We compiled 10 of the best snowshoe trails across America!
You can view the full infographic here or at the bottom of this article.
If you are looking for snowshoe races, check out our article on our top snowshoes races.
FULL MOON SNOWSHOE TOURS WITH TAHOE ADVENTURE COMPANY
URL: https://www.gotahoenorth.com/listing/full-moon-snowshoe-tours-tahoe-adventure-company/
Location: Tahoe Vista, CA
Trail Distance: 2-3 Miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Cost: $65
Tour or Independent: Tour
About the Trail
Lake Tahoe spans Nevada and California and is famous as a year-round nature playground, but it’s in the snowy season that Tahoe really shines. Strap on your snowshoes, and take on the Blackwood Canyon to Barker Pass Trail, where you’ll stumble upon groves of quaking aspens, a range of animal tracks and a killer view of Lake Tahoe from Barker Pass. You’ll have to earn those stunning views, though — the trek is 14 miles long
Important Callout Bullets
- Trek on our easy to use snowshoes through Tahoe's peaceful, wintery forest
- We will also stop along the way to take in the beautiful views and enjoy snacks and hot drinks. This tour is popular with all levels, ages and abilities." •As we travel by moonlight, our knowledgeable guides will discuss Natural History and Astronomy topics as well as fascinating facts about our moon.
CASCADE MOUNTAINS, OREGON
URL: https://www.wanderlusttours.com/starlight-moonlight-snowshoe-tours
Location: Cascade Mountain, Oregon
Trail Distance: TBD
Trail Difficulty: TBD
Cost: $95
Tour or Independent: Tour
About the Trail
An idyllic winter getaway located near the Cascade Mountains and not far from Bend, Caldera Springs offers an endless supply of cold-weather activities, including a full schedule of snowshoeing excursions. Opt for the Moonlight or Starlight Snowshoe Tour in the shadow of Mount Bachelor for a straight-from-National Geographic view of the open night sky.
If the thought of spending a winter day outdoors makes you feel like you need a drink, the Shoes, Brew and Views Snowshoe Tour has you covered. Set in the Cascade Mountains, this trek will take you deep into the forest to get a peek at Oregon insiders’ favorite peaks — and a few microbrews from Cascade Lakes Brewery.
Important Callout Bullets
- Wanderlust Tours likely invented snowshoe tours under the light of heavenly bodies
BURNT ROCK MOUNTAIN, VERMONT
URL: https://www.madrivervalley.com/listing/burnt-rock-mountain
Location: Burnt Rock Mountain, Vermont
Trail Distance: 5.2 miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Cost: FREE
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
Well-known for its mountain trails, Vermont’s mountains draw crowds year-round. But if you’re looking for a solitary snowshoeing adventure in the Northeast, look no further than Burnt Rock Mountain in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The mountain itself is fairly remote, and you’re not likely to run into crowds on the steep five-mile Long Trail. If you reach the summit on a clear day, you’ll be able to score views of neighboring Mount Mansfield and Lake Champlain.
Important Callout Bullets
- A steep, 5.2 mile round-trip snowshoe that takes you up to some of the best viewing on the Long Trail
- After 2.5 miles, it joins the Long Trail
EMERALD LAKE TRAIL
URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/emerald-lake-trail?u=m
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Trail Distance: 4 miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Cost: $35 to enter the park
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
Emerald Lake Trail is a 6.6 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, fly fishing, and snowshoeing and is best used from June until October. In the initial opening phase, the park will open approximately 60 percent of the park’s maximum parking capacity or 4,800 vehicles (13,500 visitors) per day.
This scenic hiking trail to Emerald Lake from the Bear Lake Trailhead is a popular route in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hikers will pass pristine alpine lakes including Nymph Lake and Dream Lakes and be treated to beautiful views of rocky peaks including Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and Glacier Gorge. This is a great hike for photographers to capture spectacular shots of the surrounding mountains along the trail.
The trailhead is at the end of Bear Lake Road - a short drive from Estes Park in Colorado. There is minimal elevation gain along the path which is paved for the first half-mile. The trail is open year-round.
Important Callout Bullets
- Trek on our easy to use snowshoes through Tahoe's peaceful, wintery forest
- We will also stop along the way to take in the beautiful views and enjoy snacks and hot drinks. This tour is popular with all levels, ages and abilities.
MOUNT LAFAYETTE AND FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/mount-lafayette-and-franconia-ridge-trail-loop?u=m
Location: Franconia, New Hampshire
Trail Distance: 8.57 miles
Trail Difficulty: Hard
Cost: Free
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is a 13.8 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Lincoln, New Hampshire that features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing.
Important Callout Bullets
- Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is a 13.8 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Lincoln
LAKE 22 TRAIL
URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/lake-22-trail?u=m
Location: Granite Falls, Washington
Trail Distance: 5.72 miles
Trail Difficulty: Medium
Cost: Free
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
The path starts out gently enough on a dirt staircase through the rainforest. You will hear water trickling from twenty two creek through the forest in several locations along the way. A bridge crosses the creek around a mile in where there is a particularly pretty waterfall.
Important Callout Bullets
- A 11.3 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Granite Falls, Washington that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate
SNOW LAKE TRAIL
URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/snow-lake-trail?u=m
Location: North Bend, Washington
Trail Distance: 6.4 miles
Trail Difficulty: Medium
Cost: Free
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
Snow Lake Trail is a 10.3 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and snowshoeing and is best used from July until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Important Callout Bullets
- A 10.3 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Snoqualmie Pass
- The first 2 miles are direct, and the final has rock blasted switchbacks to the top of the ridge. Pay attention to signs as you need to branch right off the trail about 2 miles
SKY POND VIA GLACIER GORGE TRAIL
URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/sky-pond-via-glacier-gorge-trail?u=m
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Trail Distance: 8.51 miles
Trail Difficulty: Hard
Cost: Free
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail is a 13.7 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability between 6 a.m. through 5 p.m.
Important Callout Bullets
- 13.7 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado
Grand Mesa
URL: https://www.visitgrandjunction.com/outdoor-adventures-atop-colorados-grand-mesa
Location: Cedaredge, Colorado
Trail Distance: 53 square miles
Trail Difficulty: TBD
Cost: Free
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
Near Grand Junction, snowshoeing atop Grand Mesa is spectacular. Check out the County Trail area, Ward trailhead, or Mesa or Griffith lakes as a starting point. If you choose to snowshoe along the groomed Nordic trails, please walk next to, not on, the trail to avoid damage."The Mesa" is a 53-square-mile, flat-topped mountain that the Ute Indians considered sacred. With a 10,000-foot elevation, 300 inches of snow but minimal winter infrastructure, it is a vast, virtually private winter sports playground.
Important Callout Bullets
- The Mesa" is a 53-square-mile, flat-topped mountain that the Ute Indians considered sacred
MOUNT ST. HELENS
URL: https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/washington/mount-st-helens-worm-flows-snowshoe
Location: Washington
Trail Distance: 12 miles
Trail Difficulty: Hard
Cost: Free
Tour or Independent: Independent hiking trail
About the Trail
The winter season offers a perfect opportunity to experience Mount St. Helens. Although the winter route is longer than the summer route, the mountain's dusty, rocky flanks are covered with snow. And since the climb is longer and more challenging, there are typically fewer people on the mountain. Between November 1 and March 31, climbing permits are free and unlimited in number. Permits are self-service, and they can be obtained at the Marble Mountain Sno-Park.
Important Callout Bullets
- The Worm Flows route is popular with experienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders, but it is very accessible to hikers and snowshoers, too.
View the full infographic here or click on the image below!
