20 Fantastic Hikes Across the United States With Kids
Are you looking to discover stunning hikes across the United States that are both fun and kid friendly? Our family loves to hike everywhere we go and we’ve been hiking throughout the United States for years. We would love to show you the best hiking trails we’ve found.
Listed below are our Family’s Favorites!
Each hike listed here was specifically chosen because of it’s unique landscape, fun terrain or for it’s spectacular beauty. But more importantly, each of these United States hikes was chosen for this list because our family had an absolute blast hiking it and we think that your family will too!
Let’s Find Out Where Your “Traveling Feet” Will Hike Next!
1. Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Flume Gorge Trail
1.9 Mile Loop (Easy)
Flume Gorge is a completely breathtaking natural gorge found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
A 1.9 mile trail takes you through the heart of this spectacular gorge where you will discover stunning waterfalls, historic covered bridges and fun, small caves that kids can crawl through and explore. We had a blast hiking this trail and we highly recommend it!
Flume Gorge trail is especially great for families because the gorgeous scenery is constantly changing, which will keep kids engaged as they discover what’s next. This trail also has great features scattered throughout like a “wolf den” or a “bear cave” which kids will love to explore.
I love how this short trail is jammed packed with so many amazing features. This makes Flume Gorge my favorite kid friendly trail out of all the hikes we’ve gone on in the Northeast United States.
2. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, New Mexico
Cave Loop/ Slot Canyon Trail
3.1 Mile Trail Round Trip (Moderate)
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument seriously impressed our family with its bizarre tent rock formations and a spectacular slot canyon! This breathtaking site was formed by a volcanic eruption 6 to 7 million years ago but only was declared a National Monument in 2001.
Our family LOVED this hike! Upon entering this bizarre landscape you’ll immediately begin weaving your way through this amazing slot canyon, climbing over rocks on the path and discovering something new around every corner.
Slot Canyon Trail is a ton of fun to hike as a family and we highly recommend this trail in Northern New Mexico.
Hiking Tip: There is one spot after the slot canyon where it becomes steep and you have a couple big steps up on the trail. It was no problem for us, but our 5 year old did need to be helped and lifted up to be able to continue on this trail.
Tip: We recommend hiking this trail as early as you can in the day to beat the heat and the crowds.
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3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods, California
Boy Scout Trail
5.3 Miles (Out-&-Back) Easy/ Moderate
Walk among the tallest trees on Earth on this kid friendly hike through some of the most extraordinary redwood scenery in the world!
On this remote trail you can walk for miles and not hear a single car or see a single building. I think Boy Scout Trail is an incredible hike for families to experience the silence of the redwood forest and to be humbled in the presence of these enormous trees.
Kids will love exploring the fallen trees on this trail and discovering where the path through this magical land will take them next. What surprised me the most about my own children was how much they enjoyed stopping along the trail to just listen to the silence and maybe watch a bird hop from branch to branch.
Near the end of this trail take the short side trail to find the Boy Scout Tree giving you a 2 finger salute!
Our Family loves Boy Scout Trail and thinks it is the prettiest Redwood hike there is!
Hiking Tip #1: Try and visit this trail early in the day. At the trail head there is a pullout that can only accommodate about six cars. On a summer day you may find over 20 cars lining the road parked to hike this trail.
Hiking Tip #2: Also, try and visit on a sunny day. As you can see from the picture above the sun really lights up these redwoods and will truly add to your experience.
4. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Arch Rock Nature Trail
1.2 miles Loop (Easy)
Before visiting Joshua Tree National Park I honestly thought I was just going to see some really cool trees and that was it. I had no idea that it was a breathtaking, rock scrambling paradise as well!
Hiking Arch Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree was a spur of the moment decision that turned out to be our family’s favorite trail in the park! Being less crowded than other trails here, we were able to explore this rock wonderland by ourselves and really become immersed into this unique environment.
The rocks surrounding Arch Rock Nature Trail were the perfect size for our kids (ages 6, 9 and 11) to have an incredible time climbing and exploring on without giving me too much of a heart attack.
We love this Amazing Rock Paradise!
