Hiking Adventures

Hiking with kids doesn’t have to mean an epic backcountry trek. The best family hikes are the ones where kids can explore, discover, and feel a sense of accomplishment - whether that’s a quarter-mile nature trail or a summit scramble up Enchanted Rock.

The trails here span four very different places: the Adirondacks and Catskills in New York, the Hill Country and Big Bend country in Texas, volcanic craters and rainforest in Hawaii, and the Ouachitas in Oklahoma. What counts as an easy family hike is not the same in any two of them.

Tips for Hiking with Kids

Match the trail to the youngest hiker. A general rule: kids can comfortably hike about 1 mile per year of age. A 4-year-old can do 4 miles on a good day, but 2 miles is more realistic with stops. Start short and build up.

Let kids set the pace. The point isn’t to cover distance - it’s to let kids engage with what they see. Rocks, bugs, creek crossings, and weird trees are the real destinations. Build in time for exploration.

Bring more water than you think. On Texas and Hawaii trails, pack at least 16 oz per person per hour. Frozen water bottles are great - they keep the pack cold and melt into refreshing ice water.

Pick trails with a payoff. Kids do better when there’s something to look forward to - a waterfall, a swimming hole, a viewpoint, or a cool rock formation. Trails that end at “the car” are harder to sell.

What the regions are like

New York has the most trails on this site and the widest range - the High Peaks around Lake Placid are serious mountain hiking, while the Finger Lakes gorge trails at Watkins Glen and Robert H. Treman are short, spectacular and mostly staircases, which small children love.

Texas is at its best in the Hill Country and on the granite domes, and its trails are defined by heat and shade rather than by gradient.

Hawaii hikes are short and steep, often muddy, and frequently end at a waterfall or a crater rim. Footing matters more than distance.

Oklahoma is the smallest group here, concentrated in the Ouachita Mountains and around Broken Bow.

Best Seasons for Family Hiking

Spring (March-May) is the sweet spot in Texas - wildflowers are blooming, temperatures are mild, and trails aren’t overcrowded. Fall (October-November) is equally good. Summer hiking is doable but start early - by 7 AM if possible - and stick to shaded trails or trails near water.

New York is a summer and fall proposition: roughly June through October, with foliage peaking late September into October in the Adirondacks. Black flies are genuinely bad in late May and June. Winter hiking in the High Peaks needs traction devices and is not a casual family outing.

Hawaii hikes year-round. Trails are muddiest and waterfalls fullest in the wetter winter months; summer is drier underfoot and hotter on exposed ground.

What to Pack

Water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks (trail mix, fruit snacks, granola bars), comfortable shoes with grip, and a small first aid kit. Kids love having their own mini backpack with their own water and snacks - it builds ownership and keeps them engaged.