It was impossible to narrow down a list of the 25 best hikes in the US because there are literally hundreds of thousands of hiking trails in America. If you are looking for an epic hike, look no further. The Broke Backpacker compiled a list of 25 of the best hikes. Here are the best hikes in the United States. North Carolina made the list. Two times!
We have to disclose, that we didn’t include the Appalachian Trail in our count of two. Our reason is that this hike is over 2,190 miles long and goes all the way from Georgia to Main. Check out the 25 best hikes in the United States below. When you see what North Carolina hikes made the list you might have even done them yourself.
25. Appalachian Trail, Georgia through Maine
Length: 2,190 miles (3,524 km)
Days: 4-6 months +
Best time to hike: March – October
Nearest Town: Hot Springs (you’ll pass lots of other towns on the way)24. Mt. Washington Summit via Tuckerman’s Ravine, New Hampshire
Length: 8.4 (17 km)
Days: 1 (8-10 hours)
Best time to hike: June – September
Nearest Town: Gorham23. Petrified Forest Loop, North Dakota
Length: 10.6 miles (17 km)
Days: 1 (7-9 hours)
Best time to hike: May – September
Nearest Town: Cripple Creek22. Mt. Mitchell Summit, North Carolina
Length: 11.4 miles (18.3 km)
Days: 1
Best time to hike: March-November (fall colors are best in October)
Nearest Town: Asheville21. The Long Trail, Vermont
Length: 272 (437 km)
Days: 20-39
Best time to hike: April – October
Nearest Town: Williamstown20. Smokey Mountain National Park Section of the Appalachian Trail, Tennessee
Length: 71 (114 km)
Days: 3-4
Best time to hike: April – October
Nearest Town: Hot Springs19. Red River Gorge Loop, Kentucky
Length: 36 miles (57.9 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: Fall
Nearest Town: Slade18. Mount Adams South Climb, Washington
Length: 11.2 miles (18 km)
Days: 1-2
Best time to hike: May – September
Nearest Town: Trout Lake17. Tomales Point Trail, Califonia
Length: 9.4 miles (15.1 km)
Days: 1
Best time to hike: All year!
Nearest Town: Point Reyes Station16. Art Loeb Trail, North Carolina
Length: 30.1 miles (48.4 km)
Days: 3
Best time to hike: Spring – Fall
Nearest Town: Brevard15. Kesugi Ridge Trail, Alaska (Denali State Park)
Length: 36.2 miles (58.3 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: July – August
Nearest Town: Anchorage14. John Muir Trail, California
Length: 211 miles (339 km)
Days: 15-21
Best time to hike: July-September
Nearest Town: Curry Village13. Titcomb Basin, Wyoming
Length: 28 miles (45 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: July-September
Nearest Town: Pinedale12. Half Dome, California (Yosemite National Park)
Length: 17 miles
Days: 1 (12 hours)
Best time to hike: May-September
Nearest Town: Curry village11. Grayson Highlands, Virginia
Length: 8.5 miles (13.6 km)
Days: 1 (5-8 hours)
Best time to hike: April-November
Nearest Town: Jefferson10. The Narrows, Utah (Zion National Park)
Length: 5-16 miles (depending on the route)
Days: 1 (5-10 hours)/2 days
Best time to hike: May-October
Nearest Town: Springdale9. Long’s Peak, Colorado
Length: 15 miles (24.1 km)
Days: 1 Day (12-14 hours)
Best time to hike: May – October
Nearest Town: Estes Park8. Mauna Loa Summit, Hawaii (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)
Length: 17 miles (28 km)
Days: 1
Best time to hike: All year!
Nearest Town: Hilo7. Cracker Lake, Montana (Glacier National Park)
Length: 12.6 miles (20 km)
Days: 1-2 days
Best time to hike: Summer
Nearest Accommodation: Many Glacier Hotels6. The Wave, Arizona
Length: 5.2 miles (8.3km)
Days: 1 day (2-4 hours)
Best time to hike: All year
Nearest Town: Kanab5. Kalalau Trail /Napali Coast, Hawaii
Length: 22 miles (35.4 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: All year
Nearest Town: Hanaleihttps://www.instagram.com/p/CYDWGqKLpyQ/
4. Mount Katahdin, Maine
Length: 2.4-9 miles
Days: 1 (8-12 hours)
Best time to hike: Summer
Nearest Town: Millinocket3. Trans-Catalina Trail, California
Length: 38.7 miles (62km)
Days: 3-5
Best time to hike: All year, (Summer is HOT AF)
Nearest Town: Avalon2. Tonto Trail, Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park)
Length: 70 miles (113km)
Days: 4-6
Best time to hike: Spring, Fall, Winter (avoid July and August, you will melt.)
Nearest Town: Grand Canyon Village1. Lost Coast Trail, California
Length: 24.6 miles (39.6km)
Days: 3-4
Best time to hike: All year, Fall is best.
Nearest Town: Shelter Clove
List of Waterfront Resturants Near Charlotte, North Carolina
Papa Doc's Shore Club
The Papa Doc’s Shore Club can be found at 3990 Charlotte Hwy Lake Wylie, SC 29710.
