Moderate trails
The bread-and-butter of national-park hiking — meaningful days on foot that reward steady fitness.
A few words on what these labels actually mean. Trail Compass uses the National Park Service's own published rating where available and infers from mileage and elevation gain otherwise. "Easy" routes are typically under 3 miles with under 500 feet of climb. "Moderate" covers the broad middle: 3 to 8 miles, often 500 to 1,500 feet of climb. "Strenuous" begins where the climb rate exceeds roughly 700 feet per mile, the total day passes 2,000 feet of vertical, or the route includes meaningful exposure or scrambling. Always read the individual trail page before you commit — these buckets are a starting point, not a substitute for the specifics.
49 Palms Oasis
Climb over a low ridge to a desert oasis of fan palms.
Abrams Falls Trail
Cades Cove favorite leading to a short but powerful waterfall.
Alpine Lakes Loop
Subalpine loop visiting two glacial lakes.
Andrews Bald
Easy ridge-top meadow with summer wildflowers, off Clingmans Dome.
Annie Creek Canyon
Short loop into a gorge of pumice spires.
Avalanche Lake Trail
Old-growth cedar trail to a cirque lake fed by hanging waterfalls.
Aztec Butte Trail
Slickrock climb to Ancestral Puebloan granaries.
Backcountry Camping Trail
Walk to a primitive camping zone in the dunes.
Balconies Cliffs and Cave
West-side talus cave loop popular with rock climbers.
Bear Gulch Cave to Reservoir
Talus cave loop (closed during bat maternity season) ending at a small reservoir.
Bearfence Mountain Loop
Brief but real rock scramble with 360-degree views.
Beaver Ponds Loop
Quiet meadow-and-pond loop near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Beech Mountain Loop
Short fire-tower climb on the quieter west side of Mount Desert Island.
Bench and Snow Lakes
Family-friendly walk to two scenic alpine lakes.
Big Cinder Butte
Walk to one of the largest cinder cones in the world.
Big Hollow Trail
Quiet surface loop through karst topography.
Big Meadows Lodge to Lewis Falls
Quick falls walk from the Big Meadows lodge area.
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (Hellroaring)
River-canyon walk past a historic suspension bridge.
Blue Hen Falls and Buttermilk Falls
Two waterfall stops on the Buckeye Trail.
Blue Mesa Trail
Short steep loop through banded blue badland clay.
Boland Ridge Trail
Climb to a high ridge with views deep into the prairie.
Boogerman Loop
Cataloochee Valley loop through old-growth forest with massive tulip poplars.
Boy Scout Trail
Classic through-hike across the heart of the Wonderland of Rocks.
Boy Scout Tree Trail
Quiet old-growth walk to a hidden waterfall.
Bristlecone-Glacier Trail
Walk past ancient bristlecone pines to the only glacier in Nevada.
Bubbles Divide Loop
Short climb to the famous balanced Bubble Rock and the twin Bubble summits.
Buena Vista Peak
Cedar Grove area climb to a granite-dome viewpoint.
Bumpass Hell Trail
Boardwalk loop through the largest hydrothermal area in the park.
Bunsen Peak Loop
Climb to a striking volcanic plug north of Mammoth.
Caprock Coulee Loop
Quiet northern-unit loop through bison country.
Cascade Canyon Trail
Climb past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point into a glacial U-shaped canyon.
Cascade Pass Trail
Most accessible high-country trail in the park, with optional Sahale Arm extension.
Castle Trail
Longest trail in the park, traversing the mixed-grass prairie below the eroded buttes.
Cathedral Lakes Trail
Tuolumne Meadows favorite to two granite-rimmed lakes.
Cavern Point Loop
Most popular Santa Cruz hike, with sea-stack views.
Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail
Ridge walk along the AT to a famous rocky overlook.
Chimney Rock Loop
Pinnacle-anchored loop with sweeping views of the western reef.
Chimneys Trail
Open desert walk to a row of volcanic dikes with petroglyphs.
Coastal Prairie Trail
Long flat walk through coastal prairie to Carl Ross Key area.
Coastal Trail (Klamath Section)
Cliff-top section of the long-distance California Coastal Trail.
Cohab Canyon Trail
Climb out of Fruita to a hidden canyon used as a hideout by 19th-century polygamists.
Comet Falls Trail
Climb to a 320-foot waterfall through old-growth forest.
