When family and friends gather to give thanks, the holiday’s roots in harvest gratitude and shared meals make autumn walks a natural complement to the season’s spirit of togetherness. In the United States, the day is observed on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada it falls on the second Monday of October, and modern traditions often include festive meals, parades, and football alongside time outdoors.

If planning fresh-air time during Thanksgiving weekend, pairing gentle hikes with simple, packable picnics keeps the focus on connection while honoring the season’s cooler weather and shorter days. As the long weekend approaches, it's time to embrace the beauty of fall with a curated selection of nature spots perfect for walking and hiking. The crisp air, vibrant foliage, and serene landscapes create an ideal backdrop for outdoor adventures. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the best hiking spots, trail difficulties, stunning views, and essential picnic ideas to make your experience unforgettable.

Weekend Hikes for Thanksgiving

1. Acadia National Park, Maine — Ocean Path

Ocean Path traces Maine’s bold coastline from Sand Beach to Otter Point, offering granite slabs, cliffside vistas, and access to favorites like Thunder Hole across 4.4 miles round trip on mixed concrete, gravel, and rocky surfaces with a couple of stair sections. The route is gradual but includes steep drops in places, so choosing a setback spot for a snack and packing extra food and water aligns with “Ten Essentials” best practices while enjoying the views toward Cadillac and Dorr Mountains. For Thanksgiving weekend travelers, layers and firm footwear make lingering at windswept overlooks more comfortable as coastal breezes pick up.

2. Great Smoky Mountains NP, Tennessee — Alum Cave Bluffs

The Alum Cave Trail to the bluffs is a 4.6-mile round trip that passes through Arch Rock and old-growth forest before climbing more steeply to striking overhangs and Smokies views, with parking tags required at the popular trailhead on US 441. Conditions can turn icy in late fall at higher elevations, so traction like microspikes may be advisable in cold spells, and a turnaround at Arch Rock offers a moderate alternative if time is tight. On Thanksgiving weekend, pack extra layers and maintain a flexible plan as mountain weather can shift quickly on exposed sections.

3. Zion National Park, Utah — Canyon Overlook

This East Side classic is a moderate, one-mile, handrail-assisted hike over slickrock to a fenced cliff-edge viewpoint facing the main canyon and the Towers of the Virgin, with limited parking near the Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Short and spectacular, it’s ideal for a golden-hour stroll, but bringing a headlamp remains wise as daylight fades early in late fall and the Ten Essentials call for illumination regardless of distance. Thanksgiving weekend in the desert can still be chilly and breezy up high, so a windproof shell and insulating midlayer add comfort while savoring the panorama.

4. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia — Hawksbill Summit

Via the Upper Hawksbill route, Shenandoah’s highest peak is a 2.1-mile round trip with about 520 feet of gain to a stone viewing platform and 360-degree views over the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge. Even on short hikes, temperatures can swing, so an insulating layer for the summit pause is smart, and limited closures may be in effect to protect sensitive outcrops. For those mapping a Skyline Drive foliage finale over Thanksgiving weekend, this high point offers a swift payoff with big horizons.

5. Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada — Calico Tanks

A Red Rock favorite, Calico Tanks runs about 2.5 miles round trip and is rated moderately strenuous, weaving through colorful Aztec Sandstone to a natural tinaja and views toward Las Vegas from the end. Desert air is dry and shade is sparse, so extra water and snacks are essential, and seasonal timed-entry reservations may apply for the Scenic Drive approach to the Sandstone Quarry trailhead. For Thanksgiving weekend, start early to secure parking and to enjoy cooler temps among the red-and-cream formations.

Picnic ideas that travel

• Keep it simple: sturdy sandwiches, cut fruit, trail mix, and an extra portion beyond the minimum, following the Ten Essentials guideline for extra food on every outing.

• Hydration first: carry water beyond the expected need; even in cool air, exertion, and dry climates demand steady sipping to stay comfortable.

• Pack for comfort, not bulk: a lightweight shell, midlayer, and moisture-wicking base let warmth scale with effort and weather while keeping weight manageable.

What to pack for cooler fall hikes

• Layers that work together: a wicking base, insulating midlayer, and wind/rain shell offer flexibility for changing temps and activity levels on short or long trails.

• Illumination: shorter days make a headlamp with spare batteries nonnegotiable, reflecting the Ten Essentials emphasis on reliable lighting.

• Navigation and awareness: basic map or offline map, plus a flexible plan and attention to posted guidance, align with park safety recommendations.

• Extra food and water: cool weather masks thirst and appetite, but added reserves keep energy steady and support safer decision-making. An insulated bottle with water or a backpack cooler with food and drinks should be on your list.

• Traction and footing: expect wet or icy patches in mountains and slippery rock near water; adjust plans if conditions deteriorate. Wear the right footwear for hiking like hiking boots and more.

Make it a memory

Balancing tradition with the season’s beauty is easy: a shared trail, a modest picnic, and a mindful, layered kit can turn a simple walk into a restorative capstone to the holiday. For any Thanksgiving weekend hike, combining official trail information and a weather-savvy layering plan sets up a safe, relaxed day outside together. Have a safe, scenic, and unhurried Thanksgiving weekend on the trail, wherever the map leads.

If you have any travel queries contact us or you could share your Thanksgiving travel adventures with us.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!