Family-Friendly Hiking

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Hiking Trails in the US

These beginner-friendly trails showcase some amazing scenery

MELANIE FOURIE

Hiking is a fun way to spend quality time with your clan, since it appeals to people of all ages. Whether you’re an amateur hiker or just getting started with young children or a swarm of adolescent siblings, there’s an appropriate hiking trail in the U.S. for everyone. Hiking is so much more than just a practical workout; it’s also a way to improve your mental well-being while simultaneously interacting with nature.

Perhaps hiking has been on your wish list for a while; but you simply couldn’t decide on an appropriate trail. If so, we’ve selected seven great summertime trails for families in the United States based on scenic beauty, ease of walking, and proximity to main cities. To that end, happy exploring.

At Caledon State Park in Virginia, you can hike to this lookout point over the Potomac River. This underused hiking destination is a biodiverse landmark known for its tulips and antiquated trees. From the trail entrance at the old plantation residence, take the Boyds Hole Trail, and then the Potomac Overlook Trail to a hillside with a view of the majestic river.

Use the Hampstead Road Trail to get back, and enjoy the woodlands, mangroves, and flowering plants along the way. The nearest town to the trail here is Berthaville, so book yourself into a hotel there if you don’t live nearby.

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SMOKEY MOUNTAINS’ KEPHART PRONG TRAIL

The Kephart Prong Trail in the gorgeous Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is a terrific choice for families that want to avoid congestion and visit some of the area’s historical landmarks. The 4.2-mile round-trip journey concludes at the Kephart Shelter after crossing the Oconaluftee River several times on wooden pedestrian bridges.

On your way in, you’ll encounter the ruins of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, as well as an abandoned WPA fish factory and a smokestack. Some of the nearest cities to stay in are Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee.

SAN DIEGO’S LOS PENASQUITO’S CANYON TRAIL

Despite its seven-mile length, the Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail is level, simple, and kid friendly. Native American history extends back 7,000 years to the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve located approximately a halfhour drive from San Diego.

Tourists may witness a historic earthen home as well as a waterfall in the region. The trail is also traversed by horseback riders, which can be visual feast for kids fascinated with animals.

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NEW YORK’S BEAR MOUNTAIN LOOP TRAIL

The Bear Mountain Loop Trail offers a break from New York City’s frenetic pace. This 3.8-mile easy trek is located only 90 minutes from New York City and is kid-friendly.

This pathway offers panoramic vistas and a few rock scrambles, making it a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle of NYC. If you’re not from the city, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the vast array of hotels there too.

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SANTA ELENA CANYON TRAIL IN TEXAS

This track takes you through sandy pathways to the Rio Grande’s riverbanks, one of Big Bend National Park’s most spectacular views. A visit to Big Bend National Park is an essential part of any trip for those wanting to experience the Texan desert.

The park covers 1,100 square miles, with wilderness and riverine and montane ecosystems all represented in the facility’s 800,000-acres. It also overlooks the vastest stretches of the Chihuahua Desert. You can do this 1.7-mile trip at your own pace, since it’s suitable for all levels of experience. The park has sweltering temperatures throughout the summer.

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COASTAL TRAIL HIKE, CUTLER, MAINE

If you’re new to hiking, this has to be the simplest and most accessible hike on Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land. Hiking this 2.8-mile route will take you around two hours, and you’ll be rewarded for your endeavors with lots of scenery. Some things to see on this distinctive Maine Coast trip are pine marshes, seaside sprucefir groves, deep gorges, and breathtaking ocean vistas.

7ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

TRAILS, UTAH

The natural rock sculptures in Utah’s Arches National Park are great, especially families with young children. Delicate Arch, Skyline Arch, and Sand Dune Arch are some of the best kidfriendly trails in the park. The Colorado River rafting experience, a juvenile ranger adventure, taking in magnificent sights like the petroglyphs, and seeing fossils at Utah Giants are just some of the activities available to youngsters. Arches National Park is five miles north of Moab, Utah, in southeast Utah. The park’s entry lies just north of Moab, Utah, on U.S. 191. So that’s it, then. Remember that summer heat may be harsh, so remain hydrated and wear suitable gear when hiking. It’s just as vital to plan and study your route ahead of time too, so you don’t lose your way.