1. SHI SHI BEACH AND POINT OF THE ARCHES
This is such a beautiful hike on the Olympic Peninsula with just shy of a 5 hour commute from Seattle. If you live on the Eastside, this drive is definitely a long one with kiddos for a day hike, but totally worth it if you are planning to camp! Start out at the Shi Shi Beach trailhead and walk through a shaded and mossy forest the entire way to the beach which is 2 miles with only 200 feet of elevation gain. There is some very deep muddy spots on the trail, even during mid summer so make sure you are wearing proper boots. There are also steep staircases to walk down as you approach the beach so be diligent with your children. Once you arrive you will be at the north end. Set up camp here, or if your child is up for it, walk another 2 miles towards the south end of the beach called Point Of The Arches. You won't regret the extra milage as you will be treated with stunning sea stacks and lots of sea creatures!
Day hikers will need a Makah Recreation Pass which can be obtained at Makah Tribal Museum or Washburn's grocery. Overnight users will need both a Makah Pass AND a wilderness camping permit which are available at the Wilderness Information Center. There is a toilet at the trailhead.
2. SILVER FALLS LOOP
This is a sweet little loop hike that features a raging waterfall in the southeast corner of Mount Rainer National Park at Ohanapecosh Campground. We started our hike at the northeast end of campground, Loop B. Gradually climb through the forest while you overlook the Ohanapecosh River until you reach the falls. Be very careful with your children around the falls, the overlook area on the rocks is extremely slippery and people have died here falling in. To be safe, stay on the wooden bridge that crosses the river for you and your kids to get a full view of the falls before continuing the loop back to the campground. This trail is 3 miles RT with about 600 feet of gain and about 2 hours from Seattle.
America the Beautiful Pass is required to park at the campground. $30 for a day pass or $80 annual.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not attempt to stand where I am in the picture below with your children. It is EXTREMELY slippery and I almost fell myself.
3. TALAPUS AND OLALLIE LAKES
This is a great first time backpacking trip for little ones. The long gravel road in the Snoqualmie region leading up to the trailhead can have some large rocks that can hit the underside of your car if you don't have a high clearance vehicle so make sure to drive slow! Start climbing through a dark, shaded forest on a wide trial. The trail starts to steepen as you get closer to Talapus Lake which is about 2 miles from parking lot. Set up camp here, or continue on and switchback up the hillside for about another 1.2 miles to Olallie Lake, making this hike round trip a total of 6.2 miles with 1220 feet of gain.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead
4. SECOND BEACH
This was my daughters first backpacking trip! Located on the Olympic Peninsula and just shy of 4 hours from Seattle, this .7 mile trek through the coastal forest with only 80 feet of gain is easy and perfect for kids! As you get closer to the beach you start to descend down some steep staircases so make sure you are holding your littles ones hand! The forest then opens up to the beautiful coastline with lots of rock formations! Set up camp anywhere along the beach, but make sure your tent is close to the tree lines so you don't get soaked! Be sure to check tide charts! Explore around the sea stacks during low tide for visibility of crustaceans and sea critters! During the summer months this beach gets very busy, so if you want even a hint of solitude, plan to come during the weekday or start your trip early!
A pit toilet is located where the trail meets the beach. There is also a porta potty at the beginning of the trail.
If you are looking to make this an overnight trip make sure to get a permit at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles or the South Shore Lake Quinault Ranger Station.
5. BIG FOUR ICE CAVES
Hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this trail. From the trailhead right off Mountain Loop Highway, follow a paved pathway that leads into the forest. The trail is very well maintained. After about 1 mile you will have your first view of the caves making this trip a total of 2.2 miles with about 220 feet of elevation gain. DO NOT GO INSIDE THE CAVES and take caution when getting close. They can be very inviting but are nestled right underneath a huge avalanche chute. There have been people who have died here due to the collapsing snow bridges and avalanches. As seen in the pictures below, snow had fallen and almost blocked the cave entirely so we didn't get a chance to get a good look inside, but it was a fun time regardless. This just shows how nature is ever changing! This location is only and hour and half from Seattle.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park in the lot.
