6 Best National Parks for Short, Easy Hikes

Maybe the idea of hiking sounds great, but once you’ve been huffing and puffing for miles, you are wondering, “Why am I doing this?” and just want it to be over. Or maybe you love hiking, but your kids tap out and start whining around mile 2. Sound familiar?

There are tons of options to leave the hiking boots at home, slip into sneakers, and still enjoy the best our national parks have to offer. Almost all national parks have easy trails, but these are some of my personal favorites where you can see breathtaking scenery without the “mountain trek” stress.

Easy walks in Grand Teton National Park

The Grand Tetons are famous for Jenny Lake, where you can see the reflection of snow-covered mountains in the crystal-clear water. The full Jenny Lake loop is very flat and about 7 miles, but you certainly don’t have to do the whole thing to soak in the views. Even just a leisurely half-mile stroll along the lakeshore gives you that perfect Teton postcard view.

You can also take the short boat shuttle across the lake to see the mountains from a different vantage point and then walk the 1-mile trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Both provide you with stunning views without committing to a long trek.

Grand Teton also has one of the highest populations of moose in the lower 48. I’ve seen moose at dusk at Schwabacher Landing, which is a short, flat, half-mile round-trip hike, and Moose Pond, a 2-mile out-and-back hike with minimal elevation gain.

Best casual hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is more than just its quirky namesake trees. The giant boulders and desert landscapes make it feel like another world. Joshua Tree is a much smaller park, so it’s easy to navigate, and most of the park’s highlights are found on short trails.

A few of my favorites:

• Hidden Valley Trail, a 1-mile loop through a rock-enclosed valley filled with massive boulders that’s perfect for families.
• Barker Dam Trail, 1.5 miles, mixes desert scenery with a historic dam and the chance to see bighorn sheep
• Arch Rock Trail, an easy 0.3-mile hike through huge rock formations that leads to a natural stone arch, which is a perfect “Instagram moment.”
• Skull Rock, a huge, popular rock formation that looks like a face that kids love to climb on. It’s one of the most visited sights in the park, and it’s right along the main road.
• Split Rock Loop, a 1.9-mile loop trail that takes you past a huge cracked boulder, a series of other monstrous boulders, and of course, Joshua trees.

There are tons of options to leave the hiking boots at home, slip into sneakers, and still enjoy the best our national parks have to offer.

Scenic strolls in Glacier National Park

Glacier is known for epic backcountry treks, but you don’t need a giant backpack to experience its magic. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is itself a jaw-dropping drive, with overlooks where you can step out of the car, and the view feels like you’ve hiked miles.

If you want to get a few steps in, start with the Trail of the Cedars (0.9 miles), a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through towering old-growth forest. The Running Eagle Falls Trail (0.7 miles) is also flat and accessible, with the bonus of a waterfall that flows through a natural opening in the rock. For something a little longer, the Rocky Point Nature Trail (2 miles round trip) near Lake McDonald gives you sweeping views of the lake with fewer crowds.

Short trails in Zion National Park

Zion’s red rock cliffs and lush canyon floors are best known for challenging hikes like Angels Landing and the Narrows, but there are plenty of gentler options. The Canyon Overlook Trail is just a 1-mile round trip and offers one of the best panoramic views in the park.

The Riverside Walk (2.2 miles round trip) is a paved path that follows the Virgin River to the start of The Narrows. It’s shady, scenic, and kid-friendly, with spots to dip your toes in the water. For a quieter option, head to the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1 mile) in the Kolob Canyons section.

Emerald Pools, a unique desert oasis surrounded by red rock canyons and cliffs, is another famous Zion hike and can be as short as an easy 1.2 miles round trip to the Lower Pool or a 2.5-mile round trip to all three. The Lower Pool hike has wide sidewalks and is wheelchair accessible, while the trail to the Upper Pool is rockier and hillier.

These trails give you the drama of Zion’s cliffs and canyons without the need for grueling climbs.

Short hikes in Arches National Park

Arches is like a natural playground, with over 2,000 stone arches scattered across the desert. The good news is that many of the best ones are just a short walk from the car.

The Balanced Rock Trail is a 0.3-mile loop that circles the park’s most famous boulder. The Windows Trail (1 mile) takes you right up to massive arches you can walk through. Sand Dune Arch Trail (0.4 miles) is a fun, sandy walk tucked between rock fins, which is a hit with kids.

If you want something slightly longer but still manageable, the Double Arch Trail is 1.2 miles round-trip and leads to one of the park’s most photogenic formations.  Or 3 miles round trip to the most iconic of all the arches, Delicate Arch. You can easily combine several of these short trails into one day for a highlight-reel visit.

Coastal walks in Acadia National Park

Acadia’s coastal scenery makes it a perfect park for casual walkers. The most famous Acadia overlook is from the top of Cadillac Mountain. You can hike it, but you can also drive to the summit, then walk around short paths to watch sunrise or sunset over the Atlantic (Pro-tip: you do need a reservation to drive the road to the summit).

On the water, the Ocean Path Trail is an easy stroll following the jagged, scenic coastline for 4 miles, and you can walk as little or as much as you want. The section near Thunder Hole is a favorite, where waves crash into a rocky inlet.

Similarly, the Shore Path is a 0.8-mile trail that starts right in Bar Harbor and provides beautiful views of the islands in the bay. Looking for something more unique? During low tide, you can walk on a sandbar to Bar Island. The sandbar itself is about 0.5 miles one-way.

Ready to plan your national park escape?

These parks prove that national park beauty isn’t reserved for seasoned hikers with trekking poles. From peaceful lakeside paths to short trails with panoramic views, there are plenty of ways to experience nature at your own pace.