Family friendly hiking trails include 1) Multnomah Falls Trail, 2) Dream Lake Trail, 3) Alberta Falls Trail, and more. Trekking routes for families with small kids are also available.
Hiking is a fun activity to do, whether alone or in a group. With the added health benefits, hiking is emerging as a favorite pastime for millions of people worldwide.
Taking a trekking trip with the family can help strengthen the bond with your loved ones. However, taking little kids or rookies on a hiking trip often turns out to be a bad idea, especially if the route is challenging.
Here, we have listed 15 easy hiking trails you can take with little kids or a beginner family member.
1) Multnomah Falls Trail
Multnomah falls trail is a 2.4-mile hike out and back in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It is a kid-friendly route that takes about an hour and a half to complete a round-trip.
The Multnomah falls is the primary attraction of this journey. It has three different waterfalls: upper, main, and lower falls.
The trek starts at the Multnomah falls trailhead, which is at an elevation of 20 feet, and ends at the top of the falls, reaching an elevation of 870 feet.
The trail is the most visited trekking site located in the Pacific Northwest. Due to its popularity, the beautiful landscape also comes with a few drawbacks. The route gets too crowded during the weekends and holidays, so it’s wise to visit during the weekdays if you are looking to spend some quiet time with nature.
How To Get There?
The start point of the hike is a 40 minutes drive from Portland.
Driving from Portland, take east on Interstate 84 until you reach Exit 31.
You can also take the Bridal Veil Exit 28 from Interstate 84. Drive east on the Historic Columbia River Highway until you reach the parking area of Multnomah Falls Lodge.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, pets are allowed but should be kept on a leash.
2) Dream Lake Trail
The Dream Lake trail is a hiking route inside the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
The trek starts at the Bear lake trailhead which sits at an elevation of 9,450 feet and ends at Dream lake, which has a surface elevation of 9900. During the trip, you will also pass through Nymph lake and gain an altitude of 450 feet.
The trail is a two-mile journey back and forth which takes around an hour to complete. Due to its relatively short distance, it is suitable for kids. This route is mostly famous for hiking and snowshoeing.
Starting the journey from the Bear lake trailhead, you will have to climb a stiff height. After walking for about half a mile, you will get to Nymph Lake. Continue for about half a mile along the dirt part until you reach the point where the trail splits.
Take right for the path to Dream lake; the left will get you to Lake Haiyaha.
How To Get There?
To reach the Bear Lake trailhead, enter the Rocky Mountain National Park from the Beaver Meadows Entrance.
Drive until you reach downtown Estes Park and take Entrance 36 of US Highway. If you are driving through Elkhorn Avenue, take the left turn at the Moraine Ave traffic light.
Are Pets Allowed?
No, pets are not allowed on this trek. If you are planning a trip with your canine friend, unfortunately, this may not be the right choice.
3) Alberta Falls Trail
The Alberta falls trail is located inside the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
The 1.7 miles long route is especially suited for beginners and families with little kids. It takes around 42 minutes, on average, to complete the trekking route. The location is ideal for activities like horseback riding, snowshoeing, hiking, running, and enjoying natural views.
The main attraction of the trail is Alberta falls which is a natural water spring with a height of around 30 feet. The water and the trail are both named after Alberta Sprague, the wife of Abner Sprague who was one of the original Estes Park settlers
The trail begins at the Glacier Gorge trailhead and ends at Alberta falls which sits at an elevation of 9400 feet.
How To Get There?
To explore the Alberta falls trail, first, you’ll have to first get to the Glacier Gorge trailhead, the starting point of the hike.
You’ll have to drive through the RMNP entrance from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.
Take a left on Bear Lake Road and continue for around eight miles until you reach the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
If you want to avoid driving, take a ride in a Rocky Mountain shuttle bus which is a free service to visitors by the national park. The shuttle buses are available at the Estes Park Visitor Center.
Are Pets Allowed?
Unfortunately, pets are banned from this trail. Use a different route if you are planning on taking your canine companion with you.
