Things to do

Front-Country Hiking in national parks

The National Park Service lists 218 things to do tagged “Front-Country Hiking” in 68 parks and sites. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument has the most (16). Each listing links to the NPS page with details. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated · NPS Data API

Showing 218 of 218 listings.

ListingParkTime neededSeasonNotes
Alcove HouseBandelier National Monument—Year-roundFee
Azalea Trail 1.2 milesGreenbelt Park30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Become a BARK Ranger!Petrified Forest National Park—Year-round—
Blue Basin Overlook TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument1-3 HoursYear-round—
Boca Negra CanyonPetroglyph National Monument5-60 MinutesYear-round—
Break on the Bottomland TrailTallgrass Prairie National Preserve10-120 MinutesYear-round—
Bristlecone Loop TrailBryce Canyon National Park30-60 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Bryce Amphitheater TraverseBryce Canyon National Park3-4 Hours——
Carroll Rim TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Clarno Arch TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument15-45 MinutesYear-round—
Discover the Boreal Forest: Identify Plants While Hiking in DenaliDenali National Park & Preserve1-4 HoursSummer—
Dogwood Trail 1.6 milesGreenbelt Park30-60 Minutes——
Early Morning Hike to Horseshoe LakeDenali National Park & Preserve2-3 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Explore Mountain Vista & Savage RiverDenali National Park & Preserve2-6 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Explore Raspberry IslandIsle Royale National Park2-6 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Explore Sandstone Bluffs OverlookEl Malpais National Monument15-60 MinutesYear-round—
Explore the Agave TrailAlcatraz Island30-60 MinutesWinter, Fall—
Explore the DunesGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve—Year-round—
Explore the Exit Glacier area in a couple of hoursKenai Fjords National Park—Spring, Summer, Fall—
Explore the Fort Yellowstone Historic DistrictYellowstone National Park45-60 MinutesYear-round—
Explore the Parade GroundFort Smith National Historic Site30-45 MinutesYear-round—
Explore the Walking TrailsBig Hole National Battlefield—Summer, Fall—
Explore Wildflowers at Cedar SinkMammoth Cave National Park45-60 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Fairyland LoopBryce Canyon National Park4-5 Hours——
Fall ColorsKatahdin Woods and Waters National Monument1-8 Hours——
Figure-8 CombinationBryce Canyon National Park4-5 Hours——
Fire Prairie TrailBig Cypress National Preserve1-3 HoursYear-round—
Flood of Fire TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Florida National Scenic TrailBig Cypress National Preserve, Gulf Islands National Seashore2-5 DaysYear-round—
Follow Trenches on the 19th Corps TrailsCedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park30-120 MinutesYear-round—
Fountain Paint Pot TrailYellowstone National Park30-45 MinutesWinter, Summer, Fall—
From Your Boat To The BridgeGlen Canyon National Recreation Area, Rainbow Bridge National Monument2-8 HoursYear-round—
Front country Hiking TrailsWrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve2-4 HoursYear-round—
Full Moon HikeBryce Canyon National Park60-120 MinutesYear-roundReservation
Gator Hook TrailBig Cypress National Preserve2-4 HoursYear-round—
Geologic Time TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument10-35 MinutesYear-round—
Go for a Hike at Gulf IslandsGulf Islands National Seashore30-120 MinutesYear-round—
Go to the BeachOlympic National Park—Year-round—
Grand Canyon of the YellowstoneYellowstone National Park1-2 HoursYear-round—
Green River Road on the OVNHTCowpens National Battlefield45-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hike & Bike Along the RiverSan Antonio Missions National Historical Park15-240 MinutesYear-round—
Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor CenterDenali National Park & Preserve1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike a Strenuous TrailCapitol Reef National Park—Year-roundFee
Hike Algonkian Regional Park to Difficult RunGreat Falls Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail3-6 HoursYear-round—
Hike an Easy or Moderate TrailCapitol Reef National Park—Year-roundFee
Hike Beech Cliff Trail with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike between Scott's Run Nature Preserve and Theodore Roosevelt IslandGeorge Washington Memorial Parkway, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail4-7 HoursYear-round—
Hike Cedar Point Nature Trail - South RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park———
Hike Chasm View Nature Trail - North RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park—Spring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Deadhorse Trail - North RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park—Spring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Double Bubble Nubble Loop with Island ExplorerAcadia National Park4-5 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Gorge/Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Loop with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Great Head with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park1-2 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Jordan Pond Loop with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park1-2 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Joyner Ridge TrailDevils Tower National Monument1-2 HoursYear-round—
