Day Hikes for Weekend Warriors
We define a "weekend warrior" as someone who must spend all week indoors, but gets outside and physical on the weekends! If you’re a weekend warrior, the perfect trail might be one that provides great scenery or even a physical challenge, yet is not too far from home. You’ll experience the solitude of wilderness, spot wildlife in a natural setting, feel the satisfaction of reaching a mountaintop or a secret fishing spot and still be home for supper!
Learn more about trail tips and outdoor safety and practicing Leave No Trace. Happy trails!
Bear Canyon Trail
Arizona
Outside Tucson, this trail system offers access to the dramatic landscape of the Santa Catalina Front Range, famous for its deep canyons and soaring ridges. The trail reaches a dramatic climax at Seven Falls. This fantastic cataract tumbles across stair-stepped drop-offs, and magnificent saguaros rise on all sides. A spur trail drops to the edge of the lowermost plunge pool.
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Devil’s Bridge Trail
Arizona
This popular hike has attractions for both casual hikers who lack the desire or the stamina to stray too far from civilization, and the more adventurous outdoors enthusiasts. Devil's Bridge is considered the largest natural arch in the Sedona area. It is 54 feet high, has a thickness of five feet and spans over 45 feet. From atop the cracked and fractured sandstone arch are dramatic views of the canyons, mountains and red rock cliffs. The trail, originally built for jeep travel, is smooth and clear and leads you through washes filled with juniper and prickly pear cactus.
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Fossil Springs
Arizona
The trail to Fossil Springs follows a steep, dusty old jeep road two miles down past an old gravel pit. On a daytrip from Phoenix or Flagstaff you’ll discover a little Shangri La where you can swim, picnic, study fossils, or explore the waters of travertine pools along the creek. You will also find over 30 kinds of trees and bushes as well as over 100 species of birds.
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Arapaho Pass Trail
Colorado
Within driving distance of Denver or Boulder, this is a moderately steep trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The trail passes through an area of dense summer wildflowers, past the long-abandoned Fourth of July Mine, then above timberline to a fantastic vantage point at the pass. One of the best features of this hike (aside from the stunning views) is the fact that it connects with many other trails in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
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Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST)
Florida
The Clearwater Lake Trailhead outside Orlando provides access to the southernmost segment of the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest. Day hikers will enjoy walking north into rolling hills topped with tall longleaf pines. This trail, established as Florida's first backpacking trail with its first blazes painted north from Clearwater Lake, was known as the "Ocala Trail" for many years.
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Jarrard Gap/Slaughter Creek Trails
Georgia
Within a reasonable drive from Atlanta, this trail loop begins in the scenic Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area. Follow along Slaughter Creek and access the Appalachian Trail and Blood Mountain Wilderness. This trail passes through rhododendron and deciduous forest, a staple of the north Georgia mountains, and offers wonderful vistas, particularly in the fall and winter.
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Cecret Lake Trail
Utah
Cecret Lake Trail is an easy, popular daytrip from Salt Lake City. This hike in Alta’s Albion Basin is well known for its abundant wildflowers, where over 120 different species bloom throughout the summer months. It's also spectacular in early autumn when the leaves have changed color. A variety of wildlife, including moose and deer, roam the area, and hikers often spot mountain goats on rugged Devil’s Castle just south of Cecret Lake.
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Silver Lake Loop Trail
Utah
Silver Lake Loop Trail is an easy daytrip from Salt Lake City. The trail circles Silver Lake at Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Silver Lake is home to beautiful mountain scenery, an abundance of wildlife including moose and deer, and many varieties of vivid summer wildflowers. The trail features plenty of shady, wooded areas as well as sunny, open stretches from which to enjoy the area's spectacular views.
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