Ahhh the mountains! One of the most gorgeous formations throughout the world filled with breathtaking views and thrilling trails. If you’re a travel healthcare professional and crave adventure, the mountains may be calling you to take an assignment there. With over 60 National Parks throughout the United States, not to mention over 6,700 state parks, the adventures are truly endless! In this post, we’ll cover five of our favorite National Parks featuring spectacular mountain views and trails for every skill level. Please note that some of these parks do have reservation systems in place, so make sure to do your research before arriving!
1 – Rocky Mountain National Park
View of Mills Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Written in its name, Rocky Mountain National Park, located in Colorado, features some of the most breathtaking mountain views! With numerous trails ranging from easy to challenging, you’ll get mountain views no matter your skill level. Most visitors access RMNP through Estes Park, but you can also enter from the other side of the park in Grand Lake. Fun Fact! Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the few national parks where you can collect trail badges. Estes Park has an amazing downtown area to purchase these badges, as well as, souvenirs, tees, and more. Also be sure to drive Trail Ridge Road, the tallest road in the US that connects Estes Park and Grand Lake, for even more alpine views!
Bear Lake Loop
One of the shortest trails with minimal elevation gain that offers views of the Rocky Mountain range. Perfect for quick stroll!
- Trailhead: Bear Lake Road
- Elevation Gain: 45’
- Round Trip Distance: 0.8 Miles
Emerald Lake
On this trail, you’ll go by three lakes: Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake! This trail is one of the more popular throughout the park for its short distance and low elevation gain so be prepared to hit crowds during peak seasons.
- Trailhead: Bear Lake Road
- Round Trip Distance: 3.5 Miles
Mills Lake/Black Lake
Black Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
One of our favorite hikes in the park! While heading to Mills Lake, you may encounter crowds till near Alberta Fall (which is one of the major waterfalls in the park). After Alberta Falls, the crowds typically thin out on your way to Mills Lake. Mills Lake has a similar view of the Rocky Mountain range like Bear Lake, but you’re more up close and personal with the views! Plus, less crowds means more peace and quiet to take in the views. If you follow the trail a few miles further, you’ll end up at Black Lake. This trail isn’t very popular so you may have the whole spot to yourself to take a break, relax, and grab a snack.
- Trailhead: Bear Lake Road
- Elevation Gain: 780’ Mills Lake / 1,480’ Black Lake
- Round Trip Distance: 5.3 Miles Mills Lake / 9.6 Miles Black Lake
Sky Pond
This trail is one of the more difficult ones in the park, but the climb (literally) is worth it! In order to get to Sky Pond you have to climb up a waterfall! How cool is that?! Once up the waterfall, it’s about another mile before you reach the Sharkstooth that surrounds Sky Pond.
- Trailhead: Bear Lake Road
- Round Trip Distance: 9.0 Miles
Flattop Mountain
Flattop Mountain View in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
If you’re looking to summit a mountain, but not quite ready for Longs Peak, Flattop Mountain is a great choice! You’ll hike alongside Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake while climbing above tree line to get to the summit. On the way, you’ll get stunning views of the park and Longs Peak. One you summit Flattop, you’ll be at an elevation of 12,329’!
- Trailhead: Bear Lake Road
- Round Trip Distance: 8.9 Miles
Longs Peak
Standing at 14,259’, Longs Peak is one of the many 14ers throughout Colorado, but the only one in a National Park. Many hikers begin their climb early in the morning around 2-3am to summit before afternoon storms come in. You’ll be above the range once you summit with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.
- Trailhead: Longs Peak Trailhead
- Round Trip Distance: 14.8 Miles
2 – Grand Teton National Park
Snake River Overlook, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
While it may be the youngest range in the Rocky Mountains, Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, has some of the most stunning mountain views you’ll ever experience. There’s just something about the Tetons that’s truly magical. No wonder it’s one of the most photographed areas in the US. The downtown area is spectacular with lots of shops and local restaurants. The downtown area near the park offers shops and local restaurants, and Yellowstone National Park is only about an hour away, featuring landmarks like Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring (that giant rainbow everyone raves about).
Jenny Lake Loop
Yes, you can walk around all of Jenny Lake, or take the ferry across for $12 one-way or $20 round-trip. Tucked away inside the Tetons is where you’ll find Jenny Lake, along with a charming gift shop for those looking for Teton souvenirs! If you decide to walk around the lake, take a detour over to Moose Ponds where you might even spot a moose!
- Trailhead: Jenny Lake Trailhead
- Round Trip Distance: 17.5 Miles (can divide into smaller trails)
Cascade Canyon
To start the Cascade Canyon trail, you will have to cross Jenny Lake, either by ferry or walk. Once on the other side, you can take a slight detour over to Hidden Falls to view one of the waterfalls in the park. From there, you’ll reach Inspiration Point before heading towards Cascade Canyon with views of the Teton Valley. For adventure enthusiasts, you can go beyond Cascade and head up to Lake Solitude and wrap around to Paintbrush Canyon to do the full loop!
