When it comes to hiking in America, not all trails are created equal—and neither are the states they wind through. Some destinations are bursting with breathtaking landscapes, well-marked paths, and endless opportunities to lace up your boots while others leave adventurers underwhelmed with limited options or poorly maintained routes.
With such a wealth of diverse public lands, the United States has a seemingly endless offering of trail networks for hikers of all types. Many of America’s most highly-regarded trails showcase one (or more) of the nation’s incredible parks including some of the most popular national parks. But while the most beautiful hikes in the U. S. draw plenty of acclaim—and crowds—you can also find an abundance of lesser-known trails that provide the same magic in a more low-key setting.
America’s 50 states all have their own unique collections of parks and public lands each of which comes with its own amazing hikes. While some states are more acclaimed for natural beauty and outdoor activities than others determined hikers can find exceptional trails in just about ever region of the country. However, this has not stopped organizations, media groups, and stakeholders from trying to rank states based on their hiking assets.
Recently, a new study sought to determine precisely which states are the best for hikers and which are the worst. The study conducted by EDGE Fall Protection, LLC based its analysis on five key factors: natural attractions, air quality, protected wilderness, hiking engagement, and trail infrastructure. The results are a fairly comprehensive ranking of each state ranging from true hiking Meccas to ones that avid hikers may want to skip.
Of course, no ranking like this can ever be 100 percent objective and even the lowest-ranked states will have their die-hard defenders in the hiking community.
America’s “best” hiking state
America’s “best” hiking state is a mountainous western gem
According to EDGE Fall Protection, LLC the best U.S. hiking state is the rugged and mountain-rich Western gem of Wyoming. It boasts iconic destinations like Yellowstone National Park, famous for its geysers and stunning wilderness, and Grand Teton National Park, known for breathtaking mountain scenery and wildlife sightings.
Popular trails include the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, Mystic Falls Trail, and more challenging backcountry routes such as the Amphitheater Lake Trail and Table Mountain Trail. Wyoming offers a mix of beginner-friendly walks to strenuous alpine treks making it a premier destination for hikers of all experience levels. The state’s pristine natural environment and diverse trails contribute to its top hiking state ranking in 2025.
The magnificent Grand Teton National Park boasts many of Wyoming’s highest-ranked hiking trails (according to hiking apps like AllTrails.com). This includes Cascade Canyon Trail arguably the single best hike in Wyoming.
Cascade Canyon Trail
- Location: Grand Teton National Park
- Entry fee: $35/vehicle, valid for 7 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 9.2 miles
- Time to complete: 4–4.5 hours
- Elevation gain: 1,118 feet
- Dog-friendly? No
Alongside Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Wyoming’s famed Devil’s Tower National Monument offers excellent trails with picture-perfect views of the park’s iconic geological wonder. Even outside the confines of the National Park System, Wyoming still has no shortage of amazing hiking opportunities.
The well-named Sacred Rim Trail in the Bridger-Teton National Forest features views that rival any in Grand Teton. Meanwhile, the underrated Black Mountain in Bighorn National Forest may be Wyoming’s single-best mountain hike. Add the extensive network of trails in Wyoming’s equally impressive state parks and you begin to see precisely why Wyoming came out atop the list.
America’s “worst” hiking state
America’s “worst” hiking state has plenty of underrated natural treasures of its own
The “worst” hiking state on EDGE Fall Protection’s ranking is one that’s quite close to Wyoming. Though it’s just a short distance to Wyoming’s northeast, the unheralded state of North Dakota gets nowhere near Wyoming’s acclaim when it comes to outdoor activities. And, according to their ranking at least, North Dakota is also the worst state for hiking.
North Dakota, unfortunately, was not quite as fortunate as Wyoming in terms of arresting natural features. While Mountain West states like Wyoming get magnificent stretches of the Rocky Mountains and exceptional ecosystems like Yellowstone, North Dakota mostly contends with vast plains and farmlands. North Dakota doesn’t even have South Dakota’s beautiful Black Hills to boast of! On paper, at least, North Dakota’s lack of obvious natural features or prime outdoor destinations may explain its dead-last ranking.
Rankings aside, North Dakota is far from barren when it comes to under-the-radar hiking destinations. Even here in this supposedly “worst” hiking state you can find beautiful and exhilarating trails if you know where to look. Unsurprisingly, most of North Dakota’s best hikes are found in its lone national park. Though it doesn’t get the attention of Wyoming’s Grand Teton or even South Dakota’s Badlands, North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a true hidden gem of America’s National Park System.
Theodore Roosevelt’s excellent network of hiking trails ranges from short and easy scenic routes to longer and more challenging treks through the park’s rugged landscape. This includes the Caprock Coulee Loop arguably the single best trail in North Dakota as well as trails that showcase distinctive features like North Dakota’s petrified forest and the eye-catching Painted Canyon.
Many of the trails provide breathtaking views of Theodore Roosevelt’s complex collections of badlands, forests, prairies, and even fossil beds. A hike through Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch Unit will take you past the historic ranch owned by the park’s namesake president. Hikers even have a good chance of seeing some of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s resident bison!
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands shared between North Dakota and South Dakota are a serene expanse of Great Plains prairies protected by the U.S. Forest Service with plenty of memorable hikes spread out across their extensive acreage. You even have tons of great trails in North Dakota’s underrated state park system like the scenic Fort Lincoln Loop in Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Ultimately, North Dakota’s ranking as the “worst” state for hiking says less about North Dakota’s deficiencies and more about how extraordinary the other 49 states are!
