What are the best national parks for hiking?

By Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted - June 19, 2025 at 9:51 p.m.

 
Hikers descend a ridge inside Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, Colo. on Aug. 4, 2016. Kuru recently ranked the national park as the third-best spot to hike.

Hikers descend a ridge inside Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, Colo. on Aug. 4, 2016. Kuru recently ranked the national park as the third-best spot to hike. (Brennan Linsley, Associated Press)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Kuru Footwear ranked the Top 10 national parks for hiking in 2024.
  • According to Kuru's survey, 83% plan to hike this year, and 65% will visit national parks by year's end.
  • Kuru ranked Utah's Zion National Park at No. 9 in its Top 10.

SALT LAKE CITY — The best way to explore the wonders of a national park is on foot. But among the dozens of national parks across the country, which ones are the best for hiking?

Kuru Footwear, perhaps fittingly, compiled a list of the Top 10 national parks to visit this year using a scoring system based on the number of annual visitors in 2024, the number of hiking trails available, and the average rating of those trails based on hiker reviews. All but two of them are in the West.

"From iconic peaks to quiet coastal paths, these rankings were built using real data — visitor numbers, trail variety, and hiker reviews — to highlight the best national parks for hiking. When we asked hundreds of Americans about their hiking plans for the year, the message was clear: This is the year to get outside and get moving," according to Kuru.

"Every trail offers something different — new views, new challenges, and new stories to take home. This summer, chase the ones that move you, and make it a season to remember."

In an April survey, the company found 36% of Americans have already visited a national park in 2025, and 65% say they plan to by the end of the year. And 83% say they'll be hiking while they're there.

Here's Kuru's list of the 10 best national parks for hiking:

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park — North Carolina and Tennessee

Late afternoon light streaks across golden leaves in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Nov. 16, 2021. The national park was named Kuru's top spot for hiking Wednesday.
Late afternoon light streaks across golden leaves in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Nov. 16, 2021. The national park was named Kuru's top spot for hiking Wednesday. (Photo: Ben Gray, Associated Press)

The undisputed king of hiking variety and foot traffic.

  • Hiking trails: 348
  • Visitors in 2024: 12.1 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.4

2. Yellowstone National Park — Wyoming

Old Faithful erupts as the moon rises over the Upper Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park, Mont., Sept. 25, 2023. Yellowstone was ranked the second-best place to hike according to Kuru Wednesday.
Old Faithful erupts as the moon rises over the Upper Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park, Mont., Sept. 25, 2023. Yellowstone was ranked the second-best place to hike according to Kuru Wednesday. (Photo: Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press)

A volcanic wonderland with a trail for every mood.

  • Hiking trails: 252
  • Visitors in 2024: 4.7 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.4

3. Rocky Mountain National Park — Colorado

A trail in Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake, Colo. on Aug. 5, 2020. The park was ranked third on Kuru's best places to hike Wednesday.
A trail in Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake, Colo. on Aug. 5, 2020. The park was ranked third on Kuru's best places to hike Wednesday. (Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press)

High-altitude hikes with sky-high views.

  • Hiking trails: 220
  • Visitors in 2024: 4.1 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.5

4. Yosemite National Park — California

Visitors take in a view of Bridalveil Fall, Feb. 20 in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The national park was ranked fourth on Kuru's best spots to hike Wednesday.
Visitors take in a view of Bridalveil Fall, Feb. 20 in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The national park was ranked fourth on Kuru's best spots to hike Wednesday. (Photo: Haven Daley, Associated Press)

Legendary landscapes, nearly 300 ways to explore them.

  • Hiking trails: 298
  • Visitors in 2024: 4.1 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.6

5. Acadia National Park — Maine

Acadia National Park in Maine is shown. It is the fifth best national park to hike, according to Kuru on Wednesday.
Acadia National Park in Maine is shown. It is the fifth best national park to hike, according to Kuru on Wednesday. (Photo: Susan E. Degginger, Alamy)

East Coast charm, summit-to-sea views.

  • Hiking trails: 239
  • Visitors in 2024: 3.9 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.6

6. Olympic National Park — Washington

Fall colors are shown on Hurricane Ridge Trail in Olympic National Park, Washington. This park ranked sixth best for hiking by Kuru on Wednesday.
Fall colors are shown on Hurricane Ridge Trail in Olympic National Park, Washington. This park ranked sixth best for hiking by Kuru on Wednesday. (Photo: Bill Gozansky, Alamy)

One park unites forest, mountain and coast.

  • Hiking trails: 188
  • Visitors in 2024: 3.7 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.5

7. Grand Canyon National Park — Arizona

The Colorado River is shown in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. Koru ranked the Grand Canyon National Park seventh best for hiking on Wednesday.
The Colorado River is shown in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. Koru ranked the Grand Canyon National Park seventh best for hiking on Wednesday. (Photo: kojihirano, Shutterstock)

Descend through nearly 2 billion years of Earth's history.

  • Hiking trails: 116
  • Visitors in 2024: 4.9 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.6

8. Glacier National Park — Montana

The Weeping Wall is shown at Glacier National Park in Montana. Koru ranked this national park eighth best for hiking on Wednesday.
The Weeping Wall is shown at Glacier National Park in Montana. Koru ranked this national park eighth best for hiking on Wednesday. (Photo: Eric Middelkoop, Shutterstock)

Wild and untamed with miles of solitude.

  • Hiking trails: 165
  • Visitors in 2024: 3.2 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.5

9. Zion National Park — Utah

The Zion Narrows is shown in Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah. Koru ranked this national park the ninth best for hiking on Wednesday.
The Zion Narrows is shown in Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah. Koru ranked this national park the ninth best for hiking on Wednesday. (Photo: Checubus, Shutterstock)

A maze of red rocks and bold adventure.

  • Hiking trails: 93
  • Visitors in 2024: 4.9 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.4

10. Grand Teton National Park — Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park is shown in Wyoming. Koru ranked this national park the tenth best for hiking on Wednesday.
Grand Teton National Park is shown in Wyoming. Koru ranked this national park the tenth best for hiking on Wednesday. (Photo: Oleksandr Koretskyi, Shutterstock)

High peaks, clear lakes and unforgettable trails.

  • Hiking trails: 119
  • Visitors in 2024: 3.6 million
  • Average trail rating: 4.6

Hitting the trail

Plan ahead: Choose a trail suitable for your fitness level. Check the weather, map out your trails and know the distance, elevation and facilities (yes, even the restrooms).

Appropriate footwear: Long miles, rocky terrain and steep climbs can add up fast, so make sure your shoes are up to the challenge.

Hydrate: Between the sun, altitude and hours on the trail, water is extremely important. Pack a hydration pack or extra bottles along with snacks to keep your energy up.

Protect your skin: Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat go a long way, and lightweight layers with coverage help keep you cool and protected.

Bring a basic first-aid kit. A small pack with bandages, antiseptic and pain relievers can make a big difference if someone gets a blister or ends up with a minor injury on the trail.

Stay on marked trails: Avoid shortcuts or unmarked paths, which can be dangerous.

Leave no trace: Pack out all trash and minimize your impact on the environment.

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.

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OutdoorsUtahU.S.
Dennis Romboy, Deseret NewsDennis Romboy
Dennis Romboy is an editor and reporter for the Deseret News. He has covered a variety of beats over the years, including state and local government, social issues and courts. A Utah native, Romboy earned a degree in journalism from the University of Utah. He enjoys cycling, snowboarding and running.

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