- Trailhead: Jenny Lake Trailhead
- Elevation Gain: 1,110 Feet
- Round Trip Distance: 10.0 Miles
Amphitheater Lake
On this hike, you’ll actually hit two gorgeous subalpine lakes, Surprise Lake and Amphitheater Lake, with great views of Grand Teton, Mt Owen, and Disappointment Peak. This trail is a little longer with some switchbacks, but the mountain lake views are worth the climb! Some hikers will venture over to Delta Lake on their way up or down which we’ll talk about next!
- Trailhead: Lupine Meadows
- Round Trip Distance: 10.2 Miles
Delta Lake
Delta Lake featuring a closeup of Grand Teton, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
While this is an unmaintained trail and can no longer be found on the Grand Teton map, if you have the AllTrails app, you can still download the route to get to this hidden gem! You’ll have to put in some legwork to get to Delta Lake, but trust me when I say it’s definitely worth it. In the last stretch of the hike, you’ll have to traverse through two boulder fields and hike up a 600ft elevation gain slope before finally making it to Delta Lake. Once there, you’ll get some of the best views of the Grand Teton!
- Trailhead: Lupine Meadows
- Round Trip Distance: 7.4 Miles
Snake River Overlook
Easily accessible off the main road that runs around the Tetons, Snake River Overlook is a popular destination for incredible views of the Tetons and possible moose sightings! Whether you go during sunrise to get the glow on the front of the mountains, or at sunset for the colorful sky behind, Snake River Overlook offers a quiet spot to sit and absorb all the beauty.
PS: The picture of the Tetons at the beginning of this section was taken at Snake River Overlook during sunrise!
Mormon Row
John Moulton Barn in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
You know those famous pictures of a barn with mountains in the background? That’s Mormon Row! People from around the world travel here to take pictures of the iconic structures with the Teton range in the background! Another site that’s easily accessible off the main road, you’ll see the famous Moulton Barns – T.A. Moulton Barn and John Moulton Barn. There’s a lot of history in that area along with plaques to learn how the barns were built. We highly recommend visiting during sunrise or sunset to add in that glow from the mountains.
3 – Glacier National Park
Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, Montana
Located in Montana and near the border of Canada, Glacier National Park features glacier-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, and some of the most beautiful views. It’s no wonder that the park is called the “Crown of the Continent.” One of the most famous scenic drives in the United States is located in this park, which we’ll talk about later. If you love driving, you could hit Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone all in one week!
Avalanche Lake
This trail is one of the easier ones in the park with most of the hike going through a dense forest while you walk alongside Avalanche Creek. Once you get to the end of the woods, you’ll be presented with a gorgeous lake and mountain views. Be sure to take the boardwalk trail through the forest and stop to see Avalanche Gorge along the way!
- Trailhead: Trail of the Cedars
- Elevation Gain: 500’
- Roundtrip Distance: 4.6 Miles
Hidden Lake Overlook
Another simple hike and one of the most popular throughout the park, which may lead to lots of crowds depending on when you visit. This hike is a combination of boardwalk and gravel trails until you get to the overlook. You may even spot mountain goats along the way. If you’d like to extend your hike, go about 1.2 miles further to reach Hidden Lake!
- Trailhead: Logan Pass
- Elevation Gain: 460’
- Roundtrip Distance: 2.8 Miles
Grinnell Glacier
As pictured in the beginning of this section, Grinnell Glacier is one of the most photographed and hiked trails in the park. This trail is a bit longer with the average distance of 10.6 miles round trip (perfect for a day hike), but you’ll see it all along the way; wildlife, waterfalls, emerald green lakes, and of course, Grinnell Glacier. You can shorten the hike by taking the ferry across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, which will shave off a total of 7.2 miles roundtrip.
- Trailhead: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
- Elevation Gain: 1,600’
- Roundtrip Distance: 10.6 Miles
Cracker Lake
Cracker Lake, Glacier National Park, Wyoming
A popular trail amongst hikers due to its longer length and less crowds, Cracker Lake is a great day hike with crystal clear lake views and grassy slopes at the end. The beginning of the trail is located in the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot and the first few miles are a horse trail, so it may be a bit muddy. Along the way, you’ll pass Sherburne Lake and also get gorgeous views of the valley. There are a few areas that get steep, but overall, the trail is easy to follow, and you may even see wildlife with the trail being less populated.
