I’ve always been amazed by the sheer diversity of sights the U.S. has to offer. Last year, our national parks saw 331.9 million recreation visits, and I was proudly one of them! From Appalachian peaks to Southwest canyons, I’ve gathered my top 13 spots. This guide covers iconic parks and great hiking trails. These travel tips are even useful for planning things to do in Toronto. This guide can help you plan an American journey or even inspire some great Toronto sightseeing.
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Top 13 Things to Do in Toronto
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Laurel Falls
The Laurel Falls hike is one of the most popular trails in the Smokies. The paved path makes it accessible, though it can be uneven, so watch your step. The forest is incredibly lush, and the sound of the waterfall gets louder as you approach. The double-decker cascade is beautiful. The parking lot fills up fast, so arriving early is the best way to get a spot.
- Distance from trailhead: 1.3 miles
- Best for: Beginner-friendly
- Waterfall height: 80 feet
- Swimming hole: No
- Rest Rooms: No (Use Sugarlands Visitor Center before)
- Cost: Park Entrance Fee (Verify on official site)
2. Maui, Hawaii: Waimoku Falls
The Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls is a travel to another world – a hike beginning just past Hana through a massive Banyan tree and a lovely bamboo forest. The boardwalk makes walking through muddy sections a lot easier. When you finally arrive at Waimoku Falls and its height, it is an unforgettable reward. It is a very different feel from walking through the Distillery District.
- Distance from trailhead: 2 miles
- Best for: Moderate
- Waterfall height: 400 feet
- Swimming hole: No (Not Recommended)
- Rest Rooms: Yes (at Kipahulu Visitor Center)
- Cost: $30 per vehicle
3. Zion National Park: Angels Landing Hike
Angels Landing is not for the faint of heart, but it’s an iconic park challenge. The last half mile is the narrow spine hike and holding on to chains as you tackle it is a thrill. The views are absolutely great and worth the work of the hike to get there. You need a permit, so enter the lottery ahead of time. It is an adventure worth putting on your bucket list of hikes and cannot be compared to Kensington Market.
- Best for: Extreme
- Distance: 5.4 miles
- Elevation: 1,488 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back
- Length: 4–5 hours
4. Grand Canyon National Park: Bright Angel Trail
Hiking even a small portion of the Bright Angel Trail feels like stepping back in time. The Bright Angle Trail is the most visited and popular trail that goes into the canyon. I would recommend going as far as Havasupai Gardens.. The climb back up is a serious workout. This is great training before you take a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls on foot.
- Best for: Strenuous
- Distance: 9 miles (to Havasupai Gardens)
- Elevation: 3,040 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back
- Length: 6–9 hours
5. Yosemite National Park: Lower Yosemite Fall
Seeing Yosemite Falls is a must, and the Lower Fall trail is the easiest way. The paved loop is short, flat, and offers good views. In spring, the roar is deafening, and the mist will soak you. It’s a busy spot, so I suggest going early. It is much more impressive than the fountains near the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).
- Distance from trailhead: 0.5 miles
- Best for: Beginner-friendly
- Waterfall height: 320 feet
- Swimming hole: No (Not Recommended)
- Rest Rooms: Yes (at trailhead)
- Cost: Park Entrance Fee (Verify on official site)
6. Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake Trail
This is one of the most rewarding hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail takes you past three nice alpine lakes: Nymph, Dream, and finally, Emerald. Each one is more beautiful than the last. The altitude is no joke, so take your time. This kind of scenery is why I travel; it’s not something you’ll find while looking for things to do in Toronto.
- Best for: Moderate
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation: 698 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back
- Length: 2–3 hours
7. Acadia National Park: The Precipice Trail
The Precipice Trail is Acadia’s most exciting hike, an almost vertical climb using iron rungs. It’s not for anyone with a fear of heights. The sense of accomplishment at the top is great, with nice views of the coastline. Check if it’s open, as it closes for falcon nesting. This is much different from visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.
