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Family-Friendly Hikes in United States

We track 7,834 routes that match this search in United States. They average 2.2 km and 43 m (141 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 7.0 km.

That is 59 percent of the 13,175 routes we map in United States. They are shorter than the local average, 2.2 km against 11.5 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 43 m (141 ft) against 235 m (771 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Deep Creek Lake Wide View
Easy

Meadow Mountain Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
5.4 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
86 m
Typical duration
1 hr 15 min
  • Lake
  • River
  • Mountain
Daniel and Esther Bartlett House
Easy

Turkington Falls Loop

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.5 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
21 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
View south along Interstate 83 (Jones Falls Expressway) just north of Old Pimlico Road in Pikesville, Baltimore County, Maryland
Easy

Orange Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Waterfall
  • River
  • Waymarked route
Deep Creek Lake Wide View
Easy

Beckman's Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
69 m
Typical duration
40 min
  • Lake
  • River
  • Waymarked route
Целостное видение, представление о совершенстве
Easy

Falls Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
15 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Waterfall
  • Waymarked route
The abandoned railbed of the Middletown–Middlefield streetcar line, seen in Marzalek Park in Middletown in March 2023
Easy

Little Falls Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
32 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • Waterfall
  • Waymarked route
Sunset Palisades, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Easy

California Coastal Trail

California · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
40 m
Typical duration
28 min
  • Coastal
Stone foundation south of Gay City Pond, west of Yellow Trail and Blackledge River in Connecticut's Gay City State Park.
Easy

Gay City Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
96 m
Typical duration
42 min
  • Waymarked route
view from fire watchtower at pack monadnock
Easy

Summit Loop

New Hampshire · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Jericho Blue-Blazed Trail. View north from Crane's Lookout.
Easy

Branch Brook Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • River
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Hezekiah S. Ramsdell Farm , Thompson, Connecticut. This area includes foundational remnants, and is probably where the house stood.
Easy

Shoreline Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
6.5 km
/ 4.1 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
1 hr 26 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
View east along U.S. Route 40 (Baltimore National Pike) at Edmondson Avenue in Baltimore City, Maryland
Easy

Hunting Ridge Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Typical duration
7 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Aspen Trail, Payson, AZ 85541, USA
Easy

Carr Lake Trail 412

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
16 m
Typical duration
48 min
  • Lake
So fragrant – the entire hillside smelled like honey! Devils Postpile National Monument, Madera County, CA
Easy

Rainbow Falls-Reds Cutoff

California · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
36 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Eastern side of the Bear Lake Ranger Station on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park in Larimer County , Colorado , United States . Built in 1923, the building was formerly listed on the National Register of Historic Places ; it
Easy

Bear Lake Trail

Colorado · United States

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Mount Dade (on the right) taken from Treasure Lakes, Little Lakes Valley, Sierra Nevada , California , USA
Easy

Chickenfoot Lake Trail

California · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
49 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Blue Lake in the morning Location: Inyo National Forest, about 2.5 miles from the lake Sabrina trail head.
Easy

Emerald Lake Trail

California · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
15 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Mount Dade (on the right) taken from Treasure Lakes, Little Lakes Valley, Sierra Nevada , California , USA
Easy

Gem Lakes Trail

California · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
8 m
Typical duration
9 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Banner Peak, Mount Davis, and 1000 Island Lake in Ansel Adams Wilderness, California , USA
Easy

Thousand Island Lake

California · United States

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Which Way?
Easy

White Oak Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
1.5 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
61 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
View east from the west end of Maryland State Route 768 (Dares Wharf Road) at Maryland State Route 402 (Dares Beach Road) in Dares Beach, Calvert County, Maryland
Easy

Griffin Meadow Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
21 min
  • Alpine meadow
  • Waymarked route
The Loch Raven Reservoir is a reservoir that provides drinking water for the City of Baltimore and most of Baltimore County, Maryland. Originally built in 1881 as a dam and water tunnel to channel water to Lake Montebello and Lake Clifton,
Easy

Meadow Trail (yellow)