Hike Kephart Bridge Landing to Bles ParkPotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail1-2 HoursYear-round—
Hike Montville Nature Trail or Mosca Pass TrailGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve30-240 MinutesYear-round—
Hike North Vista Trail - North RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park—Spring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Oak Flat Trail - South RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park———
Hike Ocean Path Trail with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park1-2 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Pemetic Summit with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Reflection Lake LoopLassen Volcanic National Park15-30 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Rim Rock Trail - South RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park———
Hike Sargent and Penobscot Mountains from JPH with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park—Spring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Sieur de Monts to Jesup Path with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park1-2 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Sieur de Monts to Sand Beach Trek with Island ExplorerAcadia National Park2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Sound of Silence TrailDinosaur National Monument1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike South Side TrailDevils Tower National Monument0-30 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the 7 Creeks TrailTimucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve200-440 MinutesWinter, Spring, Fall—
Hike the Acadia Mountain Loop with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park2-3 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Arizona Hot Springs TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area4-8 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike the Battle Road TrailMinute Man National Historical Park1-4 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Beaver Jim Villines Homestead TrailBuffalo National River15-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Bluffs TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Box Canyon TrailDinosaur National Monument20-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Boyhood TrailLincoln Boyhood National Memorial10-15 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Cabin District Interpretive TrailValles Caldera National Preserve30-60 MinutesYear-roundFee
Hike the Callville Summit TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Cerro La Jara LoopValles Caldera National Preserve1-2 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Cliff TrailDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-round—
Hike the D&H Towpath TrailUpper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Desert Voices TrailDinosaur National Monument1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Diablo East Nature TrailAmistad National Recreation Area———
Hike the Fort Necessity TrailsFort Necessity National Battlefield15-180 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Fossil Discovery TrailDinosaur National Monument30-90 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Frey TrailBandelier National Monument1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Gates of Lodore TrailDinosaur National Monument45-120 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Goldstrike Canyon TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area4-8 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike the Harding Icefield TrailKenai Fjords National Park6-8 HoursSummer, Fall—
Hike the Harpers Corner TrailDinosaur National Monument1-2 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Historic Railroad TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike the Hog Canyon TrailDinosaur National Monument30-90 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Jemez River TrailValles Caldera National Preserve2-3 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Lake View TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike the Liberty Bell Arch TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area4-8 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike the Lone Palm TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area4-8 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike the Lost Valley TrailBuffalo National River1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Main Pueblo Loop TrailBandelier National Monument30-90 MinutesYear-roundFee
Hike the Monument Hill TrailSand Creek Massacre National Historic Site—Year-round—