Hiking Tip: Visit in the morning or evening to avoid the intense mid-day heat and bring lots of water to enjoy this unique and spectacular desert wonderland.
5. Yosemite National Park, California
Mist Trail/ John Muir Trail Loop
(Moderate for the 2.3 mile loop to Vernal Falls)
(Hard for the 7.2 mile Loop up to Nevada Falls) (Our Family Hiked This)
Breathtaking views will blow you away on Yosemite’s Mist Trail/ John Muir Loop!
This was the hardest hike our family has ever tackled and I would not recommend trying to do this entire hike if you’ve never hiked before or have young children. But the scenery here is absolutely spectacular and all of us felt that the difficulty of this hike was completely worth it for these jaw-dropping views!
Originally our family was only going to hike to the top of Vernal Falls but all 3 of our children (ages 7, 9 and 11) wanted to continue to the top of Nevada Falls and come back down the John Muir Trail.
We had a blast on this trail! This was definitely one of the best hikes our family has ever done!
Hiking Tip #1: The trail near Vernal Falls is a little slippery so be careful.
Hiking Tip #2: Start this trail as early as possible. It gets really busy by mid-morning and throughout the afternoon.
Side Note: Another great thing about this trail is that there are bathrooms at the first overlook, at the top of Vernal Falls and at the top of Nevada Falls. This is very useful when hiking a 7 mile trail with kids.
6. Grand Canyon, Arizona
Kaibab Trail
1.8 Miles to Ooh Ahh Point & Back (Moderate)
Hiking below the rim of Grand Canyon is a breathtaking experience that you shouldn’t miss!
The Kaibab Trail begins 2.5 miles from the visitor center in Grand Canyon Village. Hop on a shuttle to the trailhead or grab a parking spot along the road near the trail. Because of its location, the Kaibab Trail tends to be less crowded and have less mule traffic than Bright Angel Trail which begins in Grand Canyon Village.
We chose to hike only part of the Kaibab Trail to Ooh-Aah Point. This portion of the trail was a perfect way for our family to experience the Grand Canyon below the rim and gain access to these stunning views.
Hiking Tip: The hike down is much easier than the hike back up. Our 7 year old loved it but we did need to stop for lots of water and rest breaks on the way back up.
7. Rialto Beach, Washington
Hole-in-Wall Trail
~4 miles Round Trip Walk Along the Beach (Moderate)
Rialto Beach is a stunning beach found on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Picturesque driftwood lines the foggy shore; Water as still as glass lies in brilliantly colored tide pools, and waves crashing against the dramatic rock formations will simply take your breath away.
Go at low tide and this fantastic walk will lead to a land of tide pools filled with star fish and sea anemones!
This is by far my favorite wild and scenic beach walk in the United States.
Orange & Purple Starfish line the rocks and tide pools.
8. Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona
West Fork Trail
3.3 mile one way trail that crosses Oak Creek 13 times! (Moderate – if you hike the entire trail)
We Loved Hiking West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon! This incredibly fun trail is full of gorgeous scenery, spectacular rock formations and a trail that crosses the creek 13 times!
Just grab some water shoes and walk all or just part of this beautiful trail!
Only 20 minutes from Sedona, this shaded trail was the perfect way for our family to enjoy some time out of the hot Arizona sun but still be able to take in more of Arizona’s beautiful scenery.
Hiking Tip: Arrive early to hike this trail. Due to it’s popularity the parking lot fills up quickly. There is also a charge to park at this trailhead.
9. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA
James Irvine Trail / Fern Canyon/
Miner’s Ridge Loop
~13 Mile Loop (Moderate) (This is the Longest Hike Our Kids Have Done)
Alternative (More Kid-Friendly Option):
Walk a part of the 6 mile James Irvine Trail, out & back, then drive to Fern Canyon
The James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon is considered to be one of the Top Redwood Hikes in California!
Starting at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center this trail immediately greets you with impressive redwoods everywhere you turn. It’s truly a humbling experience to be standing among the tallest trees in the world!
