Beaches for Kids
77 family-friendly spots across Hawaii, New York, Oklahoma, & Texas, with costs, best ages, parking tips, and what to bring.
77 adventures found
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Austin, TX
SwimmingSandy Lake Austin swimming beach and lakeside camping inside Austin city limits - entry $5-$10 per …
Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton, NY
SwimmingLifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy …
Lake Placid Public Beach
Lake Placid, NY
SwimmingFree sandy village beach on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid NY with summer lifeguards, a roped …
Tyler State Park
Tyler, TX
SwimmingSpring-fed lake swimming with a sandy beach, paddleboat rentals, and 13 miles of piney-woods trails …
Wailea Beach Path
Wailea, HI
HikingFree, stroller-friendly paved beach walk in Wailea, Maui connecting five beaches - whale watching in …
Anini Beach Park
Kilauea, HI
SwimmingCalm protected lagoon beach with the longest reef on Kauai, perfect for young kids. Free. Works from …
Baby Beach Lahaina
Lahaina, HI
SwimmingUltra-shallow protected beach perfect for toddlers and babies. Free. Works from toddler age. About …
Big Beach (Makena State Park)
Wailea, HI
SwimmingMassive golden sand beach with turquoise water and dramatic cinder cone backdrop. Free. Best from …
Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail
Captain Cook, HI
SnorkelingSteep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages …
Cherry Plain State Park
Cherry Plain, NY
SwimmingQuiet swimming beach and intimate campground on Black River Pond. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
Delta Lake State Park
Rome, NY
Swimming900-foot sandy swimming beach on Delta Lake in central New York. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Electric Beach (Kahe Point)
Kapolei, HI
SwimmingUnique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for …
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Honolulu, HI
SwimmingSnorkel with colorful fish in a volcanic crater bay with protected reef. Paid entry. Best from about …
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Waimea (Big Island), HI
SwimmingBig Island's best white sand beach with crystal-clear water on the sunny Kohala Coast. Paid entry. …
Heart Lake
Lake Placid, NY
SwimmingSandy mountain lake beach with High Peaks backdrop and canoe rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
Hulopo'e Beach Park
Lanai City, HI
SwimmingPristine marine preserve beach with dolphins, snorkeling, and amazing tide pools. Free. Works from …
Ka'anapali Beach
Lahaina, HI
SwimmingWorld-class 3-mile beach with snorkeling at Black Rock and nightly cliff diving. Free. Works from …
Kahalu'u Beach Park
Kailua-Kona, HI
SwimmingBest beginner snorkeling on the Kona Coast with shallow reef and sea turtles. Free. Best from about …
Kailua Beach Park
Kailua, HI
SwimmingAward-winning white sand beach with turquoise water and gentle waves. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Kalalau Trail (First 2 Miles to Hanakapi ai Beach)
Hanalei, HI
HikingDramatic cliff-hugging trail to a wild Na Pali Coast beach. Paid entry. Better for ages 8 and up. A …
Kapalua Coastal Trail
Kapalua, HI
HikingScenic coastal boardwalk connecting beautiful bays with turtle and whale spotting. Free. Best from …
Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Coastal Path)
Kapaa, HI
BikingScenic oceanfront bike path along Kauai east coast with beach stops and whale watching. Free. Best …
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Captain Cook, HI
KayakingKayak across a marine sanctuary to world-class snorkeling with dolphins and turtles. Paid entry. …
Keawa'ula (Yokohama Bay)
Waianae, HI
SwimmingRemote end-of-the-road beach with mountain backdrop and access to Ka ena Point trail. Free. Best …
Keuka Lake State Park
Bluff Point, NY
SwimmingSandy beach and campground on one of the cleanest Finger Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Ko Olina Lagoons
Kapolei, HI
SwimmingCalm man-made lagoons with protected swimming perfect for young children. Free. Works from toddler …
La Perouse Bay
Wailea, HI
HikingCoastal hike across Maui last lava flow with dolphins, petroglyphs, and tide pools. Free. Best from …
Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
Haleiwa, HI
NatureReliable spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on a North Shore beach. Free. Works from …
Leeward Coast Dolphin Watching
Waianae, HI
NatureBoat tours to see wild spinner dolphins and sea turtles along the leeward coast. Paid entry. Best …
Lydgate Beach Park
Kapaa, HI
SwimmingProtected rock pools for safe snorkeling and a massive playground on Kauai east side. Free. Works …
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Kailua-Kona, HI
SnorkelingSnorkel with giant manta rays gliding below you in an unforgettable night encounter. Paid entry. …
Maui Whale Watching
Lahaina, HI
NatureWorld-class humpback whale watching in the channel between Maui and Lanai. Paid entry. Best from …
Million Dollar Beach
Lake George, NY
SwimmingSandy public beach on crystal-clear Lake George with lifeguards and mountain views. Paid entry. …
Molokini Crater Snorkeling
Kihei, HI
SnorkelingSnorkel in crystal-clear water inside a volcanic crater with 150-foot visibility. Paid entry. Best …
Moreau Lake State Park
Gansevoort, NY
SwimmingSandy lake beach, campground, and ridge trails near Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
Nakalele Blowhole
Wailuku, HI
HikingNatural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages …
North Shore Shark Cove
Haleiwa, HI
SwimmingExcellent tide pools and snorkeling in a rocky cove on the North Shore. Free. Best from about age 5. …
