It's no secret that we love a good trail - hiking is something we started doing with the kids on every vacation back when we still had to carry them. National Parks have an abundance of trail options. We've researched the best so you don't have to. And we've hiked them - trust us, you will want to do the same.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Hall of Mosses - a great starter trail. The entire loop is 0.8 miles and starts at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. The trail is gorgeous, and there are plenty of fallen trees to climb on and walk along for aspiring hikers. Lots of educational signs and photo ops can be found throughout, and the trailhead is less than an hour from Forks (yep, I said Forks - if you are female and between the ages of 30-40ish, you will be team Edward or Jacob all over again). Wildlife viewing: banana slugs are all over the trail, and if you are quiet, there is a good chance of spotting Roosevelt Elk through the trees.
Redwood National Park (ish), California
Mill Creek/Nickerson Ranch Trail (Jedediah Smith State Park) - we are cheating slightly with this one, but we don't think you'll mind. We visited the National Park Visitor Center our first time in the area and a ranger directed us to Jedediah Smith instead. Drive down Howland Hill Road one time and you will understand why. The National Park is great, but Jedediah is like stepping back in time. You might pass a few other hikers, but the lack of signage, gravel roads and small parking lots keep the crowds away. You can't go wrong with either of these hikes, but Mill Creek takes you to the Grove of Titans, home to some of the world's largest redwoods. Persist: this is one of our favorite hikes of all time, but finding the trailhead isn't easy. Use online resources, but make a stop in any Visitor Center for the best directions.
Arches National Park, Utah
Double Arch Trail – in a word, beautiful! The trail is short, only ½ mile, but at the end of the trail, you can climb up the arches themselves. The kids were up the back like mountain goats – by the time my husband caught up with them, they were waving from the top. A small panic attack later, he realized that there was a drop of about 75 feet to the rocks below, directly behind where they were sitting. Lesson learned: there are no railings here so make sure you stay with the kids.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point - this trail gives you options, and I love options. If you have a full day, go for the 7+ mile adventure. Or, save yourself 5 miles, 3 hours and 152 how-much-longer's and take the ferry across Jenny Lake. This is a busy trail, but we enjoyed every minute of both the boat ride and the mountain climb. Our favorite (and most terrifying) part: the segment of trail carved in the granite with steep drop offs and rocky ledges as you approach Inspiration Point. Parents, letting your kids run ahead here is a heart attack waiting to happen.
Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Laurel Falls Trail - a perfect first hike for families with young kids. This paved trail winds through the trees and rewards you with waterfall views after a slow climb. With an elevation gain of only 300 feet and just under 2.5 miles, you won't even mind if you end up carrying a child or two on the way out. Our tips: get there early and hit the Visitor Center restrooms before you go (none at the trailhead)! This is an extremely popular trail- parking will be scarce and the trail crowded if you start after 9:00.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail - only 1.2 miles out and back, it sounds simple, but this one is a bit more intense. Our kiddos (ages 3 and 5) made it to the top but it was a long process full of complaining. Bear sightings are common, and the 360 degree views of the park make it worth the trek, but at 6600+ feet, the benches along the trail are full of people of all ages needing a breather. Added bonus: you will cross the Appalachian Trail at its highest point on the way up. We took a short detour so the kids could explore!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Jordan Pond - this flat walk around a gorgeous lake has all the B's - a raised boardwalk, beaches, and boulders that kids will love to climb on and around. This trail is a perfect length for kiddos 6 and up at 3.4 miles. There are plenty of spots to rest and explore off the trail, and you could easily spend half of a day here checking out detours, skipping rocks and looking for wildlife. Added bonus: popovers at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant at the end of the trail.
The Bubbles Trail - a great hike for tweens, it is an offshoot from Jordan Pond that climbs fast and has a section where you use metal handles to go over and around some rocky outcroppings. Even the most sullen 12 year old will be in awe of the view at the top, and there are plenty of chances to scare parents with sheer drops, huge rocks and narrow passageways. What we wish we had known: this hike isn't one way, but there is a right way - most people hike DOWN to Jordan Pond after starting from the North Bubble Mountain Trail. We went UP. Don't go UP.
Something that you can do at just about any age, start hiking early and never stop. Making it a part of your family vacation is win/win. Time without screens, surrounded by natural beauty, doing something active with the kids (at any age) - how can you go wrong?
Take the trip (and the hike).
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