling from farther away, it isn’t far from a major airport in Phoneix.
• Accommodations: There is free dispersed camping allowed throughout the park. Inquire within the park about any specific restrictions. Whether you’re planning a visit to the north or south rim, you’ll have plenty of accommodations to choose from. On the north rim, many campground sites charge $18 to $25 for the first vehicle and $8 for the second. Sites allow for up to two cars, six people and three tents per party.

Iztaccihuatl (Mexico City)

• Fees: There are no overt fees for hiking in this area but not many people are hiking the volcano without a guided tour — those cost around $50 per person.
• Accessibility: You will need to hire a private driver or take a bus to one of the trailheads near the volcano. Outside of getting to Mexico, the Ixtaccihuatl trails are fairly accessible.
• Accommodations: Because this has become a destination for hikers and tourists, there are plenty of hotels nearby. However, camping is also an option for visitors. You will want to check with locals to get rules and regulations for camping.

John Muir Trail (Yosemite National Park, California)

• Fees: You will need to apply for a wilderness permit if you intend on staying overnight along the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park. There are only a certain number of permits provided each day, so you will want to plan accordingly. You’ll also pay $15 per person (on foot) or $30 per car to enter the park.
• Accessibility: There is no public transportation to Yosemite National Park. However, Eastern Sierra Transit provides bus service from Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes and the YARTS Highway 120 East bus provides service from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley. Those flying in can fly into Mammoth Lakes, Oakland, or Los Angeles.
• Accommodations: The wilderness permit mentioned above ($5 per reservation, plus $5 per person) is all you need to pay for to camp in Yosemite National Park. If you’d like to stay on a campground, prices range from $12 to $26 per night.

Killarney Park (Ontario, Canada)

• Fees: Visitors to Killarney Park will pay up to $20 per day for a parking permit while they are hiking. There is also a walk-in fee of up to $2.
• Accessibility: Killarney Park is easily accessible and works with Park Bus, a service that brings people to hiking trails, canoe access points, lodges, and campsites. You can take a taxi to Park Bus, which will help you find the best way to get where you’d like to start your hike.
• Accommodations: Primitive campsites cost $34.47 per night and more advanced campsites, with electricity and showers, cost up to $52 per night.

Long Trail (Vermont)

• Fees: There are no fees associated with hiking the Long Trail.
• Accessibility: Driving is the best possible way to reach the Long Trail in Vermont. If you have to fly to get close, it is advised to fly into Burlington or Albany.
• Accommodations: Dispersed camping is free of charge along The Long Trail, as long as it’s 100 feet from a marked trail and 200 feet from water sources (in compliance with Vermont law). Campgrounds in the area typically cost between $5 and $20 per night, although some might be free during the offseason.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail (North Carolina)

• Fees: There is no fee to access the trail, but the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (which the trail passes through) does require a $4-per-person nightly back-country permit while you are traveling there.
• Accessibility: You can get to the trail easily from Raleigh and Greensboro airports. The best trailheads in the Raleigh area can be accessed via Creedmoor Road (NC-50) and Baptist Road (off NC-98).
• Accommodations:  As with many of the trails on this list, dispersed camping is available free of charge. If you’d prefer a campground, Falls Lake Recreation Area has sites available between $20 and $50 a night.

New River Gorge (West Virginia)

• Fees: There is no fee to enjoy the New River Gorge or its trails. However, there may be sections of the trail that pass through areas of the national park, where you may be required to pay a fee.
• Accessibility: New River Gorge is extremely accessible and there are a number of businesses and other access points along the river where you’ll find trailheads and canoe access points.
• Accommodations: Lodging is available relatively close to New River Gorge if you aren’t interested in camping. Dispersed camping is free of charge at New River Gorge. You’ll also be able to access eight campsites nearby that cost up to $50 per night.

North Country Trail (New York to North Dakota)

• Fees: There are no fees required to hike the North Country Trail. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota charge $15 and $16 for back-country permits, respectively.
• Accessibility: Individuals residing in the northeast or midwest might be within driving distance of this trail. It’s also easy to access via car (or taxi) from the nearest major airport. Superior Trail, a segment of the North Country Trail, would require a flight into Duluth International Airport.
• Accommodations: Dispersed camping is offered along the North Country Trail at no charge. There is also free camping at Hemlock Glen and Spruce Pond (which are primitive campgrounds along the trail).

