Family-Friendly Hikes at 6 Top National Parks

If you’re like me, you despise strenuous hikes that leave you sweaty, out of breath, and uncomfortable. Luckily, I have a list of family-friendly hikes at six different National Parks ideal for beginners just looking to explore nature. Keep reading for my favorite easy hikes.

📸: Taken March 2021. I briefly pulled my mask down for this photo.
This is a Covid-19 pandemic time capsule picture.

Arizona:
Grand Canyon National Park

Rim Trail

The easiest hike at Grand Canyon National Park is the Rim Trail. To illustrate how easy this trail was, my brother was able to explore this paved walkway despite hurting his right foot before our trip. We also saw so many families with kids on the trail.

Trail Length: The Rim Trail stretches for about 13 miles (21 km) from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermit's Rest, but you can choose shorter sections to hike. We walked from the parking lot to the famous “view” and then walked back to the car. It was raining and snowy.

Make sure to wear waterproof shoes if you’re visiting during snowy months.
We visited at the end of March.

Difficulty: Easy. The trail is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible for hikers of all ages and abilities.

Scenery: The Rim Trail offers amazing views of the Grand Canyon along the South Rim. There are several viewpoints along the way, such as Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Hopi Point.

Accessibility: The trail is accessible from many points along the South Rim, and the free park shuttle buses stop at various points along the trail, allowing you to hike different sections without having to backtrack.

This trail is perfect if you're looking for a leisurely walk with incredible views.

Keep in Mind: There are sections of the trail with no railing or fencing so, make sure to stay far from the edge. I saw brave kids and their parents climbing rocks and pushing boundaries that made me uncomfortable as I’m afraid of heights.

California:

Joshua Tree National Park

Barker Dam Trail

Photo credit: Melissa of Havepupperwilltravel.com

The Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is considered easy for several reasons:

Short Distance: The loop trail is approximately 1.1 miles (1.8 km) long, making it a relatively short hike suitable for most fitness levels.

Minimal Elevation Gain: The trail has minimal elevation gain, with only a few gentle inclines, making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

Well-Maintained Path: The trail is well-marked and maintained, with a clear path that is easy to follow.

Petroglyphs on the Barker Dam Trail

Views: Despite its ease, the trail offers beautiful scenery, including views of Barker Dam, Joshua trees, rock formations, and petroglyphs, providing a rewarding experience without strenuous effort.

Accessibility: The trailhead is easily accessible from the park's main roads, and there are facilities such as restrooms and parking nearby.

These factors combine to make the Barker Dam Trail an enjoyable and manageable hike for most visitors.

Skull Rock

This is more like a “walk” to an attraction, if I’m being completely honest. I highly recommend it.

Elevation Gain: There is minimal elevation gain, making it accessible to most fitness levels.

Terrain: The trail is well-marked and consists mainly of sandy paths and flat surfaces, with some rocky areas that are easy to navigate.

Accessibility: The trailhead is easily accessible from the main road, with ample parking nearby.

Features: The main attraction, Skull Rock, is near the trailhead, allowing for a quick and rewarding hike even if you don't complete the full trail.

These factors make it a popular choice for families, beginners, and those looking for a leisurely hike.

Sequoia National Park

General Sherman Tree Trail

The General Sherman Tree Trail in Sequoia National Park is considered easy for several reasons:

Short Distance: The trail is only about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) one way, making it a short and manageable walk for most visitors.

Paved Path: The trail is paved and well-maintained, providing a smooth and stable surface for walking.

Moderate Elevation Change: The trail has some elevation change, but it is moderate, with a gradual descent to the General Sherman Tree and a gradual ascent back to the parking area. There are benches along the way for resting.

Watch as we walked to the General Sherman Tree:

Maybe I’m out of shape, but I was huffing and puffing on the way back to the car. We did see a sign that warned us to take our time as the elevation created thin air.

Take your time walking back to your car.

Wide Path: The trail is wide enough to accommodate many visitors, making it accessible for families, groups, and individuals.

Accessible Facilities: The trailhead has ample parking, restrooms, and informative signage, making it convenient for visitors to start the hike.

Scenic and Rewarding: The trail leads to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on earth

by volume, offering a highly rewarding experience without the need for strenuous effort.

Watch my video of what it’s like hiking the General Sherman Tree Trail:

These features make the General Sherman Tree Trail an easy and enjoyable hike for visitors of all ages and fitness levels.

