Dotting America’s mountain towns, wilderness, and shores are incredible trails for trail runners. They often weave through state and national forests, over sweeping landscapes, and along shimmering bodies of water. It makes for a perfect way to enjoy some of the most beautiful parts of America while getting in a workout. It’s a win-win. But not all destinations are created equal for trail running. Below, we highlight some of the best trail running destinations in America.
9 of the Best Trail Running Destinations in America
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is a well-known Colorado hub for so many great outdoor activities, not the least of which is trail running. Nestled at the base of the Colorado Flatirons, Boulder boasts a wealth of scenic trails that range from easy, flowing paths to more challenging ascents. The Chautauqua Trail is a local favorite, with a plethora of options for runners seeking a variety of different levels of difficulty. The iconic First and Second Flatiron, a steep 3.0-mile out-and-back trail, is a must for those looking to push themselves.
Trail runners who like to compete should check out some of Boulder’s great running events, including the Sunset Trail Running Festival, co-hosted by T.E.A.M. Boulder and The Boulder Watershed Collective. Join fellow runners in Gold Hill for a community event in which all the money raised is donated to the town of Gold Hill to fund wildfire preparation and response initiatives. Participants can choose between Kids 1K, 5K, 12K, and 28K races.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, conveniently located near the San Francisco Peaks and high-altitude forests, is an extraordinary place for those seeking a trail running destination with unique landscapes. The Flagstaff area has everything from smooth, flowing paths to more rugged, technical terrain. The Arizona Trail, which stretches over 800 miles across the state, runs through Flagstaff and immerses runners in diverse landscapes, from forests to desert plateaus. For a more challenging run, the Kachina Trail features an adventurous, technical climb with stunning views. Those looking for a true endurance challenge can check out the Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra 100-Mile & Relay in September. This race is a great way to test your skills and enjoy the gorgeous natural landscapes of the American Southwest.
Bend, Oregon
Bend, home to hundreds of miles of trails, beautiful cascade lakes, and rugged landscapes, is often considered one of the best mountain towns and destinations for outdoor lovers. Surrounded by the Cascade Mountains, Bend offers a variety of terrain, from volcanic landscapes to otherworldly high desert terrain to lush forests and alpine meadows. Highlights include the Deschutes River Trail, which follows the river and ends at the Benham Falls overlook, where you can also connect with the Black Rock Trail. The South Sister Trail is steep, long, and rugged, providing an intense workout for serious trail runners who want to bag some serious miles and elevation. The entire out-and-back trail is 12 miles with just over 5,000 feet of elevation gain.
Bend hosts the Bend Trail Series, a series of spring and summer races that take participants through Bend’s beautiful and varied trail systems. These races occur monthly on Thursday evenings from April to July.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is the gateway to some of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ best trails. The area offers a mix of smooth, easy-going, scenic trails and rugged, technical terrain, with sweeping views of the mountains and valleys. Rattlesnake Lodge Loop is a great nearby four-mile run, rated as intermediate, and featuring remnants of an old lodge to explore along the way. A favorite destination for local runners is the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Bent Creek Experimental Forest, the oldest federally designated experimental forest east of the Mississippi River, spans nearly 6,000 acres within Pisgah National Forest and features an extensive network of designated trails. The Hard Times Loop Trail, just over six miles, is a good starting place. DuPont State Recreational Forest, a little further away (45 minutes to an hour), is popular among trail runners and bikers alike. The TreeTops Trail Race, DuPont State Forest’s exclusive trail race experience, is held every fall.
Tanawha Adventures is a wonderful local trail running group that hosts events designed to create more advocates for public lands. The group hosts several races throughout the season, including the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50m/55k, the Ridge to Rails 50k, Half, & 10k, and the Looking Glass 100k in mid-November. This group provides a chance for runners to engage with the local trail running community.
Lake Tahoe, California
It should come as no surprise that Lake Tahoe makes our list of the top trail running destinations. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, dotted with trails throughout the mountains towering above it, including portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. The headliner for visitors is the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail that circumnavigates the lake. Whether you’re running the Tahoe Rim Trail or another route, you’ll have a hard time finding a trail that doesn’t have incredible views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. The Marlette Flume Trail and Rubicon are among a long list of favorites with trail runners. Van Sickle Bi-State Park, in South Lake Tahoe, is a great destination for light to moderate hikes and trail runs. Runners can make their way down switchbacks before running beneath Heavenly’s gondola just before finishing.