- Trailhead: Many Glacier Hotel parking lot
- Elevation Gain: 1,400’
- Roundtrip Distance: 12.6 Miles
Iceberg Lake
In case you haven’t noticed, Glacier National Park is home to turquoise alpine lakes. Our last must-see trail is Iceberg Lake. This is another great day hike with mountain views, cliffs, wildflowers, and wildlife. This hike shares the trail to Ptarmigan Tunnel which is in bear territory, so make sure to travel in groups and bring bear spray! This trail is also one of the easier day hikes with slightly less elevation gain and distance, but with just as gorgeous views.
- Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
- Elevation Gain: 1,200’
- Roundtrip Distance: 9.6 Miles
Going-To-The-Sun Road
Going-To-The-Sun-Road, Glacier National Park, Wyoming
If you ever visit Glacier National Park, you MUST drive the Going-To-The-Sun Road. This road spans 50 miles from West Glacier to St. Mary while you cross the Continental Divide. You’ll get the best views of glaciers, mountains, and lakes, as well as possibly wildlife sightings. It’s recommended to start the drive early to avoid crowds. Plus, if you leave early, you may have a better chance of seeing wildlife as they’re typically more active in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
4 – Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California
One of the most visited National Parks in the United States, Yosemite, located in California, is a large park with mountain views, waterfalls, and tall sequoia trees. The park is divided into Upper and Lower Valley, with most of the popular hikes residing in the lower area. Not too far away are a few other National Parks such as Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Pinnacles, and Death Valley. Before visiting, we recommend downloading a map of the park to get familiar with the area as the roads are primarily one way and if you happen to miss your turn, you’ll have to drive through until you circle back around. Several of the hikes throughout the lower valley can be completed in a single day if you start early!
Lower/Upper Yosemite Falls
If looking for an easy hike to do with family, we recommend checking out the Lower Yosemite Falls trail. Not only will you get great views of the valley, but you can also explore Yosemite Village and the surrounding area after. If you’re a seasoned hiker, the Upper Yosemite Falls trail may be more your style! This one is difficult with its high elevation gain and distance, and mostly switchbacks (over 100) until you reach the end. But once you conquer those switchbacks, you’ll be greeted with closeup shots of Upper Yosemite Falls and amazing views of Half Dome!
- Trailhead: Yosemite Falls
- Elevation Gain: 50’ Lower / 2,700’ Upper
- Roundtrip Distance: 1.0 Mile Lower / 7.2 Miles Upper
Mariposa Grove
Walk among the giant in Mariposa Grove! The entrance to this short hike is located near the south entrance towards Oakland. Home to the Grizzy Giant, take a stroll through stunning sequoia trees, as well as several unique trees such as “The Clothespin,” or “The Faithful Couple,” as you hike up Wawona Point with stunning panoramic views. You can shorten the hike and do the Grizzy Giant Loop, which is only 2 miles.
- Trailhead: Mariposa Grove
- Elevation Gain: 1,200’
- Roundtrip Distance: 7.0 Miles
Taft Point
Taft Point, Yosemite National Park, California
One of the most popular and photographed hikes in the park, Taft Point offers some of the best views in the valley, especially El Capitan! On your way up to Taft Point, you’ll spot The Fissures, which are vertical gashes in the valley wall that rumor has it were caused by Mothra and his battle against Godzilla, during which Mothra slashed at his scaly foe but missed and raked his talons against the cliffside instead. Pretty cool, huh?
- Trailhead: Glacier Point or Sentinel Dome/Taft Point
- Elevation Gain: 354’
- Roundtrip Distance: 2.2 Miles
Sentinel Dome
While it may not be Half Dome, if you decide to do this hike, you can still say that you climbed a dome in Yosemite! Since both Sentinel Dome and Traft Point are located at the same trailhead, many hikers will do both in one day. As mentioned above, Taft Point offers gorgeous views of El Capitan and the Valley. However, Sentinel Dome will give you panoramic views of Half Dome and more of the park. The trail is relatively simple with a moderate elevation gain, and the scramble up the dome is easy to follow!
- Trailhead: Glacier Point or Sentinel Dome/Taft Point
- Elevation Gain: 400’
- Roundtrip Distance: 2.2 Miles
Half Dome
On the bucket list for many thrill seekers, Half Dome is not for the faint of heart. This hike is long with a huge elevation gain. Be sure you have the proper attire, equipment, and lots of water before beginning this hike! The first part of your hike will be going through Mist Trail with the infamous 600+ step climb up to Vernal Falls. From there, you’ll pass Emerald Pools and the Little Yosemite Campground (for those who would like to break the hike into multiple days or take a long break). Beyond the campground is the 460’ subdome climb before reaching the base of Half Dome. Here’s where your upper body strength will come into play as you use the famous cables to haul yourself up 400’ to the summit. And once you summit, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the park and mountains that lie beyond!
*Note: If planning on hiking Yosemite when the cables are up (roughly Memorial Day through the second Monday in October), you MUST have a permit. Permits are available my lottery in March, with a limited number available two days in advance.
