Nature

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.

A unique geological park with a glacial plunge basin lake surrounded by 175-foot cliffs. Glacier Lake at the bottom of the basin is a deep green meromictic lake. Trails wind along the rim and down to the lake shore with views into the rocky basin. The geology here is fascinating and interpretive signs explain how glaciers carved the landscape. The park is small but packs a lot of natural drama into a compact area. Rock climbing is popular on the cliff faces. A great short nature outing near Syracuse.

A short walk across a windswept point to a formation of sharp, jagged lava rock teeth jutting upward from the coastline that looks like a dragon rising from the earth. The rock formations were created by lava meeting the ocean and are unlike anything else on Maui. Kids are fascinated by the shapes and the crashing waves around the point add drama. An ancient Hawaiian labyrinth made of stones sits nearby. The walk is short and flat but the terrain is uneven lava so watch footing. Great whale watching spot in winter.

A hidden gem with a deep gorge, five waterfalls, and a swimming area that gets far fewer visitors than the parks near Ithaca. The Gorge Trail runs 1.5 miles along the creek through narrow rock walls with waterfalls at several points. The Cowshed, a waterfall that flows over a rock overhang you can walk behind, is a highlight for kids. The swimming pool at the base of the glen is fed by the creek and staffed with lifeguards in summer. A replica of President Millard Fillmore birthplace cabin adds a historical touch.

The only national forest in New York State, spread across 16000 acres of rolling terrain between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Over 30 miles of interconnected trails wind through meadows, pastures, and forest. The Interloken Trail is the signature route but shorter loops are available for families. Kids will see grazing cattle in the open pastures, which is unusual for a national forest. Blueberry picking in season is a fun bonus activity. Primitive camping is free and dispersed throughout the forest.

A network of small interconnected ponds accessible by short portages that is perfect for family paddling adventures. The ponds are motor-free and surrounded by pristine Adirondack forest. Kids love the sense of discovery paddling from one pond to the next through narrow channels and short carries. The water is calm and clear and wildlife sightings including loons, herons, and beavers are common. Several lean-tos and campsites along the ponds make overnight trips possible for adventurous families.

A peaceful 4.2-mile loop through beautiful forest to a quiet Catskill pond that feels remote but is actually quite accessible. The trail is relatively flat and follows old logging roads for much of the way. The pond at the halfway point is a perfect lunch spot where kids can look for frogs and turtles. Lean-tos along the route offer shelter on rainy days. This is one of the quieter and less crowded trails in the Catskills and a great choice for families who want a peaceful nature walk.

A beautifully maintained 26-acre botanical garden along the Road to Hana with ocean views, rare tropical plants, and the lookout platform where the iconic Jurassic Park scene was filmed. The self-guided trail winds through labeled plant collections with peacocks and other birds roaming freely. The Puohokamoa Falls viewpoint within the garden is stunning. Kids enjoy the duck pond, the colorful peacocks, and looking for the filming locations. It is a peaceful break from the intense Road to Hana driving and the views from the overlook are excellent.

A unique creek-walk hike where you wade right up the streambed to reach two beautiful waterfalls hidden in a narrow gorge. There is no dry trail option so everyone gets wet feet, which kids absolutely love. The first waterfall is about a half mile in and the second is just beyond it. The creek is shallow and the rock walls on either side are layered with fossils. This is hands-down one of the most fun and memorable family hikes in the Finger Lakes. Water shoes are essential.

Watching the sunrise from the 10023-foot summit of Haleakala volcano is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Hawaii. The crater landscape looks like Mars and the sunrise above the clouds is genuinely life-changing. Kids are awed by the alien-looking terrain and the cinder cones inside the massive crater. It is very cold at the summit (often below freezing at dawn) so bundle up. Sunrise reservations are required and sell out months in advance. Short rim trails at the summit are accessible for families.

A hilltop recreation area with easy trails and one of the best views in the Finger Lakes region, looking out over Honeoye Lake and the surrounding hills. The trails are wide and gentle, mostly following old roads through meadows and forest. The Big Oak Trail and Fox Run Trail are both under 2 miles and great for young hikers. In winter the trails are popular for cross-country skiing. The overlook point on a clear fall day with the lake below and autumn colors everywhere is truly special.

The second largest state park in New York with over 200 miles of trails, 31 lakes and reservoirs, and two swimming beaches. The park is massive and offers everything from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain hikes. Lake Sebago and Lake Welch have lifeguard-staffed beaches perfect for families. The trails range from flat lakeshore walks to rocky ridgeline scrambles with Hudson Valley views. It is an incredible outdoor playground close to New York City and a great place to introduce kids to serious hiking.

A stunning tropical garden on a dramatic ocean bluff north of Hilo with trails winding through over 2000 species of tropical plants and flowers. The garden descends into Onomea Bay with viewpoints of waterfalls, the ocean, and towering palms. Kids enjoy the boardwalk trail that passes a waterfall and crosses bridges over streams. The variety of exotic flowers, palms, and tropical plants is incredible. This was a filming location for Jurassic Park and you can see why. The beauty is overwhelming and photographs here look like they were taken in a fantasy world.

A small family-run tropical fruit farm offering guided tours through orchards growing over 60 varieties of exotic fruits. Kids get to taste fruits they have never heard of straight from the tree, including starfruit, sapodilla, rollinia, and jaboticaba. The guides are passionate and knowledgeable and make the tour interactive for kids. The farm setting on the slopes above Kealakekua Bay has lovely ocean views. A smoothie from the farm stand afterward is the perfect finish. This is an authentic, non-touristy experience that kids genuinely enjoy.

One of the most extraordinary national parks in the country centered around Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The Crater Rim Drive circles the massive Kilauea caldera with overlooks, steam vents kids can feel, and the Thurston Lava Tube, a tunnel through solidified lava that is a highlight for every child. The Devastation Trail is a paved boardwalk through a surreal volcanic landscape. Chain of Craters Road descends through multiple eruption sites to the coast. Seeing an active volcano up close gives kids a sense of wonder that is hard to match anywhere else.

A privately operated nature attraction with steel walkways and bridges built right into the granite walls of the Ausable River gorge. Kids get an up-close look at four major waterfalls crashing through ancient rock formations while staying safe on the fenced walkways. The whole loop takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is manageable even for younger children. A gem mining station and nature trails add to the experience. In winter the frozen falls are spectacular and snowshoe trails are available.

A stunning 400-acre botanical garden set against the dramatic backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. The garden is free and has wide paved roads perfect for strollers along with trails through collections of tropical plants from around the world. Kids enjoy the catch-and-release fishing lake and the visitor center has nature activities. The mountain views from inside the garden are among the most photographed on Oahu. A campground within the garden offers free weekend camping with a permit, which is one of the best-kept secrets on the island.

An easy half-mile loop trail through a unique forest of native and non-native trees inside Haleakala National Park at 6800 feet elevation. The shady trail is perfect for families with young kids and the interpretive signs teach about the different tree species planted here as a reforestation experiment in the early 1900s. Native birds including the endangered Hawaiian goose (nene) are often spotted. The adjacent campground is free and a great base for exploring the summit. The cooler mountain air is a refreshing change from the coast.

One of the most visited natural attractions in New York with guided tours through a massive cave system 156 feet underground. The 80-minute walking tour includes a boat ride on an underground lake that kids think is magical. Limestone formations, narrow passages, and the sheer scale of the caverns are genuinely impressive. The temperature underground is a constant 52 degrees making it a great rainy-day or hot-day activity. An above-ground adventure park with ropes courses and zip lines adds outdoor fun.