The best of the hiking season — aka, Fall — is slipping through your fingers. Take advantage!
Northeast: Ocean Path in Acadia
Acadia National Park, Maine
Distance: 3.9 miles roundtrip
Best for: Everyone hiking with their own two feet
Rating: Easy
What better way to keep kid’s mind off of moving their feet for four miles than scrambling up rocks and pointing out the ocean, mountains, wildflowers, and sandy beaches? The Ocean Path is hands down one of the most magical hikes on the east coast — and will get kids excited about discovering new places on their own. Even better, the drive up the Maine coast to get there is gorgeous.
Southeast: Billy Goat Trail
Potomac, Maryland
Distance: 7.8 miles roundtrip
Best for: Little ones who want to learn to scramble
Rating: Moderate
This trail will certainly get everyone’s adrenaline pumping. With views of the Potomac river and plenty of rocks to hop/scramble around on, this trail is good for showing kids that the world is indeed, a jungle gym. This hike can get crowded on sunny weekend afternoons, so aim to hike early in the morning or on a weekday.
Northwest: The Trail of Ten Loops
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Distance: 8.7-mile loop
Best for: Families with an infant
Rating: Easy
The Trail of Ten Falls — located just an hour outside of Portland — winds its way through the old-growth forests of Oregon and leads hikers to (as the name suggests) ten awe-inducing waterfalls. The loop is long, but there are no major climbs or technical sections — and there’s plenty of shade and cool mist to keep you moving along a nice, flat, dirt trail.
Read here for 8 more of the best family hikes in America.
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