Walking this loop trail was the longest hike our family has ever done. I was nervous at first about it’s length but the trail is relatively flat and the scenery varies from magnificent Redwoods to the wild Gold Bluffs Beach to the impressive Fern Canyon. I feel that the change of scenery kept our children engaged throughout the hike and I loved how it allowed us to get into the heart of the Redwood Forest. Here we were able to experience the complete silence and peacefulness of the Redwood’s world.
At the end of the James Irvine Trail, 6 miles, the trail rewards you with revealing the Breathtaking Fern Canyon.
Fern Canyon
The first time I saw a picture of Fern Canyon I knew I had to find a way to see this place for myself! Fern Canyon is an unbelievable 30 foot walled canyon that is completely covered in ferns!
This site was used in the filming of Jurassic Park 2.
Combining the Fantastic Redwoods of the James Irvine Trail, the wild nature of Gold Bluffs Beach with the Spectacular Fern Canyon truly made this one of our family’s favorite hikes in the United States!
Side Note: You can drive to Fern Canyon – Be sure to check the road status before you go. After a rain this road can flood or need a 4×4 vehicle to get to the Fern Canyon Parking lot.
You can also walk one way on this trail and have a shuttle arranged to pick you up at the other end.
10. Sedona, Arizona
Doe Mountain
0.7 miles to the top of the Mesa, 1.3 mile optional trail around the edge (Moderate)
Doe Mountain Trail is an outstanding family friendly hike and our favorite place to watch the sunset in Sedona.
Climbing this short but steep trail is completely worth it for these incredible views at the top. This view feels like it’s out of a painting and the colors on the rocks are simply breathtaking.
You could spend hours just taking in the scenery here. We highly recommend this trail if you are in the Sedona area.
11. Sequoia National Park, California
Congress Trail
2 mile long loop, that can be reached by several short trails (Easy)
If you are visiting the General Sherman Tree (the world’s largest) in Sequoia National Park then you’ll definitely want to check out Congress Loop Trail.
Congress Loop Trail allows you to get away from the crowds that surround the General Sherman Tree and discover sequoias that are even more amazing, in my opinion, in a calmer atmosphere.
Congress Loop Trail has the highest amount of impressive sequoias in a short distance than any other trail in the park!
My two favorite parts of this trail are the two unusual clusters of Sequoias called “The Senate” and “The House” (see the picture above) and standing in the presence of the enormous, awe inspiring sequoia named “The President.” (see picture below)
12. Watkins Glen State Park, New York
Watkins Glen Gorge Trail
2.4 Mile Loop (Moderate)
Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is a spectacular walk through this incredible gorge in New York State!
200-foot walls surround you, a beautiful river flows past and amazing waterfalls are everywhere you turn. The trail itself is even incredible! Stone steps and stone walls let the trail blend in naturally with the surroundings and create a magical atmosphere.
We were completely blown away by Watkins Glen Gorge!
13. Acadia National Park, Maine
Land Bridge to Bar Island
1.9 miles Out & Back (Easy)
The Land Bridge to Bar Island only opens for about 3 hours during low tide and is a fantastic walk on the ocean floor!
Walking this path to Bar Island was a definite highlight for our boys! They loved walking on the ocean floor, looking for crabs that scurried past, pointing out cool looking shells and trying to find sea stars!
What makes this walk even cooler is that we were able to point out the spot in the ocean, to our children, that we were going to walk across, only a few hours before our journey began. They didn’t believe us! A few hours later when the land appeared and they were ecstatic!
Don’t miss this incredible walk across the ocean floor!
14. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Stony Man Trail
1.6 mile Loop (Easy)
Stony Man Trail is an easy hike just off of Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park near Milepost 41.
Here you will be transported into a magical land with breathtaking views everywhere you turn.
This trail begins by taking you through a beautiful path lined with incredibly green ferns. The ferns here, on the cool June morning that we visited, were so green that they almost seemed unreal!
I thought it was spectacular!
Stony Man Trail is a great walk for families and our 3 year old had a blast!
But the real highlight comes right after your small uphill climb. Here you are greatly rewarded for your small hiking effort when the forest magically parts and you are presented with the magnificent view of the valley below!
15. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Echo Canyon Trail
1 mile to get to the Grottos and back, or 3.3 mile loop (Moderate)
Chiricahua National Monument is a breathtaking wonderland of rocks just waiting to be explored!
I had no idea that places like this existed in the United States and I was ecstatic that we were able to hike here!
Throughout our entire hike I kept wondering, how is this even real! So I had to look it up. Roughly 27 million years ago a volcanic eruption spewed ash and molten debris that settled and compacted into thick layers of rock. Over time these layers have cracked and eroded forming the magnificent pillars you see here!
In Chiricahua National Park you can chose to walk the short 1 mile Echo Canyon Grottoes Trail or chose the 3.3 mile Echo Canyon Loop trail (as we did) to immerse yourself among this unearthly land of rocks.
We highly recommend this incredible trail! It is an unreal experience that you won’t forget!
16. Hoh Rain Forest, Washington
Hall of Mosses/ Spruce Nature Trail
0.8 Mile Loop/ 1.2 Mile Loop (Easy)
The Hoh Rain Forest is a breathtaking Temperate Rain Forest found in the Northwest United States on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Each year the Hoh Rain Forest receives up to 12 feet of rain!
This rain creates a land filled with gorgeous moss covered trees, lush fern blanketed grounds and amazing green plant life everywhere you turn. The scenery on this trail is spectacular!
Hiking Tip: We recommend hiking this trail in late June after the rainy season ends but while all of the ferns and mosses are still overwhelmingly green.
17. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Inyo National Forest, CA
Schulman Grove, Discovery Trail
1 Mile Loop (Easy)
Yes, this tree is alive!
I was floored when I learned that California had the Oldest Trees in the World! Who knew.
High up in the Inyo National Forest lies the Ancient Bristlecone Pines. Many of these beautifully twisted and weathered ancient trees are more than 4,000 years old with the oldest on record being 5,062 years!
I had no idea that a tree could live that long and I was ecstatic to respectfully walk among them.
To imagine the changes in the world during these trees’ lifetime is incredible. To stand in their presence is an honor and a humbling experience.
18. Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Tower Trail
1.3 Mile Loop (Easy)
Rising 1,267 feet above the northeastern plains of Wyoming, Devils Tower is a sight you don’t want to miss!
Scientist believe that this natural phenomenon began ~50 million years ago when molten rock tried to push up out of the Earth but then cooled. Over time erosion of the land surrounding this began to reveal this incredible tower!
Steven Spielberg fans will likely recognize Devils Tower from his 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Our family loved walking the easy trail that circles this incredible phenomenon.
It’s really hard to comprehend just how enormous Devils Tower is until you get right up next to it!
Devils Tower seriously impressed our family!
19. Olympic National Park, Washington
Sol Duc Falls Trail
1.6 Mile Out and Back (Easy)
Can you find my three boys here?
Sol Duc Falls Trail is an incredible family friendly hike through beautiful old-growth trees in the middle of a lush rain forest atmosphere. Our family loved the peacefulness of this trail with its moss covered rocks and the soothing streams.
Near the end of this trail you will begin to hear the roar of the spectacular Sol Duc Falls as it cascades down 48 feet into a narrow rocky canyon. This waterfall is an incredible site and this is a fantastic family friendly hike in Washington State.
20. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Door Trail
0.75 Mile Round Trip (Easy)
Door Trail is our favorite hike in the Badlands!
Here this spectacular trail that lets you feel as if you are out in the heart of the Badlands! Door Trail begins with a 1/4 mile boardwalk. This suddenly stops and the trail continues to lead you out into this unreal atmosphere guided only by yellow posts to mark the way. We love how you don’t even feel like you are on a trail here. Door Trail lets you feel as if you were exploring this amazing landscape all on your own!
Crossing this rocky terrain out in the Badlands is a Blast and we highly recommend this trail!
I hope you enjoyed reading about these 20 Outstanding Hikes in the United States and found a few hikes that you would like to try on your next family vacation.
Have a Great Hike with Your Traveling Feet!
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1 comment
Such beautiful pictures showing wonderful places to go! Your family has had so many experiences they will remember for the rest of their lives! What an education and what wonderful family times!