Hiking

A lush valley park centered around the iconic Iao Needle, a 1200-foot moss-covered rock pinnacle rising from the valley floor. A paved 0.6-mile trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Needle with the West Maui Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. The stream below is shallow enough for kids to wade in. The valley is deeply significant in Hawaiian history as the site of a pivotal battle. The paved trail is accessible for strollers and the whole visit takes about an hour making it a perfect low-effort, high-reward stop.

A 4.8-mile loop trail through a forest of eucalyptus, Norfolk pines, and native plants with views of Pearl Harbor and the south shore. The trail is mostly shaded which makes it one of the more comfortable hikes on Oahu even on warm days. Kids enjoy the variety of terrain and the WWII airplane wreckage along the trail adds historical interest. The loop format means no backtracking. The trailhead is inside Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area which has picnic areas and a campground for extending the visit.

A short paved loop trail through a lush tropical forest to a viewpoint overlooking a stunning 442-foot waterfall, one of the tallest in Hawaii. The 0.4-mile loop is accessible for strollers and passes through groves of bamboo, orchids, ferns, and tropical flowers. The falls plunge into a deep gorge surrounded by green vegetation and the scale is impressive. A smaller waterfall, Kahuna Falls, is visible from another viewpoint on the same loop. The whole visit takes about 30 minutes making it one of the easiest big-payoff experiences on the Big Island.

The largest state park in New York at 65000 acres with two separate recreation areas, beaches, campgrounds, cabins, and over 80 miles of trails. The Red House and Quaker areas each have their own beach, campground, and trail system. Kids love the Art Roscoe ski area in summer for mountain biking and the Thunder Rocks area for scrambling on massive boulders. The park has a store, restaurants, and cabin rentals, making it easy to plan a multi-day family trip. Stargazing is incredible here with very little light pollution.

A challenging 5.4-mile round trip hike that rewards with one of the most dramatic summit views in the Adirondacks. The bald rock summit gives a full 360-degree panorama of lakes and mountains including the High Peaks, Saranac Lake, and dozens of surrounding ponds. The final stretch involves steep rock scrambles that adventurous older kids will love. This is not a beginner hike but for families with experienced young hikers it is one of the best day trips in the region.

One of the best fire tower hikes in the Adirondacks for families. The 2-mile round trip trail climbs about 900 feet through a pleasant forest and the restored fire tower at the top gives panoramic views over the northern Adirondack wilderness. The hike is short enough for younger kids and the fire tower at the top provides the kind of dramatic payoff that makes the effort feel worthwhile. The area is less visited than the High Peaks so you may have the summit to yourselves.

A moderate 2.4-mile round trip hike near Keene that delivers outstanding views of the High Peaks for relatively little effort. The trail gains about 750 feet through mixed forest and opens up to exposed rock ledges near the summit. Kids enjoy the rocky scrambles near the top and the views of Giant Mountain, the Great Range, and Hurricane Mountain make it feel like you are deep in the wilderness even though the trailhead is right off Route 9N.

A massive and historic state park on the Hudson River with a merry-go-round, swimming pool, trail museum, and miles of hiking trails including a section of the Appalachian Trail. Perkins Memorial Drive takes you to the summit for panoramic views of the Hudson Valley. The Trailside Museums and Zoo at the base are free with park admission and fascinate younger kids. The pool complex is great for a hot day. This park has something for every age and can easily fill an entire day.

A beautiful and relatively flat 3-mile round trip hike through the Ausable River valley to a stunning 30-foot waterfall. The trail follows the river upstream with several crossings on bridges and rocks that kids find exciting. The waterfall at the end cascades over a wide rock face into a pool below. It is one of the more accessible waterfall hikes in the High Peaks region and the forest scenery along the way is gorgeous. The trail continues beyond the falls for families who want a longer adventure.

Living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro means you’re never more than a couple hours from some of Texas’s best state parks. Whether your kids are into swimming, hiking, mountain biking, or just running around in wide open spaces, there’s a park that fits. Here are our picks for the best state parks near Dallas for families. Cedar Hill State Park - 20 Minutes from Downtown Cedar Hill State Park is the closest real state park experience to Dallas, sitting right on Joe Pool Lake barely 20 minutes from the city center. Kids can swim at the sandy beach, fish from shore, hike the Talala Trail loop, or - if they’re old enough - tear up the DORBA mountain bike trails. With 350 campsites, it’s also one of the easiest parks to plan an overnight trip. ...