Hike the Northshore Summit TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Owl Canyon TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Plug Hat TrailDinosaur National Monument15-45 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike the Rabbit Mountain LoopValles Caldera National Preserve1-2 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Rabbit Ridge TrailValles Caldera National Preserve1-2 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Red Beds Loop TrailDevils Tower National Monument2-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike the Redstone TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the River Mountains Loop TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area4-8 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the River Trail at Dinosaur National MonumentDinosaur National Monument1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike the South Mountain TrailValles Caldera National Preserve3-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the South Valle Grande TrailValles Caldera National Preserve1-2 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Square Tower Group Loop TrailHovenweep National Monument—Year-round—
Hike the St. Thomas TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike The Thomas Farm TrailMonocacy National Battlefield30-120 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Trail of Twelve StonesLincoln Boyhood National Memorial10-20 MinutesYear-round—
Hike the Tsankawi Loop TrailBandelier National Monument1-3 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the Upper Falls TrailBandelier National Monument—Year-roundFee
Hike the Valle Grande Exploration TrailValles Caldera National Preserve30-60 MinutesYear-roundFee
Hike the Wetlands TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area1-4 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike the White Rock Canyon TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area4-8 HoursWinter, Spring, FallFee
Hike to Grace Creek OverlookIsle Royale National Park2-4 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike to Hideout HollowBuffalo National River1-3 HoursYear-round—
Hike to History GroveValles Caldera National Preserve1-2 HoursYear-roundFee
Hike to Minong Ridge OverlookIsle Royale National Park2-6 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike to Sulphur SpringsValles Caldera National Preserve30-60 MinutesSpring, Summer, FallFee
Hike to Suzy's CaveIsle Royale National Park2-6 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike to the Swelter Shelter PetroglyphsDinosaur National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-round—
Hike to the Top of Big Kennesaw MountainKennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park45-90 MinutesYear-roundFee
Hike up Tanalian MountainLake Clark National Park & Preserve1-12 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Uplands Trail - South RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park———
Hike Valley View TrailDevils Tower National Monument0-30 MinutesYear-round—
Hike Village Green to Sieur de Monts with Island Explorer BusAcadia National Park1-1 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Hike Warner Point Trail - South RimBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park———
Hikes at the Worthington FarmMonocacy National Battlefield30-160 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking & Exploring Mound City GroupHopewell Culture National Historical Park20-180 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking & Exploring Seip EarthworksHopewell Culture National Historical Park30-180 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking Alkali Flat TrailWhite Sands National Park3-5 HoursYear-round—
Hiking at Friendship HillFriendship Hill National Historic Site30-300 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National MonumentTule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument—Year-round—
Hiking Backcountry Camping TrailWhite Sands National Park2-3 HoursYear-round—
Hiking Dune Life Nature TrailWhite Sands National Park45-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking in BandelierBandelier National Monument1-8 HoursYear-roundFee
Hiking Interdune BoardwalkWhite Sands National Park15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking Scotts Bluff National MonumentScotts Bluff National Monument—Year-round—
Hiking the Geologic TrailFlorissant Fossil Beds National Monument30-60 Minutes—Fee
Hiking the Ice Age TrailWhite Sands National Park45-60 MinutesYear-round—
Hiking the Natchez Trace National Scenic TrailNatchez Trace Parkway5-14 HoursYear-round—
Hiking the Petrified Forest LoopFlorissant Fossil Beds National Monument30-60 MinutesYear-roundFee
Hiking the Ponderosa Loop TrailFlorissant Fossil Beds National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-roundFee
Hiking the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic TrailNatchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail1-12 HoursYear-round—
Hiking to Waterfalls on the Natchez TraceNatchez Trace Parkway15-120 MinutesYear-round—
Island in Time TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument20-60 MinutesYear-round—
Kirby Storter Roadside ParkBig Cypress National Preserve15-60 MinutesYear-round—
Leaf Hill TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-round—
Lonely Dell Ranch Historic SiteGlen Canyon National Recreation Area1-8 HoursYear-round—
Mascall Formation OverlookJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument5-15 MinutesYear-round—
Mossy Cave TrailBryce Canyon National Park30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Navajo Loop TrailBryce Canyon National Park1-2 Hours——
Navajo/Peekaboo Combination LoopBryce Canyon National Park3-4 Hours——
Norris Geyser Basin TrailsYellowstone National Park30-90 MinutesSpring, Summer, Fall—
