Where to Hike as a Family

Go Camping (And Hiking) In Washington With Your Kids

Car camping is a great way to spend time outdoors with children. While on your next camping trip take a family hike and explore the trails nearby.

Hiking with Grandkids

Guidebook author Joan Burton writes about hiking with her grandkids. These hikes are excellent to take children on where ever you live in the state: Wilderness Peak, Kukutali Preserve, Hummocks Trail, Beaver Lake and Ranger Hole.

Four Ways to get the Family Outside in Winter

With cold temperatures and shorter days, planning a family hike in the winter months can feel daunting. Get out of the winter rut by taking advantage of the unique features Washington trails have to offer.

Stroller Friendly Trails

Is your newest hiker still in the stroller stage? Don't let that stop you! There are lots of stroller-friendly trails all around Washington, from paved to more rugged dirt trails. And many of these are just long enough to keep older brothers and sisters entertained as well.

Hike Washington's 'Iron Animal' Trails

Joan Burton provided us with a nice writeup of Washington's 'Iron Animal' trails. You won’t find these animals on their namesake trails, but the historic reasons for their names add to their appeal.

Hiking the Curiosity Trail - Amazing Geology

Washington is an excellent place to learn about geology and we have selected eight places that are really quite odd.

Ten Low-key Nature and Interpretive Trails

WTA has chosen ten of its favorite interpretive trails. Whether you have little ones, limited mobility or simply need to stretch your legs after a long car ride, a short interpretive trail can do the trick. What's more, these trails provide information that can enrich your visit as you learn about the ecology, geology and human history that have shaped the environment.

Hikes for Young Children

Hiking with toddlers and young children under 5 is very different than hiking with adults or older kids. Learn about how you can make your child's first hikes rewarding and where to go. Ten destinations are featured.

Fall Hikes for Families

Autumn is one of the best times to hike in Washington - berries, fall colors and no mosquitoes. Joan Burton, author of Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington and the Cascades, selects ten hikes for families with children.

Winter Hikes with Kids

Guidebook author Joan Burton writes about hikes that are excellent to take children during the gray winter months: Skagit Wildlife Area, Goose Rock, Ranger Hole and Spruce Railroad, Cape Disappointment.

Snowy Hikes with Kids

Discover 12 snowy trails for your family to explore this winter.

Tide Pooling with Kids

WTA talks tide pool etiquette, provides tide information and suggests where to find the best tide pooling beaches in Washington.

Best Trails To Visit with Your Reluctant Hiker

If your kids don't love setting foot on trail, it can be hard to get your nature fix without negotiating fussy little ones. We've put together a list of tips for encouraging those reluctant hikers, and below you'll find some suggestions from our community experts (read: other parents) for trails where you can put those tips to practice.