4) Whitaker Point Trail
The Whitaker point trail, aka the Hawksbill Crag, is a trekking route inside the Ozark National Forest. It is located in Arkansas, near the Pettigrew community.
The 2.9 miles long route is moderately easy and takes about two hours to complete the roundabout journey. The main attraction of the trip is Whitaker Point which can be reached with an elevation gain of 413 feet.
Considered one the best places to get kissed in Arkansas, the trail is a hub for young couples and families with pubescent kids. The path is easy for most parts but has a few sharp elevations and drops, making it unsuitable for families with little children.
Some of the major activities to do during this hike are hiking, cave exploration, and playing in the waterfall.
Also, the route often gets crowded on the weekend and holidays, so visit during the weekdays if you want to spend time alone with nature.
How To Get There?
To get to the start of the trail from Ponca, you’ll have to take south from Highway 43 to Highway 21.
Take a left turn and continue for about two miles until you reach the Boxley Bridge on the Buffalo river.
When you reach gravel road #9560, take a right turn and continue for about six miles. Before reaching the trailhead, you’ll pass through the Cave Mountain Church and Cemetery. Drive for around a quarter mile to get to the start point of the trail.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, pets are welcome on this trail. But, you must put your canine partner on a leash.
5) Eaton Canyon Trail
The Eaton Canyon trail is located inside the Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park in Pasadena, California.
It is a 4.4-mile-long hike that takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to finish the out-and-back journey.
The trail is mostly leveled alongside the banks of the river and requires climbing up a stiff hill to reach the Eaton Canyon falls. The waterfall is reached with an elevation gain of nearly 520 feet.
The primary attractions of this trek route are the wildflowers and multiple stream crossings with the Eaton Canyon falls.
Due to the relatively leveled path, this path is ideal for runners, hikers, and beginners.
Expert trekkers have the option to go beyond the first fall, climbing deeper in the canyon. However, it is not a part of the official trail and is considered risky for hikers with less experience. Several incidents of injuries and deaths have been linked to this additional path, so always take caution.
How To Get There?
The Eaton Canyon falls trail lies nearly 2.3 miles from Altadena. It is easy to reach but the time to reach there might vary according to the traffic.
If you are driving along the 210, head north from the Altadena Dr exit. Drive for nearly 1.7 miles until you reach the park’s entrance. Instead of driving, you can also take a metro bus from the Sierra Madre Villa Station.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, pets are allowed on this hiking path but should remain strictly on a leash.
6) Little Si Trail
The Little Si trail is a 4.4 miles long trekking route inside the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area, Washington.
This trail is known for its steep climbs and is best suited for rock climbers. Along with an elevation gain of nearly 1200 feet, it takes around two and a half hours to complete this roundabout trip.
Various activities to do include hiking, running, exploring natural views, and rock climbing. At the top of this trail, you can explore the breathtaking view of Rattlesnake Mountain and Snoqualmie Valley.
The trail is usually filled with visitors and contains multiple signs for directions, so getting lost should not be a concern.
How To Get There?
From Intersection 90 located near North Bend, take Exit 32.
Take a left turn and follow the 468th Ave NorthEast to SouthEast North Bend Way. Take a left turn first and a right turn next to SE Mount Si Road.
Cross the Middle Fork Snoqualmie river and take a left into the Little Si parking lot.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, you can bring your pets on this trail. But, dogs should be kept on a leash for the entire trip.
7) CCC Camp Trail Loop
The CCC camp trail loop is a trekking route inside Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi.
It is a 3.6 miles long trail that starts at the Pioneer Cabin region. Going through a gravel road, rocks, the Bear Creek bank, and the Bear Creek trail, you will finally reach your starting point. In the trail, you can also notice the old CCC camp where the original CCC men lived.
This track is considerably easy to walk and talked around an hour and 17 minutes to finish.
How To Get There?
You can get to the CCP camp trailhead, the Pioneer Cabin area, through Mississippi Highway 25. Drive south of Tishomingo until you reach the parking lot.
Or, you can also get to it through the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Tishomingo State Park entrance is located near mile point 305.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, you can bring your pets to the trail. But, dogs should remain on a leash for the entirety of this route.
8) Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail
The Sunset point to Sunrise point is a 1.1 miles long hiking trail located inside the Bryce Canyon National Park near Bryce, Utah.
With an elevation gain of only 82 feet, it is one of the easiest routes to complete and is best suited for beginners and families with small kids. Further, the trail, which takes less than half an hour to finish, is also accessible to wheelchairs and strollers,
For this hike, you can start from the sunset point to the sunrise point or follow the opposite path. If you start from the sunset point, walk north along the trail for over half a mile to reach the sunrise point. Along the route, you can witness the Navajo loop, a trail that follows into a charm of rocks.
As the trail lies inside the Bryce Canyon National Park, you will have to buy a ticket and pay for parking at the entrance.
How To Get There?
To reach the trailhead, turn south from the Highway 12 and Highway 63 junction located near Bryce Canyon, Utah.
Drive for around 3.7 miles until you reach Bryce Canyon National Park. Drive south for another half a mile till you get to the sunrise point’s signed junction. Take left and drive for about 0.5 miles to the General Store.
Take another left and continue for 0.2 miles to the parking area.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, you can bring your pet dogs for this hike but they should not be left unsupervised.
9) Seven Bridges Trail
The seven bridges trail is located inside the North Cheyenne Canon Park near Manitou Springs, Colorado.
The popular destination is a 3.5 miles-long trip that takes around 2 hours to finish and has an elevation gain of 910 feet. The path falls alongside the North Cheyenne Creek and is considered a kid-friendly trekking route with no restrictions on pets.
The trail is named after the seven bridges that come across the journey. At the midpoint of the trip, you come across the seventh bridge which is a great sport to hang out and soak your legs in the water. Once you reach the 7th bridge, you can either continue walking to Jones Park or return.
The path is partially paved and provides a view to a beautiful forest along and several natural sites. To reach the trailhead, you’ll need to park your vehicle on Gold Camp Road and continue on foot along a railroad bed on the southwest direction. You’ll find a sign called “Trail 622,” which is the starting point of the trail.
How To Get There?
If you heading south on Interstate 25, take Exit 140 and drive through S Tejon St Drive until you reach Cheyenne Boulevard.
Head straight through Cheyenne Canyon and Helen Hunt falls. You will soon reach Gold Camp Road where you are supposed to park the vehicle.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, you can bring your pets on the trail. But, your canine companion should remain on a leash.
10) Bell Rock
The Bell Rock trail is a short-distance trekking route located in the Munds Mountain Wilderness, a national park in Arizona.
Starting from the north parking area, the hike is a 0.8-mile long roundabout trip that takes around an hour and a half to complete. It is considered a modestly challenging route and not suited for beginners.
In addition to hiking, this path is infrastructurally favorable for horse riding and cycling.
Along the trail, you can enjoy watching the beautiful views of Courthouse Butte and witness more eye-catching landscapes.
How Do Get There?
The Bell Rock trail is located 31 miles south of the Arizona city of Flagstaff.
To get to the beginning point of the trail, drive south from the 179 route in Sedona for around 3.6 miles. Continue until you reach 309.8 milepost and drive for another 0.2 miles south to get to the northern trailhead, which is an entrance to the United Methodist Church.
As the trail is located inside the Coconino National Forest, you will be required to purchase tickets before entering.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, you can bring your pets on this hiking trail. But, you will still be required to keep dogs on a leash.
11) Frankin Falls Trail
The Franklin falls trail is a hiking route inside the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington.
The round-trip is around 2 miles long and takes an hour and 50 minutes on average. The trail remains operational throughout the year but the time between April and July is considered best to explore the waterfall.
The Franklin falls waterfall has an elevation gain of about 400 feet, with the highest point reaching an altitude of 2600 feet.
The trail is one of the easiest to complete and is a kid-friendly route with many natural scenarios to watch. Further, the presence of glossy ferns, towering pines, and boulders makes the path a pleasure to the eyes.
Besides the natural beauty, you can also camp overnight with your family.
How To Get There?
