The Best Hikes in the United States

Lottery permits

Several American summits and rock formations limit numbers by lottery. A permit is needed beyond Scout Lookout on Angels Landing in Zion, for the cables on Half Dome in Yosemite, for Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada and for The Wave in Arizona. The Subway in Zion also needs one, by lottery or at the visitor center. Other places ask for a reservation made ahead: a day pass for Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah, and entry to Haena State Park for the Kalalau Trail on Kauaʻi.

Zion's canyons

Two Zion hikes are walked in water. The Narrows goes up the Virgin River from the Temple of Sinawava, wading ankle- to chest-deep between sandstone walls. The Subway follows a creek to a tunnel-shaped section of canyon, mostly without a marked trail. Rain upstream can send a flash flood down a narrow canyon, so walkers check the forecast first.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian trails are muddy, and worse after rain. Kaʻau Crater on Oʻahu follows a stream to three waterfalls and uses fixed ropes beside the third. On Kauaʻi, most people on the Kalalau Trail walk the first 2 miles to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, and the Awaʻawapuhi Trail descends about 3 miles to a lookout, which leaves the climb for the way back. Maui has Waiheʻe Ridge and the Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest on boardwalks.

Long days

Some of the mountain routes take most of a day or more. Half Dome is 16 to 18 miles round trip and 10 to 13 hours. Mount Whitney is about 22 miles with more than 6,000 feet of ascent to a summit at 14,505 feet; most hikers start in the middle of the night, and altitude sickness is common. The Enchantments in Washington run about 20 miles between two trailheads linked by a shuttle.