Utah:

Bryce Canyon National Park

Rim Trail

Bryce Canyon National Park consisted of bright orange and red rocks. Bryce Canyon hoodoos are unique geological formations found in Bryce Canyon National Park. They are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. I’ve never seen anything like it and it was amazing to see for the first time.

Bryce Canyon National Park was so scenic

These trails were so easy and paved and they offered amazing views of hoodoos:

Rim Trail (Between Sunrise and Sunset Points)

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip.
Elevation Gain: Minimal, as this section is mostly flat.
Surface: Well-maintained, wide path.
Scenery: Offers stunning views of the Bryce Amphitheater without significant exertion.

Sunset to Sunrise Point

Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) round trip.
Elevation Gain: Minimal, mostly flat.
Surface: Paved path.
Scenery: Provides easy access to beautiful sunrise and sunset views over the canyon.

Bryce Canyon hoodoos

Fun Fact: The hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park are estimated to be between 30 to 40 million years old. Their development is a result of a complex geological history and a combination of processes, primarily erosion and weathering.

Awesome geological formations

Watch my video of our hike through Bryce Canyon National Park:

The Sunrise Point Trail is an ideal choice for families, casual hikers, and those looking to enjoy scenic views with minimal effort.

Zion National Park

Driving through Zion National Park was awesome

Here are some easy trails at Zion National Park and the reasons why they are considered easy:

Pa'rus Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km) round trip.
Elevation Gain: Minimal, mostly flat.
Surface: Paved path.
Scenery: Offers beautiful views of the Virgin River and surrounding canyons.
Accessibility: Suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles.

These rocks reminded us of muscle tendons!

Riverside Walk

Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round trip.
Elevation Gain: Minimal, gentle inclines.
Surface: Paved and well-maintained path.
Scenery: Follows the Virgin River to the entrance of The Narrows, with lush vegetation and canyon views.
Accessibility: Easy for all ages and abilities.

Washington:
Olympic National Park

I’ve never hiked an easier trail to a waterfall. Took us 5 minutes!

Madison Falls Trail (Easiest)

Olympic National Park has a number of easy trails. The best one was the 5 minute walk to Madison Falls. This paved trail is wheelchair accessible.

Watch the video below to see how easy this trail is:

Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest

Heads up, to enter the Hoh Rainforest, you might have to wait up to an hour. It’s totally worth it! The Hall of Mosses Trail at Olympic National Park is considered easy for several reasons:

Short Distance: The trail is only 0.8 miles long, making it accessible for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. It's a loop trail, so you don't have to retrace your steps, adding to the ease and enjoyment of the hike.

Minimal Elevation Gain: The trail has minimal elevation gain, so there are no steep climbs or descents. This makes it easy to walk and suitable for families with young children, older adults, and those who may not be in peak physical condition.

Well-Maintained Path: The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked, with a wide, smooth path that is easy to navigate. This reduces the risk of tripping or getting lost.

Accessible Trailhead: The trailhead is easily accessible from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, with ample parking and facilities nearby. This convenience adds to the overall ease of the hike.

Scenic and Rewarding: Despite being short and easy, the trail offers a rich experience with its lush temperate rainforest, moss-draped trees, and diverse plant life. The immediate reward of stunning natural beauty makes the hike enjoyable without requiring a long trek.

Without a doubt, the Hall of Mosses Trail is an ideal option for a short, easy, and highly rewarding hike in Olympic National Park. The views are awesome!

My National Park Travel Wish List

When I accumulate my 23 annual Paid Time Off (PTO) hours from my corporate 9-5 job, I look for the next National Park to visit using my “America the Beautiful” annual parks pass. Escaping Los Angeles, CA to explore nature has become my favorite stress reliever. Here are parks I wish to visit in the future:

Yellowstone, Montana
Yosemite National Park, California
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Glacier National Park, Montana
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, HI
Denali National Park, Alaska
Channel Islands National Park, California

Overall, I’m not a fan of strenuous hikes. The hikes listed are perfect for those looking for a leisurely stroll with amazing views. Pro-Tip: Always make sure to bring a water bottle, download offline maps, and invest in a satellite phone in case an emergency arises. If you’re visiting multiple parks in a year, buy the “America the Beautiful” annual parks pass for $80. It’s worth it since you can access all National Parks where entry costs $30 per park. You can buy the pass at REI, LL Bean, and while you’re at a National Park.

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Have you been to any of these National Parks? Which is your favorite easy hike? Let me know in the comments!

Trip Resources

If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!

Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.

Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.

GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.

VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.

TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.

Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.