It’s been a rough year, and if you and your entire family are basically punching the walls of your home, know that we’re right there with you. Whether your kids are heading back to school in person this fall (terrifying) or sticking it out for some form of homeschooling or distance learning (um, terrifying), by the time the weekend rolls around, the kids and adults alike are desperate for a break — and maybe some fresh air? Because no, dammit, 2020 shall not doom you to such “leisure-time activities” as reading mommy blogs and making chicken nuggets from scratch! Although, no judgment if that’s your thing. But it’s worth remembering that leaving the house is good and healthy, even during a pandemic, if you do it safely. It’s also worth remembering that anything can be “kid-friendly” if you deem it to be so. Especially when it’s fall, it’s beautiful out, and adventure awaits you. So get outside and go see the world — and bring those small fries with you (the kids, not the chicken nuggets, although sure, bring both).
And you don’t have to make an epic family plan to scale the Himalayas, either (please don’t fly in plane right now ok?) because some of the most gorgeous mountains — and woods, waterfalls, lakes, you name it — are probably within driving distance of your home, right here in the good ol’ (lol JK it’s pretty crap right now) U.S. of A. In fact, the general awesomeness of the U.S. State & National Parks and landscape may be one of the only things Americans agree upon these days, so let’s cling to it with all our might, shall we?
We’ve done the travel planning for you and rounded up some of the best child-friendly hikes in the United States — from the obvious icons to the unexpected spots you’ve maybe never heard of. Just make sure you stay safe when you hit the trails, both for the health of your family and for others. Bring water and sunscreen, give other hikers a wide berth, and make sure the whole family (kids age 2+, that is) is wearing face masks unless you’re literally the only group on the trail that day.
And enjoy! After all, which do you think your kid will remember in 10 years: the rando toy you got her for her birthday or the time you two trekked up a mountain together?
A version of this story was originally published in September 2017.
Tennessee: Rutledge Falls
Rutledge Falls in Manchester, TN is such a magical fairyland place, you’ll be shocked how short the mini-hike from the roadway is. Stamina is not required for this one, which makes it perfect for little ones who will love clambering down into this woodland valley to splash around the falls. But be warned: The steepness of the hike down to the falls makes up for what it lacks in length, so it’s best for a) baby-wearing and b) kids who have a strong sense of their footing. The toddlers who insist on “walking” themselves may prefer one of the gentler hikes ahead.
Stay nearby at the Manchester KOA, where the whole family can enjoy a socially-distanced (and affordable) getaway — either camping or “glamping” in one of the campgrounds’ phenomenal unique lodgings, which include a treehouse and a covered wagon. Yep, you read that right. The kids are gonna flip.
New York: Indian Ladder Trail
This phenomenal trail 30ish minutes outside of Albany takes you through cave-like overhangs and under waterfalls as you scale a cliff in John B. Thacher State Park. But with the addition of a few stairs and railings built into the cliffside, the Indian Ladder Trail is a surprisingly safe — and kid-friendly — option they’ll never forget. And when they’re all tuckered out, book a room or a family-size suite at the nearby Staybridge Suites Albany to de-stress from all that climbing in the hot tub. Sounds like a perfect weekend, no?
Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park
Grizzlies and geysers and bison, oh, my! There’s no denying that Yellowstone National Park is the ultimate hiking/camping/marveling-at-nature destination, no matter your age. Kids will get a kick out of Old Faithful as well as Midway Geyser Basin, the world’s largest hot spring — not to mention the boiling mud pots that are a mud pie-maker’s dream. Favorite hikes among the park’s 900 miles of trail include an easy 1.1 miles on Trout Lake Loop or a more ambitious Lone Star Geyser Trail (4.8 miles).
Nevada: Reno & Lake Tahoe
The Huffaker Hills Trail on the outskirts of Reno is a totally achievable 1.8 miles long. In addition to knockout lake and mountain views, Huffaker Hills includes information stops along the way where inquisitive kids can learn about the area’s history.
Nearby Hunter Creek Trail is somewhat tougher, so maybe save it for the kid who’s already broken in her hiking boots a bit. This more hefty hike is 5.8 miles and includes a creek and waterfall. Bonus: Although this trail doesn’t allow mountain bikes, it does allow dogs and horses, so feel free to bring Fido and — I dunno. What do people who own horses name them? I don’t know those people.
