Hiking

From March 1 - November 30, visitors to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a Park entrance pass. Find out more information on our Old Rag day-use ticket FAQ page. Pets are not allowed on this hike. Featuring an adventurous rock scramble and a 360-degree view that makes you feel like you're on top of the world, there's no wonder why Old Rag is the most popular destination in Shenandoah National Park. While highly rewarding, hiking to the summit is also very physically demanding and can be dangerous if you have not planned properly, so be sure to check out our Old Rag planning guide before you lace up your boots! Distance: 9.4-mile circuit hike Difficulty: Very Strenuous ( hiking difficulty scale ) Hiking Time: 7 hours 30 minutes Elevation Gain: 2,348 feet Hike Description From the Old Rag parking area at the Park boundary, take the blue-blazed Ridge Trail. Continue along the Ridge Trail, across the rock scramble and descend on the Saddle Trail (blue-blazed), which becomes a fire road after you pass Old Rag Shelter. At the T-intersection, go right and immediately right again at the fork onto Weakley Hollow Fire Road (yellow-blazed). Turn right onto the Ridge Access Trail and then left onto the Ridge Trail to return to your starting point.

Have you ever wondered what life in the desert would have looked like thousands of years ago? Visitors to Tuzigoot National Monument can look into the lives of the Sinagua , the people who lived here and built the pueblo the park is named for by hiking the Pueblo Trail. The trail is a 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop that encircles the dwelling and allows an up close look at this incredible testament to community and ancient engineering. Visitors can also walk into and stand on the roof of one of the pueblo rooms. The tower or citadel provides the opportunity to view the inner structure of a pueblo room and some relief from the intense sun. A set of stairs leads to the roof of the citadel which offers 360-degree views of Tuzigoot. The pueblo was constructed and expanded in four phases from approximately 1050 CE to 1380. By the end of construction, Tuzigoot held about 110 rooms, 23 of them built on the second story. It's estimated about 225 people could have lived in the pueblo at its peak. It's very likely that women in the community constructed most of the structure while men gathered materials. Tuzigoot was just one of many Sinagua villages in the Verde Valley at the time; there were at least three other villages that were built within sight of Tuzigoot. This was home to a vibrant, thriving community until the Sinagua left the Verde Valley by about the early 1400s. It's not known exactly why the Sinagua left the area, but it may have been for multiple reasons such as climate change causing hotter, drier conditions in the southwest, competition for resources with other peoples, collapse of trade routes, or disease. Traditional knowledge from some descendants of the Sinagua say the pueblos in the Verde Valley like Tuzigoot were never meant to be permanent settlements and it was just time for their people to move on. However, Tuzigoot is not abandoned and forgotten; it remains a place where people come to connect with their culture and heritage. It is remembered and honored. Although most of Tuzigoot was reconstructed between 1933 and 1935, the reconstruction was built on the original foundation of the pueblo. Park staff continue to maintain the structure using natural materials and building techniques very similar to what the Sinagua would have used. If you're lucky, you may see cultural resources staff hard at work on this important project. Safety Bring water on your walk. The Pueblo Trail does not have shade and summer high temperatures range from 95 ° to 115 ° F (35 ° to 46 ° C). The park does not sell bottled water, but water bottles can be purchased from the bookstore and a water bottle refill station and drinking fountain are available at the restrooms. From spring through fall, rattlesnakes are seen in the park and may be present on the trails. If you encounter a rattlesnake during your visit, please let a staff member know immediately. Park rangers are specially trained to safely relocate rattlesnakes. Never attempt to handle or move a snake yourself and give all snakes at least six feet of space. Please remember that we are visitors in their home; rattlesnakes and all other park wildlife are protected from harm or harassment by law. Check the forecast ahead of time. From July through mid-September, heavy rainstorms called monsoons are common in the afternoon. Park trails are closed for 30 minutes following any lightning strikes five miles or less from the park. Regulations Never climb or sit on the dwellings or structures. Please refrain from touching dwelling walls. Please stay on the trail. Drones and other unmanned aircraft are not permitted in the park. Please leave all plants, animals, rocks, artifacts, bones, and other items where you find them for others to enjoy. If you find something interesting on the trail, take a photo to share with a ranger. Pets are welcome on the trails but must be on a leash no more than six feet at all times. Always clean up after your pet. Never leave your pets in the car.

Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the sites associated with the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. Follow the footsteps of those before you as you hike along hallowed ground. The grounds of Saratoga National Historical Park are open daily, year-round, from sunrise to sunset. Check our operating hours page for updates. Stop by the visitor center to grab a trail map of the Wilkinson Trail. What to Expect BRING WATER! There is no water available along the trail and fountains are turned off during the winter months. NOTE Streams within the park are not recommended for you or your dog to drink from. Need a shorter hike? Consider the Liaison Trail "shortcut" which reduces the hike to just under 2 miles. This "shortcut" is identified by a small sign labeled "Liaison Trail" and cuts across the historic Freeman Farm area between "Station F" and "Station N". Learn along the way There are 14 lettered "stations" (A-N) along the 4.2-mile trail which serve as trailmarkers and reference points for audio tour. The audio tour is available through this link or you can download the National Park Service app and find them under "Self-Guided Tours" on Saratoga National Historical Park's page. There is also a kids tour at this link that takes you along the shortcut Liaison Trail and can also be found on the NPS app in the same place. This isn’t a race, so take your time, enjoy your surroundings, and learn a little history!

Those looking for a longer, but relatively flat hike, will enjoy treking to Hermitage Point. From Colter Bay, take the trail to Heron Pond, but instead of circling back to Swan Lake, continue on towards Hermitage Point. The trail traverses rolling terrain through forests, meadows, and wetlands. Once at the point, hikers will be greeted by views of Jackson Lake and the Teton Range. Follow signs to continue the loop back to Colter Bay.

There are two ways to see the Fiery Furnace beyond the viewpoint and fence: Get a permit to explore on your own (year-round, ages 5 and older, fee, permit required) Join a ranger-led hike (spring through fall, ages 5 and older, fee, reservation required) A different kind of hiking Hiking in the Fiery Furnace is a different experience from other trails in the park. You encounter many dead ends and it can be easy to get lost. There are small markers for one counter-clockwise route in the Fiery Furnace, but there are many other possible paths, and getting lost is a real possibility. GPS units do not work well due to the towering sandstone walls. Navigating its complex passages requires physical agility and careful observation. To protect the wildlife and plants that inhabit sand dunes and drainages between the rock walls, you will need to choose your steps wisely. We recommend first-time visitors to the Fiery Furnace join a ranger-guided tour or get a permit with someone who has been before. Fiery Furnace Permits If you want to enter the Fiery Furnace on your own, you must obtain the permit in advance. You must reserve a Self-Guided Fiery Furnace Exploration Permit online from Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. See fee information below. Permits may be reserved up to seven days in advance and must be reserved at least two days prior to the trip date. Group size is limited to six people and children under age five are not allowed. Pets are prohibited. Fiery Furnace permits are valid for a specified date and for day-use only (sunrise to sunset). Reserved Fiery Furnace permits must be picked up at a designated time on the day before or day of your hike. All persons going on the permit must be present. The required orientation film will be played at the following times: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, and 10 am and 2, 2:30, 3, and 3:30 pm. Self-Guided Fiery Furnace Exploration Permits are for private use only; commercial groups are not permitted in the Fiery Furnace. You can find trails approved for commercial use in the guided interpretive day hike conditions document: Read more about commercial use. Permits sell out very quickly during the busy season. Go with a ranger Rangers offer Fiery Furnace hikes spring through fall. Tickets for these hikes are in high demand, and reservations are required. What should I expect? Everyone attending a Fiery Furnace hike should be aware of the challenging nature of the terrain and properly equipped for current conditions, including temperature extremes. During these physically demanding hikes, you will walk and climb on irregular and broken sandstone, along narrow ledges above drop-offs, and in loose sand. There are gaps you must jump across and narrow places that you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some places, you must hold yourself off the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet. Due to the maze-like nature of the terrain, all participants must complete the hike once they enter the Fiery Furnace. To better judge the hikes' difficulty, you can watch a video or view a photo gallery. You must wear good hiking shoes or boots with gripping soles. No sandals or high heeled shoes are allowed. Each person must carry at least one quart or liter of water. You should stow water and other gear in a backpack so that your hands are free to help navigate the terrain. Tripods are not recommended. Age Restrictions Due to the terrain's difficulty, we do not allow children under the age of 5 on either hike. An adult must accompany all children aged 12 and under. What is the hike schedule? Hikes are only offered spring through fall, and schedules may change. Confirm availability on the park website or at the visitor center. How do I get a ticket? You can reserve tickets up to six months in advance at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777 (in North America) or +1 518-885-3639 (international). Do I need to check in? Yes, if you have a reservation, you must check in—in person—at Arches Visitor Center at least one hour before the hike begins , or up to four days in advance. Be sure to allow plenty of time during the busy season to enter the park and to drive to the meeting location.

