From the famous Texas Buckeye Trail to hidden gems on the outskirts of town, here are the best kid-friendly hikes in the Dallas area
When you want to take the kids to explore all that Dallas has to offer, this list is for you. We’ve got a handful of our favorite hikes for kids in Dallas that have epic views, flat terrain for strollers and loads of animals. Each spot and season offers its own opportunity to encounter natural beauty, from spring wildflowers and autumn leaves to winter landscapes. Take your family on these treks within Dallas or just outside in neighboring regions. Get ready to explore the DFW.
Tucked into an Oak Cliff neighborhood, the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is 121 rolling acres of woodlands and wildflower meadows, with eight miles of hike-and-bike trails.
The fall is the best time of year to hit this trail as it offers some of the best leaf peeping in Dallas. Once you arrive at the overlook, you will be treated to a great view of the vast Great Trinity Forest and Grover Keeton Golf Course.
To hike on the famous Texas Buckeye Trail, travel to the trailhead at Bexar Street. This important mile-long trail takes hikers to a large stand of Texas Buckeye trees that bloom white in spring. The rest of the year, you can walk in the shade of towering bur oaks, pecans, and cedar elms.
Just 14 miles from downtown Dallas, this hiking spot has several trails to choose from. From the east parking lot you'll find a flat, paved loop that's good for strollers, and from the west lot you can take a mile loop to see some wildflowers in the spring.
Located on the western border of Plano, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park featuring vast areas of natural beauty for walking, jogging, hiking, orienteering, and other outdoor activity. The observation tower gives a spectacular view of the city.
Dogwood Canyon has more than three miles of trails into the forested canyon. Choose from the easy Canyon Floor Trail or the more strenuous West Loop Trail. Check the trail status before you go to see if it has recently rained, as they will often close trails.
When the temps dip and the trees turn all shades of orange, it’s time to hit the trails
Leaves are changing color, and there’s a fresh autumnal smell in the air—what a good excuse to explore the great outdoors! Pull on your hiking boots, grab plenty of water, and perhaps a sweater too—because fall is the perfect season for hitting the trail with your little adventurers. From mountain rambles and forested strolls to historic walks and more, you can discover them all this fall.
Teeming with natural beauty and wildlife all year, Cascade Springs is especially nice in the fall. Boardwalk trails lead you over bridges and around the artesian springs, with waterfalls tumbling down limestone terraces into pools. Aspens, maples, and oaks provide the fall color. Watch out for moose!
Insider Tip: You’ll enjoy the journey as well as the destination—it’s a scenic drive up American Fork Canyon to get to Cascade Springs.
Mt. Rainier National Park | Pierce and Lewis County, WA
This dormant volcano erupts with color in the fall. Drive to Sunrise, the highest point you can reach by vehicle, in early fall and take the Mt. Rainier Gondola (with the whole fam, including pooch) to the summit of Crystal Mountain. You can hike along the ridge for beautiful views of Mt. Rainier amid snowmelt and fall sunshine (accessible only through September). Later in the fall try the Alta Vista, Naches Peak Loop, and Moraine trails. There’s lots of wildlife to spot, including friendly mule deer.
When you first think of Breckenridge, chances are you think of it as a premier destination for skiing and other winter sports. We actually think that the fall is really the ideal time to head to Breckenridge as its elevation makes it one of the first spots in the country to welcome autumn. The town itself sits at just over 9,000 feet in elevation and there are numerous hiking options nearby. We particularly liked driving up Boreas Pass Road to the Black Powder Pass trailhead. This hike takes you above the tree line and is perfect for seeing the whole area from above. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats and moose while you are there!
On a high ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park boasts amazing rock formations (called “bosses” by geologists). The best hike for families is the Castle Rock Loop which takes you through a mossy madrone forest. There’s easy bouldering for kids along the trail (no equipment needed) and you can take a short detour to Castle Rock Falls.
Insider Tip: After your hike, explore the nearby little town of Los Gatos.
Slip off your shoes, and go for a hike along one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches on the Oregon coast. Skip rocks, and explore caves, coves, and waterfalls. Be sure to come at low tide—there’s more underwater life to see, tide pools to be discovered, and you can walk further down the beach. Low tide also reveals an old stagecoach trail (stagecoaches used to “hug” the edge to avoid the tides, hence the name of the beach). In the Portland area? Check out our recommendations for where to see fall colors.
Insider Tip: Dogs can slip off their leashes too! This off-leash beach means freedom for Fido and the kids.
Palomar Mountain State Park | San Diego County, CA
A nice escape from the bustle of the city, the cool forests and meadows of Palomar Mountain have a similar climate to the Sierra Nevada Mountains many miles to the north, making it a welcome change from the hot temps of this region. Start out on the easy Doane Valley Nature Trail—there are many forks on the trail (make sure you don’t get lost) connecting to other trails and more adventures. If you take the fork to the French Valley Trail you'll wander through woodlands and meadows to a waterfall. If you want to start the littles out on something easier first, check out Best San Diego Hikes for Kids under Five.
