Experience these 16 national park hikes near cities
Looking for a national park hike that is close to a city? Don't want to choose between a day on the trails and a night on the town? These fun hikes, presented in partnership with AllTrails, Western National Parks' official exploration partner, have plenty of adventure without going too far from a city center.
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California
Experience these hikes across the Golden State, all within driving distance of, or in the heart of, some of these state's largest cities.
Solstice Canyon (Rising Sun Loop)
Hike length: 3-mile loop, with options to choose different difficulties and distances
Distance from closest city: 17 miles from Santa Monica, California
This loop in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has shaded hiking, a challenging climb to a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, and easy entry to a beach. See the Keller House and a seasonal waterfall along this hike.
Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock
Hike length: 3.5-mile out-and-back, with options to choose different difficulties and distances
Distance from closest city: 24 miles from Oxnard, California
Take in the beauty of rivers, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral ecosystems on this short hike in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. With views of Carlisle Canyon and Balanced Rock, you’ll want to bring your camera. The oak grove near Split Rock is also a popular picnicking destination.
Cupertino Segment, Juan Bautista de Anza Trail
Hike length: 2.7 miles one way
Distance from closest city: 3 miles from the center of Cupertino, California
This multiuse trail takes you along a railroad track, across a creek, near a small lake, and through the neighborhoods of Cupertino, California, one of the many communities along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Visit the Cupertino Historical Society and Museum, which has exhibits about this historic trail.
The route stretches 1,200 miles from Sonora, Mexico, to San Francisco, California, and follows the route of de Anza, who sought to establish colonies in what is today known as California. This route was used by Indigenous peoples for generations prior to de Anza’s arrival, and today the trail passes through the ancestral and current homelands of over 70 Tribal communities.
Nevada and Utah
These hikes take you to the ancient past and underground worlds and are close to major metro areas.
Aliante Loop, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Hike length: 2.5-mile loop
Distance from closest city: 19 miles from the center of Las Vegas, Nevada
Experience Nevada’s unique prehistoric past when you hike this trail in Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, which protects the largest open-air ice age fossil site in the Southwest. Use the NPS mobile app to take a walking tour of the Aliante Loop to learn more about how scientists research this unique place. This hike also offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Start early during the summer months and bring plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection, especially since there are currently no facilities at the park.
Timpanogos Cave Trail, Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Hike length: 1.5 miles one way
Distance from closest city: 35 miles from the center of Salt Lake City, Utah
This strenuous hike leads you to Timpanogos Cave, a fascinating underground world preserved in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Take in the beauty of American Fork Canyon and the surrounding peaks as you make your way to the top. The cave at this park is known for its colorful and delicate formations unlike any found in the rest of the United States. You can only enter the cave on a ranger-guided tour, so be sure to reserve your tickets—only available during the summer season—well in advance.
Arizona
Experience the varied landscapes and cultural heritage sites of the Grand Canyon state on these beautiful hikes.
Bridal Wreath Falls Trail, Saguaro National Park East
Hike length: 6 miles
Distance from closest city: 19 miles from downtown Tucson, Arizona
Take in the wild beauty of Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Mountain District (East) as you hike to a desert oasis. Bridal Wreath Falls is best visited in the springtime after rainfall, and it’s best to start this hike early, with plenty of water and sun protection. See the park’s namesake cacti, wildflowers in the right season, and the different biomes of the Sonoran Desert as you hike.
King Canyon to Wasson Peak, Saguaro National Park West
Hike length: 7-mile round trip
Distance from closest city: 14 miles from downtown Tucson, Arizona
Challenge yourself to a climb up Wasson Peak in Saguaro National Park’s Tucson Mountain (West) district, which offers views of the Tucson area and surrounding mountains. This popular trailhead takes you along several ridgelines and gives you the option to explore several connecting trails. Start early, bring water and sun protection, and bring your camera to take photos of the sunrise.
Lenox Crater Trail, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Hike length: 1.6-mile loop, 1.1-mile loop from A'a trail parking lot
Distance from closest city: 19 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona
Take in the beauty of the San Francisco Peaks and ancient volcanic landscapes. Experience the Bonito Lava flow and hike through a ponderosa pine forest as you make your way to the summit. Sunset Crater Volcano is one of three national monuments found in the Flagstaff, Arizona area. This park protects a cinder cone that last erupted around one thousand years ago; today, the area’s geology is a testament to Arizona’s volcanic past. If you’re in the Flagstaff area for several days and want to do more hiking, visit Wupatki National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument, which preserve two distinct Indigenous cultural heritage sites.