6. FRANKLIN FALLS
If you live in Washington chances are you have either done this hike or least know of this hike! This heavily trafficked trail is located in North Bend right off I-90 and is only 2 miles RT with 400 feet of elevation gain. Make sure to arrive early to ensure a spot in the lot that is closest to the trail. If that one is full head up to another parking lot about a half mile past the trailhead. The hike follows high above the river with wooden hand rails and rock steps making you feel confident about the safety of your kids walking alone. After the gradual climb through the forest arrive at the 135 foot waterfall and enjoy all its beauty! There are also shallow spots to for kids to play in the river on a hot day. During the winter this is an excellent destination for an easy but long snowshoe. Denny Creek Road is closed during the winter months adding an extra 5 miles to your trip. The falls run year round with incredible icicle formations clinging to the rock face.
No pass or entry fee is required.
7. RIALTO BEACH - HOLE IN THE WALL
This is a perfect little stretch of beach near Forks on the Olympic Penisula to spend the day or even better.. to camp! With only a 2 mile RT walk to Hole in the Wall, this is a perfect area to explore at low tide. I recommend getting here EARLY as the parking lot fills up at about 10am on weekends. Not only that but it will be a treacherous adventure to try and get to Hole in the Wall during high tide. You will be forced to partially bushwhack through the forest for part of the way and climb over tons of driftwood and rocks for a mile.. not the most fun or safe experience if you're a backpacker with children or not! If you choose to camp here make sure that you set up camp ONLY near Hole in the Wall, which is the designated area for overnighters, and be sure to pitch your tent near the tree line as the tide gets very high on this section of the beach. Gathering wood for fires is prohibited so be sure to bring your own if you choose to have a fire. It is also required to bring a bear vault to store all scented food. This place is so beautiful and the rock formations are incredible and have tons of sea life so lots of opportunities to teach your children about the ocean and what lives in it! Don't forget your water sandals! ;)
A wilderness permit is required for all backcountry camping on the Olympic Peninsula. Permits are available online at www.recreation.gov
8. SUMMIT LAKE
This hike has incredible 360 degree views for the least amount of effort! Located near Carbon River/Mowich area this hike is only 2 hours from Seattle and does not require a permit to camp. I think that's a double win!! So far Summit Lake has been my favorite overnight trip I've done with my daughter, and for good reason! With only 6 miles RT this hike is perfect for kids or beginner backpackers! You gain roughly 1,300k feet in 3 miles with a very gradual incline the entire way... so its perfect for kids looking for an accomplishment! At 1 mile in you reach a junction with the Carbon River Trail and Twin Lake, which lacks the impressive views that await at Summit Lake. At 2.5 miles you arrive at the Summit Lake with beautiful surrounding meadows and wildflowers.
The trail splits into a loop; I recommend following the trail to the right, as the left is unmaintained and very, very steep and rocky and can be dangerous for kids. As you continue on to the right, you will see many designated camp sites available. Set up camp here in the more forested area or keep pushing on for another .6 miles around the lake to the top of the ridge for jaw dropping views of Rainer and the North Cascades. There is only one camp spot available at the very top of the ridge, so if you want the most stunning view, I highly recommend getting there early on a weekday! We arrived Wednesday morning and were able to snag it!
I strongly recommend a high clearance vehicle as the road to Summit Lake is extremely rocky and filled with pot holes. A northwest forest pass is required to park at the trailhead. There is no toilet at the trailhead but there is a makeshift toilet at Summit Lake.
9. GOLD CREEK POND
Okay y'all! This is by far the easiest "hike" you will ever do but still has an incredible reward! I put hike in quotes because its more like a walk...haha! This 1 mile loop around the pond with only 10 feet of gain is located just 2 miles past the Snoqualmie Summit exit going east. This location attracts people from all over Washignton during both Summer and Winter. During the summer the pond turns a striking dark blue/teal color. Its a good leg stretcher and great for kids to explore the outdoors without much of any strain. During the winter this place turns into a winter wonderland and is a great destination for an easy snowshoe. However, the short road to the trailhead is closed which forces people to park on the side of the street parallel to the freeway and makes your hike approximately 2.8 miles RT depending on how far down the road you need to park. The road gets narrow and icy so AWD is recommened. No matter what the season is though, this place gets packed! It will be a struggle to find parking if you go late morning on a weekend. So if you want to avoid most of the crowds I recommend going very early on a weekend or shoot for a week day if you can!
