The 10 easiest hikes in the western United States

In the Western United States, the most spectacular landscapes are not reserved for highly trained hikers. Many short, accessible, and gently sloping trails allow you to feast your eyes during a road trip in the United States, whether you're a family with children, active seniors, or if you clearly belong to those who love nature... but not prolonged effort!

We have selected the 10 easiest hikes in the Western United States, perfect for discovering the great national parks without wondering at every turn how many kilometers are left, or if you really signed up for this in the first place.

Detailed Top 10 of Easy Hikes in the Western United States

These 10 hikes were chosen for their accessibility, short distance, low elevation gain, and beautiful viewpoints, allowing you to fully enjoy the great landscapes of the American West without needing to walk for long or be especially sporty.

• Bryce Canyon – Sunset Point to Sunrise Point
• Zion – Riverside Walk
• Yosemite – Sentinel Meadow & Cook’s Meadow Loop
• Sequoia – Big Trees Trail
• Arches – Landscape Arch
• Petrified Forest – Blue Mesa Trail
• Grand Canyon – Rim Trail to Yavapai Point
• Sedona – Soldier Pass Trail (to the Seven Sacred Pools)
• Zion – Pa’rus Trail
• Red Rock Canyon (Nevada) – Calico Basin Trail
  

1. Bryce Canyon: Sunset Point and Sunrise Point via the Rim Trail

📍 Park: Bryce Canyon National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Very easy
📏 Distance: 1.6 km (round trip)
⏱️ Average duration: 45 min - 1h
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, strollers, wheelchairs
🌄 Main interest: panoramas, hoodoos, natural amphitheater

Panorama: This walk connects two of the most beautiful viewpoints in Bryce Canyon, along the rim. From the very first steps, the scenery is spectacular: an immense natural amphitheater carpeted with orange and pink hoodoos stretches out before your eyes.

Trail: This section of the rim is highly accessible and without any particular difficulty.

• Wide, well-developed trail
  
• Very little elevation change
  
• Route can be adapted depending on your mood and energy
  

Practical tips:

• Do this early in the morning to see the hoodoos gently light up at sunrise.
  
• Or at the end of the day to enjoy the warm colors on the amphitheater.
  
• If you are traveling with young children, opt for a one-way walk between the two points, then return via the park shuttle.
  

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2. Zion: Riverside Walk

📍 Park: Zion National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Very easy
📏 Distance: 3.5 km (round trip)
⏱️ Average duration: 1h to 1h30
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, strollers, seniors, non-sporty travelers
🌄 Main interest: canyon, river, monumental cliffs

Panorama: Riverside Walk is one of the most accessible walks to discover Zion National Park with no effort. The trail gently runs alongside the Virgin River, in the heart of a spectacular canyon where red cliffs rise up all around you.

Trail: It's particularly simple and reassuring, ideal for a first approach to Zion without effort.

• Wide, flat, and fully developed trail
  
• No significant elevation
  
• You can turn back at any time (stop before the Narrows)
  

Practical tips:

• Coming in the morning is ideal to enjoy the cool air and quiet in the canyon.
  
• Or at the end of the day, the shade makes the walk more pleasant, especially in summer.
  
• Be careful not to continue beyond the end of this route or you may find yourself in water up to your waist

3. Yosemite: Sentinel Meadow & Cook's Meadow Loop

📍 Park: Yosemite National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Very easy
📏 Distance: 3.2 km (loop)
⏱️ Average duration: 1h to 1h30
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, strollers, wheelchair (developed path)
🌄 Main interest: meadows, panoramas, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan

Panorama: This gentle loop crosses the great meadows of Yosemite Valley, with clear views of some of the park’s most iconic sites. Throughout the route, enjoy open panoramas of Yosemite Falls, distant Half Dome, and the impressive granite walls surrounding the valley.

Trail: This loop is perfect for a leisurely stroll in the heart of Yosemite Valley, with no physical demands.

• Flat, developed path
  
• Boardwalks and stabilized paths
  
• Accessible to strollers and wheelchairs
  

Practical tips:

• Hike in the morning for peace and soft light on the cliffs.
  
• Or at the end of the day, when the walls glow with golden hues.
  
• This walk is perfect to fit in between two drives in Yosemite Valley to stretch your legs while enjoying some of the park’s most beautiful vistas.
  

4. Arches: Landscape Arch

📍 Park: Arches National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
📏 Distance: 3.1 km (loop)
⏱️ Average duration: 50 min to 1h
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, non-sporty travelers
🌄 Main interest: monumental arch, desert landscapes, rock formations

Panorama: This hike takes you to one of the most impressive arches in the American West. Landscape Arch stretches for more than 90 meters, seemingly defying the laws of gravity. The scenery is spectacular, with the trail winding through typical rock formations of Arches National Park.

Trail: The trail is accessible and well-marked, although the ground is sometimes uneven.

• Relatively flat path
  
• No technical sections
  
• Easy walk if you take your time
  

Practical tips:

• Visit in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
  
• Or at the end of the day for beautiful colors on the rock, even if there are more people.
  
