Best State for Hiking: Top U.S. Trails, Scenery & Insider Tips

If you tossed a pebble at a map of the U.S., odds are decent it’d land on a state with its own special hiking spot. But if you want a place that wins the title, a state where every trail feels like an adventure movie, you’re probably wondering which state truly deserves to stand out. There are some contenders who throw serious punches—california with its massive parks, Utah with mind-bending red rock, and Colorado, a Rocky Mountain heavyweight. Thing is, when you actually tally everything up—mile after mile of world-class trails, the number of iconic routes, jaw-dropping scenery, and the outdoor culture that gets people off the couch and onto the dirt—one state climbs above the rest. Let’s trek into the #1 hiking state, why it wins, and a bunch of wild facts and get-out-there tips to help you make the most of your own outdoor quests.

The Contenders: What It Takes to Be America’s Ultimate Hiking State

So, what’s the secret recipe for “best hiking state?” Well, think about it: you want quantity—lots of trails, and not just little strolls but real, bucket-list journeys. Variety’s key: deserts, snowy peaks, thick forests, waterfalls. And, let’s be real—how breath-snatching are the views? Does the state have a hiking culture that welcomes every skill set, from backpack-hauling mountain goats to families lugging toddlers and juice boxes? Don’t forget conditions (no one likes hail in July), plus access—and by that, I mean real, reachable trailheads, not five-hour drives from anything.

Sure, people love debating this in hiking forums. A 2023 survey from the American Hiking Society listed the top states for hiking as California, Colorado, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. They measured stuff like the total mileage of maintained trails, state and national park acreage, biodiversity, and—something you won’t find on a government spreadsheet—scenic drama. Backpacker Magazine even mapped out which states get the most rainfall or sunshine. But when you take the broader view, looking at facts, stats, and pure wow factor, California rockets to the front.

Why California Rules the Hiking Scene

Let’s get into it. California isn’t just the land of movie stars and palm trees—it’s an outdoor wonderland. The state has more than 14,000 miles of official hiking trails. To put that in perspective, you could walk almost from Vancouver (my hometown) to Buenos Aires just on those trails. From the snow-spiked Sierra Nevadas to the sprawling deserts of Joshua Tree, the fantasy coastline of Big Sur, and world-famous national parks, California is absurdly diverse. And that means it’s got a trail for just about everyone.

Have you heard of the John Muir Trail? It’s a 211-mile classic, regularly topping international “hiking bucket list” articles. Or the Pacific Crest Trail—2,650 miles running all the way from Mexico to Canada, with a big chunk of its best sections in California. There’s Yosemite, where hikers watch the sunrise turn Half Dome and El Capitan golden. People flock to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 (14,505 feet), just for the bragging rights and those out-of-this-world Sierra views. Redwoods National and State Parks put you under the tallest trees on earth, and out in the eastern deserts, Anza-Borrego treats you to rare wildflower ‘superblooms’ not seen for years at a time. There’s something kind of wild about lacing up boots in Southern California’s canyons, then skating over to Lake Tahoe for alpine snowfields—all in one state.

The stats are dizzying. California holds:

• 9 national parks (more than any other state)
• The tallest mountain in the Lower 48 (Mount Whitney)
• The lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin, Death Valley—282 feet below sea level!)
• The oldest trees (Bristlecone pines, over 4,000 years old)
• The tallest trees (coastal redwoods, up to 379 feet)
• 3,427 named mountains
• 52 million acres of public land
• Hundreds of lakes, waterfalls, and desert oases

Check out this breakdown of stats from recent outdoor databases:

Put simply, there are more famous, bucket-list-worthy, or wow-inducing trails within a day’s drive of each other in California than anywhere else in the States. The climate means you get year-round options, too—snowshoe the Sierra in January, wander Big Sur’s bluffs in February, chase wildflowers in April, then burn up coastal switchbacks in August. Not many places can say that.

California’s Best Hikes: Choose Your Own Adventure

Alright, so you’re convinced. But the real question is: Where do you even start in California? With thousands of choices, it can get overwhelming in a hurry. I’ve taken a few family trips down south—the kind where my daughter Aria picks up every shiny rock on the trail—and there’s something for every age and ability.

