Beaches for Kids

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132 family-friendly spots across Florida, Hawaii, New York, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Texas, & US Virgin Islands, with costs, best ages, parking tips, and what to bring.

132 adventures found

St. Augustine, FL

Anastasia State Park

Four miles of Atlantic beach plus a warm, shallow tidal lagoon that is close to perfect for beginner paddlers, ten minutes from St. Augustine.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Islamorada, FL

Anne's Beach

A free roadside beach with warm, ankle-deep water for hundreds of feet and a boardwalk through mangroves - made for toddlers.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Big Pine Key, FL

Bahia Honda State Park

The best natural beach in the Keys - shallow, warm, clear water off Sandspur Beach, with the old railroad bridge as the backdrop.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Carolina, PR

Balneario de Carolina

A large, well-run public beach five minutes from the San Juan airport, with lifeguards, palm shade, showers, a playground and food kiosks.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Luquillo, PR

Balneario de Luquillo

A palm-lined crescent protected by a reef, with calm shallow water, lifeguards, and sixty food kiosks along the road behind it.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

San Juan, PR

Balneario El Escambron

A reef-protected cove minutes from Old San Juan with genuinely good snorkelling, lifeguards, showers and calm shallow water for young children.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Fajardo, PR

Balneario Seven Seas

A sheltered public beach on Puerto Rico's north-east corner with warm shallow water, full facilities and a trail to two wilder coves.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Stuart, FL

Bathtub Reef Beach

A worm-rock reef sits just offshore and turns the water inside into a warm, calm, waist-deep pool full of fish at low tide.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Jacksonville, FL

Big Talbot Island State Park

Boneyard Beach is littered with the bleached skeletons of whole oak and cedar trees, toppled off an eroding bluff onto the sand.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Homestead, FL

Biscayne National Park

Ninety-five percent underwater: boat trips run out to living reef and mangrove islands from a visitor centre south of Miami.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 6+
  • ~6h
  • Paid

Jupiter, FL

Blowing Rocks Preserve

At high tide on a windy day, waves force seawater fifty feet into the air through blowholes in the largest limestone outcrop on Florida's coast.

  • Nature
  • Ages 4+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Sanibel, FL

Bowman's Beach

One of the best shelling beaches in America, on an island that faces the wrong way on purpose. Come at low tide after a storm with a mesh bag.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

St. Thomas, VI

Brewers Bay Beach

A free local beach by the university with calm shallow water, sea grape shade, food vans behind it and planes landing directly overhead.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Christiansted, VI

Buck Island Reef National Monument

A marked underwater trail through an elkhorn coral barrier reef, on an uninhabited island reached only by licensed boat.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 6+
  • ~6h
  • Paid

Dunedin, FL

Caladesi Island State Park

A car-free barrier island reached by ferry, with three miles of undeveloped Gulf beach and a mangrove kayak trail behind it.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Titusville, FL

Canaveral National Seashore

Twenty-four miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach next to the Kennedy Space Center, with sea turtle nests and no buildings in sight.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Christiansted, VI

Cane Bay Beach

Swim a couple of hundred feet from the sand and the reef simply ends at a wall dropping thousands of feet into open blue. Easy entry, big drop-off.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Free

St. John, VI

Cinnamon Bay Beach

The longest beach on St. John, with a small offshore cay within snorkelling range and a Danish sugar plantation ruin trail just behind the sand.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Free

St. Thomas, VI

Coki Beach

The best shore snorkelling on St. Thomas - dense reef fish right off the sand, in shallow, protected, usually calm water.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Aguadilla, PR

Crash Boat Beach

Submerged pier pilings have grown coral and sponge into an artificial reef, making this the easiest genuinely good snorkel on the west coast.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Marathon, FL

Curry Hammock State Park

Shallow, protected flats ideal for a first family paddle, a quiet beach, and the best hawk-watching site in the Keys each October.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Naples, FL

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

A mile of quiet Naples beach with five separate parking areas so you are never far from the car, and calm shallow Gulf water.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Rincon, PR

Domes Beach

Puerto Rico's best-known surf break, with beginner lessons when the summer swell drops and humpback whales passing offshore in winter.