Cowles Bog Trail
Lakeshore-and-dunes loop through a National Natural Landmark wetland.
Crater Peak Trail
Old-growth forest climb to a quiet summit south of the lake.
Crater Rim Trail (West Section)
Caldera-edge walk past steam vents and overlooks of Halema'uma'u.
Crystal Cave Trail
Approach trail to the marble cave (tour required to enter).
Cub Lake Loop
Moraine Park loop popular for fall elk-rut viewing.
Dark Hollow Falls
Steep walk to one of the easiest-to-reach waterfalls in the park.
Death Canyon Trail
Quieter canyon hike with moose, waterfalls, and a historic patrol cabin.
Deer Mountain Trail
Compact climb to a 10,013-foot summit accessible from US 36.
Delicate Arch Trail
Iconic out-and-back climbing slickrock to the most photographed arch in the world.
Devils Den
Quiet desert walk to a hidden side canyon with seasonal pools.
Devils Garden Trail
Chesler Park-area walk to a cluster of standing rocks (note: this is a placeholder spelling).
Devils Garden Trail to Dark Angel
Sandy walk to a dark sandstone monolith deep in the fins area.
Devils Hall Trail
Climb a rocky wash to a slot in vertical limestone walls.
Diablo Lake Trail
Lakeside ridge walk above the iconic turquoise Diablo Lake.
Doyles River Falls
South District double-falls walk.
Dumpling Mountain Overlook
Climb above Brooks Camp to a sweeping lake view.
Emerald Lake Trail
String of three subalpine lakes on the most popular short hike in the park.
Emerald Pools (Upper)
Three-tiered pool walk through hanging gardens.
Eunice Lake Loop
Mowich Lake loop past the historic Mowich Lake patrol cabin.
Fall Canyon
Long, scenic side-canyon walk with a Class-3 dryfall scramble at the end.
False Kiva Trail
Rough, unmarked route to a controversial ceremonial structure (currently closed).
Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald
Alternate Andrews Bald route in the high country.
Garfield Peak Trail
Climb to a high point above Rim Village with full views of the lake.
Glenwood Dunes
Loop through restored oak savanna and sand dunes.
Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point
Walk through eroded badlands to one of the iconic viewpoints.
Gorham Mountain Trail
Granite ridge walk with constant ocean views, a great introduction to Acadia hiking.
Great Head Trail
Compact cliff-and-beach loop above Sand Beach.
Halema'uma'u Trail
Descend through native rainforest to the floor of Kīlauea caldera.
Hawksbill Loop
Loop alternative to the out-and-back to the highest peak.
Hawksbill Summit
Climb to the highest peak in the park (4,051 ft).
Hen Wallow Falls
Cosby-area walk to a 90-foot ribbon waterfall.
Hickman Bridge Trail
Most popular hike in the park, ending at a 133-foot natural bridge.
Hidden Lake Overlook
Short boardwalk-and-trail climb from Logan Pass to a high overlook.
Hoh River Trail to Five Mile Island
Flat rainforest walk along the iconic Hoh River.
Hurricane Hill Trail
Paved climb in the high country with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Iceberg Lake Trail
Stunning hike to a cirque lake that holds icebergs into July.
Inferno Cone
Steep climb up a black cinder cone with views of the lava field.
Inspiration Point
Anacapa Island walk to one of the great views in the Channel Islands.
James Irvine to Miners Ridge
Long old-growth loop linking three of the most famous redwood groves.
Jenny Lake Loop
Flat circumnavigation of the iconic glacial lake at the foot of the Tetons.
Joint Trail
Walk through narrow joint cracks barely shoulder-width at points.
Jones Hole Creek Trail
Trout stream walk past Native American pictographs.
Jones Lagoon Paddle Trail
Marine paddle through a shallow lagoon — boat access only.
Kelso Dunes
Climb the largest dune field in the Mojave — known to "sing" in dry conditions.
Kings Creek Falls
Walk through meadows to a 30-foot waterfall.
Kingsnake Trail
Quiet route to remote ridges within the floodplain.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
Walk across a still-steaming 1959 lava lake floor.
Lake Helene
Less-trafficked alternative to Emerald Lake from Bear Lake trailhead.
Ledges Trail
Climb among sandstone ledges and through cool rock passageways.
Lewis Spring Falls
Quiet Central District falls walk.
