15 Best Hikes with Unique Attractions That Fall Outside U.S. National Parks
Adrenaline seekers and hikers are always on the lookout for great trails that will blow their minds away. But most of them fall within the U.S. National Parks, which can get crowded and might impact the experience. Here are some hikes with incredible attractions that will truly impress you:
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
The most popular destination in the American Southwest, Antelope Canyon’s vibrantly red-hued cliffs and gorgeous archway make you feel like you aren’t even on Earth. Antelope Canyon frequently gathers light beams, which makes it unique enough. Still, the destination becomes even more attractive for nature lovers, who won’t be able to take their eyes off its rust-hued slot canyon. Many hikes traverse the area, but all of them are relatively easy.
Devil’s Bridge Trail, Sedona, Arizona
This trail takes you to the largest sandstone archway in Sedona, named the Devil’s Bridge. Matching its name, the trail is moderately difficult, spanning about 1.8 miles round trip and with an elevation of 4600 feet. One part of the trail even leads to the Coconino forest, so you might even glimpse Mother Nature at her best. Devil’s Bridge Trail brings you the finest views of the Arizona Red Rock formations, so every breath of exhaustion is rewarding.
The Wave, Arizona
One of the most iconic destinations in Arizona, the Wave is an illustrious hike naturally carved over sandstone rock formations. It straddles the border between Arizona and Utah and is so popular that you’ll need to get a permit to traverse it. Once through, you’ll find cliffs layered with different hues of red, all trailing to the top, giving the sky a beautiful companion. The Wave offers multiple routes, but most are relatively easy and take about 6-7 miles out and back.
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
One of the few iconic landmarks in Oregon, Smith Rock State Park offers scenic views of a pristine river, deep canyons, and several thousand climbs. The park naturally attracts a lot of people, but there’s so much to see you’ll barely feel it. Smith Rock overlooks the Crooked River bend, so if you reach the top, you’ll get a beautiful bird’ s-eye view of the area. If you’re feeling daring enough, you can even climb Smith Rock.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas
Head to Texas, and you’ll find a dome enriched with granite and history. Enchanted Rock is believed to have hosted sacrifices by the Native Comanche and Tonkawa Indians, so it has been a popular destination for decades. The trail might not look too promising initially, but it crosses rust-hued cliffs until it reaches the iconic 425-foot pink granite monolith. The hike takes roughly 1.3 miles out and back, and although it is moderately challenging, it can be completed within 50 minutes.
Garden of the Gods, Colorado
A towering landscape connecting the dots in the sky, Garden of the Gods is the most iconic destination in Colorado. It comprises steep cliffs and lush green trees, which earned the name after surveyors marked the area as worthy of Gods to assemble. The Garden of Gods public park involves a tremendous hiking trail that takes you across geological formations, ecological gems, and occasional encounters with rare species like honeycomb ants.
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia
Preserving the beauty of Tallulah Gorge, which is 1000 feet deep, this state park offers mind-blowing views of the Tallulah River and surrounding areas. The trail is marked with tall green trees and dramatic rocky gullies, adding a touch of mysticism to the area. Numerous hiking trails lead tourists to Tallulah Gorge; some even span up to 20 miles, so you’ll get a pump of adrenaline and fun with every step. Because of its difficulty and popularity, you might need to obtain a permit beforehand.
Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire
Shared by the towns of Dublin and Jaffrey, Mount Monadnock is the highest peak in Cheshire County and stretches high in the sky. Mount Monadnock is assumed to be the second most-climbed mountain after Mount Fuji, and its popularity is only growing, so you might want to get there as soon as possible. The mountain has multiple trails, but most take at least 3-4 hours round trip and have extreme elevation, so they’re perfect for adrenaline seekers.
Breakneck Ridge, New York
Located between Beacon and Cold Spring, with the Hudson River running along, Breakneck Ridge is a gorgeous mountain offering bird’ s-eye views of the surrounding land. Although it offers multiple hiking trails, the Loop is the most popular one because it takes hikers around the mountain top, eventually exploring the main attractions in just a bit over three miles. The Loop involves rocky escapades and sudden moments of elevation, so it can be tough. It also crosses the Breakneck Bypass, which offers gorgeous views.
Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota
Tettegouche State Park, located on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. The park features rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and a pristine shoreline, along with miles of hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the lake and surrounding forest. Visitors can enjoy activities such as rock climbing, bird watching, fishing, and during winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Kentucky
The most popular hike at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park starts at the very beginning of the park. It traverses through lush landscapes until reaching a 125-foot waterfall that gushes into the surrounding gorge. Cumberland Falls is so beautiful that it has even earned the name of the Niagara of the South. This curtain of water requires tourists to hike a moderately challenging trail of nearly 1.8 miles, but a single glance and you’ll stop complaining.
Palouse Falls State Park, Washington
Expanding basalt canyons eventually meet at the main viewpoint, where a 198 ft waterfall dramatically falls to the ground below; this sight is the main reason the hike at Palouse Falls State Park is one you can’t ignore. Hikers can make their way through the semi-challenging trail up to the base overlook, which is even ADA-accessible. Luscious green stretches and a gorgeous skyline accompany Palouse Waterfalls.
Mount Mansfield, Vermont
For hikers seeking a destination that’s as historic as it is charming, Mount Mansfield will do the trick. The mountain is the highest in Vermont, over 4000 feet above sea level. While the hike up there gets a little challenging, it comes with eye-catching views of alpine tundra, one of the only surviving parts from the Ice Age, and the pristine Lake Champlain. Since the hike can get steep, we recommend training in advance or bringing an expert guide.
Mount Tamalpais State Park, California
A stone’s throw from the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais State Park offers a variety of gorgeous hiking trails, but the Mount Tamalpais trail takes the cake. This trail is worth the trip, offering stunning views of the mountain tops, surrounding greenery, and the Farallon Islands stretching out to the sea. If you’re lucky enough and the sky clears, you might even spot snowy tips of the Sierra Nevada.
Rattlesnake Ledge, Washington
A 30-minute drive from Bellevue, Rattlesnake Ledge offers stunning views of Cedar River, Mount Washington, and Mount Si. It is a stone’s throw from the namesake lake, so you can spend some time by the water. The trail can get busy sometimes, but you can easily avoid the crowd if you plan correctly. The trail can take considerably long, somewhere close to 3-4 hours, just to reach the top, but the breathtaking views will be worth it.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.