50 family friendly hikes in US national parks
Family friendly hikes are important for ensuring your kids have a fun time and that your family forms fond memories and bonding. During your travels to our beautiful national parks, you can use this list to explore family friendly trails.
1. Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
Yosemite National Park, California:
Easy, 1 mile round trip.
A short, paved trail leading to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, offering stunning views of the waterfall and surrounding granite cliffs.
2. Emerald Lake Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Moderate, 3.6 miles round trip.
A gentle hike leading to the picturesque Emerald Lake, passing by Nymph Lake and Dream Lake along the way, with beautiful mountain views.
3. Sand Cave Trail
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Easy, 0.6 miles round trip.
A moderate hike through lush forest leading to a unique sandstone cave formation, perfect for exploration.
4. Skyline Trail
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Moderate, 5.5 miles round trip.
A scenic loop trail offering panoramic views of Mount Rainier, wildflower meadows, and alpine scenery.
5. Mist Trail to Vernal Falls
Yosemite National Park, California
Moderate, 2.4 miles round trip.
A moderately strenuous hike leading to the base of Vernal Falls, with refreshing mist and rainbow views on sunny days.
6. The Window Trail
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Easy, 5.6 miles round trip.
An easy hike through desert landscape leading to a breathtaking overlook framing the Chisos Mountains through a natural rock window.
7. Delicate Arch Trail
Arches National Park, Utah
Moderate, 3 miles round trip.
A moderately strenuous hike leading to the iconic Delicate Arch, with sweeping views of the surrounding red rock landscape.
8. Hidden Falls Trail
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Easy, 2.4 miles round trip.
A short, family-friendly hike leading to the picturesque Hidden Falls, with views of the Teton Range and Jenny Lake.
9. Sand Beach Trail
Acadia National Park, Maine
Easy, 0.8 miles round trip.
A short, accessible trail leading to the scenic Sand Beach, with views of rocky coastline and crashing waves.
10. Lower Gorge Trail
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Easy, 1.3 miles round trip.
An easy hike along the Yellowstone River leading to Lower Falls, offering impressive views of the canyon and waterfall.
11. Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Easy, 1 mile loop.
A short, family-friendly loop trail through a scenic desert valley, surrounded by towering boulders and Joshua trees, perfect for a leisurely exploration.
12. Anhinga Trail
Everglades National Park, Florida
Easy, 0.8 miles round trip.
An easy boardwalk trail through the Everglades, offering opportunities to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife.
17. Lost Mine Trail
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Moderate, 4.8 miles round trip.
A scenic trail offering stunning views of the Chisos Mountains and the surrounding desert. This moderately challenging hike is perfect for families seeking adventure and panoramic vistas, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.
18. Mirror Lake Loop Trail
Yosemite National Park, California
Easy, 2 miles round trip.
A flat, paved loop trail offering reflections of Half Dome and surrounding peaks in the tranquil waters of Mirror Lake.
38. Fairyland Loop Trail
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Moderate, 8 miles loop.
A moderate hike through the hoodoo-filled landscape of Bryce Canyon, offering stunning views of rock formations and unique geological features.
39. Lamar Valley Trail
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Easy, varies.
An easy trail offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, including bison, elk, and grizzly bears, in the beautiful Lamar Valley.
40. Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Loop Trail
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Easy, varies.
A guided tour or self-guided hike to the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, offering insights into the culture and history of the Ancestral Puebloans.
41. Skyline Arches Trail
Arches National Park, Utah
Easy, 0.4 miles round trip.
A short and easy hike leading to Skyline Arch, offering stunning views of the arch and surrounding desert landscape, ideal for families with young children.
42. Hoh Rainforest Hall of Mosses Trail
Olympic National Park, Washington
Easy, 0.8 miles loop.
An easy hike through a lush temperate rainforest, surrounded by towering trees draped in moss.
43. Devil's Tower Trail
Devil's Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Easy, 1.3 miles loop.
An easy hike around the base of the iconic Devil's Tower, with opportunities for rock climbing and wildlife viewing.
44. Scenic Drive and Easy Trails
Zion National Park, Utah
Easy, varies.
Explore Zion Canyon by driving the scenic road and stopping at various viewpoints and short trails along the way, suitable for all ages.
45. Sol Duc Falls Trail
Olympic National Park, Washington
Easy, 1.6 miles round trip.
An easy hike leading to the beautiful Sol Duc Falls, surrounded by old-growth forest and moss-covered rocks.
46. Fossil Discovery Trail
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Easy, 0.25 miles round trip.
An easy loop trail offering opportunities to learn about the park's ancient fossil record and spot wildlife such as bison and prairie dogs.
47. Soda Springs and Sentinel Dome Trail
Yosemite National Park, California
Moderate, 5.4 miles round trip.
A moderate hike leading to the summit of Sentinel Dome, offering panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and surrounding peaks, with a stop at the bubbling Soda Springs along the way.
48. Mount Washburn Trail
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Moderate, 6.2 miles round trip.
A moderately challenging hike to the summit of Mount Washburn, offering panoramic views of the Yellowstone Caldera and surrounding mountains.
49. Hall of Horrors Trail
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Easy, 1.3 miles loop.
An easy hike around the base of the iconic Devil's Tower, with opportunities for rock climbing and wildlife viewing.
50. Hoh River Trail
Olympic National Park, Washington
Easy to moderate, varies.
A gentle hike through the lush Hoh Rainforest, following the Hoh River and offering opportunities for wildlife viewing and overnight backpacking adventures.
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