The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail starts in the visitor center and winds up a steep path, ending in the Lower Cliff Dwelling. Along the trail are views of the cliff dwelling, various desert plants, and Roosevelt Lake. Exhibits along the trail provide more information about the people who lived here and about the general area. Benches are available on the way, but are fully exposed with little to no shade. This trail ends in the cliff dwelling where visitors can walk through portions of the structure and see expansive views of the basin below. The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail is a moderate hike on a paved trail and is fully exposed with no shade. It is strongly recommended to bring water and to check the weather before visiting. Please check in at the visitor center before beginning your hike. This hike is available year-round, but hours do vary. See below for the most up-to-date hours and be aware that the trail may close due to excessive heat, lightning, bee activity, fire activity, or flooding. Trailhead: Visitor Center Parking: Available at visitor center. Distance: 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) roundtrip Elevation Gain: 350 feet (107 meters) Difficulty: Moderate (steep incline in a short distance) Services: Accessible restrooms and a water-fill station are available at the visitor center. Other Considerations Stairs: Stairs are throughout the dwelling and the cliff dwelling walls should not be used as support when stepping up. If you need support stepping up stairs, please bring hiking poles, a hiking stick, or use the hand or shoulder of a person that you are with. This is a cultural site. Within the cliff dwelling touching surfaces, leaning on walls, and entering closed areas is not permitted. Do your part to help preserve and protect the cliff dwelling so that future generations can enjoy visiting and learning at this site. Leave everything where you find it. Please leave all plants, flowers, rocks, and artifacts in place. Removal of anything is not permitted. Take only photos and leave only footprints. Delicate rocks and sensitive plants exist throughout this area. Please stay on the main trail and respect all posted signs.

"It is necessary now and then for a man to go away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask of himself, 'Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going?'...If one is not careful, one allows diversions to take up one's time-the stuff of life" - Carl Sandburg as quoted from a letter to his friend, Ralph McGill. Enjoy the solitude of Connemara. Hike its many trails and take from it the energy to avoid diversions. The park offers 5 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately strenuous. Make sure to follow these tips before you plan your hiking adventure: Download a trail map . Young visitors can use TRACK Trail maps! Bringing a pet? Find information here . Check the weather. Dress for the conditions. Recreate Responsibly and follow Leave No Trace practices.

Hikers looking for a longer trail to Phelps Lake will enjoy this moderate loop. Leaving from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, follow the Aspen Ridge Trail. The trail takes hikers through aspen groves and boulder fields before reaching Phelps Lake. Once at the lake, the forest opens up to reveal the lake and views into Death Canyon. Follow the Boulder Ridge Trail to complete the loop back.

The Valley Trail is a strenuous, out and back trail that winds through alpine forests, connecting Teton Village to Grand Teton National Park's valley lakes. Start the trail from the Teton Village base area. After an initial ascent to the start of the Valley Trail via Jackson Hole Mountain Resort trails , follow the trail across rolling terrain before ascending to the Phelps Lake Overlook. Return the same way or continue on for a longer hike.

Rendezvous Mountain Trailhead Hike from the Teton Village base area to the top of Rendezvous Mountain via Jackson Hole Mountain Resort trails , or take the Aerial Tram ( fees apply ), to start this moderate hike down Granite Canyon. From the summit, the trail follows the ridgeline down to the South Fork of Granite Canyon with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. The trail takes visitors through dense forests and open fields that are bright with wildflowers during the growing season as they travel along Granite Creek down the canyon. Trails are not recommended for hiking until snow has melted, usually by late July. Take the Valley Trail and Jackson Hole Moutain Resort trails to return to the Teton Village base area. Valley Trail Access For a strenuous out and back hike, hike from the Teton Village base area via Jackson Hole Mountain Resort trails to the start of the Valley Trail. Take the Valley Trail to the Granite Canyon Trail and follow Granite Creek up the canyon through forests and wildflower meadows to the South Fork Granite Canyon trail junction. Return the same way. Granite Canyon Trailhead For a strenuous out and back hike, start from the Granite Canyon Trailhead and follow Granite Creek up the canyon through forests and wildflower meadows to the South Fork Granite Canyon trail junction. Return the same way.