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Tuzigoot Trail, Tuzigoot National Monument
Hike length: 0.3-mile loop
Distance from closest city: 4.5 miles from Cottonwood, Arizona
Hike to the top of an ancient pueblo when you follow this trail at Tuzigoot National Monument. This 110-room structure was built by the Sinagua, a name given to these people by an archaeologist in 1939. You can learn more about the history and heritage of the area through the signs along this trail. If you’re up for more hiking and want to learn even more about the Indigenous heritage of the Verde Valley, visit nearby Montezuma Castle National Monument.
Tumacácori to Tubac, Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Hike length: 8 miles out-and-back
Distance from closest city: Begins within the city limits of Tubac, Arizona
This portion of the Anza Trail takes you along a seasonal creek in Arizona that is popular with birders, in part because of the migratory species that can be seen here in the right season. The trail connects Tumacácori National Historical Park to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Both locations preserve structures that Anza visited on his 1775–1776 expedition and are important Indigenous and Hispanic heritage sites today. You'll want to save time to visit the museums and historic buildings at each park, each covering hundreds of years of Arizona history. This trail is also a great starting point for a several-day trip through southern Arizona.
New Mexico and Texas
These states have plenty of hikes to offer both within, and just outside of, city limits.
San Antonio Mission Trail, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Hike length: 13.9-mile loop, but you can choose your own distance.
Distance from closest city: Within the city limits of San Antonio, Texas
The Mission Reach Trail, along San Antonio’s River Walk, takes you to each of San Antonio Mission’s four missions. The Mission Reach Hike & Bike Trail brings visitors to the park’s four missions, which—together with the Alamo—form the San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site. The trail goes along the river, so you can experience the beauty of a restored urban landscape.
Walking and Biking Trail, Chamizal National Memorial
Hike length: 1.5-mile loop
Distance from closest city: Within the city limits of El Paso, Texas
This trail takes you around the grounds of Chamizal National Memorial. This trail is accessible and allows you to see the US–Mexico border, and it makes a great place for a picnic. This park tells the story of cooperation between the United States and Mexico to resolve the Chamizal dispute, a contested area of land on the border of these two nations. Visit the indoor museum and exhibits to learn more about this area’s rich and complex history.
Rinconada Canyon Trail, Petroglyph National Monument
Hike length: 2.2 miles roundtrip
Distance from closest city: Within the city limits of Albuquerque, New Mexico
This pet-friendly trail at Petroglyph National Monument gives you the opportunity to see hundreds of petroglyphs. The park’s unique landscapes originated some 200,000 years ago after a series of volcanic eruptions, and the rocks formed were later used mainly by the ancestral Puebloans to create the many petroglyphs still found here today. Look for the “hummingbird” petroglyph—so named because of its resemblance to this tiny species—as you hike.
Dune Life Nature Trail, White Sands National Park
Hike length: 1-mile loop
Distance from closest city: 15 miles from Alamogordo, New Mexico
This pet-friendly trail at White Sands National Park takes you through the largest gypsum dune field in the world, and includes interpretive signage to help you learn about the park’s history. Visit during sunrise or sunset to capture mesmerizing photos of the dune field in the pastel-colored light.
Along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail winds 4,900 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Pacific Coast in Oregon. It follows the route that Lewis and Clark took on their 1804–1806 expedition, although Indigenous peoples created and used these pathways for generations prior to their arrival. Today, the historic trail passes through many urban areas, offering great opportunities for hiking.
Gateway Arch Loop, Gateway Arch National Park
Hike length: 1.6 miles
Distance from closest city: Within the city limits of St. Louis, Missouri
This urban hike takes you throughout Gateway Arch National Park, which commemorates President Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a continental United States. The park is also near the starting point of Lewis and Clark’s expedition. Hike the grounds, spend time in the park’s museum, take in views of the arch itself and the surrounding city, and, in the right season, enjoy blooming magnolia trees.
Lake Elmo Loop, Lake Elmo State Park
Hike length: 1.4 miles
Distance from closest city: 5 miles from Billings, Montana
This trail takes you around Lake Elmo and is popular with birders. The state park also offers swimming, fishing, and boating. This park is near where Lewis and Clark passed by on the Yellowstone River, and the surrounding landscapes capture what the expedition may have seen as it ventured westward.
Whether you’re looking to take a staycation hike from your hometown, planning a day trip during a shorter visit, or want to experience a national park during a longer stay in a new-to-you city, there are plenty of trails to explore that are close to urban areas. The above trails are just a select few hikes that you can take in these parks. To learn more or plan additional hikes, visit our Discover Our Parks page to start planning your next adventure.
By Nikki Stavile