Locator Lake Trail
Boat-access trail (water taxi to trailhead) through northern boreal forest.
Lookout Point and Centennial Loop
Quiet prairie-and-canyon loop seldom seen by visitors.
Lost Horse Mine Trail
Walk to a well-preserved 1890s gold-mining ruin.
Lost Mine Trail
Best-bang-for-buck climb in the Chisos, with sweeping views from the upper switchbacks.
Lost Palms Oasis
Long desert walk to a hidden grove of native California fan palms.
Lyell Canyon Backpack
Easy-grade backcountry trail along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne.
Mammoth Cave Historic Tour
Ranger-led walk through 2 miles of the cave's most historic passages.
Maple Pass Loop
Classic North Cascades loop with three lake basins and ridge views.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Loop through one of the most famous sequoia groves in the world.
Mary's Rock from Thornton Gap
Alternate longer approach to the Mary's Rock summit.
Mary's Rock via Pinnacle Picnic Area
Short ridge climb to a granite outcropping with a great Piedmont overlook.
Mastodon Peak Loop
Short Cottonwood-area loop to a small summit and a historic gold mine.
Medicine Root Loop
Quieter prairie loop linking Saddle Pass and Castle trails.
Middle Fork Trail
River-side walk through hot-spring fed waters.
Mills Lake
Family-friendly favorite to a classic glacial lake.
Mist Falls Trail
Kings Canyon classic to a wide cataract on the South Fork Kings River.
Mono Pass Trail
Tioga Pass-area walk to a high alpine pass on the Sierra crest.
Monument Canyon Trail
Walk past the iconic Independence Monument and Kissing Couple formations.
Moro Rock Trail
Stone-stepped granite-dome climb with sweeping Sierra views.
Mosaic Canyon
Polished marble narrows accessible from Stovepipe Wells.
Mosca Pass Trail
Forested climb out of the dune field into the Sangre de Cristos.
Mount Baldy Beach Walk
Climb a moving sand dune (currently closed) to the Lake Michigan shore.
Mount Franklin via Tobin Harbor
Climb to a high ridge with views of Lake Superior.
Mount Fremont Lookout
Sunrise-area climb to a historic fire lookout.
Mount Washburn via Dunraven Pass
Most popular peak hike in the park, with bighorn sheep and panoramic views.
Mule Ears Spring Trail
Open desert walk to a small spring at the base of two volcanic plugs.
Naches Peak Loop
Subalpine wildflower loop crossing the Pacific Crest Trail.
Natural Entrance Route
Steep paved descent through the natural entrance to the Big Room.
Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Combination
Most popular hike in the park, descending Wall Street into the hoodoo amphitheater.
North Dome via Porcupine Creek
Quieter Tioga Road approach to a granite dome facing Half Dome.
North Mountain Loop
Forest loop on the historic spa hill behind Bathhouse Row.
Notch Trail
Climb a wooden ladder to a dramatic overlook of the White River valley.
Oak Flat Loop
Below-rim South Rim loop into the canyon's upper reaches.
Oak Ridge Trail
Longer interior loop through old-growth swamp forest.
Observation Point via East Mesa
Top-down route to the highest viewpoint of Zion Canyon.
Old Pinnacles Trail
Connector route between the east and west sides of the park.
Old Wagon Trail
Climb to a sweeping mesa-top view of the Waterpocket Fold.
Onion Portage
Caribou-migration crossing point on the Kobuk River — air access only.
Ouzel Falls Trail
Wild Basin classic past three named cascades.
Ozette Triangle
Boardwalk-and-beach loop on the wildest stretch of Pacific coast.
Park Avenue Trail
Walk between the towering monolith walls that give this iconic viewpoint its name.
Petrified Forest Loop
Long backcountry loop past one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood outside Arizona.
Petroglyph Point Trail
Cliff-edge walk to one of the largest petroglyph panels in the park.
Phelps Lake Loop
Loop around a serene moraine-dammed lake from the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve.
Pine City Trail
Quiet walk through boulder country to a 1920s ranching site.
Pipiwai Trail
Bamboo forest climb past Makahiku Falls to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
Prater Ridge Trail
Climb above Morefield Campground for views of Mancos Valley.
Pueblo Alto Trail
Climb to a mesa-top great house overlooking Pueblo Bonito.