  • Surfing
  • Ages 8+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Key West, FL

Dry Tortugas National Park

Seventy miles out from Key West: a vast brick fort on an empty island, ringed by the clearest snorkelling water in Florida.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 6+
  • ~12h
  • Paid

Culebra, PR

Flamenco Beach

Routinely called one of the best beaches in the world: a horseshoe bay of white sand and impossibly clear shallow water.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Tierra Verde, FL

Fort De Soto Park

Five interconnected islands with a shallow lagoon beach built for toddlers, a Spanish-American War fort, and a paddling trail.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Key West, FL

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Key West's best swimming beach, with genuine snorkelling off the rocks and a Civil War fort full of seacoast cannon to explore between swims.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Frederiksted, VI

Frederiksted Pier

Pier pilings encrusted with orange and purple sponge hold seahorses, frogfish and octopus in shallow, sheltered, unusually clear water.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 7+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Guanica, PR

Gilligan's Island (Cayo Aurora)

A tiny mangrove cay a short ferry hop off Guanica, where shallow turquoise channels between the roots work like natural swimming pools for kids.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Grayton Beach State Park

Sugar-white sand and emerald Gulf water on Florida's 30A, plus a rare coastal dune lake behind the beach that kids can paddle a kayak across.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

St. John, VI

Hawksnest Bay

The closest good reef to Cruz Bay: elkhorn coral heads sit a short swim from the sand, with parking directly beside the beach.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Destin, FL

Henderson Beach State Park

Thirty-foot natural dunes and a wide white beach in the middle of Destin, with dune boardwalks, outdoor showers and covered shade pavilions.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

St. John, VI

Honeymoon Beach

A calm crescent reached by a half-hour walk from Cruz Bay, with kayak and paddleboard rental, snorkelling gear and a beach bar on the sand.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Dunedin, FL

Honeymoon Island State Park

Drive-on barrier island with calm Gulf swimming, excellent shelling, an osprey trail and one of Florida's best dog beaches.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Key Largo, FL

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The first undersea park in the US. Snorkel boats run out to living coral reef, and two calm beaches work for kids not ready for the boat.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 5+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

St. Thomas, VI

Lindquist Beach (Smith Bay Park)

A quiet territorial park beach with soft sand, calm shallow water and a view across to St. John. The small entry fee keeps the crowds away.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Long Key, FL

Long Key State Park

A marked canoe trail through a shallow mangrove lagoon in the middle Keys - bring your own boat, because there is nothing to rent here.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Fort Myers Beach, FL

Lovers Key State Park

Manatees and dolphins in the back bay, a two-mile beach reached on foot, and a five-mile mangrove paddling trail through the tunnels.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

St. Thomas, VI

Magens Bay

A mile-long horseshoe bay so sheltered that the water barely moves, which makes it the safest and calmest swimming on St. Thomas for small kids.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

St. John, VI

Maho Bay Beach

Green sea turtles graze the seagrass a few yards off the sand, in water so shallow and calm you can watch them standing up.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Riviera Beach, FL

Peanut Island Park

An island reached only by water taxi, with a rock-protected snorkel lagoon shallow enough to stand in and a campground on the far side.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Loiza, PR

Pinones

A coastal boardwalk and bike path through mangrove and palm, lined with kiosks frying the best street food on the island.

  • Biking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Cabo Rojo, PR

Playa Buye

A calm, shallow, palm-shaded cove on Puerto Rico's west coast, and one of the gentlest beaches on the island for toddlers and nervous swimmers.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Isabela, PR

Playa Jobos

A limestone-framed bay on the north-west coast with a reliable surf break at one end and sheltered tide pools for children at the other.

  • Surfing
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Cabo Rojo, PR

Playa Sucia (La Playuela)

A curved bay under limestone cliffs at the island's south-west tip, with the 1882 Los Morrillos lighthouse on the headland above.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Boca Raton, FL

Red Reef Park

Snorkel a shallow boulder reef twenty yards off the sand in water rarely more than six feet deep, with angelfish, parrotfish and green turtles.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

St. Thomas, VI

Sapphire Beach

Reef within easy swimming range at both ends, a long shallow sandy middle for small children, and a straight view across to St. John from the sand.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Melbourne Beach, FL

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Florida's most productive saltwater fishing spot, with a walkable jetty, a calm lagoon beach for kids and surfing on the north side.

  • Fishing
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Sarasota, FL

Siesta Key Beach

Quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in August, and Gulf water so shallow and calm it works as a giant paddling pool for small children.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Marathon, FL

Sombrero Beach

A free, shaded, sandy municipal beach in the middle Keys with calm shallow water, a playground and real palm-tree shade.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Panama City Beach, FL

St. Andrews State Park

A jetty-protected lagoon where the water stays calm and clear - the best beginner snorkelling on the Panhandle, with fish right by the rocks.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 3+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

St. George Island, FL

St. George Island State Park

Nine miles of undeveloped barrier island beach with almost nobody on it, plus calm bay-side water and excellent shelling.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Vieques, PR

Sun Bay (Balneario Sun Bay)

A mile-long public crescent of calm turquoise water with picnic shelters, wild horses on the grass, and almost nobody on it.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Culebra, PR

Tamarindo Beach

Swim out a short way from a quiet Culebra shore and you are over turtle grass where green sea turtles graze most mornings. No facilities at all.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