- Trailhead: Happy Isles
- Elevation Gain: 4,800’
- Roundtrip Distance: 16.5 Miles
Glacier Point
Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, California
While Glacier Point is a trailhead for some hikes in the park, it’s also a great area for a break and a quick walk up for the view shown above. There’s also a small store at Glacier Point to grab some sandwiches and souvenirs while you take in the scenery. If planning on going during sunset, we recommend you pack some food and head up at least 30-60 minutes before sunset as this spot is one of the more popular for people to sit and grab pictures. Glacier Point has one of the best views in the park and seeing it during sunset is even more magical!
5 – North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Photo Credit: https://www.thegreatestroadtrip.com/north-cascades-national-park
Located north of Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park is one of those hidden gems among adventure enthusiasts since in order to see most of the epic views throughout the park, you have to hike them rather than drive up to them. This National Park is one of the lesser popular ones because of this reason, but if you love long day hikes or backpacking trips, then we definitely recommend adding North Cascades to your bucket list.
Note – most hikes are based along Highway 20, and there aren’t very many places to stay near the park unless you decide to camp. If looking to visit the park for a few days and do not want to camp, we recommend staying in Winthrop in the eastern foothills of the Cascades for best proximity to the park.
Rainy Lake
This hike features a flat, paved trail making it one of the easiest trails in the park with beautiful views of the North Cascades. It also shares a trailhead with Maple Pass Loop (which we’ll get to later), so if you’re looking for a longer hike hit up Maple Pass Loop and come here after for more mountain views.
- Trailhead: Rainy Pass Picnic Site on Highway 20
- Elevation Gain: 0’ - Flat
- Roundtrip Distance: 2.0 Miles
Thunder Knob Trail
With a park filled with straight up and down hikes, Thunder Knob is one of the easier hikes with views of Diablo Lake. This trail is primarily through the forest before arriving to the overlook where you take a break, have a snack, and take in the views. You can also spend some time at Diablo Lake by renting paddle boards, kayaks, or relaxing on the beach.
- Trailhead: Diablo Lake
- Elevation Gain: 635’
- Roundtrip Distance: 3.6 Miles
Blue Lake Trail
Ranked one of the best hikes in the park, this moderate hike is a must-see alpine lake! After a short walk through the forest, you’ll emerge to Blue Lake with crystal clear waters and the Cascades in the backdrop. With this being one of the shorter hikes in the park, you may run into crowds depending on when you start the trail.
- Trailhead: Highway 20, about 1 mile west of the Washington Pass Overlook
- Elevation Gain: 1,050’
- Roundtrip Distance: 4.4 Miles
Maple Pass Loop
Rated one of the top hikes in the park so be sure to hit the trails early if you want a parking spot! It’s recommended to do this hike counter-clockwise to make it easier on your knees. Going this way will give you a steadier climb and a steeper descent. Throughout the hike, you’ll catch views of Lake Ann, as well as tons of mountains. No matter what season you visit the Cascades, this hike is gorgeous all year long!
Trailhead: Maple Pass
Elevation Gain: 2,020’
Roundtrip Distance: 7.2 Miles
Hidden Lake Lookout
Hidden Lake Lookout, Glacier National Park, Washington
Photo credit: https://wheatlesswanderlust.com/best-hikes-north-cascades-national-park/
Named after a historic fire lookout built in 1931, Hidden Lake Lookout offers one-of-a-kind views of the Cascades, as well as meadows filled with wildflowers and alpine lakes. Before deciding to take on this hike, make sure you have an all-terrain vehicle as the drive to the trailhead is a bit bumpy and narrow. This is one of the tougher hikes in the park, but the climb is definitely worth it for the views! Fun fact: You can stay a night in the lookout, but spots fill up fast.
- Trailhead: Hidden Lake Lookout
- Elevation Gain: 3,300’
- Roundtrip Distance: 8.0 Miles
Cascade Pass / Sahale Arm Trail
One of the toughest and longest hikes in the park, the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail offers some of the best sites in the park with views of Doubtful Lake and miles of snow-capped peaks. You’ll hike through evergreen forests, fields of wildflowers, and may stumble upon wildlife such as marmots or goats. This hike is rated one of the best among travelers, so if you only have time to do one hike, definitely check this one out!
- Trailhead: The trailhead starts at the end of Cascade River Road
- Elevation Gain: 4,150’
- Roundtrip Distance: 12.0 Miles
So there you have it—five of the most breathtaking National Parks to satisfy your mountain wanderlust! Whether you're chasing alpine lakes, towering peaks, or scenic drives, these parks offer incredible adventures for every skill level. As a travel healthcare professional, these destinations not only provide an escape into nature but also serve as a reminder of the beauty that awaits between shifts.
Lace up those hiking boots, grab your gear, and let the mountains inspire your next assignment!