Fall’s finest hikes are within easy reach

AUTUMN is a wonderful time to explore the nation’s parks, and hiking is one of the least expensive, healthiest and most rewarding ways to do so.

Many state and national parks, forests and seashores have well-marked trails. Even if you’re not in top physical condition, you’ll probably be able to find a level, easy trail or one that has access for disabled travelers.

Here are my choices for the top autumn hikes in America.

Point Reyes National Seashore, Northern California. The Bear Valley Trail, an easy ramble, initially follows Bear Valley Creek through a tunnel of pines. Emerging into a Douglas-fir-ringed meadow where deer graze, it slopes gently to a hidden cove of wave-splashed rocks by the sea. The nine-mile round trip can be tackled year-round. Stay nearby in the fishing village of Bodega Bay. (415) 464-5100, www.nps.gov/pore.

Bryce Canyon National Park, southern Utah. Every trail into the canyon takes you deep into a world of fantastic rock formations. Descend the twisting Navajo Loop, squeezing through the narrow passage dubbed Wall Street. Ascend through more rock wonders via Queen’s Garden. The three-mile hike requires some effort. Trails are accessible year-round, although snow is possible. Stay in the park at Bryce Canyon Lodge, open seasonally through Oct. 31. (435) 834-5322, www.nps.gov/brca.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The park’s Blue Ridge Mountains blaze with fall color. To stride among the leaves, tackle Dark Hollow Falls Trail, which follows a cascading stream down the mountainside. Several times the flow pours into scenic pools, ultimately plunging 70 feet down a series of rocky steps. Here too the 1.4-mile round-trip walk is short, but you will want to take your time climbing back out again. Stay in the park at Skyland Lodge, open through Nov. 27. (540) 999-3500, www.nps.gov/shen.

Joshua Tree National Park, Southern California. This year-round desert park is named for the spiky Joshua tree. Huge red-rock boulders attract rock climbers. But hiking is also a big draw. Youngsters love the easy Hidden Valley Nature Trail, which threads through a maze of boulders to, yes, a hidden valley that was reputedly the lair of long-ago cattle rustlers. The trail loops the valley for a mile beneath soaring rock walls that give it the look of a corral. Stay in Twentynine Palms. (760) 367-5500, www.nps.gov/jotr.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee. Enjoy fall foliage on a few of the park’s 850 miles of trails. Take an easy three-mile (round-trip) climb through a virgin hemlock forest to Grotto Falls. On the way, you cross a small stream on stepping stones. With care, it’s possible to step behind the falls. Stay in Gatlinburg, Tenn. (865) 436-1200, www.nps.gov/grsm.

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico. The sand looks so white, you might think snowshoes are required. Several trails weave among giant dunes, some of them two or three stories tall. The Big Dune Trail, a mile-long path, is marked with posts, because blowing sand constantly erases any footprints. Stay in Las Cruces, N.M. (505) 679-2599, www.nps.gov/whsa.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. There’s a spectacular scenic walking route that edges the South Rim of the great crevice for eight miles. You can follow it partway, then double back, enjoying dramatic views of the Colorado River far below. Cooler temperatures make fall an ideal time to visit, but weather is unpredictable; be prepared for snow. Stay at Bright Angel or Maswik lodges. (928) 638-7888, www.nps.gov/grca.