Outdoor Pursuits and Trail MapCarl Sandburg Home National Historic Site—Year-round—
Painted Cove TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-round—
Painted Hills Overlook TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument5-30 MinutesYear-round—
Peekaboo LoopBryce Canyon National Park3-4 Hours——
Perimeter Trail 5.2 milesGreenbelt Park60-120 MinutesYear-round—
Pet Friendly HikesWind Cave National Park30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Petroglyphs in the Park!Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park—Year-round—
Piedras Marcadas CanyonPetroglyph National Monument1-2 HoursYear-round—
Queen's Garden TrailBryce Canyon National Park1-2 Hours——
Queen's/Navajo Combination LoopBryce Canyon National Park2-3 Hours——
Red Scar Knoll TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Rinconada CanyonPetroglyph National Monument90-120 MinutesYear-round—
River TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument10-35 MinutesYear-round—
Scramble down Cathedral Wash TrailGlen Canyon National Recreation Area3-4 HoursYear-round—
See Madison FallsOlympic National Park5-15 MinutesYear-round—
Sheep Rock Overlook TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-round—
Short TrailsBandelier National Monument1-4 Hours—Fee
Stoll Memorial Trail (Scoville Point)Isle Royale National Park1-6 HoursSummer—
Story in Stone TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Sunrise at Point IsabelTimucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve20-60 MinutesYear-round—
Sunset Point to Sunrise Point HikeBryce Canyon National Park20-60 Minutes——
Take a Pet-Friendly HikeOlympic National Park—Year-roundFee
Take a Ridge-top Walk to Sunset PointMammoth Cave National Park30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Take a Self-Guided Tour of Giant LogsPetrified Forest National Park30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Take a Short Hike Near the Visitor CenterOlympic National Park15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Take a stroll to Horseshoe Bend OverlookGlen Canyon National Recreation Area1-8 HoursYear-roundFee
The Bluff TrailSand Creek Massacre National Historic Site—Year-round—
The Deep Lake TrailBig Cypress National Preserve30-90 MinutesYear-round—
The Rim TrailBryce Canyon National Park1-7 Hours——
Thomas Condon Overlook TrailJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument5-20 MinutesYear-round—
Tower BridgeBryce Canyon National Park2-3 Hours——
Trail of FossilsJohn Day Fossil Beds National Monument10-35 MinutesYear-round—
Trails on the Natchez Trace ParkwayNatchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail15-460 MinutesYear-round—
Tyuonyi Overlook TrailBandelier National Monument2-3 HoursYear-roundFee
Visit Citadel and Nalakihu PueblosWupatki National Monument5-20 MinutesYear-roundFee
Visit Grand Portage State ParkGrand Portage National Monument1-4 HoursYear-round—
Visit La Ventana Natural ArchEl Malpais National Monument20-30 MinutesYear-round—
Visit Lomaki and Box Canyon PueblosWupatki National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-roundFee
Visit Wukoki PuebloWupatki National Monument5-15 MinutesYear-roundFee
Visit Wupatki PuebloWupatki National Monument5-30 MinutesYear-roundFee
Volcanoes Day Use AreaPetroglyph National Monument1-4 HoursYear-round—
Volunteer to complete the PHT in Northern VirginiaPotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail—Year-round—
Walk Blue Mesa TrailPetrified Forest National Park30-120 MinutesYear-round—
Walk Crystal Forest TrailPetrified Forest National Park20-120 MinutesYear-round—
Walk Long Logs TrailPetrified Forest National Park60-120 MinutesYear-round—
Walk Puerco Pueblo TrailPetrified Forest National Park10-60 MinutesYear-round—
Walk the Anhinga TrailEverglades National Park1-2 HoursYear-round—
Walk the Moments in Time TrailOlympic National Park15-30 MinutesYear-round—
Walk the Painted Desert Rim TrailPetrified Forest National Park20-120 MinutesYear-round—
Walk the River Loop TrailFort Smith National Historic Site30-60 MinutesYear-round—
Walk the Tawa TrailPetrified Forest National Park30 MinutesYear-round—
Walk the Tower Trail LoopDevils Tower National Monument40 MinutesYear-round—
Walk the TrailsFrances Perkins National Monument—Year-round—
Walk the Windigo Nature TrailIsle Royale National Park1-2 HoursSpring, Summer, Fall—
Walk to the MonumentWright Brothers National Memorial—Year-round—
Walk to the Square Tower Group OverlookHovenweep National Monument10-30 MinutesYear-round—
Walk Washita Battlefield Park TrailWashita Battlefield National Historic Site30-90 Minutes——
Watch the Sunrise/Sunset at Gulf IslandsGulf Islands National Seashore15-60 MinutesYear-round—
Watch the SunsetCapitol Reef National Park—Year-roundFee

Parks with the most front-country hiking listings

Other activities

HikingSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingMuseum ExhibitsGuided ToursJunior Ranger ProgramScenic DrivingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPaddlingPicnickingBikingBackcountry HikingBackcountry CampingPark FilmHands-OnArts and CultureSelf-Guided Tours - AutoStargazing

Sources

  • National Park Service Data API — things to do (developer.nps.gov), snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Listings, seasons and fees can change; confirm on nps.gov. The NPS does not endorse this site.