Insider Tip: The unusual climate means that some creatures here are unique to Palomar Mountain. Look out for the Palomar Banana Slug—sure, you can find their relatives in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest but these guys are the only banana slugs to survive in SoCal!
Arizona’s red rock country is breathtaking year-round, but it explodes with color in the fall. There are some beautiful hikes around Sedona, including the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon which takes you along the canyon floor by a stream and across stepping stones, and the Broken Arrow Trail which will lead you up to the Devil’s Dining Room sinkhole, Submarine Rock, Mushroom Rock, and more gorgeous vistas.
Insider Tip: Fall is the perfect time for hitting the trails in Sedona, as temps cool down, making hiking more pleasant.
Your fam, including your four-legged kids, can hit the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Solstice Canyon Loop is a cool shaded canyon hike. Populated with local deciduous trees, you’ll be sure to spot some falling yellow and red leaves through the beginning of December. You’ll see the Keller House (the oldest stone building in Malibu), and the Solstice Waterfall and creek. There's lots to explore including the ruins of a 1950's ranch. Look out for alligator lizards on the trail! For other fall color hikes in the Los Angeles area, take a look at where to see fall colors.
Insider Tip: If you scramble up the rocky trail to the top of the waterfall in Solstice Canyon you’ll find some awesome pools, but please be careful!
Bats and bison make their home in Caprock Canyons State Park. Fall brings cool temps, perfect for hiking with the family, and if you can stay up late, there's amazing stargazing too. Try the one-mile Mesa trail, or take in a small section of the Caprock Canyons Trailway, which spans 41 miles, and crosses 46 bridges and a railroad tunnel.
Insider Tip: If you visit in early fall, you can catch the Mexican Free-Tailed Bats of Clarity Tunnel before they migrate south for the winter.
Each fall, the Smokies are awash with bright colors—this mountain range is home to over 100 native species of tree, many deciduous—making the Smokies one of the best places in the country to view fall foliage. Kid-sized hikes include Baskins Creek Falls and Schoolhouse Gap. You can see the sweep of color making its way down the mountains, as fall changes come first to the higher elevations, then gradually reach the foothills.For more Georgia fall color, check out: 3 Places to See Fantastic Fall Foliage
Insider Tip: Head over to the Smokies' fall color website to find the best time to hit the trail.
Mid-September to Mid-October is a great time to visit Montana's glorious Glacier National Park—the summer rush of visitors is over, and the leaves of the larch trees are turning a beautiful shade. Rob Taylor, of 2 Travel Dads blog, recommends the Avalanche Lake trail in Lake McDonald Valley or Redrock Falls in the Many Glacier Valley. Avalanche Lake is a short hike where you'll cross over streams and walk through woods to the lake. Redrock Falls is a little more challenging, but you'll be rewarded with amazing views of the mountains.
Insider Tip: Rob says hikers may be able to paddle in some of the lower levels of Redrock Falls, but use caution, of course!
This Ohio park is full of history; the Portage Path running through it was once the western border of the United States. Today, you can follow that historic route, or take one of many other trails in the park. Look out for the plentiful wildlife (including screech, barred, and great horned owls and red, gray, and fox squirrels). You'll also spy some awesome fall colors.
Insider Tip: Take part in Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree, which will take you to some amazing parks and trails—from caves and marshes to steep valleys and waterfalls. This annual event has been going since 1964 and encourages families to explore the many trails in their community.
So named because it was chiseled through the rocks by a river—this state park has lots of activities for the whole family year-round but is especially lovely in the fall when leaves are painted with red and gold. There’s a lot of wildlife to be seen, including deer, fox, muskrat, beaver, and woodchuck (perhaps you can find out how much wood a woodchuck can chuck). There are a few easy hikes in the park including one that loops around a lake. Nearby, you’ll find the town of Rockford—the place where pioneers once forded the fast-moving Rock River in their wagons. Here are some more colorful spots for fall family strolls in the Chicago area.
Insider Tip: Your little hikers can do a spot of bird watching in this park. See if you can spot a Great Blue Heron and a Ruddy Duck. If you're REALLY lucky you may see the elusive Snow Goose!
15 miles of colorful sandstone give the towering cliffs of Pictured Rocks their name. You’ll find caves, arches, and unusual rock formations, all naturally stained by minerals from Lake Superior. This National Lakeshore has wonderful fall hikes that capture the beauty of both the cliffs and the changing of the seasons. The Chapel Trail Mosquito Falls Loop is a great hike for families with big kids; it takes you past two waterfalls and along part of the 42-mile Lakeshore Trail with spectacular scenery. It’s not recommended for the littles as the trail goes along the clifftops. Families have several nature trails and day hikes to choose from including hikes to waterfalls, shipwrecks, dunes, and the Au Sable Lighthouse.
