There’s something so captivating about the world J. R. R. Tolkien created in “The Lord of the Rings.” Middle Earth, a place of lush forests and romantic fantasy, is a realm that’s undeniably beautiful and beguiling. But here in the U.S., we don’t have to pick up one of Tolkien’s novels to visit Middle Earth; there are unbelievable destinations all across the country that rival anything found in the pages of such fantasies. And unlike Middle Earth, these destinations are wholly, wildly, wondrously real. Let’s check out some of our favorite Lord of the Rings places in the US.

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With so many wonderful places like Middle Earth in the US we have a nearly endless amount of outdoor adventures to take. When was the last time you escaped into a place more beautiful than fantasy? It’s the kind of magic we could all use a bit more of in our lives — and it’s waiting for you at these unbelievable Lord of the Rings places in the US.

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More to Explore

Enchanted Forest Hikes In The US

What are some of the best forest hikes in the US?
Trying to pick out only a few spectacular forests to hike through in the US is pretty much impossible. There is an endless supply of beautiful areas to explore. But here are a few of the best forest hikes in the US that you might not have heard about yet:

  • Bean and Bear Lakes Trail, Silver Bay, MN: There are numerous hiking trails in Northern Minnesota around the Lake Superior area that deserve to be on your bucket list. The Bean and Bear is one of our favorites. It has everything you want in a forest hike with a section of wooden boardwalk so you can hear the clump of your boots echoing in the trees, plenty of natural stone steps to get a good workout, wildflowers in the spring, gorgeous fall colors (in the fall of course), and scenic views of Bear and Bean Lakes from high up on the bluffs.
  • Elk Head trail to College Cove, Humboldt County, CA: If you enjoy trekking through enchanted forests in the US that lead to a secret beach, this is a lovely hidden gem. You'll start at the College Cove parking lot in the Trinidad State Beach area. As you are hiking on Elk Head trail you'll find a secret side trail that leads through a tunnel of trees. All in all, it is only about a mile and a half round trip, but as you exit the short side trail you will be delighted to find a secret cove with turquoise waters and a soft sand beach.
  • Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls, Maui, HI: When you think of enchanted forests, Hawaii should be high on your list. Especially when you are surrounded by a tall bamboo forest gently swaying in the wind. What could be more zen than walking along a bamboo trail over a wooden boardwalk? How about discovering two incredible waterfalls? Waimoku Falls is a fascinating double waterfall each with its own magical pool of water. You can't get much more enchanting than that.

Now that we have whet your appetite for beautiful hikes, check out this list of some of the best short but incredibly scenic hikes in the US. Be sure to give AllTrails+ a try for up-to-date maps and trail info.