• Stay on the marked trail and respect closed-off areas around the arch as Landscape Arch is extremely fragile.
  

5. Sequoia: Big Trees Trail

📍 Park: Sequoia National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Very easy
📏 Distance: 1.6 km (loop)
⏱️ Average duration: 50 min to 1h
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, non-sporty travelers
🌄 Main interest: monumental arch, desert landscapes, rock formations

Panorama: This short loop takes you deep into a forest of giant sequoias, among the most impressive trees in the world. As soon as you enter the trail, you’re surrounded by monumental trunks that immediately set the tone for your visit.

Trail: The loop is very easy to walk and perfectly suited for occasional walkers.

• Wide and stabilized trail
  
• Virtually no elevation
  
• Suitable for families and strollers
  

Practical tips:

• Come in the middle of the day to enjoy the light filtering through the trees.
  
• Or in the morning or late afternoon for a calmer atmosphere in the forest.
  
• The trail features several colorful educational exhibits on the giant sequoia ecosystem, appreciated by both children and adults.
  

6. Petrified Forest: The Blue Mesa Trail

📍 Park: Petrified Forest National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
📏 Distance: 1.6 km (loop)
⏱️ Average duration: 45 min to 1 hour
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, non-athletic travelers
🌄 Main highlight: lunar landscapes, colorful badlands, fossils

Panorama: This hike plunges you into a totally unexpected setting, made up of rolling hills in pastel shades of blue, gray, and mauve. From the very first steps, the atmosphere is striking and gives the impression of walking in an almost unreal landscape, very different from the nearby major parks.

Trail: The hike remains accessible, despite a slight slope at the beginning or end of the loop.

• Well-marked loop
  
• Short incline on a section of the trail
  
• No technical passages, walk at your own pace
  

Practical tips:

• Do it around midday to bring out the pastel colors of the landscape.
  
• Or at the end of the day to enjoy more pronounced contrasts on the relief.
  
• Stay on the marked trail and do not collect any petrified wood fragments. Even the smallest fossils are an integral part of this protected ecosystem.
  

7. Grand Canyon: Rim Trail to Yavapai Point

📍 Park: Grand Canyon National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Very easy
📏 Distance: 1.5 to 2 km (round trip, depending on starting point)
⏱️ Average duration: 30 to 45 minutes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with strollers, seniors, non-athletic travelers, wheelchair accessible (fitted section)
🌄 Main highlight: panoramic view, canyon rim, vastness

Panorama: This walk follows the edge of the Grand Canyon to Yavapai Point, one of the most impressive viewpoints on the South Rim. From the very first meters, the immensity of the canyon strikes you, with its endless rock layers and the Colorado River far below, tiny from the rim.

Trail: The trail is especially reassuring and suited for everyone. It allows you to walk peacefully along the canyon without ever descending inside.

• Wide, well-maintained trail
  
• Almost no elevation
  
• You can stroll at your own pace and turn back at any time
  

Practical tips:

• Hiking in the morning is ideal to enjoy soft light and a quieter atmosphere.
  
• Or in the evening—the colors become warmer for a beautiful sight, though the site gets busier then.
  
• Stay well away from the edge and follow the marked trail. The Grand Canyon is even more impressive when enjoyed safely, without trying to get too close.
  

8. Coconino: Seven Sacred Pools via the Soldier Pass Trail

📍 Park: Coconino National Forest (Sedona)
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
📏 Distance: 1.8 km (round trip, to the Seven Sacred Pools)
⏱️ Average duration: 45 min to 1 hour
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, non-athletic travelers
🌄 Main highlight: red rocks, natural pools, iconic Sedona landscapes

Panorama: This hike lets you discover one of Sedona’s most iconic landscapes, with its sculpted red rocks and spectacular reliefs. The trail winds through an open landscape, typical of the region, before reaching the Seven Sacred Pools, small natural basins in the rock.

Trail: The section to the pools remains accessible and reassuring for most travelers.

• Clearly marked and visible trail
  
• Moderate elevation on short sections
  
• Option to stop at the Seven Sacred Pools without continuing further
  

Practical tips:

• Do it in the morning for cooler temperatures and a calmer atmosphere.
  
• Or at the end of the day to admire warm colors on the red rocks, though the trail is busier then.
  
• For an easy hike, turn back at the Seven Sacred Pools. The rest of the trail becomes longer and more strenuous, and isn’t required to enjoy the scenery.
  

9. Zion: Pa’rus Trail

📍 Park: Zion National Park
🥾 Difficulty: Very easy
📏 Distance: up to 5.6 km (round trip, adjustable section)
⏱️ Average duration: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the distance walked
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, non-athletic travelers, strollers, wheelchairs
🌄 Main highlight: panorama of Zion Canyon, Virgin River, monumental cliffs

Panorama: Pa’rus Trail is the simplest and most accessible walk in Zion National Park. The trail follows the Virgin River through an open part of the canyon, offering wide panoramas of the red cliffs framing the valley. It’s an excellent introduction to the park, or a gentle way to discover it without pressure.