North Shore Surf Lessons
Haleiwa, HI
SurfingLearn to surf on gentle summer waves with certified North Shore instructors. Paid entry. Best from …
Olowalu Reef Snorkeling (Mile Marker 14)
Lahaina, HI
SnorkelingExcellent shore snorkeling with guaranteed sea turtles over a massive shallow reef. Free. Best from …
Papohaku Beach
Maunaloa, HI
SwimmingNearly 3-mile-long white sand beach that you will likely have all to yourself. Free. Best from about …
Poipu Beach Park
Koloa, HI
SwimmingAmerica's Best Beach with a protected keiki pool, monk seals, and sunny south shore weather. Free. …
Pololu Valley Trail
Hawi, HI
HikingSteep trail to a remote black sand beach in a dramatic cliff-lined valley. Free. Better for ages 6 …
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Honaunau, HI
NatureAncient Hawaiian place of refuge with carved figures, temples, and sea turtles. Paid entry. Best …
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Naalehu, HI
NatureVolcanic black sand beach famous for Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on shore. Free. Works from …
Queen's Bath
Princeville, HI
HikingDramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for …
Raquette Lake Beach
Raquette Lake, NY
SwimmingQuiet sandy beach on one of the prettiest lakes in the central Adirondacks. Free. Works from toddler …
Richardson Ocean Park
Hilo, HI
SwimmingProtected tide pools and black sand beach where sea turtles feed in calm water. Free. Best from …
Robert Moses State Park (Massena)
Massena, NY
SwimmingRiver beach, nature center, and ship-watching on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Paid entry. Works from …
Sampson State Park
Romulus, NY
SwimmingBig family park on Seneca Lake with beach, campground, marina, and playground. Paid entry. Works …
Secret Beach (Kauapea)
Kilauea, HI
NatureStunning hidden beach accessed by a jungle trail on Kauai north shore. Free. Better for ages 6 and …
South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)
Naalehu, HI
HikingHike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better …
Spouting Horn
Koloa, HI
NatureNatural ocean blowhole shooting water through a lava tube with an eerie moan. Free. Works from …
Tide Pools at Makapu'u
Waimanalo, HI
NatureNatural lava rock tide pools and swimming holes on the coast near the lighthouse. Free. Best from …
Tunnels Beach (Makua)
Hanalei, HI
SwimmingPremier snorkeling through reef tunnels with Bali Hai mountain backdrop. Free. Best from about age …
Ulua Beach
Wailea, HI
SwimmingSheltered beach with excellent easy snorkeling and frequent sea turtle sightings. Free. Best from …
Verona Beach State Park
Verona Beach, NY
Swimming1,000-foot sandy beach on Oneida Lake with campground and nature trails. Paid entry. Works from …
Wai'anapanapa State Park
Hana, HI
HikingBlack sand beach with sea caves, lava tubes, and blowholes on the Road to Hana. Paid entry. Best …
Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI
SwimmingIconic Hawaiian beach with calm water, surf lessons, and endless activities. Free. Works from …
Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo, HI
SwimmingLong uncrowded stretch of soft white sand with turquoise water and mountain views. Free. Works from …
Wellesley Island State Park
Fineview, NY
NatureIsland park in the Thousand Islands with nature center, beach, and 430-site campground. Paid entry. …
Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow, OK
SwimmingCrystal-clear 14,000-acre mountain lake with calm swimming coves and 180 miles of shoreline. Free. …
Lake Pflugerville Park
Pflugerville, TX
SwimmingFree lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …
Cedar Breaks Park
Georgetown, TX
CampingSpacious lakeside campground with swim beach near Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper, TX
CampingUncrowded lakeside camping with swim beach in Northeast Texas. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Daingerfield State Park
Daingerfield, TX
CampingStunning fall foliage and family lake swimming at a hidden East Texas gem - camping, fishing, …
East Fork Park
Wylie, TX
CampingSandy swim beach and lakeside camping on Lake Lavon. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day …
Galveston Island State Park
Galveston, TX
CampingBeach camping and bay-side kayaking at Galveston Island State Park - coastal wetlands, birding …
Goose Island State Park
Rockport, TX
CampingCoastal camping by a 1,000-year-old oak with bay fishing and whooping cranes. Paid entry. Works from …
Lake Brownwood State Park
Brownwood, TX
CampingCCC cabins and swim beach with fishing pier on Lake Brownwood. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Wills Point, TX
CampingSandy swim beach and shaded camping an hour east of Dallas. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Mustang Island State Park
Port Aransas, TX
CampingBeachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Padre Island National Seashore
Corpus Christi, TX
Camping70 miles of wild beach with sea turtle releases and shell hunting. Paid entry. Best from about age …
Sea Rim State Park
Sabine Pass, TX
KayakingGulf beach meets freshwater marsh with paddling trails and boardwalks. Paid entry. Best from about …
Stewart Beach
Galveston, TX
SwimmingLifeguarded family beach with rentals and food on Galveston Island. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
Meadowmere Park
Grapevine, TX
SwimmingSandy beach swimming on Lake Grapevine with playground and camping. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Pilot Point, TX
CampingSandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North …
Little Elm Beach
Little Elm, TX
SwimmingSandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from …