Generally speaking, hiking is a free activity that many enjoy. There is equipment that you can purchase and hiking trails that do cost money but on a whole, you can hike for free if you want to.
As with most hobbies and sports, there are definitely expensive gear and equipment to purchase but if you are just starting out you can pretty much just jump in your car and head to a hiking trail near you.
Most cities and towns will have hiking trails nearby. Even large metropolitan cities such as New York City have some amazing hiking trails.
Best Free Hikes
There are some hiking trails that do cost money. Most of these are located inside national and state parks. The fee to enter these parks however is very reasonable. You can check out free state parks here.
Fay Canyon Trail Sedona
Fay Canyon is Sedona is a beautiful introduction to hiking. It is a short one-mile hike through a stunning ravine. You will be in awe of the towering red rock cliffs that seem to envelop you. The trail is fairly flat which makes it perfect for families and all abilities.
Top of the Y
This is almost a rite of passage for anyone attending BYU in Provo Utah. The hike to the top of the Y is both stunning and exhilarating. The view from the top is breathtaking and something that can be enjoyed and appreciated by all ages.
Calico Basin
The Calico Basin trail is located not far from Las Vegas and is the perfect escape from the bright lights and noise of the city. The trail itself is a short 1-mile roundtrip hike that takes you around the base of the stunning calico hills.
Many adventurers use these rocks and hills as the perfect place to rock climb and can frequently be spotted along the trail.
Oak Cliff Nature Preservation
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is a stunning 121-acre piece of paradise set on the outskirts of Dallas Texas. It offers over 8 miles of hiking for free. Not only are you able to hike here you can also bring your mountain bikes and take a ride through the gorgeous natural backdrop.
North Woods Trail Central Park
New York City is the home to sky scrappers but it is also home to some of the most stunning hiking trails right in the middle of the city. North Woods trail is found in Central Park and it is one of the best ways to escape the city hustle and bustle and get back in touch with nature.
The trail is set in the picturesque 40 acres of the North Woods located in the northwest area of Central Park.
One of the best parts about this trail is that there a guided tours through the trail suited for everyone including families with children.
You can also do a self-guided tour that is around 1 mile long and will take roughly 60 minutes.
Daly Lake Trail
Daly Lake Trail is found in the gorgeous state of Oregon. It is a quiet trail that is perfect if you are looking for a peaceful quiet hike. I love that you can bring dogs on this hiking trail too. Our dog loves to come hiking with us and it is sometimes tricky to find hiking trails that he can join us on.
How Much Should You Spend On Hiking?
There are several areas where you can spend money on hiking. These include gear, food, and entrance fees to certain areas.
Serious hikers can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars on hiking equipment and supplies.
That is not to say that hiking needs to be that expensive. Many people will be able to enjoy hiking as a hobby without spending any extra money at all.
Hiking Essentials You Need To Buy
Purchasing hiking gear is generally one of the most expensive parts when it comes to hiking. If you are looking at getting into hiking in a serious way you will want to purchase a few essential items.
Hiking Footwear
Good hiking boots can make or break a hike. Quite literally. Hiking shoes offer a lot more stability and comfort for the wearer. This results in fewer rolled ankles, fatigue in the feet and other injuries.
You can read this post for a detailed outlay of the best hiking shoes for kids. These are the shoes that our kids currently use and we love.
For adults, we recommend the exact same brands that our kidswear. Merrell is our absolute favourite hiking shoe. They are incredibly comfortable and waterproof. This is such a blessing if you are hiking through creeks or muddy trails. They do an amazing job at keeping your feet warm and dry.
Keen is another brand that we love. We have a combination of Merrell and Keen hiking shoes in our family and have not been disappointed once. Keen shoes are insanely comfortable and have not ever caused blisters even before they have been worn in properly. Their waterproofing is second to none. Our daughter walked right through a river and came out with dry socks still!
Hiking Clothing
When you are hiking you should wear several layers so that you are able to add or remove clothing based on the temperature. The best kind of hiking wear includes materials that are lightweight and breathable.
Merino wool is the super fibre when it comes to outdoor activity. It is a type of wool the comes from sheep in Australia and New Zealand. It is incredibly soft and not itchy in the slightest. It also has several amazing qualities that set it apart.
Clothing that is made out of merino wool adapts to the environment. When it is cold it will keep you warm, and when it is hot it will cool you down. There is some science behind it that I can’t wrap my head around but I can attest to the accuracy of this claim!
Merino wool is a wicking fibre. This means that it pulls the sweat away from your body and absorbs it. The results in you as the wearer staying dry. There is nothing worse than being on an incredible hike and feeling like you are drowning in sweat. This feature is also important during winter as wet or damp clothing can be very uncomfortable and cause you to be very cold.
Merino thermals or base layers are the best additions to your hiking wardrobe. You can see a full write up about how the work here
Park Passes
Passes to national and state parks as well as state forests are probably going to be a cost you will need to pay if you want access to some of the most incredible hikes in the country. There is a reason that these areas are protected and a lot of that has to do with the sheer beauty and incredible opportunities you have to interact with nature.
Passes to these parks are very affordable and are definitely worth the price. You can purchase either a day pass or an annual pass to the national park system. If you will likely visit a national park more than twice in a year then an annual pass is going to be the most cost-effective.
For example, if you were to visit three of the most famous state parks of Yosemite, Zion, Grand Canyon and Arches for only one day the cost would be $140
At the time of writing the America The Beautiful annual national park pass was $80. This gives you access to the entire national park system for 12 months from the date of issue. The pass is valid for the owner of the card as well as four adults. Children are free of charge.
Families with children in fourth grade also get a complimentary annual pass. It’s a little weird but I’m not complaining. Everyone loves free stuff!
State parks also have some admission fees. The cost of these varies depending on the state. You can check out the cheapest state parks here. Some of the parks are actually free which is really nice.
On average, the cost to enter a state park or national forest on a day pass is around $10-15 per car.
The Most Expensive Hike
The most expensive hike is the Pacific Crest Trail. This is an extraordinary hike that stretches for……..miles across California, Oregon, Washington and right up into British Columbia, Canada.
On average it takes five months to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. It needs to be done in the summer months while there is no snow. Therefore the entire hike usually takes up nearly the entire snow-free season on the trail.
Typically, it costs around $6k to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. This includes all the preparation as well as your food and lodging along the trail for the entire 5-6 months that it is likely to take you.
