Five Amazing Winter Hikes in the USA

Are you a hiking enthusiast that doesn’t care what type of weather it is outside? Hiking is in your blood even during the winter months. Whether you are a novice hiker just starting out or a seasoned hiker just learning about new trails around the country, you’ll enjoy our list of 5 of the best winter hikes throughout the United States.

1. Jud Wiebe Trail in Telluride, Colorado

If you are an experienced hiker looking for a brisk adventure, try the moderately challenging Jud Wiebe Trail in Telluride, Colorado. This trail is located in the Uncompahgre National Forest.

Enter the trail from the Aspen Street opening or the Tomboy Road entrance. It is a 2.7-mile roundtrip filled with exciting obstacles for winter hikers. Previous winter hikers have reported muddy and icy patches, but the trail is not impossible to complete.

During your navigation through muddy and icy obstacles, you can enjoy waterfall scenery and the hilly mountain sights. If you are a dog owner, you can also bring your canine friend on this hike with you, but you must keep him or her on a leash at all times.

2. Cape Falcon Trail in Oswald West State Park, Oregon

The Cape Falcon Trail is about 5 miles long of outback trails that takes about a few hours to complete.

To get into the trail, you must park in the lot of the trail’s entrance located at Highway 101. You have to walk about a half a mile before you reach a diverged path taking you to two different trails. Pick the trail that says “Cape Falcon” to start your journey.

You will find coastal forest views and spruce trees that have been on the trail for many years. Towards the end of the trail, you will discover Blumenthal Falls that gives you fabulous aquatic scenery.

Even though you will be venturing out in the winter, find out where the Short Sands beach is located for you to plan your summer vacation in the next few months.

While you can bring kids and dogs on the trail with you, be sure that they be careful of steep cliffs along the way, so that they do not get hurt. If you want to bring your children with you, be sure they are at least ages 8-12 at the youngest.

Be mindful that the trail closes at 10 pm, so make sure to plan your day ahead of time if you have other stops to make before the Cape Falcon Trail.

3. Gorham Mountain Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine

Gorham Mountain Trail is 3.1 miles long with many activities to do in between your hiking adventure. Go bird watching in between your brisk hike. Discover new sights, animals, and sounds by turning your hike into a nature trip as well.

According to reviewers, the trail takes about an hour and a half to navigate in between stopping to take photos for keepsakes. Going from fall into winter, you will see the colorful leaves that have turned color and now cover the forest floor. If you are lucky enough, you could see the trail in snow-covered terrain if you plan your trip at just the right time.

While this trail is pretty rocky in its terrain, it’s a relatively easy trail to navigate, even for novice hikers. Because of its popularity, there are usually many hikers throughout the day on the trail. Plan your trip accordingly and try to go on a weekday if you do not like mini crowds.

4. Allan D. Cruickshank Memorial Trail in Canaveral National Seashore, Florida

The Alan D Cruickshank Memorial Trail is named after the photographer and naturalist man and plays a crucial role in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve’s origination.

To access this trail, you must go through the Black Point Wildlife Trail. Since you have to pay a fee to use the Black Point Trail, you can pay for the pass at the reserve center. There’s also an option of using a qualifying payment method at the self-payment terminal before you’re allowed entry into the trail.

There’s so much wildlife and scenery to experience on this trail. You will see many birds flying around above the canals or maybe even an alligator in the marshes.

Man made dikes were built to control the mosquitos on the trail, so you will not have any problems with them on your journey. Be sure to bring some bug spray just in case some of them are flying around in the winter months.

The trail is flat with not many hilly areas, so the navigation will be easy for you and your party to enjoy hiking.

5. Teutonia Peak Trail in Mojave National Preserve, California

The Teutonia Peak Trail is another moderate hiking trail option that measures 3.2 miles. As you navigate the trail, you will enjoy the sights of Joshua trees and an easy climb throughout your journey.

Unfortunately, this trail has been burned by the Dome Fire that occurred on September 10, 2020. However, you can still find pockets in the trail that the fire did not touch. Reviewers still rate this trail as an interesting and unique trail to enjoy even despite most of it being burned away.

If you like rock scrambling during your hike, try it out at the Teutonia Peak Trail when you visit. There are many small steep rocks and cracks to jump over as a fun challenge during the hike.

Choose Your Winter Hike!

No matter where you choose to go for your winter hike, let it be a fun time of exercise, new experiences, and new discoveries.