Trail: The route is designed for a comfortable walk, without any difficulty.

• Wide, fully paved and maintained trail
  
• Almost no elevation gain
  
• Modular route, you can turn back at any time
  

Practical tips:

• Prefer coming in the morning to benefit from cooler temperatures and beautiful light on the cliffs.
  
• Or in the evening for a calmer atmosphere and warm colors on the canyon.
  
• It’s one of the rare fully stroller- and wheelchair-accessible trails in the park.
  

10. Red Rock Canyon: Calico Basin Trail

📍 Park: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
📏 Distance: about 2 km (round trip, easy section)
⏱️ Average duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for: families with children, seniors, non-athletic travelers
🌄 Main highlight: red rocks, desert landscapes, panoramic views

Panorama: Located just outside Las Vegas, the Calico Basin area offers a spectacular setting of red rocks, typical of Red Rock Canyon, without requiring long hikes. The trail winds through colorful rock formations, giving an immediate sense of escape.

Trail: The easy section of Calico Basin lets you fully enjoy the landscape without any particular difficulty.

• Well-marked natural surface trail
  
• Gentle elevation on the recommended section
  
• Adjustable route, you can turn back at any time
  

Practical tips:

• Come in the morning to enjoy cooler temperatures and soft light on the rocks.
  
• Or in the evening to admire the desert’s warm colors, especially at sunset.
  
• It's an excellent alternative to the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive. Less crowded, it allows you to enjoy the scenery in peace, especially on weekdays.
  

Comparison Table of Easy Hikes in the Western United States

Tips for Easy Hiking in the Western United States

Here are our 4 tips to make the most of easy hikes in the American West: you need to know how to choose the right trail, when to go, what gear to bring, and how to cleverly fit hikes into a road trip.

How to choose an easy hike suited to your level?

To avoid unpleasant surprises, it’s essential to consider the distance, elevation gain, and type of trail, rather than relying solely on the word “easy”.

A suitable hike is above all one that allows you to walk without putting yourself in difficulty, while enjoying the scenery. In the American West, many trails offer spectacular views from the first steps, without needing to go far.

To choose well, keep these simple pointers in mind:

• Opt for short or flexible distances, with the possibility to turn back at any time.
  
• Check the elevation gain: a flat hike or one with gentle slopes will always be more comfortable.
  
• Favor developed or well-marked trails, especially if you’re traveling with family or seniors.
  
• Read recent reviews to spot any occasional difficulties (uneven terrain, short steep stretch, exposed section).
  

What’s the best time of year for easy hikes in the American West?

Generally speaking, spring and fall offer the best compromise between pleasant temperatures, spectacular scenery, and more reasonable crowds. These seasons let you walk comfortably, even for travelers not used to exertion.

Here are a few simple pointers to help you plan:

• In spring (April to June): Ideal for the Southwest (Utah, Arizona, Nevada), with milder temperatures and lush surroundings.
  
• In summer (July–August): Favor parks at higher elevations or to the north (Yosemite, Sequoia), and hike early in the morning to avoid the heat.
  
• In fall (September–October): Excellent time almost everywhere, with fewer people and beautiful light.
  
• In winter: Some hikes are still accessible in the Southwest, but snow can make access difficult in mountain parks.
  

What minimum gear should you bring for an easy hike?

An easy hike in the American West doesn’t require professional gear. The main thing is to have a few essentials, so you can walk comfortably and safely without overloading yourself.

It’s better to start with a few must-haves, rather than relying only on the weather or luck. Even on short and accessible trails, the climate and environment can be surprising.

Here’s what you really should have with you:

• Comfortable shoes, like sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes, with grippy soles.
  
• Enough water, even for a short walk, especially in desert areas.
  
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  
• A light jacket or windbreaker, as temperatures can change quickly.
  

How to include easy hikes in a road trip in the American West?

Easy hikes fit perfectly into a road trip, as long as you think of them as fun breaks, not sports challenges. In the American West, just a few kilometers are often enough to make a day on the road a real highlight of the trip.

Including easy hikes in a road trip often requires some itinerary tweaks. Book an appointment with one of our local experts to discuss directly and fine-tune your trip.

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To integrate them well into your itinerary, keep these principles in mind:

• Favor short or flexible hikes, easy to squeeze in between two drives.
  
• Schedule them at the start or end of the day, when the light is better and you’re less tired.
  
• Avoid stringing together multiple hikes in one day, especially on long drive days.
  
• Think of them as opportunities to explore, not as performances to accomplish.
  

That’s also what makes easy hikes so great: they leave room for spontaneity—for a photo stop that lasts, or just to sit and admire the view.

"In the American West, the scenery is spectacular enough that you don’t need heroic effort. Here, it’s not a contest to cover kilometers: the real luxury is walking at your own pace, taking it all in, and just enjoying (without sore muscles!)." Mélaine

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