Maryland · United States

Distance
0.4 km
/ 0.2 mi
Typical duration
5 min
  • Alpine meadow
  • Waymarked route
Temple Crag, seen from the Big Pine Lakes region to the north.
Easy

Fourth Lake Cutoff

California · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Veterans Acres Crystal Lake, IL
Easy

Prairie View Trail

Illinois · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
7 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • Lake
  • Alpine meadow
A man fishing in the Indian Head River reservoir , on the border of Pembroke and Hanson in Massachusetts.
Easy

Indian Head River Trail

Massachusetts · United States

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
The abandoned railbed of the Middletown–Middlefield streetcar line, seen in Marzalek Park in Middletown in March 2023
Easy

Laurel Grove Brook Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
20 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
View of Massachusetts taken during ISS Expedition 59.
Easy

Little River Trail

New Hampshire · United States

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
36 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
Meeting House Hill Historic District , Guilford, Connecticut.
Easy

Munger Brook Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
19 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 59.
Easy

River Point Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Typical duration
27 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 59.
Easy

River Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
4.6 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
58 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
The refuge's Falkner Island Unit. Refuge staff will soon head out to the refuge's other island units to assess damages. Credit: Tylar Greene/USFWS Stay informed www.facebook.com/usfwsnortheast www.twitter.com/usfwsnortheast
Easy

Spencers Creek Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
9 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
Screen shot of toolpaths.
Easy

Stream Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Typical duration
10 min
  • River
  • Waymarked route
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris speaking with supporters at the annual West Des Moines Democratic Party Summer picnic at Legion Park in West Des Moines, Iowa. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Easy

Walnut Creek Trail

Iowa · United States

Distance
5.1 km
/ 3.2 mi
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • River
Geranium carolinianum, taken at the Kentucky River Palisades, Mercer County, KY, May 21 2016.
Easy

Meadow View

Kentucky · United States

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
85 m
Typical duration
54 min
  • Lake
  • Alpine meadow
Marietta Square
Easy

Mountain to River Trail

Georgia · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
7 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • River
  • Mountain
Red Mountain with snow accentuating the imploded volcano. Information about the easy, but very rewarding, hike into the center of Red Mountain can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/red-mtn-tr.shtml . Photo taken on 12-2
Easy

Red Mountain Trail #159

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Tacoma M1 mandolin angled
Easy

South River Overlook

Maryland · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
7 m
Typical duration
7 min
  • River
  • Panoramic viewpoint
w:Hickory Ridge Fire Tower , looking up from the bottom, located in the w:Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area of w:Hoosier National Forest in Southern w:Indiana . The fire tower is the only remaining tower of eight that used to exist within the
Easy

Terrill Ridge Trail

Indiana · United States

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
19 m
Typical duration
38 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Mansfield Center Cemetery, Junction of Storrs and Cemetery Rds. Mansfield
Easy

Bird Loop Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Typical duration
16 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
Aspen Trail, Payson, AZ 85541, USA
Easy

See Spring Trail #185

Arizona · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
97 m
Typical duration
19 min
  • Lake
  • Forest
March Route Rochambeau's Army-Hutchinson Road , Andover, Connecticut.
Easy

Bobcat Woods Trail

Connecticut · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Meadow Mountain TrailMaryland5.4 km86 m1 hr 15 minEasyApril to October
Turkington Falls LoopConnecticut1.5 km22 m21 minEasyApril to October
Orange TrailMaryland0.8 km25 m12 minEasyApril to October
Steamboat Levee Walking TrailMontana3.0 kmflat37 minEasyApril to October
Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage TrailMaryland0.4 km14 m7 minEasyApril to October
Eastern Brook Lakes TrailCalifornia0.6 kmflat8 minEasyJuly to September
Beckman's TrailMaryland2.7 km69 m40 minEasyApril to October
Falls TrailConnecticut1.1 km15 m15 minEasyApril to October
Little Falls TrailConnecticut1.1 km32 m16 minEasyApril to October
California Coastal TrailCalifornia1.9 km40 m28 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Meadow Mountain Trail, Turkington Falls Loop, Orange Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.

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