Insider Tip: After your hike, hop on a boat cruise to get a good look at the cliffs from a different vantage point.
One of the six original state parks that opened in 1936, Staunton River has a variety of terrain—from woodlands and meadows to the sandy shoreline of Buggs Island Lake. Much of the landscape is unchanged from the times when Revolutionary and Civil War troops camped here. There are several hikes to choose from but the best one to try with mini-hikers is the easy Tutelo Trail.
Insider Tip: Staunton River State Park is certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. This means the night skies are very dark there and minimally impacted by city lights. The park hosts Star Parties throughout the year.
You’ll hike through a forest of sugar maple, American beech, and yellow birch to get to one of Maine’s highest and most spectacular waterfalls. Angel Falls gets its name from the shape the cascading water makes—some say it looks like an angel’s wings. This short hike follows mountain streams (you’ll have to scramble over boulders and do a bit of wading to cross them, but it's still family-friendly). Depending on how much water is flowing at the time you’re there, you may be able to make it to the base of the falls. If you do, look up for amazing views.
Insider Tip: “There’s gold in them thar hills” ... people used to pan for gold up here but the real gold in this forest is maple syrup‚ these sugar maples make syrup that's double the usual sweetness!
Wawayanda State Park Sussex and Passaic County, NJ
There are many easy trails along the wooded shoreline of this park (and one very challenging one—the Appalachian Trail). The Cherry Ridge Trail travels alongside Lake Wawayanda, across a stone bridge, by beaver ponds to a rare swamp of White Atlantic Cedar. The Cedar Swamp Trail will take you across the swamp on boardwalks and through rhododendron tunnels.
Insider Tip: Civil War buffs, look out for the ruins of a charcoal blast furnace used to produce iron for the Union armies. You might also spot mine shafts belonging to the abandoned Wawayanda Mine.
America’s largest urban forest is located right in Portland families’ back yard, and it is a gorgeous place to be through the autumn months. Located in the heart of the city, Forest Park is brimming with colorful hikes for local families to explore. With almost 100 miles of trails within the park, your crew can hit a different trail each week throughout the fall months. Read on to find our pick of the best Forest Park hikes for families.
1. NW Skyline Blvd to BPA Road (2 miles) This relatively effortless, two mile Forest Park hike is easy to access from NW Skyline Blvd. from BPA Road. Here, look for the signs for Firelane 13 to reach the flat, lookout area with picnic tables. Don't forget to pack in your lunch to enjoy from the overlook! On a clear day, you can even spot Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens.
Ages: Appropriate for all ages (you can even take baby in a backpack carrier)
2. Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion (5.3 miles) The hike to Pittock Mansion from Lower Macleay Park is a bit of a climb (an elevation gain of nearly a thousand feet), and is more difficult in nature at 5.3 miles round trip—but this hike has it all! You'll find street parking near the park entrance on NW 29th and Upshur, plus the park has picnic tables and restrooms. The hike itself is parallel to a lovely gurgling river bank, and the trail is paved. A highlight is the mysterious Stone House, for a fun photo op, where you can either opt to return on the Wildwood Trail or soldier on. If you opt to continue, you'll ultimate reach Pittock Mansion, with stunning views of the city that are sure to impress along this Forest Park hike.
Ages: 6 years and up
3. Lower Maple Trail Loop (3 mile loop) From Hwy 30, turn on to Saltzman Road, and follow the winding residential road up to the top. Now, follow the Saltzman Road trail head to the Maple Trail, then go right on the Leif Erikson Trail. Return to the beginning via Maple, and you'll have taken one healthy, three mile loop. While the directions may sound complicated, it's a fun quest and sign exploration game for older children to participate in, plus they'll love the forested paths with birds, slugs and bugs. (Don't forget your bug spray!)
4. The Big Stump (2 miles or 6 miles) Turn on to Old Springville Rd. from Skyline Rd. to reach the parking area and Wildwood trail head. There, you'll follow Fire Lane 7 to the the Hardesty Trail, reaching The Big Stump (which is exactly what it sounds like—kids love it!). To return, either follow your inbound route, or if you're feeling very ambitious, opt to loop to the Wildwood Trail, then Ridge Trail, back to Fire Lane 7. Depending on your course, this will take you either two miles and less than two hours, or a few more hours to do the six mile loop.
Ages: 2 mile loop is appropriate for all ages. 6 mile loop is best for 7 years and up.
5. Audubon Society Hikes (1-5 miles) If you have a novice avian expert in your family, check out the Audubon Society of Portland at 5151 NW Cornell Rd. From here, you can take an easy, 1.3 mile stroll from the Founders Trail to the North Collins Trail to hear and view wild woodpeckers and over 40 species of other birds. The 150 acre nature preserve surrounding the Audubon Society has four miles of hiking paths, plus onsite restrooms and a store to pick up a birding guide.
