10 Tips on Where to Hike with Kids

• National, state parks
• Check out kid activities at state parks
• National forests
• BLM land
• County parks
• Beach
• Gem & fossil trails
• National Natural Landmarks
• Private property: Not such a great place to hike to hike
• When not to take kids hiking in certain areas
• BONUS: Three great hiking quotes to discuss with day hiking with kids

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Private property: Not such a great place to hike to day hike with kids?

Always ask permission before going on someone’s land. Respect “No Trespassing” signs.

Unless you’re asking a neighbor you know because you want to stay close to home during a walk, there really is no need to hike private property. Public trails abound.

Great public places to day hike with kids include:
g Gem and fossil trails
g BLM land
g National Natural Landmarks
g Wildlife sanctuaries and refuges

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Great places to (maybe) hike with kids: Wildlife sanctuaries and refuges

Wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves
sometimes limit where you can day hike.

Some wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves have hiking trails to enjoy, but a number of them would prefer that humans not encroach on the area. It is, after all, an area set aside for wildlife, usually those that are endangered. Check with the organization that oversees the sanctuary you’re interested in entering.

Those reserves that do have trails open to the public are great places to spot wildlife, particularly birds. Given this, the best times to hike them may be during very specific times of the year.

More great places to day hike with kids:
g Gem and fossil trails
g BLM land
g National Natural Landmarks

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Places to hike: National Natural Landmarks

Burney Falls National Natural Landmark, California. Photo courtesy of NPS

Nearly 600 locations across the country have been named landmarks for the geological and ecological uniqueness in a National Park Service program. They range from volcanic calderas to caves. Though lacking the amenities of a national park, many of these areas are magnificent sites that few people visit or even know about. Hiking trails run through many of them. They’re also all free.

More great places to day hike with kids:
g Gem and fossil trails
g BLM land

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Great places to day hike with kids: BLM land

Fisher Towers, Utah. Photo courtesy of BLM.

The Bureau of Land management, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, looks after public lands. About an eighth of the nation – more than 260 million acres – are public lands managed by the BLM, and you can go on most of it anytime you like. That’s a lot of land to hike, and if you live in the West, it’s probably not far from your city limits.

More great places to day hike with kids:
g Gem and fossil trails

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.