Located at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Point Trail is a steep, narrow, fully paved path leading to an incredible scenic viewpoint. The trail is conveniently located right next to the Grand Canyon Lodge and is only a short hike from the North Rim Visitor’s Center.

This trail encompasses stunning views from all angles and features numerous large rocks. These rocks are perfect for sitting on to relax and observe the beauty of the Canyon while also can be climbed for even more gorgeous views. The scenery constantly changes as you walk down the path and are stunning to look out upon as you return.

Keep the kiddos close as the adventure begins downhill with steep drop-offs on both sides. The steepness on the way out makes returning a bit more strenuous but is still very doable for all hiking levels. Large rocks and trees line both sides of the path for a good portion of the trail which is much less crowded than the South Rim.

Toward the end of the trail, you cross a small bridge which may seem scary, yet has guardrails conveniently placed both on the bridge as well as near the point in order to provide safety.

While the light reflecting off the Canyon appears to be flat around mid-day, Bright Angel Point is a marvelous place to watch the sunrise or sunset and experience dynamic reflections of incredible colors. The remarkable views make Bright Angel Point the most popular destination for photography at the North Rim.

One of the most popular trails to visit in Grand Teton is the Jenny Lake Trail. The Jenny Lake Trail, located near Moose, Wyoming, is an easy trail that loops around the lake. Along with the sheer beauty of Jenny Lake and surrounding mountains, some of the main attractions on this hike are Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.

The trail underwent significant changes in 2018 after a fissure opened up and rock slides became an issue. The temporary changes made at that time, including trail reroutes and closures, have been undone and the lower trail is now open again taking onlookers all the way to Hidden Falls once again. The trail has been well built including hundreds of nicely placed stone stairs that keep the trail solid and provide great footing where you need it most.

Wildlife is common on the trails, including plenty of chipmunks, marmots, moose, deer, elk, and even an occasional bear. The best spot to see a moose or bear is often the overlook down to the Moose Pond Trail. You'll see a sign for the trail off to the left just a little ways before you get to the overlook. Even if you don't see any wildlife there though, the view of the ponds and Teewinot rising above is worth taking a break for. Other than this little jaunt over to the overlook and the hike up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, the trail follows along the river for most of the way making any break you take a picturesque scene to enjoy.

The sunrise and sunset at Jenny Lake are incredible with radiant colors and exciting reflections off the water. Take a dip in Jenny Lake to cool off during summer months but remember that this is pretty fresh snow runoff so it may be colder than you think. For a little warmer swim, check out String Lake just to the North.

Between the soaring Tetons above, the falls above the trail, the raging river below the trail, and the expansive view of the lake and valley, there are plenty of great views to take in whether you see any wildlife or not.

This trail is deeply tucked away up into the hills of Oakland. East Ridge is the perfect trail to deeply appreciate the beauty of the Redwoods and has many entry points. This trail weaves through grassy meadows and over ridges and steep slopes. This trail has shady parts and will lead you to the falls.

This trail on this hike is wide, even and gentle. This hike is accessible to all hikers that want to enjoy it. This trail winds steeply down to the valley floor and after rain, can be very slippery. Hikers that hike at a normal, relaxed pace, can complete this loop in about 2-3 hours. If speed is your thing, trails are equally ideal for trail running.

This hike is accessible all year round. This trail is exposed and can be pretty hot and dusty in the summer. During the rainy seasons, trails can be slippery and muddy after rain. During the winter season, keep your eye out for the massive clusters of ladybugs that migrate to the park’s trees each winter along the park’s coast redwoods.

Dogs must be leashed if you take them on this hike. The main entrance, Redwood Gate, charges a $5 parking fee during peak season. The park is opens at 5am and closes at 10pm. So if you like hiking or running at the crack-of-dawn or would prefer going after work, you can enjoy the trail and facilities. 

Roosevelt Point Trail on Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim is a 0.2 mile short, relatively flat woodland loop trail offering spectacular views. Roosevelt Point Trail on Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim is a short, relatively flat 0.2 mi. woodland loop offering spectacular views; 20 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. Offers benches for relaxed enjoyment of the canyon. Fires in recent years have taken out many of the trees leaving smaller brush and open areas. Good views of Tritle Peak and surrounding canyon areas. Courtesy of AllTrails.com

An alternative to the highly strenuous Hermit Trail, the Waldron Trail splits off from the Hermit Trail 1.2 miles in and is one of the shorter trails in the canyon at only 2 miles long. Open year-round, this intermediate-level trail begins at the Hermit Trail junction and is packed with great views and opportunities for adventure. Plenty of wildlife can be found along this trail, but interacting with them is highly discouraged and, in most cases, prohibited entirely. Water availability is extremely limited along this trail and, despite being an extremely short path, it’s recommended that hikers come prepared for hazards like dehydration, unpredictable and severe weather including flash flooding, and overexertion. Water treatment kits are a popular alternative to bringing bottled water, and if you plan on hiking all the way to the Colorado River, you’ll need that water treatment kit to drink from it. Courtesy of explorethecanyon.com

Waldron Trail is a 4.9 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Grand Canyon, Arizona and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and trail running and is accessible year-round. Courtesy of alltrails.com

The 3.4 mile out and back Transept Trail connects Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground, follows the rim of a side canyon called the Transept, and offers a relaxing yet moderate hike with great rim views just off the path. The 3.4 mile out and back Transept Trail connects Grand Canyon Lodge and Visitor Center to the North Rim Campground and follows the rim of a side canyon called the Transept. Although not paved, this easy to moderate trail takes you through Quaking aspens, Gamble Oaks and ponderosa pines, making a very relaxing walk to and from the campground. The trail passes an ancestral Puebloan ruin at about midway to the campground which appears as a line of rocks looking like a trail offshoot. There are several hills with a modest slope. The views here of the Grand Canyon's North Rim aren't quite as expansive as in other places but you can still access some nice cliff areas. Courtesy of AllTrails.com

Cape Royal is a long peninsula extending from the North Rim out over the Grand Canyon. It offers a phenomenal view, perhaps the most sweeping view of any Grand Canyon vista. Take the short stroll to the end of the cape and to the promontory on the window. It's an easy walk less than a mile RT on a flat, paved trail providing views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. Markers along the trail interpret the area's natural history. Trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area. With seemingly unlimited vistas to the east and west, it is popular for both sunrise and sunset. The sweeping turn of the Colorado River at the Unkar Delta is framed through the natural arch of Angels Window. Look for the Desert View Watchtower across the canyon on the South Rim. Angels Window can be viewed from Angels Window Overlook at the Cliff Springs Trailhead. The trailhead parking area is at the end of the paved Cape Royal Road, which circles northeast and then south from the main road leading to North Rim VC and lodge. Courtesy of AllTrails.com