If you want the all-time greatest hits, here are the big ones:

• Yosemite National Park: The Mist Trail up to Vernal and Nevada Falls; Half Dome via cables (for serious thrill-seekers); Tuolumne Meadows hikes for wildflowers.
• Mount Whitney: If you snag a permit, this climb is challenging but legendary. Prepare for altitude and start hiking before dawn—it gets busy quick.
• Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): You do not have to tackle the 2,650-mile monster. Try the section through the Sierra—think Thousand Island Lake or Rae Lakes Loop. Stop into trail towns for hiker culture; it’s another community altogether.
• Redwoods National & State Parks: The Boy Scout Tree Trail will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a lost world. Aria was convinced dinosaurs would swoop through at any minute.
• Big Sur: The coastal trails at Andrew Molera or Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parks deliver crashing Pacific cliffs and spring wildflowers. Squeeze in a sunset hike and thank yourself later.
• Joshua Tree National Park: Skull Rock, Ryan Mountain, or the Wonderland of Rocks. The geology here is outrageous, and the desert blooms after March rains are a treat.
• Lake Tahoe: Take the Tahoe Rim Trail for endless blue water views, alpine meadows, and the occasional black bear sighting (they’ll usually duck before you do).
• Death Valley: Don’t rule it out—Zabriskie Point at sunrise is unlike any other place on earth. Hit the trails early, bring way too much water, and marvel at salt flats that look like the moon.

Whatever trail you choose, there’s a culture of stewardship. Trailheads usually post Leave No Trace reminders, and you’ll run into everyone from trail runners to kids playing hide-and-seek under boulders. California hikers tend to be chatty—especially when wildflowers are peaking or bears have been spotted nearby.

Trail Tips and Hidden Gems for Every Hiker

Even if you’re gung-ho, it pays to know a few pro tips before lacing up. California trails can swing from foggy wet forest to dry windblown desert in a single hike—if you only pack a windbreaker, you’ll regret it fast. Hiking guides always pound the “bring more water than you think” lesson, but here, it’s gospel. In desert parks like Joshua Tree or Anza-Borrego, dehydration lurks around every boulder. For higher-elevation treks (Sierras especially), altitude sickness will lay you out, even if you’re fit. Spend a night or two above 7,000 feet to get acclimated and keep snacks handy (jerky, trail mix—skip the energy gels unless you want to feel like a science experiment).

For trailhead parking, start early. Popular hikes like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, or Alamere Falls fill up—sometimes before 7 am on weekends. A weekday hike can be loads quieter. Permits are a thing for some top routes (looking at you, Whitney and Cables on Half Dome), so plan months ahead. Download your maps; there are dead zones out there. Before last summer’s family Yosemite trip, I downloaded AllTrails maps offline, and it saved my bacon more than once when service dropped to zero and every pine tree looked the same.

If you like less-crowded trails or quirky adventures, hunt out a few underrated gems:

• Sykes Hot Springs (Big Sur): Hike through forests and river crossings to secret steaming pools. It’s a wild experience—leave it cleaner than you found it.
• Lost Coast Trail: California’s only “wilderness coastline;” hike on black sand beaches with only seal lions and backpackers for company.
• Mount San Jacinto: Ride the Palm Springs tram up 8,500 feet, then choose mellow forest rambles or scramble to the rocky summit for massive Southern California views.
• Alamere Falls: One of only two U.S. waterfalls that pour right onto the beach. You time it with low tide, and you get a surreal mix of sand, thundering water, and sea spray—it feels completely unreal.
• Feather Falls (Plumas National Forest): Tucked way up north, this hike will have you question why it isn’t as legendary as Yosemite’s falls (the 410-foot drop is the real deal).

Don’t rely on cell service or last-minute gas stations—some remote corners of the state really are that wild. Always bring a first aid kit. And if you’re traveling with little ones like Aria, a trusty kid carrier and a stash of jelly beans works miracles for trail motivation.

To make your own hiking trip epic, check out these practical steps:

1. Research trail difficulty and weather—California’s microclimates are no joke.
2. Book permits and parking ahead for hot spots.
3. Pack for every season, no matter how short the hike seems.
4. Start early for gorgeous morning light (and fewer crowds).
5. Leave every trail cleaner than you found it—caring for California’s wild places is part of the game here.

If you want to connect with local hikers, try joining a group outing or apps like Meetup or hiking-specific platforms. People are generally friendly, and there’s nothing like swapping best secret trail tips at a smoky backcountry camp or beside a trickling waterfall—just watch out for poison oak.