The trail going right you come to first before you get to view the pond. You can either start here, which takes you through the more foresty part with intermittent views of the pond. Or you can continue walking straight and over the bridge. Take in the full view of the pond then look to your the left and you will see the other end of the trail which immediately gives you more views right off the bat. Children can run ahead and roam free on this trail without parents being anxious! It is far enough away from the water to have a sound mind :)
During the summer a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. During the Winter a Sno-Parks permit is needed. There is a bathroom at the trailhead. Please visit WTA.org for more information. If you are interested in snowshoeing you can rent them at REI for around $20 or at Snoqualmie Pass.
10. LITTLE MASHEL FALLS VIA BUD BLANCHER TRAIL
Holy waterfalls!! There is no doubt that your children will love this hike that featues not 1.. but 3 waterfalls all within .5 mile distance from each other and is only 4 miles RT with 500ft of elevation gain. If that aint enough to covince you to visit it is also only less than 1.5 hour drive from Seattle! Located in the small town of Eatonville, this hike starts off on a wide gravel road. You will walk through urban areas for about 1 mile and pass 2 bridges over Little Mashel River until you reach the actual marked trailhead which will be on your left. There are reflective arrows guiding you the entire way so you are sure to know where you are going! It is moderatly steep up to the falls but only took us 20 minutes! As mentioned above there are 3 waterfalls; the upper falls, middle falls and lower falls, although the middle falls is arguably the best. There are signs for each waterfall and it is intermittently muddy so proper footwear is recommened. I visited in March and it was pretty cold so I could see spring/summer being a better time to visit so that you can get closer to the falls without being miserably cold and without it interferring with photography. And be very cautious of footing because it can be treacherously slippery. The first horizontal photo below is mine and of the middle falls, the second is a stock photo from google since I messed up and forgot to take another photo for this blog haha!
Hungry after? Check out Shaken Bar Room & Bistro located less than1 mile from the parking lot! They have incredible food and some of the best fries I've ever had!
There is a port o potty near the parking lot. There is no parking pass or entry fee.
11. HEATHER LAKE
Do you have an adventurous kiddo who you think is ready to tackle on something a little more difficult? Look no further than beautiful Heather Lake! This trail and short but steep in a lot of areas with roots and rocks to climb over which will give your child something different and fun to experience compared to just walking uphill. It will also give them real sense of accomplishment! Heather Lake is 4.6 miles round trip with just over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. You will climb lots of switchbacks and pass many small streams before becoming immersed in vegetation. The trail can be very muddy if it has recently rained so be sure to wear good hiking boots! Right before to reach the lake the trail will fork. Each side loops around the lake so it doesn't matter with direction you pick. Pack a lunch and walk around the lake to find a good spot to eat. Its fun walking the extra half mile to gain a different perspectives of the lake and different photo opportunities. Even on a clear morning you can see fog lingering on Mount Pilchuck.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. Established campsites are dispersed around the lake.
12. SUNTOP LOOKOUT
With only 2 miles roundtrip and just shy of 500 feet gain, this trial is perfect for kids at any age. There are 2 trails to this lookout, one short and another that's 16 miles, so I recommend downloading the AllTrails app to avoid any confusion. The road also leading to Suntop is a FS road so it is rough with some washboarding but any car can make it. You start off in the forest and start to climb immediately. The trail is well maintained with glimpses of Rainier along the way. In July the greenery, bear grass and wildflowers will make a stunning compliment to massive Mount Rainier. If the lookout is open, take a look around then eat a lunch at one of the picnic tables while admiring the 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. This area is constantly being improved and it makes me feel very appreciative of our rangers and volunteers who work hard to keep these areas preserved and beautiful!
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park. There is an accessible toilet.
Please remember to #LeaveNoTrace! Whatever you bring into the wilderness, take back with you. This is called the pack it in pack it out rule and is a very important principle to teach your kids at a young age. Respect nature and keep it beautiful :)
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