Don’t sleep on Truckee, located just north of Lake Tahoe. The area offers an extensive network of interconnected trails, ranging from gentle, scenic routes to steep climbs with incredible views. The Tahoe Donner Trail System is one of the area’s most popular networks, with over 60 miles of trails. The area has everything from easy-going flats to steeper, more challenging routes. The Mount Judah Loop Trail, considered moderately difficult, is just over 5 miles for a truly rewarding run. Ledges along the trail provide excellent views of Donner Lake from the summit. The Donner Party Mountain Runners hosts a celebration of trail and mountain running over the course of 12 days in June as part of the Mountain Running Fest. It combines two popular races, the Broken Arrow Skyrace and Western States Endurance Run, both of which offer multiple course lengths suitable for a variety of runners.
Moab, Utah
Known for its stunning red rock landscapes and otherworldly desert terrain, Moab is a one-of-a-kind destination that offers some of the most visually striking and physically demanding trails in the country. The Fisher Towers Trail is one of Moab’s trail running headliners, offering a technical out-and-back run through the unique red rock formations that define the area. For a true desert challenge, runners can test their skills on the Moab Trail Marathon, featuring 26 miles of exhilaration. The race takes place in November in the Kane Creek Canyon area. Runners can run a full marathon, a half marathon, or a 5K through some of the region’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes. While it can’t be stressed enough to pack plenty of water wherever you go trail running, this is especially the case in Moab, where the terrain is so exposed and it gets particularly hot during the summer.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, known as the gateway to Grand Teton National Park, is often associated with its ski slopes, but it’s equally fantastic for hiking and trail running. Runners can wind their way through alpine meadows and dense forests, along stunning lakes, and over rocky ridges. The Valley Trail, starting at Teton Village, is among the headlining trails of Grand Teton National Park. You’ll meander through Jackson Hole Mountain Resort before continuing through rolling terrain to one of the trail’s highlights, Phelps Lake. The National Park Service rates it as strenuous, at 13 miles round-trip with 2,360 feet of elevation gain.
That’s just the start of the great trails at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. One of the most fun trails is Cirque to Rock Springs Loop. Guests can take the Bridge Gondola up, run Cirque Trail to the connection of Rock Spring Loop, and then take the tram down by the Top of the World Trail. At about four miles, it’s good for intermediate runners. See more hiking and running trails on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s website.
Those who like to compete should check out Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Rendezvous Mountain Hill Climb, which is considered the West’s most demanding hill climb. The race goes up the Wildflower Trail to Rendezvous Lodge, continues to the Cirque Trail, and then finishes at the summit of the Aerial Tram at the top of Rendezvous Bowl. The race supports former Tram mechanic Chris Onufer, with 100% of the proceeds going to the trails division of Friends of Pathways.
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid, located in the Adirondack Mountains, is a popular destination for outdoor activities year-round, and is no doubt one of the East Coast’s best trail running destinations. The area’s extensive trail network offers a variety of terrains, from serene forest runs to challenging mountain climbs. The High Peaks Wilderness Area spans 275,460 acres and is home to some of the most popular trails in the area. The trails around the Ausable River are a great choice for intermediate runners with a view. The Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail is a 3.7-mile popular trail pick for trail running and doesn’t require the scrambling that some of the other nearby trails require. For a longer run, the Phelps Mountain Trail is 8.7 miles and takes runners to one of the High Peaks of the Adirondacks.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, nestled between the Appalachian foothills, is a rising star in the trail running community. The town offers an array of beautiful trails, with residents and visitors having access to more than 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown. Lookout Mountain is a landmark area that provides views of the city. The Lookout Mountain Network has a variety of trails for everyone from beginner to experienced runners. You’ll find fun, rolling trails for beginners, moderate forest runs for intermediate runners, and more technical terrain with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Tennessee River for seasoned runners.
The Bluff Trail is among the best nearby trail runs, located 2,000 feet above the valley, where runners can experience breathtaking views of the southern Appalachian range. Elsewhere, the 13-mile Raccoon Mountain loop, just 15 minutes from downtown, beckons runners, bikers, and hikers. The Wild Trails group and the Chattanooga Track Club host a number of races throughout the year.
June 13, 2025
