Glacier National Park is one of the best wildlife-viewing destinations in the United States, protecting more than one million acres of diverse habitat that supports more than 70 mammal species. Grizzly and black bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, coyotes, marmots, bald eagles, golden eagles, and many other animals can be found throughout the park, but certain areas consistently offer better viewing opportunities. Visitors can improve their chances by

Hiking to Fishercap Lake in Glacier National Park is one of the easiest ways to experience the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of the Many Glacier area. While the hike is extremely short compared with many of Glacier National Park's famous trails, Fishercap Lake has developed a reputation as one of the best places in the entire park to see moose. The shallow lake sits in the Swiftcurrent Valley beneath the towering mountains of Many Glacier, and its marshy shoreline

Hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail is one of the park's signature adventures, combining turquoise lakes, towering peaks, waterfalls, wildlife, and an up-close look at one of Glacier's most famous glaciers. Beginning in the Many Glacier area, the trail travels above Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine before climbing steadily into the high country beneath the Garden Wall. Along the way, hikers are treated to spectacular views of Grinnell Lake, Mount Gould, Angel Wing, and the

Hiking to Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Beginning above the eastern shore of St. Mary Lake, the route combines sweeping lake and mountain views with four beautiful waterfalls—Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, Lower Virginia Falls, and Upper Virginia Falls—while traveling through one of the most scenic portions of the St. Mary Valley. The hike is especially appealing because the scenery changes cons

Hiking to Apikuni Falls in Glacier National Park is a short but rewarding adventure that delivers stunning mountain scenery with relatively little effort. Located in the park's spectacular Many Glacier region, the Apikuni Falls Trail climbs steadily through open forests and wildflower-covered hillsides before reaching a dramatic viewpoint of the 100-foot waterfall as it plunges from the towering cliffs of Apikuni Mountain. Along the way, hikers are treated to sweeping views o

Hiking the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park is one of the easiest ways to experience the lush forests of the park's west side. Located along Going-to-the-Sun Road near Avalanche Creek, this short nature trail travels through an extraordinary grove of ancient western red cedars and western hemlocks before crossing the rushing waters of Avalanche Creek. At roughly 1 mile round trip with only about 80 feet of elevation gain, the Trail of the Cedars is suitable for ne

Hiking the Avalanche Lake Trail is one of the best ways to experience the park's spectacular west-side scenery without committing to an all-day adventure. Beginning along the famous Trail of the Cedars, the route travels through an ancient forest of western red cedars and hemlocks, passes the rushing turquoise water of Avalanche Creek, and climbs into a dramatic glacial basin surrounded by towering mountains and waterfalls. At roughly 7 miles round trip, the hike to Avalanche

Hiking the Cracker Lake Trail in Glacier National Park leads to one of the most brilliantly colored alpine lakes in the United States, but the turquoise water waiting at the end is only part of what makes this hike worthwhile. Beginning near the historic Many Glacier Hotel, the trail undergoes a remarkable transformation over its roughly six-mile journey into the mountains, beginning in thick forest before passing Cracker Flats, climbing onto a wooded ridge between two creek

For hikers searching for one of the most spectacular high-elevation adventures in Glacier National Park, few trails deliver quite like the hike to Swiftcurrent Mountain Lookout. Rising to roughly 8,440 feet along the Continental Divide, Swiftcurrent Mountain offers an extraordinary 360-degree panorama over the Many Glacier region, Granite Park, the Livingston Range, the Lewis Range, and some of the park's most impressive glaciers. The journey is long and strenuous, but the co

For hikers searching for one of the most unique adventures in Glacier National Park, the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail belongs near the top of the list. Beginning in the Many Glacier area, the spectacular hike climbs through forests and wildflower-filled meadows before reaching Ptarmigan Lake, then tackles a dramatic series of switchbacks to a 250-foot tunnel blasted directly through the Ptarmigan Wall. Emerging from the opposite side reveals an entirely different landscape overlook

Hiking to Iceberg Lake in Glacier National Park is one of the most scenic and popular hikes in the Many Glacier area, leading hikers through flower-filled alpine meadows, beneath towering cliffs, and into the heart of one of Montana's most spectacular mountain landscapes. The Iceberg Lake Trail offers incredible opportunities to spot wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, marmots, and even grizzly bears, while providing nonstop views of Glacier National Par

Twisting through the wooded hills of Sand Run Metro Park, the Dogwood Trail offers one of the most scenic hikes in Akron. This peaceful loop winds through mature hardwood forest and climbs and descends the rolling terrain that makes this corner of Summit Metro Parks feel surprisingly wild despite being just minutes from the city. With beautiful forest scenery, plenty of wildlife, and enough elevation change to keep things interesting, hiking the Dogwood Trail is a great choic

