2024 Top Ten Hikes

The 2024 Top Ten Hikes includes the longest cave in the world and what was once the largest city north of Mexico before Columbus.

This year’s list was compiled from summer travel, midwest hikes, and amazing natural beauty. (Waterfall at Letchworth State Park in New York in Main Photo). Click the Titles for the Full Story.

Broemmelsiek Park Hikes

Hiking alongside a brook and discovering frogs in a swamp made for a delightful day with my child at Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance, Missouri.

This park has more than 9 miles of paved and unpaved multi-use trails to explore. It is a 494-acre park in west St. Charles County and only about four miles off of Interstate 64.

Hiking At Cahokia Mounds Near Collinsville

Explore Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, an ancient six-square-mile city of 20,000 people and filled with huge man-made mounds.

These mysterious mounds were abandoned around 1400 A.D.

This walk includes Monks Mound which rises 100 feet above the surrounding land. A massive building once stood on the summit where a principal chief would live, conduct ceremonies, and govern.

Located near Collinsville, IL. and the intersection of Interstate 270 and Interstate 55-70.

Hike to a Stone Arch Bridge at Fall Creek Scenic Overlook

Discover a historic stone arch bridge, cascading waterfalls, and scenic views at Fall Creek Scenic Overlook Park.

Waterfall Hiking at Letchworth State Park

Hike to three different waterfalls and gaze across the Grand Canyon of the East at Letchworth State Park about 40 minutes south of Rochester, N.Y.

The Genesee River roars through the gorge creating these waterfalls between cliffs as high as 600 feet in some places surrounded by lush forests.

If you are visiting Niagara Falls and want to see a more rural alls Letchworth State Park is about an hour east of Buffalo.

Explore Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky

Tour the world’s largest cave with 426 miles of passageways and marvel at the Frozen Niagara at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.

We took part in cave tours along with taking a few hikes to see springs and a small cave on our own.

The cave system is 426 miles so there are quite a few tours you can choose from that even start at different entrances.

Highest Point in Wisconsin Hike

Hike to Wisconsin’s highest point, Timm’s Hill, at 1,951 feet, and climb a 50-foot wooden tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

The 0.4-mile hike is out-and-back on a natural surface with 98 feet of elevation gain on a natural surface.

Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park Adventure

Walk on the sea floor at low tide among rock formations at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and explore the forested coast at Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

After staying the night in Halifax we headed to Hopewell Rocks. We only stopped for lunch and had to manage our time for the drive based on the tides, which is important if you want to walk on the ocean floor.

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail Hike

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail has cliffs, views, and canyons to explore. It is near the Garden of the Gods and is worth exploring.

Storment Hauss Nature Preserve Hike

Hike above sandstone canyons and along rocky streams deep in the woods at Storment Hauss Nature Preserve south of Waterloo, Ill.

This is a 1.3-mile hike that includes the single track before the loop and stops along the way with 128 feet of elevation gain.

It is rated moderately difficult due to its primitive natural tread surface and alignment that traverses ridges, ravines, and small rocky stream crossings.