If you’re the kind of person who hears “Take a hike, pal!” and gets excited, have we got a list for you! Whether you’re planning a trek-centric trip or looking to relocate to some place with new hiking heights, you’ll want to peruse our rankings for the best states for hiking.
We considered several key factors, including the total number of trails, the number of trail reviews in each state, the percentage of easy trails, and the percentage of highly-reviewed trails. And because very few folks enjoy rain with their parade, we also considered the amount of annual precipitation each state gets. So grab your hiking boots and gear, and check out the list to see if your home state ranks in our top ten states for hiking!
The Best U.S. States for Hiking, Ranked
| State | Rank | Total # of Reviews | Total # of Hiking Trails | % of Easy | % of Trails Rated 4.5+ | Precipitation (yearly inches) |
| Colorado | 1 | 1,687,842 | 4,443 | 26% | 48% | 15.9 |
| Utah | 2 | 937,744 | 2,607 | 20% | 39% | 12.2 |
| New York | 3 | 908,231 | 3,669 | 43% | 34% | 41.8 |
| Texas | 4 | 490,105 | 1,593 | 64% | 41% | 28.9 |
| California | 5 | 3,851,839 | 10,743 | 25% | 9% | 22.2 |
| Washington | 6 | 1,128,184 | 3,455 | 29% | 33% | 38.4 |
| Arizona | 7 | 1,308,124 | 2,809 | 26% | 50% | 13.6 |
| Massachusetts | 8 | 536,379 | 2,772 | 64% | 25% | 47.7 |
| North Carolina | 9 | 642,042 | 2,213 | 39% | 45% | 50.3 |
| Wyoming | 10 | 111,151 | 807 | 20% | 49% | 12.9 |
1. Colorado
It’s no surprise Colorado ranks Rocky Mountain High on this list! Known for its mountain views, the Centennial State boasts about 4,443 hiking trails with more than 1.6 million total reviews! Almost half of those hikes (48%) average 4.5 or more stars, and 26% are considered easy, making them more widely accessible. Factor in a low rate of annual precipitation at 15.9 inches per year, and you’ll see why Colorado has a sunny reputation among hiking fans.
2. Utah
We don’t have to trek far to find the second state on our list, just over the border to neighboring Utah. Home to five national parks and host to just 12.2 inches of rain each year, the Beehive State is bursting with outdoor adventures. Those adventures include hiking trails with almost 1 million total reviews. A strong 39% of those trails are rated above 4.5 stars, including the world-famous Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park.
Continue reading “The Top 10 Best States For Hiking in 2023” here.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