St. John, VI

Trunk Bay

An underwater snorkel trail with signs mounted on the seabed, in shallow calm water inside Virgin Islands National Park.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Austin, TX

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Sandy Lake Austin swimming beach and lakeside camping inside Austin city limits - entry $5-$10 per vehicle, campsites reservable online

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Grafton, NY

Grafton Lakes State Park

Lifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy NY - day use $10 per vehicle in season

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Lake Placid Public Beach

Free sandy village beach on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid NY with summer lifeguards, a roped toddler-friendly swim area, and Adirondack views

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Tyler, TX

Tyler State Park

Spring-fed lake swimming with a sandy beach, paddleboat rentals, and 13 miles of piney-woods trails at CCC-era Tyler State Park in East Texas

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Wailea, HI

Wailea Beach Path

Free, stroller-friendly paved beach walk in Wailea, Maui connecting five beaches - whale watching in winter and sea turtle spotting year-round

  • Hiking
  • Ages 1+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Kilauea, HI

Anini Beach Park

Calm protected lagoon beach with the longest reef on Kauai, perfect for young kids. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Lahaina, HI

Baby Beach Lahaina

Ultra-shallow protected beach perfect for toddlers and babies. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Wailea, HI

Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Massive golden sand beach with turquoise water and dramatic cinder cone backdrop. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Captain Cook, HI

Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail

Steep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 8+
  • ~5h
  • Free

Cherry Plain, NY

Cherry Plain State Park

Quiet swimming beach and intimate campground on Black River Pond. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Rome, NY

Delta Lake State Park

900-foot sandy swimming beach on Delta Lake in central New York. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Kapolei, HI

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Unique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. About two hours.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 7+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Honolulu, HI

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Snorkel with colorful fish in a volcanic crater bay with protected reef. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Waimea (Big Island), HI

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area

Big Island's best white sand beach with crystal-clear water on the sunny Kohala Coast. Paid entry. Best from about age 3.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Heart Lake

Sandy mountain lake beach with High Peaks backdrop and canoe rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Lanai City, HI

Hulopo'e Beach Park

Pristine marine preserve beach with dolphins, snorkeling, and amazing tide pools. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Lahaina, HI

Ka'anapali Beach

World-class 3-mile beach with snorkeling at Black Rock and nightly cliff diving. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Kailua-Kona, HI

Kahalu'u Beach Park

Best beginner snorkeling on the Kona Coast with shallow reef and sea turtles. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Kailua, HI

Kailua Beach Park

Award-winning white sand beach with turquoise water and gentle waves. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Kapalua, HI

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Scenic coastal boardwalk connecting beautiful bays with turtle and whale spotting. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Kapaa, HI

Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Coastal Path)

Scenic oceanfront bike path along Kauai east coast with beach stops and whale watching. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

  • Biking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Captain Cook, HI

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

Kayak across a marine sanctuary to world-class snorkeling with dolphins and turtles. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 5+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Waianae, HI

Keawa'ula (Yokohama Bay)

Remote end-of-the-road beach with mountain backdrop and access to Ka ena Point trail. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Bluff Point, NY

Keuka Lake State Park

Sandy beach and campground on one of the cleanest Finger Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Kapolei, HI

Ko Olina Lagoons

Calm man-made lagoons with protected swimming perfect for young children. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Wailea, HI

La Perouse Bay

Coastal hike across Maui last lava flow with dolphins, petroglyphs, and tide pools. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Haleiwa, HI

Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)

Reliable spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on a North Shore beach. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

  • Nature
  • Ages 1+
  • ~1h
  • Free

Waianae, HI

Leeward Coast Dolphin Watching

Boat tours to see wild spinner dolphins and sea turtles along the leeward coast. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Nature
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Kapaa, HI

Lydgate Beach Park

Protected rock pools for safe snorkeling and a massive playground on Kauai east side. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Kailua-Kona, HI

Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Snorkel with giant manta rays gliding below you in an unforgettable night encounter. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 6+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Lahaina, HI

Maui Whale Watching

World-class humpback whale watching in the channel between Maui and Lanai. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

  • Nature
  • Ages 3+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Lake George, NY

Million Dollar Beach

Sandy public beach on crystal-clear Lake George with lifeguards and mountain views. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Kihei, HI

Molokini Crater Snorkeling

Snorkel in crystal-clear water inside a volcanic crater with 150-foot visibility. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 5+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Gansevoort, NY

Moreau Lake State Park

Sandy lake beach, campground, and ridge trails near Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Wailuku, HI

Nakalele Blowhole

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About an hour.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~1h
  • Free

Haleiwa, HI

North Shore Shark Cove

Excellent tide pools and snorkeling in a rocky cove on the North Shore. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Easy going.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Haleiwa, HI

North Shore Surf Lessons

Learn to surf on gentle summer waves with certified North Shore instructors. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