Oregon Coast Trail (Oregon)

• Fees: Some areas of the Oregon Coast Trail may charge fees. For example, a $5 entrance fee is charged at Humbug Mountain State Park.
• Accessibility: The best way to access the trail is by driving. Those flying to get closer to the trail can fly into Seattle and then continue the voyage by car.
• Accommodations: As long as you are no within sight of a resident, you can camp on the beach. Tent sites cost $7 per night each. During peak season, it is wise to call ahead and reserve a tent site.

Ouachita Trail (Arkansas and Oklahoma)

• Fees: Hikers do not have to pay any fees, but are encouraged to register at points throughout the trail.
• Accessibility: The western terminus of the trail is at Talimena State Park (two to three hours from Tulsa and Oklahoma City). The eastern entrance to Ouachita Trail (Pinnacle State Park) is driveable from Little Rock, Arkansas.
• Accommodations: Friends of the Ouachita Trail offers free shelters along the entire trail. Many of the campgrounds in the national parks are free as well. However, more popular campsites along the trail may cost anywhere between $8 and $30 per night.

Pacific Crest Trail (California to Washington)

• Fees: People planning to hike more than 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) will need to obtain a long distance permit (free of charge ) from the National Forest Service. Although much of the trail is available to hikers without a permit, some areas may require it. Sections of the trail that pass through Yosemite National Park, for instance, cost $5 per reservation, plus $5 per person. You’ll also need to pay $5 for your car if you’re planning on driving it into the park.
• Accessibility: Many folks living on the west coast can easily drive to the trail within four hours or less. Those flying in can choose where they’d like to land, based on where they’d like to hike. You can easily access segments of the trail by flying into Portland International Airport.
• Accommodations: As with many other trails, dispersed camping is permitted at no cost. Campsites range in price from free to $21 per night.

Pacific Northwest Trail (Montana to Washington)

• Fees: There is no set fee for the trail, but certain areas do require fees and permits. The trail passes through Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, which requires hikers to purchase a $5 permit each day they are in the park. Backcountry permits in Olympic National Park, also on the trail cost $8 per night.
• Accessibility: The easiest way to get to the trail is by driving. Those flying will find Spokane International Airport to be the easiest airport to access the trail.
• Accommodations: Dispersed camping is free of charge along the trail. Overnight camping at organized campgrounds cost between $10 and $23 per site, per night.

Tahoe Rim Trail (California and Nevada)

• Fees: You are required to have an overnight permit when hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail. It’s $5 per person for one night. For two or more nights, you’ll pay $10. It is rewarded on a quota system. In order to build a campfire, you need to obtain a California campfire permit.
• Accessibility: Lake Tahoe is fairly accessible. People living in northern California or Nevada can easily drive. It’s an hour from Reno and about three-and-a-half hours from San Francisco. Lake Tahoe is about three-and-a-half hours’ drive from San Francisco and an hour from Reno, so plan to fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport if you’re flying.
• Accommodations: Dispersed camping is allowed throughout Eldorado National Forest (except in Desolation Wilderness) free of charge as long as your campsite is at least 100 feet away from marked trails. Campgrounds start at $10 per night.

Hiking remains one of the most affordable ways to experience the outdoors and get a bit of exercise. If your summer plans include checking out any of the trails mentioned above, have a great time.

Readers, have you hiked any of the paths mentioned here, and if so, which one(s)? In the comments section beneath this post, please tell us about your experiences with hiking — including any future plans to check out the destinations in this article.

Read More

• National Park Fee Free Days 2018
• National Park Holiday Schedule 2018
• Save Money on a National Park Trip
• 10 Ways to Save Money at National Parks
• National Bike Month: Time to Take Your Bike for a Spin
• Summer Road Trip Planning: Campgrounds, Trailer Parks, or Hotels?
• You Too Can Go to the Park for Free
• Free National Park Pass for All 4th Grade Students and Their Families
• Complete Price Ranking of the U.S.’ Most Popular Theme Parks
• The Best Beaches to Travel to This Summer
• These 10 Cities Have the Best Summer Jobs in 2018

Amanda Blankenship

Amanda Blankenship is a full-time stay-at-home mom. Her family recently welcomed their second child, a baby boy, into the world. She loves writing about various topics, including politics and personal finance. In her spare time, Amanda loves to play with her kids, make food from scratch, crochet, and read.