The waterfront overlooks the stunning Lake Wylie and is a perfect location to dock and dine. There is something for everyone at Papa Doc’s, from tiki cocktails to live music on the water. The menu includes mouthwatering dishes such as the Big Papa 3 lb steamed seafood tower, char-grilled oysters, a Lakehouse burger, a Shore Club sandwich, Flounder Filet, and more. Visit the website for more information. I can’t wait to try this one out this Summer.Hello, Sailor
This restaurant is my favorite. This hotel has a vibe of a 1960s motion picture, and the view of Lake Norman is beautiful. A tasty cocktail and some tasty seafood awaited me here last year in July. The address is 20210 Henderson Rd Cornelius, NC 28031. Visit their website for more information here.
Drift
Drift is located at 315-M Lanyard Ln. Belmont, NC. They are open Monday – Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy a great day or night lakeside at Drift on Lake Wylie and enjoy a great view while eating great food. This fine-dining restaurant offers dinner, dessert, and libations for all of its guests. The restaurant opened officially on May 9, 2022, with limited reservations during the first week. This is your chance to enjoy such foods including shrimp cocktail, lobster crab cakes, scallops, salmon, creme brûlée, and more. I’ve yet to go here but I’m excited to try it this year.
Boardwalk Billy's Raw Bar and Ribs
Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar and Ribs has been a favorite of mine since college. When I was in college, I would go there almost every day. There is a nice little view of the pond and ducks, even though it is not a large waterfront. They serve bar food, Fresh seafood, award-winning barbecue, and class-A southern hospitality. It is located at the Shoppes at University Place 9005 J M Keynes Dr #2, Charlotte, NC 28262. It is open seven days a week from 11 am-11 pm. They also have an additional location on Sardis Road North. You can see more on their menu here.
River’s Edge
It might be the waterside view of an artificial river, but it still counts. At the U.S. Whitewater Center, you can eat at the River’s Edge. This restaurant is a full-service dining experience with a wide selection of food, beer, and wine. You can eat inside or on the patio overlooking the man-made whitewater river. The hours of operation vary, so be sure to check their website here.
Edgewater Bar & Grille
Located inside the Hilton in University City, you can eat at the Edgewater Bar & Grille. There’s a nice little view of the water, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are so many options on their menu to please everyone’s taste buds. Their menu features Farm-to-Table southern cuisine. It’s a great place for family dinners, after-work gatherings, drinks, and shared plates with friends. Visit their website for more information here.
Need a bite to eat? Enjoy a unique dining experience morning, noon and night at our on-site Lakefront Restaurant!
Posted by Edgewater Bar & Grille on Friday, January 31, 2020North Harbor Club Restaurant and Bar
Located at 100-D North Harbor Place Davidson, NC 28036 is the North Harbor Club Restaurant and Bar. The North Harbor Club offers waterfront dining at its finest! North Harbor Club offers fine dining using fresh ingredients and the perfect touch of our Executive Chef for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Click here to see more on their hours and dining menu.
Come try our new cocktails!!! This is our Razztini!
Posted by North Harbor Club, Davidson NC on Saturday, March 5, 2022The Pump House
This is a short drive away from Charlotte. Located at 575 Herrons Ferry Rd Rock Hill, SC 29730 is The Pump House. This waterfront dining is such a cool experience. Locally sourced food that is inspired by the south is served at the restaurant. While you eat and drink, you can an amazingly-beautiful setting on the Catawba River. This celebrates our rich history and our exciting future. You can see more on their menu here.
Eddie's on Lake Norman
Ann-Margaret Wagner brings her hospitality and restaurant expertise to Lake Norman from New York. The view and food are both great at this restaurant. The address is 643 Williamson Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117. Although I haven’t been yet, I heard they offer a wide selection of seafood, raw bar, and Italian and American burgers. You can see more on Eddie’s menu here.
Port City Club
Located at 18665 Harborside Drive Cornelius, NC 28031 is the Port City Club. The Port City Club is a 13,500-square-foot waterfront restaurant located on beautiful Lake Norman. Fun fact, did you know Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake, known as the “Inland Sea.” At the restaurant, they use fresh ingredients to make tasty food for you. They even serve fresh line-caught Charleston seafood. Everything is made from scratch including pasta and bread. You can click here to see more about their hours and menu. I have never been but now it is on my list.
The Blue Parrot
This is a favorite spot of mine. Where I grew up we had tons of tiki bars so I am a sucker for them. Located at 169 Pinnacle Lane Mooresville, NC. Blue Parrot Grill is a Patio Tiki Bar & Grill on Lake Norman. They have a large outside patio with an outdoor Tiki Bar. Their drinks are great. They also offer live entertainment Thursday thru Sunday. The menu is your classic tiki bar eats with fish, shrimp, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, ribs, and more. You can see more on The Blue Parrot hours and menu here.
Posted by Blue Parrot Grill on Tuesday, April 28, 2020
J.R. Cash
J.R. Cash is a fresh, scratch-made, classic American grill. This restaurant actually had five different locations. The location that is closest to us is 1000 Marina Village Dr. Mount Holly, NC 28120. I have yet to visit this restaurant but it is now on my must-visit list. You can see more on their menu here.
Try out our patio the next time you join us!
Posted by J.R. Cash's Grill and Bar NC Mount Holly-Lake Wylie on Wednesday, May 4, 2022