Adventures for Big Kids in New York

We pulled these 16 big-kid adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in New York. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.

16 adventures found

Blue Mountain Trail

Blue Mountain Lake, NY

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Popular fire tower hike with panoramic views over Blue Mountain Lake. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Storm King State Park

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

Hiking
Ages 7–18+ Free

Rugged Highland trails with dramatic Hudson River panoramas. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. A …

Sleeping Beauty Mountain

Fort Ann, NY

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Moderate summit hike with one of the best Lake George panoramic views. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area

Gowanda, NY

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Wild 600-foot gorge with old-growth forest and deep swimming holes. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. …

Snowy Mountain Trail

Indian Lake, NY

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Challenging hike to the tallest peak in the southern Adirondacks with fire tower summit. Free. …

Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail

Keene Valley, NY

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Epic hike past a 150-foot waterfall to the iconic Ausable Lakes cliff-top view. Free. Better for …

Poke-O-Moonshine Fire Tower Trail

Keeseville, NY

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Short steep hike to a fire tower with views of Lake Champlain and the High Peaks. Free. Better for …

Forked Lake Campground

Long Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 6–18+ Paid

Mostly paddle-in shoreline campsites on a quiet Adirondack lake, a real step up from car camping for …

Niagara Gorge Trail

Niagara Falls, NY

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Hike the bottom of Niagara Gorge with boulder scrambles and whirlpool rapids. Free. Better for ages …

Buck Mountain Trail

Pilot Knob, NY

Hiking
Ages 7–18+ Free

Challenging summit hike with sweeping Lake George views from 2,334 feet. Free. Better for ages 7 and …

Ampersand Mountain

Saranac Lake, NY

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Challenging hike to a bald summit with 360-degree Adirondack panorama. Free. Better for ages 8 and …

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

Schroon Lake, NY

Hiking
Ages 7–18+ Free

Pristine wilderness lake with backcountry camping far from the crowds. Free. Better for ages 7 and …

Giant Ledge Trail

Shandaken, NY

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Popular hike to dramatic cliff-top viewpoints in the Catskill Mountains. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Slide Mountain Trail

Shandaken, NY

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Hike the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full …

Overlook Mountain Trail

Woodstock, NY

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Fire tower hike past ruins of an old mountain hotel near Woodstock. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. …