Ramparts Overlook
Less-traveled rim walk with the most extensive amphitheater view.
Red Beds Trail
Longer loop through the surrounding sediment beds.
Rim Overlook
Short climb above Hickman Bridge for sweeping views.
Rim Trail (Mather to Hermits Rest)
Mostly paved cliff-top stroll with frequent shuttle pickup points.
Root Glacier Trail
Walk from Kennecott past mining ruins to a glacier you can walk onto with a guide.
Rose River Loop
Cool waterfall loop linking Dark Hollow and Rose River falls.
Ryan Mountain Trail
Compact climb to the highest accessible peak in the park (5,457 ft) with 360-degree desert views.
Salt Run Trail
Quiet ravine loop near Happy Days Lodge.
Schoodic Head Loop
Quieter mainland-side loop with the highest point on the Schoodic Peninsula.
Scoville Point Loop
Rocky Lake Superior shoreline loop from Rock Harbor.
Serpents Trail
Switchback up the historic original park road.
Sheep Creek Connector
Below-rim connector linking the Peekaboo and Navajo loops.
Sidewinder Canyon
Three slot-canyon side branches off the main wash.
Slickrock Foot Trail
Family-friendly Needles loop over rolling slickrock.
Sound of Silence Route
Route-finding loop through canyons of the Tilted Rocks geology.
South Mesa Trail
Climb to ruins on a sandstone mesa with petroglyphs.
South River Falls Trail
South District favorite to a 83-foot waterfall in a cool hollow.
Spectra Point Trail
Walk to ancient bristlecone pines on the rim of the amphitheater.
Spray Park Trail
Lush meadow basin in the Mowich Lake area.
Stanford Trail to Brandywine
Connector trail linking two of the most popular spots in the park.
Sulphur Creek Narrows
Lightly used route through a narrow canyon south of Fruita.
Sunset Trail
Longest trail in the park, looping above the historic spa city.
Suzy's Cave
Walk to a sea cave above the current lake level.
Tall Trees Grove
Permit-required loop into one of the largest old-growth groves in the park.
Tanalian Falls Trail
Family-friendly walk near Port Alsworth to a waterfall and lake.
Tanawha Trail (Rough Ridge)
Boardwalk-and-rock walk to a sweeping ridge view near Grandfather Mountain.
Tanks Trail
Short walk to the natural tinajas above Capitol Gorge.
Teutonia Peak Trail
Climb through the densest Joshua tree forest in the world.
The Narrows (Bottom-Up)
River walk through a 1,000-foot slot canyon — water hike requiring rental neoprene in cool months.
Tokopah Falls Trail
Family-friendly walk to a 1,200-foot tiered waterfall.
Tolmie Peak Lookout
Climb past Eunice Lake to a historic fire lookout with a classic Rainier view.
Tomales Point Trail
Tule elk hike to the northern tip of Point Reyes.
Tower Arch Trail
Quiet route in the remote Klondike Bluffs district.
Tower Bridge Trail
Steep descent to a famous double-arch hoodoo formation.
Triple Lakes Trail
Long lower-elevation through-hike with spruce forest and several glacial lakes.
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Quieter alternative to Mariposa, with a walk-through fallen sequoia.
Two Medicine Lake South Shore
Lakeside walk to Twin Falls and Pumpelly Pillar overlook.
Two Ocean Lake Loop
Quiet loop around an isolated north-park lake.
Ubehebe Crater Loop
Walk around the rim of a 600-foot-deep volcanic crater.
Upheaval Dome Loop
Two overlooks of the mysterious crater — meteor impact or salt dome remains debated.
Wall Arch Site
Walk past the site of the famous arch that collapsed in 2008.
Walnut Canyon Desert Loop
Surface drive-and-walk loop through Chihuahuan Desert.
Watchman Peak Trail
Short climb to a historic fire lookout above the western rim.
Watchman Trail
Easy from-the-visitor-center walk to a great sunset view.
West Beach Trail Combo
Beach, dune-blowout, and oak savanna.
Widforss Trail
Quiet North Rim forest walk to a remote canyon overlook.
Window Trail
Descend to a polished pour-off framing the desert beyond the Chisos basin.
Wizard Island Summit
Climb the cinder cone in the middle of the lake (boat access only).
Wonderland Wash
Off-trail route into the boulder-rich Wonderland of Rocks.