If you're searching for the best sunrise hike in Akron, look no further than the Oxbow Trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park. Tucked within the northern section of Cascade Valley Metro Park and just minutes from downtown Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, the scenic trail offers peaceful riverside views, abundant wildlife, and one of the most spectacular places to watch the sun rise over the Cuyahoga River. Whether you're looking for an easy morning walk, a scenic nature trail near Akron

The Prather & Missing Link Loops in Cascade Valley Metro Park offer one of the best easy hikes in Akron, combining scenic woodlands, rolling hills, and sweeping views of the Cuyahoga River Valley. Located within the Summit Metro Parks system, the figure-8 loop is perfect for hikers of all skill levels looking to escape into nature without leaving the city. Along the way, visitors can enjoy peaceful forest trails, seasonal wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and a few scenic overl

While Cuyahoga Valley National Park is best known for its scenic hiking trails, there are countless other ways to experience the most visited national park in the Midwest. Whether you're traveling with young children, planning a relaxing weekend getaway, or simply looking for things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park besides hiking, the park offers something for every age and athleticism level. Visitors can bike the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, go birding at

Located within West Creek Reservation in Parma, Ohio—Cleveland's largest suburb—the Skyline Overlook Trail is a short, family-friendly hike that leads to one of the best views of the Cleveland skyline. Winding through a peaceful hardwood forest, the trail ends at a scenic overlook where downtown Cleveland rises above the treetops, creating a striking contrast between the city's iconic skyline and the surrounding natural landscape. Whether you're looking for an easy hike near

Those searching for the best waterfall hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park will find everything from iconic cascades to secluded waterfalls hidden deep within the park's forests. Famous destinations like Brandywine Falls and Blue Hen Falls rank among the most popular hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, attracting visitors with their impressive scenery and well-maintained trails. But beyond the well-known landmarks, adventurous hikers can discover hidden gems like Racco

Hidden within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Crazy Man's Hollow Falls is one of the park's best-kept secrets, known mostly to locals willing to venture off the beaten path. Like Twin Sister Falls, the seasonal waterfall flows best after heavy rain or snowmelt, rewarding adventurous hikers with an off the beaten path cascade far removed from the busy park crowds. Trail Info Length 1.6 miles Elevation gain 40 feet Route Out & back Permit required no Dogs allowed on leash Trailh

Whether you're chasing the first golden light of day or watching the sun disappear beyond the treetops, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers some of the most rewarding sunrise and sunset hikes in Ohio. From peaceful forest trails and scenic overlooks to quiet meadows and sandstone cliffs, the park transforms during the golden hour, revealing a side of CVNP that many visitors never experience. Here, you'll discover the best sunrise hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, inclu

Hiking to Twin Sister Falls is one of the best ways to discover a hidden waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While many visitors flock to popular destinations like Brandywine Falls and Blue Hen Falls, Twin Sister Falls offers a more secluded experience surrounded by towering hardwood forests, moss-covered stone, and the peaceful sounds of the park's winding streams. Although the waterfall is seasonal and flows most impressively after periods of heavy rain or spring sn

The Columbia River Gorge is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest for waterfall hikes, with dozens of trails leading to mossy canyons, basalt cliffs, old-growth forest, and some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon and Washington. From famous roadside cascades like Multnomah Falls and Horsetail Falls to less busy trails and hidden gems like Spirit Falls, Elowah Falls, and Falls Creek Falls, the Gorge offers a waterfall hike for every kind of adventurer. Whethe

The Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls Loop is one of the most rewarding waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, combining lush forest, mossy basalt cliffs, sweeping viewpoints, and several unforgettable Oregon waterfalls into one scenic trail. Beginning near two of the Gorge’s most iconic waterfalls, Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls, the loop quickly climbs away from the crowds and into a quieter world of fern-lined switchbacks, rushing creeks, stone bridges, and hidden cas

Hiking to Horsetail Falls, Ponytail Falls, and Triple Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, offering three spectacular waterfalls along a single scenic trail. Beginning at iconic Horsetail Falls, the route climbs through lush old-growth forest and towering basalt cliffs before reaching Ponytail Falls, where hikers can actually walk behind the cascading water, and continues to the beautiful, fan-shaped Triple Falls hidden deeper in Oneonta Gorge

Hiking to Falls Creek Falls in southern Washington is one of the best waterfall hikes on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, taking hikers through the lush forests of Gifford Pinchot National Forest to a stunning 335-foot, three-tiered waterfall. Located just north of Stevenson and the Columbia River, the Falls Creek Falls Trail is an incredibly scenic out-and-back that follows Falls Creek beneath towering Douglas firs and western red cedars, culminating at one o