To get to the trailhead, drive east on Intersection 90 and take exit 47 Denny Creek Road if you are coming from Seattle.
Turn left on the exit ramp and drive for 0.2 miles before taking a right turn at the Forest Road 58 stop sign.
Drive under the freeway for another 0.2 miles before taking a left turn. Continue on the path for nearly 3 miles until you cross Denny Creek Campground. You will reach a large parking lot, where you can park your vehicle and resume the trail on foot.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, pets are allowed on this trail but must not be unattended or free from a leash.
12) Jordan Pond Path
The Jordan Pond path is a trekking trail inside the Acadia National Park, Maine.
The 3.1 miles long trail is a loop with partially paved paths and takes about an hour to finish. Visitors mostly visit this area to indulge in activities like bird watching, running, hiking, and exploring wildlife and wildflowers.
The Jordan Pond is the main attraction of this trail. It is an oligotrophic tarn with a depth of 150 feet at its deepest point and covers nearly 187 acres.
Further, you will be required to buy tickets as the trail is located inside the Acadia National Park. Also, the place gets crowded during holidays and weekends, so weekdays are best to spend some quiet time with nature.
How To Get There?
Taking the Maine State Route 3, reach the Acadia National Park’s Hulls Cove Entrance.
Take Park Loop Road and drive straight. There are signs pointing to Jordan Pond along the way until you reach Jordan Pond House. Park your vehicle n the North lot and pursue the trail on foot.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, pets are welcome on this trail but should be leashed by the owner.
13) Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop
The Mount Falcon Castle trail loop is a 7.3 miles long trekking route that takes about four hours to complete. It is located inside Mount Falcon Park, Colorado.
Considered a modestly challenging route, it has an elevation gain of about 1745 feet. The path to reach Mount Falcon consists of multiple trails.
The trail starts at an elevation of 6030 feet, whereas the highest point has an elevation of 7765 feet. The various activities to do while in the area include horseback riding, running, exploring a historic site, and viewing the beauty of nature.
How To Get There?
The Mount Falcon Castle trailhead is a seven-minute drive from the nearest town of Morrison, Colorado.
When you get to Mt. Falcon road’s parking lot, continue with the tower trail. Moving further, you will cross paths with the Eagle Eye Shelter and the Fire Tower.
Take a left turn at the Meadow Trail and walk for another 0.3 miles until you reach the Castle trail.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, you can bring your pet companions on this journey. But, they should be kept on a leash at all times.
14) Eagle Lake Trail
The Eagle Lake trail is a hiking route inside the Desolation Wilderness forest, California.
It is a kid-friendly path with a distance of around 1.9 miles which takes an hour to finish. Although it remains in operation for most parts of the year, the best time to tour this route is between May and October.
Eagle Lake, which sits at an elevation of nearly 6000 feet, is the primary attraction of this trail. The lake is also the highest part of the journey, which gains an elevation of 460 feet.
To access this path, you will have to purchase a wilderness permit at the trailhead. Major activities to perform in this area include hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, and swimming.
How To Get There?
Drive north from Highway 89 if you are coming from South Lake Tahoe, California.
Drive for eight miles until you reach the point where the Eagle Falls Picnic Area is on your left. Park your vehicle on the trailhead and continue the rest of the journey on foot.
Are Pets Allowed?
You are welcome to bring your pets on this trail but they must remain on a leash at all times.
15) Chief Mountain Trail
The Chief Mountain Trail is a considerably challenging trekking route inside the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado.
The 2.8 miles long roundtrip takes around an hour and 45 minutes to finish and gains an elevation of 940 feet. The route is famous for its beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains.
The trail goes through eye-catching landscapes like the alpine forest, high-country tundra, and more. Due to regular snowfall in the area, the place has become an attractive destination for snowshoeing.
How To Get There?
If you are driving from Idaho Springs, take the exit on Intersection 70.
After driving for a while, take another turn on exit 240. Continue in the south direction along Colorado Highway 103.
Head east from Echo Lake and drive for another five miles to reach the Chief Mountain trailhead.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, pets are allowed as long as they remain on a leash.