When COVID is over and we can travel again, here are the best places to hike in 2021.
8 Best Places to Hike in 2021
You might have been stressed and frustrated with all the COVID anxiety, day to day restrictions, health protocols, and changing health protocols … things are starting to feel more optimistic lately and I’m feeling excited to start traveling in the near future as vaccines get rolled out. This is why I came up with a list of the 8 best places to hike in 2021. I know we are all feeling restless now that it has almost been 1 year in the pandemic but I am hopeful we will be able to move around more freely soon.
Without further ado, here are the 8 best places to hike in 2021!
Not Dog-Friendly Hikes
1. Yosemite’s Half Dome Trail
Yosemite National Park’s 17-mile long Half Dome Trail is a favorite of hikers for more than a century.
While it is a tough hike, the breathtaking views are worth every bit of your effort. At the top, you’ll witness the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the mountain range.
You will need a hiking permit, which the National Park issues every March through a lottery system. Can’t get a permit? Check out some other hikes in Yosemite.
2. Mt. Rainier’s Wonderland Trail
The best way to cover the 93-mile long trail is to circumnavigate Mt. Rainier over two weeks of epic meandering. It is not an easy walk. However, the hike itself gives you stunning views of sub-alpine meadows and lowland forests.
Rainier’s icy glaciers and wide-open valleys can be breathtaking from July to September. I recommend checking your weather app before to make sure you’ll have clear skies. If it is cloudy or overcast, Mt Rainier could be completely blocked!
Make sure to get a permit by April 1st. The permit process is also run by the NPS.
3. The Inca Trail
The Inca Trail should be on your list of the best hikes in the world. It is a 26-mile trek that will take you through waterfalls, ancient ruins, and a couple of 13,000-foot passes.
Marching into Machu Pichu will be breathtaking and a one of a kind experience. It is super rare to have a natural landscape alongside a lost civilization.
I recommend planning well ahead of time for this journey. Four days may seem an easy hike. However, both the weather and the terrain can be unforgiving if you’re unprepared.
4. Teton Crest Trail
The Grand Tetons is one of my favorite national parks. It might be the perfect combination in what I look for hiking – amazing views, diverse trails, and a nice town nearby for a really good cup of coffee. The Teton Crest trail is one of the best places to hike in 2021 because it is usually super crowded and you may be able to enjoy with fewer crowds!
July to September offer the best times of the year to hike the blooming meadows, blanketed with coneflower and lupine. Hiking the 40-mile long Teton Crest Trail at the Grand Teton National Park can be exhilarating and frustrating because you will most likely share the trail with hundreds of other hikers. If you want to avoid other hikers, go in the early shoulder seasons like early June or late September. You might deal with some snow and temps will certainly be colder!
Don’t forget go check everything about Bear Safety when you are in the Grand Tetons. When I was there, I saw so many bears and was hiking by myself – a little sketch but I felt safe because I was prepared.
Every inch of the trail is super beautiful and also Instagrammable epic.
You’ll also need a permit for backcountry camping.
Dog-Friendly Hikes
5. Mount Shasta
There are more than 30 great hiking trails in Mount Shasta. The best thing about these trails is that you can bring your four-legged friend along.
Take a dip at Lake Siskiyou’s sparkling waters. Let your pet dog frolic in the spray of Faery Falls or Ney Springs.
The Mount Shasta summit via the Hotlum Bolum Route is also a must – but it is a tough, and technical hike! Note: You need both a Wilderness Permit and a Summit Pass to hike Mount Shasta.
6. Acadia National Park
Want to treat your pet dog to the best hike? Head to the Acadia National Park. This is one of my favorites places in the East Coast. Fun fact – it also gets the first sunrise of the year in the Continental US for some times of the year.
While the beaches are off-limits to your furry friend during the summer (May/June – September), the rest of the 100-miles of hiking trail should still be a wonderful experience. Some of the popular trails like Beehive and Precipice Trail are off limits to dogs
If you want to camp overnight, check out Seawall and the Blackwoods Campgrounds where you and your pet can stay for the weekend.
7. William B. Umstead State Park
William B. Umstead State Park near Raleigh is another beautiful place to go hiking in 2021 – especially during the fall when there is fall foliage! This spot is popular for engagement photoshoots and it’s easy to see why.
If you are looking for an easier trail, I recommend the Inspiration Trail at the William B. Umstead State Park. The trail is less than a mile long. Yet, the scenery can be breathtaking. It is also a great place to take younger puppies that are looking to train for longer hikes!
8. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Around 30 minutes from Las Vegas is one of the coolest parts of Sin City, Red Rock Canyon. There is a huge area of well.. red.. rocks… that makes for amazing hiking and biking. The area is also one of the best places to go hiking with your dog. When I lived in Vegas, I would go here every couple of weeks to explore!
You can enjoy a leisurely drive along the 13-mile route and explore any of the trails alongside the drive, or you can bike the entire 13 mile route. Note that as of Feb 2021, reservations are currently required for entry.