Caprock Coulee Trail features varied terrain including steep narrow valleys called coulees, rocky sections, forested areas, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Little Missouri River and badlands. It also crosses Scenic Drive twice and has two trailheads with the preferred start at the lower trailhead for a more gradual ascent.
Caprock Coulee Loop
- Location: North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Entry fee: $30/vehicle, valid for 7 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 4.1 miles
- Time to complete: 2-3 hours
- Elevation gain: 561 feet
- Dog-friendly? No, dogs are not allowed
Rounding out the top ten hiking states
States acclaimed for their abundant natural beauty and extensive public lands
After Wyoming, the rest of the top ten hiking states on EDGE Fall Protection, LLC’s list are a solid collection of many of America’s most highly-regarded states for outdoor recreation. Beginning at number two, the remaining top ten best hiking states are:
- Hawaii
- New Hampshire
- Montana
- Alaska
- Vermont
- Utah
- Maine
- Washington
- West Virginia
Top trails in America’s best hiking states (according to AllTrails)
Some of the best outdoor experiences available in these top-ranked states
- Hawaii: Kilauea Iki & Crater Rim Trail
- New Hampshire: Mount Lafayette & Franconia Ridge Trail Loop
- Montana: Avalanche Lake Trail
- Alaska: Horseshoe Lake Trail
- Vermont: Mount Mansfield Loop Trail
- Utah: Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail
- Maine: The Beehive Loop Trail
- Washington: Skyline Loop Trail
- West Virginia: Maryland Heights via Harper’s Ferry
This is just a small sample of the plethora of amazing trails you’ll find in each of the top ten states on the list. However, America’s limitless assortment of incredible trails goes far beyond the borders of even these states.
Ultimately, no ranking, no matter how “objective,” can fully capture the magic of hiking through each state’s best parks and outdoor treasures. Whether you’re experiencing the eminent grandeur of Wyoming’s Grand Teton or trekking through the underappreciated badlands of North Dakota, you can find exceptional hiking trails virtually anywhere you go in the United States!
Related stories
- Choosing the Right Hiking Trail
- UNWRITTEN Rules of Hiking Etiquette
- The Ultimate Late-Summer Hiking Guide
- Best National Parks for Hiking: 4 of the Most Spectacular to Explore
America’s best and worst states for hiking in 2025
Different rankings of the best hiking states vary in the methodology and metrics
If you’re thinking the study conducted by EDGE Fall Protection isn’t the only source floating around with best/worst states for hiking claims in 2025 you’d be correct. I found several alternate lists and perspectives; here are a few and how they compare (strengths, weaknesses, differences) to the EDGE-based ranking.
Other sources/lists
1. Forbes — “America’s Best Hiking Trails, According to New Research” (2025)
This isn’t a full state ranking but it highlights which states perform well (or poorly) for various types of hikers (beginner, etc.).
Key takeaway: Ohio, Arizona, and New Jersey rank high for beginner hikes.
Also notes that states like California, Colorado, etc. “lag behind” on some metrics.
Because Forbes is focusing on “best trails” rather than full state rankings, it addresses quality over quantity in a different way.
2. FOX / Lifestyle Media — “Best States for Hiking 2025”
This article compiles states that “consistently rank best” (from various sources) for hiking.
They list California, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, and New Hampshire as among the best.
Their approach is more of a consensus/media aggregation than a strict metric-based study.
3. SnowBrains — “The 7 Best Hiking States in America”
This is another popular-media list using a blend of metrics (trail ratings, number of trails, precipitation, etc.).
Their top picks: California comes out #1, then #2 Colorado, #3 Utah, #4 Arizona.
Their methodology is less “official” and more curated — useful for inspiration but not rigorous.
4. SmileHub / Outdoor-enthusiast ranking
This is a broader “outdoor lovers” ranking (not just hiking) that includes environmental quality, access, economic impact, etc.
Their top states: Montana, Alaska, Colorado (in that order).
Because their lens is broader, it’s not entirely congruent with a pure “hiking state” ranking but overlaps in many respects (trail access, clean air, natural features).
Final thoughts
The 2025 rankings of the best and worst states for hiking underscore the rich diversity and beauty of America’s landscapes. The top hiking states like Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Washington offer an unbeatable combination of extensive trail networks, exceptional natural scenery, and public land access making them ideal destinations for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.
Meanwhile, even states ranked lower in hiking infrastructure such as North Dakota hold unique natural treasures that offer underappreciated hiking opportunities. These rankings, backed by comprehensive data on trails, park access, climate, and user ratings serve as a valuable guide for those seeking the best hiking experiences across the country. Whether a seasoned hiker or a novice, America’s trails provide boundless opportunities to connect with nature’s beauty and challenge oneself in the great outdoors.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November 2025. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. For topics that may change quickly, please verify current details before planning. To ensure honesty and avoid bias, this website features no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just straightforward information for fellow travelers.
Worth Pondering…
As soon as he saw the Big Boots, Pooh knew that an Adventure was about to happen, and he brushed the honey off his nose with the back of his paw and spruced himself up as well as he could, so as to look Ready for Anything.
—A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh