Family

A marine sanctuary with crystal-clear water, incredible coral reefs, and abundant marine life that offers some of the best kayaking and snorkeling on the Big Island. Guided kayak tours cross the bay to the Captain Cook Monument where spinner dolphins are regularly seen and the snorkeling is world-class. The reef is teeming with tropical fish, eels, and sea turtles. The water clarity is exceptional. Kids who are comfortable swimming and kayaking will have one of the most memorable ocean experiences of their lives.

The last beach at the end of the road on Oahu west side with a wild, remote feel that is rare on the island. The long sandy beach is backed by the Waianae Mountains and rarely crowded. Summer brings calm water suitable for swimming and snorkeling while winter waves are for watching only. The Ka ena Point trail starts nearby for families who want to hike to the actual westernmost tip of Oahu where albatross and monk seals are sometimes spotted. The sunset from here is the last one on Oahu every day.

A well-maintained Catskills campground with 76 sites surrounding a beautiful 25-acre lake with a sandy beach. The swimming area is perfect for kids and canoe and kayak rentals are available. Sites are well-spaced and shaded. The campground is centrally located for day trips to Kaaterskill Falls, Slide Mountain, and Woodstock. The combination of lakeside camping, good swimming, and easy access to top Catskill trails makes this one of the best family base camps in the region.

A family-friendly state park on the shore of Keuka Lake, one of the cleanest and most beautiful Finger Lakes. The park has a sandy beach with a gradual entry perfect for young swimmers and a campground with sites nestled in the woods. The lake water is clean and warm by midsummer. Fishing is excellent from the shore and the park has a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. Hiking trails through the surrounding hills provide lake views. It is quieter and more relaxed than the bigger Finger Lakes parks.

A 4-mile loop that descends through lush rainforest into a volcanic crater and crosses the hardened lava lake floor. Walking across the crater floor is an otherworldly experience with steam rising from cracks in the rock and the crater walls towering above. Kids can see where the lava lake was hundreds of feet deep during the 1959 eruption. The contrast between the lush forest rim and the barren crater floor is striking. This is widely considered one of the best hikes in Hawaii and gives families a visceral connection to volcanic forces.

A historic lighthouse on a dramatic cliff point that is now part of a national wildlife refuge. The views from the point are spectacular with waves crashing on the rocks below. The refuge is home to nesting seabirds including red-footed boobies, Laysan albatross, and great frigatebirds that kids can observe from close range. Humpback whales are visible from the point during winter months. The visitor center has exhibits on the wildlife and Hawaiian history of the area. It is a beautiful, peaceful spot with a lot to see in a short visit.

Four man-made crescent-shaped lagoons with calm, protected water that is the safest ocean swimming on Oahu for young kids. The lagoons have sandy bottoms, gentle slopes into the water, and are sheltered from waves and currents. Toddlers can splash in ankle-deep water while older kids snorkel along the rock walls. Each lagoon has restrooms, showers, and some shade. Sea turtles frequently visit the lagoons which is always a thrill. Lagoons 1 and 4 are the least crowded.

A highland park above Waimea Canyon with over 45 miles of trails through native forest, mountain meadows, and dramatic cliff-top viewpoints. The Kalalau Lookout at 4000 feet provides a view down into the Na Pali Coast valley that is one of the most photographed scenes in Hawaii. The Nature Trail near the museum is a flat 0.1-mile loop perfect for little ones. The Pihea Trail and Alaka i Swamp Trail offer more ambitious hikes through a primordial cloud forest. The Kokee Museum has exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area.

Camp in a mountain forest at 3600 feet elevation above Waimea Canyon on Kauai with cool temperatures that feel nothing like the beach below. The campground has tent sites and rustic cabins set in a native forest filled with birdsong. The cooler climate is a refreshing change and kids need jackets which feels exotic in Hawaii. From camp you can hike to Waimea Canyon lookouts and Na Pali Coast viewpoints. The nene (Hawaiian goose) is commonly seen in the park. Stars at night are incredible with minimal light pollution.

A staircase of 1048 old railway ties straight up the side of Koko Crater to the rim at 1208 feet. This is essentially a giant outdoor stairmaster and kids who are up for the challenge love the sense of accomplishment at the top. The views from the rim are panoramic covering Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and the east side of Oahu. The climb is relentless with no shade so start early and bring lots of water. There is a gap in the ties about two-thirds up where a bridge once stood that requires some scrambling.

