Eleven different trails offer the right length and intensity for any hiker. Cross canyons, the 1822-Narrows Covered Bridge, huge black walnut trees, and historic pioneer homes on your way around the park. Trails interlink with each other, so you can decide the length of your hike as you go along.
Iowa: Hawkeye Point
Hike 20-foot to Hawkeye Point's farmland summit for great 360-views of typical Iowa landscape –Flatlands covered by lush crops. Privately owned but hiker-friendly, the best times to visit are summer and fall, when crops are at their finest.
Maine: Appalachian Trail
Bear, moose, and deer abound at the Appalachian Trail's end. Hike through thick, lush pines and maple forests to reach Katahdin, a sacred Native American area. The trail crosses the Kennebec River, which can turn dangerous because of unannounced water dam releases. During the summer, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club offers a ferry ride across the river to hikers and tourists alike. If you start the Appalachian Trail back in Springer Mountain, Georgia, it will take 2,174 miles of walking and an average of five months to get to Katahdin.
Maryland: Assateague Island
A barrier island, Assateague is known for its great beach camping and its herds of wild ponies. Thousands of visitors come every year during spring and fall to explore backcountry trails. A bird-watchers' paradise, Assateague is renowned for the quiet opportunities to enjoy nature without the disruptions of the real world. Great trails leading to the island's four bays and through the backcountry.
Massachusetts: Mount Everett
A difficult climb unless you're in great shape, Mount Everett offers rewards that make it worth the pain. Frog-filled ponds and blueberry picking make you partly forget the leg burning and breathlessness. Stunning summit views of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut make it all worthy.