Top Multi-Use Trails for Visiting National Parks
Photo by: erikccooper (CC BY 2.0)
In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law an act that established Yellowstone National Park as our first ever national park. Today, America has more than 50 national parks covering over 84 million acres. Here are some of our favorite multi-use trails for visiting the iconic landscapes of these national treasures.
Red Canyon Bicycle Trail – Bryce Canyon National Park
Photo by TrailLink user acewickwire
True to its name, Utah's Red Canyon Bicycle Trail runs through its rocky, richly hued landscape for nearly 9 paved miles. You'll pedal through Dixie National Forest to the trail's end in the city of Bryce, just a short ride away from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon offers some wondrously unusual views with its tall orange and red spires and arches, and can be explored from many vantage points on trails that meander down and out of the canyon.
Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail – Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Photo by TrailLink user barry ladwig
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail traverses Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of America's most visited national parks with more than 2.2 million visitors each year. The northeastern Ohio gem offers more than 80 miles of pathway from downtown Cleveland to Bolivar and will eventually span 110 miles to New Philadelphia. Along the way, adventurers will discover a series of canal locks, restored historical buildings and interpretive signage about the early 19th-century canal which the trail parallels.
Grand Canyon Greenway – Grand Canyon National Park
Photo courtesy NPS
Spanning nearly 14 miles, the Grand Canyon Greenway offers travelers some of the most dramatic panoramic views in the country. Grand Canyon National Park is one of the busiest national parks and, to accommodate the increasing number of visitors, the developing trail provides an important transportation option for pedestrians and cyclists. The paved pathway forms a "T" shape with the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at Mather Point near its centerpoint and hiking trails available from the eastern and western tips of the greenway.
George S. Mickelson Trail – Wind Cave National Park
Photo by TrailLink user marcel
Although the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail doesn't traverse a national park, you can make a quick, 6-mile detour to Wind Cave National Park, when the trail passes through Pringle. Bison, elk and other wildlife roam the park's rolling prairie grasslands, while a complex cave system sprawls beneath. Near the trail's midpoint, riders can also take a side trip of just over 9 miles along SD 244 to visit the world-famous Mount Rushmore National Monument, where four famous presidents are carved into the cliffside. For almost the entirety of the trail, riders will also be within the beautiful Black Hills National Forest.
Olympic Discovery Trail – Olympic National Park
Photo by TrailLink user joemogalla
Washington's Olympic Discovery Trail is currently open in three disconnected sections with its westernmost segment known as the Spruce Railroad Trail. The rail-trail is located within Olympic National Park, a stunning natural oasis with high alpine lakes and mossy green forests. The pathway follows along Lake Crescent for some of its journey and also offers views of the Olympic Mountains.
Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail – Mammoth Cave National Park
Photo by TrailLink user padukiuzulo
At 9 miles, Kentucky's Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail may not be very long, but it ends near the entrance to the longest cave system in the world. At the trail's northern end, travelers can check out the visitor center for Mammoth Cave National Park and see Hercules, a bright red train engine from the old Mammoth Cave Railroad, the rail corridor through which the trail now runs. However, unlike most rail-trails, which are relatively flat, the trail has a few hills. Its gravel surface is also best-suited for mountain biking or hiking.
Pa'rus Trail – Zion National Park
Photo by: Les Haines (CC BY 2.0)
The Pa'rus Trail runs through one of Utah's five national parks, this one being Zion National Park. Although the paved trail is only 1.6 miles long, it's a great way to explore one of America's most visited national parks. The park's towering cliffs make it seem like you're on a different planet entirely and, with a plethora of hiking trails (a couple of which can be reached from the Pa'rus Trail), you can discover breathtaking views that are unlike anywhere else.
Rainy Lake Trail – Voyageurs National Park
Photo by: David Fulmer (CC BY 2.0)
The Rainy Lake Trail offers nearly 13 miles of paved pathway largely tucked into the secluded woodlands of northern Minnesota. The trail begins in downtown International Falls, a stone's throw from the Rainy River, which abuts the Canadian border. From there, it travels east to Voyageurs National Park, a perfect place for anyone looking to get away for a while and spend quality time in nature. Since lakes make up 40 percent of the park, boating is a popular activity, as well as camping and hiking.
North Pathway – Grand Teton National Park
Photo by TrailLink user rswyogal
Tucked into Wyoming's scenic northwestern corner, the North Pathway begins in the charming town of Jackson and unwinds 20 paved miles north through a backdrop of sagebrush meadows and the unparalleled beauty of the Grand Teton mountain range. And at trail's end is a pristine glacial lake surrounded by high canyon walls etched with hiking trails to explore. Pedaling through a National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park, chances are good that travelers will see the majestic animals of the American West, including elk, moose, pronghorns, bison, eagles and even the occasional bear.
Yosemite Valley Trails – Yosemite National Park
Photo by TrailLink user realrider
The Yosemite Valley Trails offer a paved loop within Yosemite National Park that reaches several of the park's notable landmarks. The Swinging Bridge, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Chapel, Royal Arches and Washington Column can all be seen along its 7.5 miles. The trail offers an easy and pleasant ride, crossing the Merced River several times and passing through verdant forests and scenic meadows while surrounded by the valley's tall cliffs.
Gateway to Glacier Trail – Glacier National Park
Photo by: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Nestled in the mountainous country of Montana's northwestern corner, Gateway to Glacier Trail unfurls nearly 11 paved miles from Hungry Horse to West Glacier, a small community near the entrance to Glacier National Park. Once inside the park, riders can pedal along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a jaw-dropping route adorned with scenic viewpoints to take in the vistas of glacial lakes, lush forests and sweeping tundra. Whether you want to canoe, hike, backcountry camp, stand on a glacier, watch a sunset, or stargaze, the expansive park offers it all.
Dan Yersavich Memorial Bikeway – Saguaro National Park
Photo by: Scott Jones (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
In about 6 miles, the paved Dan Yersavich Memorial Bikeway takers users from the eastern outskirts of one of Arizona's largest cities, Tucson, to one of the most breathtaking places to see a sunset, Saguaro National Park. The park is named after the enormous cacti that inhabit the area, which can grow up to 40 feet tall. The park also has plenty of hiking trails and camping options.
Moab Canyon Pathway – Arches National Park
Photo by TrailLink user auerbach_j
The Moab Canyon Pathway runs for nearly 13 miles along some of the most picturesque Utah scenery and the southern border of Arches National Park. The park is named after its unique rock formations, the most notable being Landscape Arch, which is such a prominent site in Utah that it's featured on the state's license plate. For a few miles, the paved pathway also runs along the Colorado River, a waterway that helped shape the landscape of the West.
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