A 4-mile round trip hike to a fire tower at 3759 feet with incredible views over Blue Mountain Lake and the central Adirondacks. The trail is well-maintained and climbs steadily through hardwood forest. Kids love climbing the restored fire tower at the summit where the views extend in every direction across a sea of mountains and lakes. The observer cabin at the base of the tower adds a touch of history. This is one of the most rewarding fire tower hikes in the park.

A popular 6.6-mile round trip hike to a 2334-foot summit with sweeping views of Lake George and the surrounding mountains. The trail gains about 2000 feet of elevation so it is a real workout and best suited for families with older kids who enjoy a challenge. The summit has wide open rock slabs perfect for spreading out a snack. On a clear day you can see all the way to Vermont. This is one of the most rewarding day hikes in the Lake George region.

One of the tallest waterfalls in the Adirondacks at over 100 feet, accessed by a very short walk from the parking area. A wooden staircase climbs alongside the falls with viewing platforms at multiple levels, giving kids a front-row look at the cascading water from top to bottom. The ease of access makes this perfect for families with young children. The falls are most impressive in spring after snowmelt but remain scenic all summer. A short trail continues to the Raquette River above the falls.

A beautiful park with a swimming area at the base of Buttermilk Falls, a cascading waterfall that drops over 500 feet through a series of pools and rapids. The swimming pool at the base is natural, fed by the falls, and staffed with lifeguards in summer. The Gorge Trail climbs alongside the falls with views at every turn. Kids love the combination of swimming and waterfall exploration. The park also has a playground, picnic shelters, and a separate trail along Larch Meadows. It is less crowded than Taughannock and Treman.

A 9.8-mile round trip hike (or bike ride) on a wide old carriage road through beautiful forest to a sprawling Great Camp on the shore of Newcomb Lake. The flat terrain makes it easier than the distance suggests and many families bring bikes to cut the time in half. At the end, the historic camp buildings sit on a stunning lakeside setting that feels like a secret Adirondack world. Kids can explore the old buildings and swim in the lake before heading back. This is a genuinely unique family adventure.

A challenging but rewarding 3.5-mile round trip hike down (and back up) a steep trail to the Captain Cook Monument at the edge of Kealakekua Bay. The payoff is some of the best shore-access snorkeling in Hawaii in a marine sanctuary with spinner dolphins, tropical fish, and pristine coral. The hike down through dry scrubland drops about 1400 feet. The climb back up in the heat is the hard part so bring extra water. For families with fit older kids who can handle the physical demands, the snorkeling at the bottom is genuinely world-class.

A flat and scenic 4-mile loop around Cascade Lake with lean-tos, swimming spots, and a quiet forest setting. The trail is gentle enough for younger kids and provides several opportunities to stop at the lakeshore to skip rocks, wade, or have a snack. The lean-tos make great picnic shelters on rainy days. Combined with the nearby Moss Lake trail, families can easily fill a full day of exploring. The lake is popular with loons so keep your eyes and ears open.

The most popular of the Adirondack High Peaks and a rite of passage for families with older kids. The 4.8-mile round trip trail climbs 1940 feet to a bald summit with a 360-degree view that will take your breath away. The trail is well-worn and straightforward but it is steep in sections and requires good footwear. Kids who reach the top earn serious bragging rights. On a clear day the views stretch across the High Peaks wilderness to Lake Champlain and Vermont.

Dramatic pointed clay spires rising over 150 feet above the shore of Lake Ontario, sculpted by wind, rain, and waves into shapes that look like something from another planet. The Bluff Trail along the rim gives top-down views of these formations while the Beach Trail offers a look from below. The formations are constantly changing and eroding so they look different every year. Kids are fascinated by the alien landscape. Stay on marked trails as the clay edges are unstable. It is genuinely one of the most unique natural sites in New York.

A 167-foot waterfall that is one of the tallest in New York State, visible from multiple overlook platforms connected by stone stairways. The falls drop in a single dramatic plunge over a ledge of resistant limestone. The main viewing platform is just a short walk from the parking lot making it accessible for all ages. A trail descends to the base of the falls through a gorge. The park is home to the endangered Chittenango ovate amber snail found nowhere else on Earth. A picnic area and playground round out the visit.