A 4000-acre private nature reserve on the windward coast that has been the backdrop for Jurassic Park, Lost, and dozens of other films. Kids lose their minds when they see the valley where the dinosaurs roamed. Activities include horseback riding, ATV tours, zip lines, a movie site tour, and a jungle expedition. The scenery is absolutely jaw-dropping with dramatic mountain ridges and the ocean in the background. Multiple tour packages let you mix activities for a full day. This is one of those experiences kids never forget.

The site of Maui last volcanic eruption (around 1790) with a dramatic landscape of black lava flows meeting the ocean. The Hoapili Trail crosses the lava field along the coast with views of tide pools, ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, and distant Molokini crater. Dolphins are frequently spotted in the bay. The terrain is rough and exposed so good shoes and sun protection are essential. Walking on the a-a lava fields is a unique experience that helps kids understand volcanic geology in a tangible way.

A scenic state campground on the shore of Lake Durant in the central Adirondacks with 60 tent and trailer sites, many with direct lake access. The beach area is sandy and the lake is clean and calm for swimming and paddling. A short nature trail loops through the surrounding forest. The campground is centrally located for visits to the Adirondack Experience museum and the Blue Mountain fire tower trail. The sites are well-spaced and shaded. This is a solid, no-fuss family campground with great water access.

The most reliable spot on Oahu to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the sand or swimming in the shallow water. Volunteers are often present to educate visitors and ensure people maintain the required 10-foot distance from the turtles. Kids are thrilled to see these gentle creatures up close on the sand. The beach itself is rocky and not ideal for swimming but the turtle viewing alone makes it worth the stop. Located on the scenic North Shore drive between Haleiwa and the Dole Plantation. The best viewing is usually in the afternoon.

A short but steep 1.8-mile round trip hike to WWII military pillboxes (bunkers) on a ridge above Lanikai Beach with some of the most stunning views on Oahu. The turquoise water below with the Mokulua Islands in the foreground is postcard-perfect. Kids love exploring the old concrete bunkers covered in colorful graffiti art. The trail is steep and rocky in spots so good shoes are important. Sunrise from the first pillbox is legendary but the views are incredible at any time of day.

A short loop trail through a forest of eerie lava molds left behind when a lava flow swept through a forest of ohia trees in 1790. The trees burned away but the hardened lava preserved their shapes, creating hollow pillars and ghostly tree-shaped columns. Kids think the formations look like petrified forest creatures. The 0.7-mile paved loop is easy and shaded. It is a quick stop that vividly demonstrates the power of volcanic activity in a way kids can see and touch. The surrounding forest has regrown around the formations creating a beautiful contrast.

Boat tours along the leeward coast offer some of the best wild dolphin and sea turtle encounters in Hawaii. Spinner dolphins frequently swim alongside and under the boats in pods of dozens. Several operators also stop at snorkeling reefs where sea turtles are almost guaranteed. The leeward coast is drier and calmer than other parts of Oahu making for comfortable boat conditions. Seeing dolphins leap and spin in the wild is one of those magical moments that stays with kids forever. Choose operators who follow responsible wildlife viewing guidelines.

Known as the Grand Canyon of the East with a 17-mile gorge up to 600 feet deep carved by the Genesee River with three major waterfalls. The park has 66 miles of trails but the must-do walks are the short paths to the Middle Falls and Upper Falls overlooks which are accessible even for toddlers. The 107-foot Middle Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the state. Hot air balloon rides over the gorge are available in summer and fall. The park also has a pool, cabins, campgrounds, and an inn.

The most family-friendly beach on Kauai with two large man-made rock pools that protect swimmers from waves and currents. The larger pool is great for snorkeling with tropical fish that enter through gaps in the rocks. The smaller pool is shallow and calm, perfect for toddlers. Fish and sea turtles regularly swim into the pools. The adjacent Kamalani Playground is a massive wooden play structure that kids go crazy for. Lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and picnic pavilions are all on site. This is the go-to beach for families with young children on Kauai.

A spectacular 4-mile round trip coastal trail along Kauai last undeveloped south shore coastline. The trail passes ancient sand dunes turned to stone (lithified dunes), dramatic sea cliffs, tide pools, blowholes, and a sinkhole with an ancient Hawaiian petroglyph cave. Kids are fascinated by the geological formations and the wild coastline. Humpback whales and monk seals are seen from the trail in winter. The trail is mostly flat but exposed to sun and wind. This is one of the most geologically interesting hikes in Hawaii.