11 USA Trekking Tours Worth the Climb

1.The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 166 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) Our pick

At The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek in Castle Rock, you can spend up to a full day tackling 120 aerial obstacles and ziplines, as high as 50 feet. Choose green, blue, or black-level challenges, use the smart harness system, and take breaks on two party decks. Guides including Austin and Jack are known for patient, helpful support.

“Start to finish. Tons of fun. Lots of laughs. My favorite part was when my grandson got stuck and could not progress any further and had to be rescued. I have it all on video. It was awesome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Ketchikan Magical Old-Growth Creek Trek Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $258

Walk 3.6 miles through Alaska State Park and Tongass National Forest with Tongass Teague, owner and guide. Expect a 40-minute scenic drive, Sitka spruce, western red cedar, creekside views, small waterfalls, and a quiet river stop. Groups are limited to seven, with poles, water, transportation, and park admission included.

“Very easy hike. Guide was very informative throughout the hike. Small group of 4 with a local private tour company.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Rainforest & Waterfalls Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $249

Spend about five hours hiking 2 to 4 miles through Southeast Alaska’s Tongass rainforest with a private naturalist guide. Look for waterfalls, salmon, eagles, bears, and porcupines, then visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center. Guides such as Katie, Gene, Shannon, Andy, and Brandon tailor the pace, route, and stops to your group.

“Cruise into Juneau, and booked this tour for a hike and waterfall tour. The rain had us wondering if this was the best decision. Our tour guide, Katie was excellent. She offered several suggestions, and we decided to take a shorter hike and walk over to Nugget Falls. She was entertaining, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun! Thanks Katie!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Alpine Classic Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $179

Spend about four hours hiking a Chugach State Park ridgeline with a small group of up to 12 people. Guides such as Stefan, Britt, Matt, Caleb, and Greg share local nature knowledge while you climb toward wide views of Anchorage, Knik Arm, and, on clear days, Denali. The route changes with weather and group ability.

“Beautiful views. Tour guide Brit was kind and knowledgeable. Great hike. Saw a beautiful side of alaska with kind people.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Ketchikan Mountain Lake Trek to Avalanche Chute

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $258

Join Teague of Tongass Teague for a three-hour, four-mile hike through old-growth Tongass National Forest. Walk beside a mountain lake, climb over roots and rocks, and reach Avalanche Chute at 1,100 feet. Transport, water, backpacks, and trekking poles are provided. The small group is limited to seven people.

“Rain didn’t dampen our fun! We ended up having a private tour (4 of us) and our guide was awesome. So friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time! It looked like we were in a storybook.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 6 hours · from $225

Walk deep into the Matanuska Glacier with NOVA Alaska Guides on a six-hour trek for up to four guests per guide. You need to handle six or more miles, uneven ice, and steep climbs. Guides such as Thomas and Betsy may tailor the route to your group, with rappelling sometimes included.

“The guide was very informative and friendly. Made sure all the folks in the group enjoyed the hike. The rappelling with the hike is added fun.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.From Anchorage: Chugach State Park Guided Alpine Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 5 hours · from $179

Join a small group of up to 12 for a five-hour Chugach State Park hike from Anchorage. Guides such as Eli, Brit, and Rebecca share stories about geology, plants, wildlife, and tectonic plates while you walk alpine tundra and ridgelines near O’Malley or Baldy. Transport, snacks, water, and gear are included.

“An amazing hike to O'Malley Peak! Our guide was really friendly, experienced and informative. He told interesting facts about local plants. Thank you for the tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Matanuska Glacier Ice Fall Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $299

Leave Anchorage at 7:00 am for a guided three-hour trek on Matanuska Glacier. Your guide handles the route and teaches you how to walk on ice while you see crevasses, seracs, and blue ice. Morgan, Arthur, and Albert have led or supported recent outings. Gear, snacks, water, and transport are included.

“Arthur was a great tour guide and driver. He is very knowledgeable about all things Alaska. The handoff of mica tours for the ice trek was seamless. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Castle Rock: The EDGE Epic Sky Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 4 hours · from $66Best value

Spend four hours on Castle Rock’s four-level aerial course, climbing more than 110 obstacles and riding ziplines up to 50 feet above the ground. You choose the pace and challenge level. English-speaking guides such as Jack and Piper help with equipment, rescues, and tricky moments.

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $225

Join NOVA Alaska Guides near Glacier View for a demanding six-hour trek across Matanuska Glacier. You’ll hike more than six miles, use crampons, and may rappel into a crevasse before climbing out with hand ropes. No prior glacier experience is needed, but solid fitness is essential. Groups are limited to a guide-to-client ratio of 1:4.

“As an active below knee amputee, I kept my expectations low, as hiking and repelling down a glacier is definitely far beyond anything I have tried in 15 years. Our guide Ben, was amazing. Ben called me approximately two weeks before our trip to discuss my abilities and any challenges that I thought I may experience. By the time the call was over, I was confident that Ben would provide an excellent experience. On the day of the hike, Ben and I spoke prior to check-in. We went over equipment and expectations. As an avid hiker, we both agreed the hiking part would be easy, it was the unknown repelling…”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Ketchikan Mountain Lake Extended Trek to Alpine Overlook

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $476

Join owner-guide Tongass Teague for a private or small-group 5.5-mile hike in Ketchikan’s Tongass National Forest. Gain about 1,100 feet to a 1,600-foot alpine overlook, with views of the lake, mountains, and Tongass Narrows. Poles, backpacks, binoculars, water, and transportation are included.

“A truly magical experience in the wild forest with Teague. A great host and very interesting character. A few hours of quiet forest and informative conversation”

Check availability →Read our full review