Hiking · THE USA
This is the shortlist you would send a walking friend: 15 guided day hikes in the USA worth the money, each with its price, its length and the one thing to know before you commit.
Review of Portland’s Columbia Gorge waterfall tour, with Multnomah Falls, easy hikes, local guides, pricing, tips, and practical advice.
“Carrie did an amazing job. Experience was great! Would definitely recommend her and this trip! Go try it!”
Review of the Valley of Fire guided hike from Las Vegas, with trail choices, guide quality, petroglyphs, pricing, pickup, and practical tips.
“This was an amazing guided tour!! Sarah individualized our tour to the group and was super informative about area and the history. she was awesome. Highly recommend.”
Review of Kauai’s Wailua River kayak and Sacred Falls hike, with lunch, guide tips, muddy trail advice, price, and booking details.
“My husband and I had a great time. Lindsey was an awesome tour guide. The trek was worth it, though I would say wear hiking sandles or some other sturdy shoe you can walk through water in. The tour company was great with the food and able to accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free dietary needs. Do bring a good size water container - you'll want it!”
Review of the Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon hike near Kanab, with guide tips, jeep ride details, pricing, terrain, weather, and who should book.
“The excursion was well worth it. We would have missed so much had we tried to go on our own. Our guide, Sherman, was very knowledgeable and shared with us some interesting facts as well as showing us specific things to view. He even gave us a tip on how to take a vertical panoramic photo!”
Review of the Valley of Fire guided hike from Las Vegas, with route choices, petroglyphs, rock scrambles, snacks, transport, and practical tips.
“This was a great hike! Josh was our guide and did an excellent job taking us on path that was both friendly and slightly adventurous. He shared so much knowledge about the history of the park, the geography and the surrounding nature. Of course the best part was seeing baby mountain sheep and a horned lizard!!”
Explore Lower Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide, learn its story, climb narrow stairs, and get expert tips for stunning photos.
“Awesome! Our guide Brandon J, was knowledgeable, helpful. He took the time to gather each family at multiple specific viewpoints and take photographs. He showed us settings on our phone cameras that would bring out best photos under light conditions inside the Lower Antelope Canyon.”
Review of Denver’s guided Rocky Mountain hike with transport, snacks, small groups, Mt Blue Sky views, and practical booking advice.
“We had the best time on this hike! Mickey was very knowledgeable, fun and overall just great. She prepared us well for the hike and knew all the best spots for pictures. If I lived in the area I’d book with her again. Thank you!”
Hike Phoenix’s Sonoran Desert at sunrise or sunset with a private guide, flexible difficulty, mountain views, water, snacks, and photos.
“Michael was our guide. He was a wealth of knowledge yet not overwhelming. Very personable. We felt very safe. There were areas if the trail that had washed out. Very glad we had a guide.”
Hike through Oahu’s rainforest to Manoa Falls, learn local plant lore, and visit a Waikiki lookout with hotel pickup for $79.
“I will definitely recommend this. With Robert as our guide, we learned a lot about the flora and fauna of Manoa, which we would not have known if we did the hike on our own. The water in the falls was not overflowing, but because we already read this in old reviews, we managed our expectations. But the hike in the rainforest is worthy of one's time. And we got a refreshing rainshower when we got to the falls. So 5 stars for Robert and the experience!”
Hike Maui’s rainforest trails to three to five waterfalls, swim in cool pools, taste tropical fruit, and enjoy lunch beside the falls.
“Cole was fantastic! So relaxing and informative and beautiful!”
Review of a private South Kaibab hike with pickup, guides, lunch, gear, snacks, and canyon views for all hiking levels.
“Jon was a terrific guide for a hike in the Grand Canyon. We had an a great experience enjoying the amazing views, lunch and plenty of stops for pictures. He tailored the experience to our needs with adjustments for weather. A perfect way to maximize a day in the canyon! Highly recommend.”
Review of Zion’s private Narrows hike, with expert guides, river gear, charcuterie lunch, pricing, difficulty, and practical tips.
“An amazing day in the narrows!! Moi was an incredible guide, fun and knowledgeable. I would recommend to everyone.”
Hike Griffith Park to the Observatory for Hollywood history, film sites, skyline views, and the Hollywood Sign with a local guide.
“Mark was a very good guide to take us through the Griffith park and tell the story behind this huge park. He was funny and was able to answer all questions. He took photos of us and planned good stops in the shadow.”
Review of Gatlinburg’s 3-hour Smokies waterfall hike, with guide-led trails, forest views, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.
“We had an amazing time exploring the beautiful trails and sampling the delicious flavors of nature's candy! Our tour guide, Chini, was absolutely wonderful - her knowledge and enthusiasm were contagious! If you're planning a trip and looking for a great guide, I highly recommend Chini! Just a heads up, the terrain can be a bit challenging, so make sure you're prepared for some steps and hills. We loved every moment. Enjoy it’s very worth it.”
Review of Asheville’s private half-day hike in Pisgah National Forest, with custom routes, expert guides, snacks, logistics, and value advice.
“Our group recently booked the private half day hike with Blue Ridge Hiking Company and it was a very nice afternoon. One of the highlights for us was the convenience of being driven to the trailheads. This made the whole trip much more relaxing and enjoyable. Our guide Lexie was sweet, accommodating and attentive to our interest. The company also provided a snack which was a nice touch. Overall, I would recommend Blue Ridge Hiking company for a tailored stress free day of hiking.”
By the kind of day you want, or the country you are standing in.