- Best for: Extreme
- Distance: 2.1-mile loop
- Elevation: 1,059 feet
- Type of Route: Loop
- Length: 1.5–3 hours
8. Everglades National Park
The Everglades is a world of its own, a vast “River of Grass.” Instead of mountains, you get endless wetlands teeming with wildlife. I personally enjoyed walking the Anhinga Trail, and relatively close encounters with alligators. The biodiversity is staggering. These are not the things to do in Toronto that you’d expect on a city trip.
- Special Feature: Largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.
- Where to Stay: Fairway Inn, 100 SE 1st Ave, Florida City, FL 33034
- Hours: Shark Valley Visitor Center: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Hidden Gem: Check out the Gulf Coast & Ten Thousand Islands by boat.
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9. Glacier National Park: St. Mary Falls
The hike to St. Mary Falls is short, easy, and incredibly scenic. The water is a nice turquoise color. After a forest fire, the views opened up, giving you great shots of the mountains. You should go ahead and continue on to Virginia Falls. The clear water at the falls is nothing like what you would see going on a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
- Distance from trailhead: 0.8 miles
- Best for: Beginner-friendly
- Waterfall height: 35 feet
- Swimming hole: Yes (Very Cold)
- Rest Rooms: Yes (at trailhead)
- Cost: Park Entrance Fee (Verify on official site)
10. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is an icon for a reason; it feels like a different planet. The geothermal features are the reason to come here. If you drive through Hayden or Lamar Valley, you will also see some great wildlife; I saw herds of bison all the way to the horizon. This is an enormous park with so much to see. Great Toronto sightseeing is different but also really fun
- Special Feature: World’s largest collection of geysers and hot springs.
- Where to Stay: Old Faithful Inn, 3200 Old Faithful Inn Rd, Yellowstone NP, WY 82190
- Hours: Old Faithful Visitor Center: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM (Summer)
- Hidden Gem: Firehole Lake Drive offers calm geyser viewing.
11. Cherokee, North Carolina: Mingo Falls
Just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls here. The short but steep hike involves climbing over 160 steps. The view from the bridge at the bottom of a cascade of water falling down the enormous rock face is worth the trip. The power of the waterfall is real — not an overlook view from the CN Tower in the city.
- Distance from trailhead: 0.4 miles
- Best for: Moderate
- Waterfall height: 120 feet
- Swimming hole: No
- Rest Rooms: Yes (Porta-potties at parking area)
- Cost: Free
12. Carlsbad, California: Lake Calavera Loop Trail
This is a gem of a trail with lots of variety in terrain. The loop is around a lake and up an extinct volcano, and the views are solid from the top to see the area and the ocean. It’s a pretty popular trail for local hikers. Overall a nice break from the things to do in Toronto.
- Best for: Moderate
- Distance: 3-mile loop
- Elevation: ~460 feet
- Type of Route: Loop
- Length: 1.5–2 hours
13. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is also a lot more than music, believe it or not, but its rhythm can be found everywhere. I enjoyed the energy of the honky-tonks on Broadway. To take a breather, you’ll want to sit for a bit at Centennial Park with its Parthenon replica. It is a city with a historic soul and a vivid side pulse. It feels totally different than St. Lawrence Market.
- Special Feature: “Music City, “home of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Where to Stay: Omni Nashville Hotel, 250 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
- Hours: Grand Ole Opry Box Office: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Hidden Gem: The Lane Motor Museum has a great collection of rare European cars.
Travel Basics & Tips
- Buy a national park pass to save on entry fees.
- Book ahead for popular park lodging and campsites.
- Pack layers; mountain weather can change very fast.
- Always carry more water than you think you will need.
- Cards are fine, but carry cash for small towns.
- Download offline maps; cell service is spotty in parks.
Conclusion
All 13 sites have shown me the incredible diversity of the American landscape. From the massive waterfalls of Yosemite, to the rugged ridges of Zion, all the locations share different experiences. This trip has included some of the greatest hiking experiences of our country. Our throughout these hikes included an education, which may come in handy in planning my next things to do while in Toronto. The trip generally reinforced how much there is to see, and left me overcome with humility and being delighted.