California: Yosemite
Of course, once you’ve hiked your way through Reno, it would be a shame not to take a quick trip across the border to Lake Tahoe and check out its renowned trails — plenty of which are also great for kids. Rubicon Trail in DL Bliss State Park, Eagle Lake, Spooner Lake (oops, that one’s technically in Nevada) and Shirley Canyon are some Tahoe-adjacent favorites among families.
As you stray from the lake, head south — because you can’t go wrong with the hiking icon that is Yosemite National Park. Get your kid acquainted with granite and glaciers and giant sequoias and it’ll really put the small stuff (you know, like their inane whining about bedtime) into perspective. Yosemite’s Glacier Point trail is only a mile long, and it offers a 270-degree panorama and unparalleled views of the Sierras. The Lower Mariposa Grove hike involves some minor climbing, but it’s worth it so kiddo can see the Grizzly Giant, the world’s oldest sequoia — and one of the Earth’s largest living things, period. Did I say something about perspective already?
Oregon: Crater Lake National Park
Oregon’s Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S. — 1,949 feet, folks — is also the clearest. That makes Crater Lake National Park one hell of a backdrop for the family holiday-card photo. The lake was formed when the Mt. Mazama volcano erupted some hundred-odd-thousand years ago, so you can let the kiddos know they’re treading on a volcano — provided that won’t completely freak them out. Some easy and lovely trails around the lake include Plaikni Falls, Godfrey Glen Trail, Cleetwood Cove Trail, and Pinnacles Valley Trail.
Georgia: Amicalola Falls
At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast, and you can choose whether to view this natural aqua-drama from a stroller-safe pathway or a more challenging trail. Kids who tackle the latter get to join the park’s Canyon Climbers Club, which sounds pretty exclusive. Another nearby option in the Peach State is Anna Ruby Falls in Unicoi State Park: a pair of twin waterfalls just hanging out together in the North Georgia forest, accessible by easy trails.
Washington: Olympic National Park
Lover’s Lane Loop trail in Washington state’s Olympic National Park follows the Sol Duc River upstream. The hike is 5.5 miles, so it may be a tad long for little kids who need to dash back for naptime, but if they can hack it, it’ll be well worth their while. You’ll definitely see (and smell) some cool spruce and Douglas fir trees, and you may even encounter elk ambling around the streams fed from Sol Duc Falls.
Kentucky: Lost River Cave
What? You didn’t know Kentucky was cool? I know, it’s surprising — but true. And the Bluegrass State’s Lost River Cave in Bowling Green is a solid option for a kid-friendly hike. On the easy 2-mile trails, kids can learn about geology and history while scoping out some unique stuff: blue holes, limestone bluffs, natural springs and the remains of stone buildings that once stored dynamite used in quarrying limestone. There’s even an adorable free junior tour guide program that lets kids earn a tour guide certificate and patch.
New York: Catskills
Don’t even get me started on my not-so-secret love of the Catskills. If you’re lucky enough to visit the home of the Hudson River School, head to Kelly Hollow for a perfect — read: scenic and short — kid-friendly tromp in the woods. And while you’re Hudson Valley-ing (What? It’s a verb now), bring the little ones to Olana, the erstwhile home of painter Frederic Church, for a dose of culture, Persian architecture and amazing mountain views.
If your New York travels take you further west, however, the 4.3-mile trail near Ithaca is a great option — and part of what makes the “Ithaca is Gorges” tag line ring so true.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
No list of U.S. hikes would be complete without our offshore sister: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea Iki Crater Loop is only 3.3 miles, and boy is it a weird and wonderful place. You’ve got tropical rainforest, a once-molten lava field and steam vents from a real-live volcano — it’s basically nine national parks in one.
Wisconsin: Lake Geneva Shore Path
If you’re looking for a less rugged family hike (you know, free from cliffs and grizzlies), you can’t beat the Lake Geneva Shore Path, a 26-mile walking trail that winds entirely around Lake Geneva’s shoreline, dipping in and out of the forest and grazing past some epic historic estates. The terrain switches through gravel, wood, stepping stones and the like, so kids will manage fine with regular old sneakers. That said, it is 26 miles, so plan to walk a segment — or hop on and off — accordingly.
If you stay at nearby Grand Geneva, you’ll have easy access to White River Nature Trail, a red stone path that leads to the White River, which empties out into Lake Geneva. It’s about a mile long, as is the nearby Mountain Top Trail; both are favorite hang spots for turkeys, deer, beavers, groundhogs, turtles, and cranes.
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