Ages: All ages
6. The Wildwood–Newton Loop (1 mile) Last but not least, your little tree hugger will love the Wildwood Trail! This round-trip loop is about a mile and easy enough for smaller legs. From Skyline Blvd, turn on to NW Newton Road and park. Then walk right on the first path, to the Wildwood Trail. From here, head south on Wildwood. To return, take a right onto Fire Lane 10. Along the Wildwood Trail, you'll find a hollowed-out tree that little ones will love to tuck inside for a fun photo.
The Bay Area has no shortage of spectacular hikes with staggering scenery and endless vistas but exposed trails can become uncomfortably warm, especially for tiny tots who don’t always celebrate when they hear “Let’s keep hiking.” Fortunately, the Bay is also bursting with shady forests and covered canopies. Bring your little trailblazers on one of these cool walks among slugs, bugs and brooks and “hiking” will take on a whole new meaning.
North Bay
Julie Honan Johnston
Pioneer Tree Trail, Samuel P. Taylor State Park Beauty is abundant in Samuel P. Taylor State Park but one of the most beautiful things about it is how otherworldly it feels despite the fact that it’s so accessible. From the mystical picnic area set along the creek, follow this meandering loop to the Pioneer Tree, a stunning old growth redwood surrounded by a forest of younger ones. Mushrooms, ferns, moss, spiderwebs, dew drops and salamanders are just a few of the many features your kids will love exploring.
Cataract Falls Trail, Mount Tamalpais Watershed When water is flowing, you’ll find mini falls and mounds of mud to slosh in along this out-and-back trail. Even if your kids aren’t in the mood to make it all the way to the main falls, there are plenty of attractions along the way. Pack a picnic to share creekside or at one of the picnic tables about halfway in and have fun scampering across bridges and over rocks. This one will get everyone’s hearts pumping!
Length: 4.8 miles, out and back Level: Moderate Online: marinwater.org
Sequoia Bayview Trail, Joaquin Miller Park Wide, flat, mellow, shaded: this is literally a walk in the park. If your kids would rather be on wheels, bring along their scoot and dirt bikes (be sure to keep your eyes open for mountain bikers who share the trail). Enjoy lunch in a redwood grove and hike under varied canopies from bay laurel to oak and madrone. Want to keep rolling? Longer trails extend in all directions from here. Though Covid protocols are still in place, you can make advanced reservations and take a plunge into nearby Roberts Pool to top off your afternoon.
Length: 2.8 miles, out and back Level: Easy Online: oaklandca.gov
West Ridge, Graham, and Dunn Trail Loop, Roberts Regional Recreation Area Adjacent to Redwood Regional Park in Oakland (also packed with cool walks in the woods), this is a shady haven with some ups, downs, bumps and twists. This is part of an 87-acre area of second growth redwood trees and is a perfect place to pop out of the city and soak up the majesty of the redwoods without having to drive or hike far. You’ll find a viewing deck and interpretive signs, meadows blooming with wildflowers and a popular playground where you can unwind after your explorations.
Purisma Creek to Grabtown Gulch to Borden Hatch Mill Loop, Purisma Creek Redwoods Open Space Banana slugs, butterflies and ladybugs abound on this lush, forested path near Half Moon Bay. Since many people flock to coastal trails with vistas, you won’t have to share this quiet wilderness with hoards of humans. This is a longer loop for little legs, so come prepared for a full day in the forest, or plan on turning this into an out-and-back and simply turn around when you’re ready to return to civilization.
Six Bridges Trail, Butano State Park A creek for feet-dipping, mud for stomping and six bridges for crossing—what little explorer wouldn’t love this misty, magical trail? Some trails in Butano State Park are currently closed due to fire damage, but this one is currently open and brimming with life. Interpretive signs and an artificial bat house add to the experience, and you can easily make the hike longer by continuing on to Butano Creek Trail. Nearby Pescadero makes for a fun place to begin or end your day. Try a bowl of Duarte’s famous artichoke soup or a sip of chardonnay at Sante Arcangeli’s tasting room while the kids romp around Harley Farms.
Length: 2.2 miles, out and back Level: Moderate Online: parks.ca.gov
Sanborn Loop to Indian Rock, Sanborn County Park Super shady and spectacularly scenic, this rigorous hike is more than a leg-stretch. Escape the nearby Saratoga crowds and head up the San Andreas Trail, making your way up some decent inclines. You’ll pass through the walk-in campground which might inspire a return for a night or two, as it’s an idyllic spot to spend time soaking up the shade. With lots of boulders to climb, steps to scale, and rocks to toss, this will keep the most energetic of the bunch entertained for hours.