  • Surfing
  • Ages 5+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Lahaina, HI

Olowalu Reef Snorkeling (Mile Marker 14)

Excellent shore snorkeling with guaranteed sea turtles over a massive shallow reef. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

  • Snorkeling
  • Ages 5+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Maunaloa, HI

Papohaku Beach

Nearly 3-mile-long white sand beach that you will likely have all to yourself. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Koloa, HI

Poipu Beach Park

America's Best Beach with a protected keiki pool, monk seals, and sunny south shore weather. Free. Works from toddler age.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Hawi, HI

Pololu Valley Trail

Steep trail to a remote black sand beach in a dramatic cliff-lined valley. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Naalehu, HI

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Volcanic black sand beach famous for Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on shore. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

  • Nature
  • Ages 2+
  • ~1h
  • Free

Princeville, HI

Queen's Bath

Dramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for ages 10 and up. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 10+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Raquette Lake, NY

Raquette Lake Beach

Quiet sandy beach on one of the prettiest lakes in the central Adirondacks. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Hilo, HI

Richardson Ocean Park

Protected tide pools and black sand beach where sea turtles feed in calm water. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Massena, NY

Robert Moses State Park (Massena)

River beach, nature center, and ship-watching on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Romulus, NY

Sampson State Park

Big family park on Seneca Lake with beach, campground, marina, and playground. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Kilauea, HI

Secret Beach (Kauapea)

Stunning hidden beach accessed by a jungle trail on Kauai north shore. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

  • Nature
  • Ages 6+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Naalehu, HI

South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Hike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 8+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Koloa, HI

Spouting Horn

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water through a lava tube with an eerie moan. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

  • Nature
  • Ages 2+
  • ~0.5h
  • Free

Waimanalo, HI

Tide Pools at Makapu'u

Natural lava rock tide pools and swimming holes on the coast near the lighthouse. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

  • Nature
  • Ages 5+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Hanalei, HI

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

Premier snorkeling through reef tunnels with Bali Hai mountain backdrop. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Easy going.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 5+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Wailea, HI

Ulua Beach

Sheltered beach with excellent easy snorkeling and frequent sea turtle sightings. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 4+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Verona Beach, NY

Verona Beach State Park

1,000-foot sandy beach on Oneida Lake with campground and nature trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Hana, HI

Wai'anapanapa State Park

Black sand beach with sea caves, lava tubes, and blowholes on the Road to Hana. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Honolulu, HI

Waikiki Beach

Iconic Hawaiian beach with calm water, surf lessons, and endless activities. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Waimanalo, HI

Waimanalo Beach

Long uncrowded stretch of soft white sand with turquoise water and mountain views. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Fineview, NY

Wellesley Island State Park

Island park in the Thousand Islands with nature center, beach, and 430-site campground. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

  • Nature
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Broken Bow, OK

Broken Bow Lake

Crystal-clear 14,000-acre mountain lake with calm swimming coves and 180 miles of shoreline. Free. Works from toddler age.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Pflugerville, TX

Lake Pflugerville Park

Free lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly. Dogs welcome.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Georgetown, TX

Cedar Breaks Park

Spacious lakeside campground with swim beach near Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Cooper, TX

Cooper Lake State Park

Uncrowded lakeside camping with swim beach in Northeast Texas. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Daingerfield, TX

Daingerfield State Park

Stunning fall foliage and family lake swimming at a hidden East Texas gem - camping, fishing, paddleboats, and easy trails through hardwood forests

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Wylie, TX

East Fork Park

Sandy swim beach and lakeside camping on Lake Lavon. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Galveston, TX

Galveston Island State Park

Beach camping and bay-side kayaking at Galveston Island State Park - coastal wetlands, birding trails, and family-friendly camping steps from the Gulf

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Rockport, TX

Goose Island State Park

Coastal camping by a 1,000-year-old oak with bay fishing and whooping cranes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Brownwood, TX

Lake Brownwood State Park

CCC cabins and swim beach with fishing pier on Lake Brownwood. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Wills Point, TX

Lake Tawakoni State Park

Sandy swim beach and shaded camping an hour east of Dallas. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Port Aransas, TX

Mustang Island State Park

Beachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Corpus Christi, TX

Padre Island National Seashore

70 miles of wild beach with sea turtle releases and shell hunting. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

  • Camping
  • Ages 3+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Sabine Pass, TX

Sea Rim State Park

Gulf beach meets freshwater marsh with paddling trails and boardwalks. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Galveston, TX

Stewart Beach

Lifeguarded family beach with rentals and food on Galveston Island. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Grapevine, TX

Meadowmere Park

Sandy beach swimming on Lake Grapevine with playground and camping. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Pilot Point, TX

Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Sandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North Texas family destination near Pilot Point

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Little Elm, TX

Little Elm Beach

Sandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Free