When kids spend time exploring nature, they learn to appreciate wild lands and grow up making conservation a priority. Hiking and camping as a family has many mental and physical benefits, like less stress, lower obesity rates and more ability to focus. It also helps parents to pass their passion for public lands on the next generation of environmental stewards.
National Kids to Parks Day is observed in summer, and it’s a great reminder to spend some trail time with your kids all year long. There are hikes for every age and ability across the East Coast, from a trek in the Virginia highlands to see herds of wild ponies, to a lighthouse tour in Key Biscayne and climbing Mount Tom’s stone tower for views across the New England countryside.
Make trail time a priority this summer with one of these family-friendly hikes.
1. Appalachian Spur Trail
Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
Kid Age Range: 8 & up
A rocky, .9-mile trail from the backpacker parking lot near Massie Gap climbs gradually through the southern Virginia highlands to the Appalachian Trail. You’ll start out hiking across a meadow to get your first glimpse of the shaggy ponies, introduced to prevent reforestation of the area’s treeless balds, as you enter areas of low-growing vegetation about a half-mile from the trailhead. Discuss horse etiquette, like no feeding or petting and keeping a safe distance to prevent kicks and bites.
2. Mount Mitchell Trail
Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina
Kid Age Range: 14 & up
The 12-mile round trip ascent of the tallest peak east of the Mississippi is the perfect hike for families with teens who love an athletic challenge. A shady trail through spruce-fir forest leads to the 6,684-foot high summit and observation deck, where plaques mark the peaks surrounding you and historical markers describe the scientists and explorers who discovered and mapped the mountain. Families with young hikers can drive to the top for a short, paved walk to the observation deck.
3. Cape Florida Nature Trail
Bill Baggs State Park, Florida
Kid Age Range: 4 & up
The wide, sandy 1.5-mile path that stretches from mangrove wetlands to the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse and blue-green waters of the Atlantic is a stroll through Key Biscayne history. The lighthouse is the oldest standing structure in the area and you’ll see Stiltsville, an eclectic collection of 1930s fishing shacks built on stilts in the water, from the sea wall. Tour the lighthouse and museum and look for turtles, manatees and crocodiles in the water nearby.
4. Halibut Point Trail
Halibut Point State Park, Massachusetts
Kid Age Range: 5 & up
An easy and flat 1.6-mile loop skirts the waters of a 60-foot deep quarry before heading out to tide pools and rocky ledges overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day, you can see Mount Agamenticus and the Isles of Shoals in Maine and New Hampshire. An interpretive trail describes the granite mining past of historic Cape Ann, providing a learning opportunity for the whole family.
5. Swamp Forest Trail
Lums Pond State Park, Delaware
Kid Age Range: 4 & up
A trek along the shores of Lums Pond is a flat and easy stroll through hardwood forest that makes a perfect family outing for all ages and abilities. The area was home to Native American hunting camps prior to the damming of St. Georges Creek and formation of the pond in the early 1800s. Little hikers will enjoy a picnic break by the water, while older kids can hike the 6.8-mile loop around the pond.
6. Gorge and Indian Trail
Watkins Glen State Park, New York
Kid Age Range: 10 & up
Hike a 2.4-mile loop through the narrow, 200-foot high gorge to walk behind Rainbow Falls and Cavern Cascade. Wear hiking shoes with good tread to navigate the shady, wet trail and rock stairs to 60-foot Central Cascade and Spiral Gorge, a dark and narrow passage with sculptured pools.
7. Waterfalls Trail
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
Kid Age Range: 13 & up
Drop down into Cloudland Canyon on this two-mile round trip hike to 60-foot Cherokee Falls and 90-foot Hemlock Falls. Teens will love the steep and challenging trail, with wooden boardwalks and metal stairs thrown in for added adventure. You’ll hike along the imposing canyon walls most of the way to the cascades, which run at their fullest in spring.
8. Mount Tom Tower Trail
Mount Tom State Park, Connecticut
Kid Age Range: 6 & up
The gentle, 1.3-mile climb to the stone tower at the top of Mount Tom rises 1,325 feet above sea level, a kid-friendly distance that rewards you with a 360-degree view of the Connecticut woodlands. Kids will love the medieval feel of the 34-foot high tower, with wooden steps and a platform at the top.
9. East Bay Trail
Colt State Park, Rhode Island
Kid Age Range: Infant & up
Strollers and toddlers just learning to hike, as well as their parents, will love this paved path along Narragansett Bay. There are plenty of picnic tables, shelters and restrooms on the way, with Instagrammable overlooks for family photos.
10. Bemis Brook Trail
Crawford Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Kid Age Range: 8 & up
The 2.6-mile trek to 140-foot Arethusa Falls starts out easy but changes to a rooty climb less than a mile from the trailhead. It’s all part of the adventure as you stop to explore small pools and tiny cascades over rock ledges before descending to the base of the towering waterfall.
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!