Lakes and Rivers for Kids

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46 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.

46 adventures found

Holt, FL

Blackwater River State Park

One of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the world, with a broad white sandbar on every bend for stopping to swim and eat. Gentle enough for kids.

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

Thonotosassa, FL

Hillsborough River State Park

Class II rapids - genuinely rare in Florida - viewed from a suspension footbridge, plus canoe rentals in a CCC-built park near Tampa.

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

Hobe Sound, FL

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Paddle Florida's first Wild and Scenic River through cypress, and climb the sand pine ridge for a view over the whole coast.

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

Fajardo, PR

Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay

Paddle a mangrove channel after dark into a Fajardo lagoon where every stroke of the blade lights up blue-green with living microorganisms.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Vieques, PR

Mosquito Bay

The brightest recorded bioluminescent bay in the world - on a dark night, fish leave visible glowing trails under the kayak.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Christiansted, VI

Salt River Bay Bioluminescent Bay

Night kayaking in a glowing bay at the only documented place where a Columbus landing party came ashore on what is now United States soil.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Fort Worth, TX

Trinity Trails

Over 100 miles of paved family-friendly trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth - free biking, walking, and nature right in the city

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

Keeseville, NY

Ausable Chasm

Walk through a 500-million-year-old sandstone gorge with optional rafting. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

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

Newcomb, NY

Camp Santanoni Historic Area

Carriage road hike or bike to a historic Great Camp on pristine Newcomb Lake. Free. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

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

Eagle Bay, NY

Cascade Lake Trail

Easy loop trail around a scenic Adirondack lake with lean-tos and swimming spots. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

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

Saranac Lake, NY

Floodwood Pond

Motor-free interconnected ponds perfect for family kayaking and canoe adventures. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Livingston Manor, NY

Frick Pond Loop Trail

Peaceful forest loop to a quiet Catskill pond with lean-tos. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Lihue, HI

Kauai Tubing Adventure

Float through century-old plantation tunnels on inner tubes with headlamps. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

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

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Paddle

Paddle a kayak or canoe on the calm motor-free waters of Mirror Lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

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

Eagle Bay, NY

Moss Lake Trail

Easy loop trail around a pristine Adirondack lake perfect for young hikers. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

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

Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Gorge Trail

Hike the bottom of Niagara Gorge with boulder scrambles and whirlpool rapids. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip.

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

Schroon Lake, NY

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

Pristine wilderness lake with backcountry camping far from the crowds. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 7+
  • ~6h
  • Free

Gowanda, NY

Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area

Wild 600-foot gorge with old-growth forest and deep swimming holes. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Broken Bow, OK

Beavers Bend Marina

Pontoon and boat rentals on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Easy going.

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

Broken Bow, OK

Broken Bow Lake Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.

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

Broken Bow, OK

Evening Hole Fishing Area

Popular family fishing pier on the Mountain Fork River with trout and bass. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

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

Broken Bow, OK

Mountain Fork River Kayaking

Kayak and canoe rentals on the crystal-clear Mountain Fork River near Beavers Bend. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

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

Broken Bow, OK

Mountain Fork River Tubing

Gentle family river float through the Ouachita Mountains on the Mountain Fork River. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

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

Georgetown, TX

Garey Park

525-acre river park with trails and splash pad in Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

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

Spicewood, TX

Grelle Recreation Area

Uncrowded Lake Travis cove with wooded trails and swimming. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Frisco, TX

Kathy Seei Park

Bronze longhorn sculptures and a pond in a compact landscaped park. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

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

Georgetown, TX

San Gabriel Park

Award-winning playscape and river trail in Georgetown. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

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

Cedar Park, TX

Brushy Creek Regional Trail

14-mile paved trail with playgrounds connecting Cedar Park and Round Rock. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours.

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

Houston, TX

Buffalo Bayou Park

Paved bayou trails with destination playground and bat colony viewing. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

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

Austin, TX

Bull Creek Greenbelt

Shallow limestone creek pools perfect for toddler wading. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Dogs welcome. Easy going.

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

Canyon Lake, TX

Canyon Lake Gorge

Guided tours through a limestone gorge with dinosaur tracks and fossils. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Georgetown, TX

Good Water Trail

26-mile lakeside trail with canyon overlooks and Hill Country terrain. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Austin, TX

Lady Bird Lake

Kayaking and paddleboarding on calm water through downtown Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Easy going.

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

Grapevine, TX

Lake Grapevine Horseshoe Trails

Easy lakeside hiking trails on Grapevine Lake. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. Stroller-friendly. Dogs welcome.

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

New Caney, TX

Lake Houston Wilderness Park

20 miles of forest trails and camping close to Houston. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Weatherford, TX

Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway

20-mile flat rail trail perfect for kids building biking endurance. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Cedar Creek, TX

McKinney Roughs Nature Park

1,100 acres with horseback riding and river trails along the Colorado. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

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

Flower Mound, TX

Northshore Trail

26 miles of lakeside singletrack mountain biking trails. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.

  • Mountain Biking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Spicewood, TX

Pace Bend Park

Rocky limestone coves and cliff jumping on Lake Travis. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

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

Johnson City, TX

Pedernales River Nature Park

Quiet Pedernales River swimming with limestone wading pools. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

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

Dripping Springs, TX

Reimers Ranch Park

Premier Central Texas rock climbing with 18 miles of trails. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Rock Climbing
  • Ages 6+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Garland, TX

Rowlett Creek Preserve

524-acre preserve with creek crossings and mountain bike trails. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

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

Arlington, TX

River Legacy Parks

1,300-acre park with paved trails and mountain biking along the Trinity River. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

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

Dallas, TX

White Rock Lake

9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

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

Little Elm, TX

Johnny Broyles Nature Trail

Paved 2.7-mile nature trail along Lake Lewisville in Little Elm. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

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