Are you looking for the best day hikes in the USA to include on your next boomer travel adventure? Alan and I enjoy stopping to hike local trails on our trips around the U.S. whenever possible. Hikes are ideal for stretching your legs on a road trip or when exploring a national park.
Our trail recommendations are usually geared around moderate to easy day hikes. We look for US hiking trails on national park, state park or national forest websites. The American Hiking Society website is another good resource filled with hiking tips and trail advice. We particularly like the “hike near you” feature for hikes in the United States.
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The best USA day hikes for your next boomer trip
On this page, we share the best USA hiking trails from our personal experience—or those of guest writers. You’ll want to read them before leaving on your USA hiking trip. And don’t forget to consult the My Itchy Travel Feet hiking planner to make the most of your time on the trail. Need ideas for gearing up? Check out our recommendations for day hiking essentials.
Hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante
Are you looking for a fun hike in Southern Utah? Let me tell you about hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls. Waterfall hikes are a treat while on an American Southwest adventure in the rugged high desert. Nothing’s better than feeling the spray from a waterfall after a traveling along a hot, sunny trail. It’s […]
9 Easy Hikes in the Smoky Mountains
If you’re looking for personal experience reports on easy hikes in the Smoky Mountains, you’ve come to the right place. Like many boomers. Alan and I like to include hikes in our national park trips. We know that you do, too. While it’s important to challenge ourselves on moderately strenuous trails, sometimes all we want […]
Baby Boomer Hiking Adventures in Tennessee
Are you looking for hiking adventures in Tennessee? The crisp days of September and October are a great time to hit the trails on a boomer hike, especially in the areas that are not trampled by fall-foliage-seeking tourists. Tennessee, for example, is often overlooked by tourists in general. In addition to being home to vibrant […]
Montana Hiking
Updated 06.16.2020: While hiking in Montana, you’ll see wildlife and admire jaw-dropping scenery on trails for every ability level. From Glacier National Park to the Bitterroot Mountains and beyond, you’ll find trails for reconnecting with nature, which is oh-so-healthy for everyone, including boomer travelers. Some of the links on this page are referral links. Read […]
Glacier National Park Hikes
When it comes to Glacier National Park hikes, boomer travelers will discover trails ranging from easy to difficult. Glacier National Park offers some of the most scenic hiking trails that we’ve experienced. Some of the links on this page are referral links. Read our Disclosure. Glacier National Park Hikes for Boomer Hikers Discover our favorites […]
Hiking in Yosemite: 8 Great Trails for Baby Boomers to Try
Hiking through a scenic national park like Yosemite is a fantastic way to experience nature’s exquisite beauty. And, if you’ve been reading My Itchy Travel Feet for very long, you know our motto: Put your feet on the ground to truly experience a place. Between majestic mountains, clear lakes, dramatic waterfalls, and incredible views all […]
A Panoramic Photography Hike in Yosemite
When looking for a photography hike in Yosemite National Park, you can’t go wrong with the Four Mile Trail. Yosemite is certainly one of the most popular, and beautiful, National Parks in the country. And there’s plenty to photograph. Guest writer and photographer, Noel Morata from behind Travel Photo Discovery, take us on one of […]
Exploring Kentucky’s Natural Bridge State Resort Park
We often talk about our love of exploring U.S. National Parks, but there are so many incredible state parks across the USA that deserve attention as well. State parks make for fantastic travel destinations, not only for their lack of crowds seen at the more popular national parks, but also for their enjoyable hiking and […]
Six of the Best Shenandoah National Park Hiking Trails for Baby Boomers
Are you looking for suggestions on Shenandoah National Park hiking trails? Here are six that range from easy to moderate, plus one difficult trail that’s more of a rock scramble. They are listed from north to south as you travel through the park. By now our love of National Parks is pretty obvious, as is […]
Hiking to Hidden Falls in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Do you enjoy a hike with choices—taking the long way when there’s time or choosing a shorter version that better fits your schedule? The Hidden Falls hike in Grand Teton National Park near Jackson, Wyoming, does just that. Alan and I have hiked this popular Grand Teton (official website) trail twice—the longer Jenny Lake trail […]
Hiking with History on Kodiak Island
Is Kodiak on your next Alaska cruise itinerary Don’t miss hiking Kodiak Island on a shore excursion at Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park. Experiencing nature and wildlife are two of the highlights of an Alaska cruise. While water tours are fun for exploring glaciers or whale watching, Alan and I enjoy hiking during a cruise […]
The BEST Tips for Hiking in Hendersonville, North Carolina
Recently, guest contributor, Cheryl Rodewig, took us on a lovely Autumn Escape to Hendersonville, North Carolina. Now she’s back to reveal some of her tried and true tips for hiking in Hendersonville. The Blue Ridge Mountains fringe the western edge of North Carolina. They’re filled with dozens of waterfalls, hundreds of miles of trails and […]
Hiking to a Green Sand Beach in Hawaii
If you’re a traveler who’s “been there, done that” on the Big Island of Hawaii, here’s an off-the-beaten-path adventure for you. Travel to South Point for a hike to a green sand beach, Papalokea. You’ll feel like you’ve come to the ends of the earth, or at least the southernmost end of the United States, which […]
The Best Fall National Park Hikes for Boomer Travelers
In my opinion, engaging with nature on fall national park hikes is simply the best. The weather is brisk, but not cold enough to need winter gear. Plus animals are scurrying around preparing for winter, which results in excellent wildlife viewing. When Alan and I plan a national park visit, we skip the summer months […]
Hiking Pilot Mountain State Park
If you’re looking for a fun day hike in a North Carolina State Park, I recommend hiking Pilot Mountain State Park. The easy trails lead to pretty overlooks on a beautiful short hike in the woods. Driving north on Highway 52, Pilot Mountain is the stony punctuation in the rolling hills of the North Carolina […]
Hiking Adventure in Big Bend National Park
If you’re looking for another off-the-beaten-path National Park adventure, look no further than Big Bend National Park. This beautiful area on the Texas-Mexico border is a prime destination for hikers, bird watchers, photographers and nature lovers. Sounds like boomer adventure land to us! Deborah Lonergan explains why we should experience a Big Bend National Park hiking […]
The Best Hiking Apps for Boomer Hikers
Updated 07.02.2018. Since June 2015, we’ve been sharing our recommendations for best hiking apps. This is the most recent update that includes eliminating apps that are no longer published plus we introduce you to our latest finds. If you’re an app user who loves to include hiking in your travels, bookmark this page so that […]
Day Hiking Essentials: What to Wear and Bring on a Short Hike
Are you including day hikes in your next road trip, national park adventure, or cruise excursion? If so, you’re going to need my tips for day hiking essentials. I’m a boomer traveler who still enjoys hiking. Alan, too. We’re convinced that getting out on the trail is one of the best ways to experience a […]
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