With warm weather and longer days, families across the U.S. are eager to transition family fun time from movie nights in the living room to explorations of the great outdoors. One of the best ways to enjoy nature as a family is on the hiking trail (but a kid-friendly one, of course).
To help you plan your next outdoor adventure, we analyzed data from AllTrails, scraping information on kid-friendly hiking trails across the country. Our findings highlight the best states for family-friendly hikes, the states with the highest percentage of such trails, and the top-rated family-friendly hike in each state.
To determine what a “family-friendly” hike is for our study, we applied filters only to include data on trails that are meant for hiking and are kid-friendly. Now that we have the specifics out of the way, let’s hop on the trail ourselves and learn about hiking options across the country!
We started our analysis of family-friendly hiking across the U.S. with a data point that will be important to consider when planning your next family outing: ratings.
The average rating of family-friendly hikes in every state was an impressive 4.28 out of 5, which means there is no shortage of great options wherever you live. Even with exceptional hikes being found everywhere, we did want to highlight the states that stood out as having the best hiking trails for families.
Here’s what we discovered during our hiking exploration:
California
- Average rating: 4.56 out of 5
- Average distance: 3.58 miles
- Average time: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Colorado
- Average rating: 4.41 out of 5
- Average distance: 3.37 miles
- Average time: 1 hour, 21 minutes
Arizona
- Average rating: 4.41 out of 5
- Average distance: 3.1 miles
- Average time 1 hour, 14 minutes
New York
- Average rating: 4.39 out of 5
- Average distance: 3.22 miles
- Average time: 1 hour, 11 minutes
North Carolina
- Average rating: 4.38 out of 5
- Average distance: 2.76 miles
- Average time: 1 hour, 3 minutes
Several of the states that are home to the best family-friendly hikes are well renowned for their scenic beauty and diverse topography, leading to some breathtaking views. From stunning shorelines in California and expansive canyons in Arizona to mountain range sites that leave you in awe in Colorado and North Carolina, taking the family hiking in any of these states is a surefire way to make it a day to remember.
Beyond the states with the highest-rated family-friendly hikes, we noticed some other regions that bring a lot to the table for families looking to adventure into the great outdoors.
For example, 71% of the hiking trails in Louisiana are family-friendly, a higher portion than any other state. This makes it an excellent destination for families looking for accessible outdoor activities.
South Dakota offers the longest family-friendly hikes in the country, with an average distance of 4.13 miles — perfect for families who enjoy extended adventures.
In addition to being home to the highest-rated hikes for families, California is also home to the trails that take the longest to complete, with an average estimated time of 1 hour, 33 minutes. If you’re looking for a place to spend an entire afternoon on the trail, California is for you.
Next, we’ll continue our journey through America’s hiking trails by taking a closer look at the states with the best access to family-friendly hikes.
After finding out which states offer the highest-rated hikes for the whole family, we wanted to locate where the most accessible options are. We analyzed the data to determine the states with the most family-friendly hiking options based on the percentage of all hiking trails in each state that are considered kid-friendly.
Nationally, about 49% of the hiking trails we analyzed are family-friendly. Let’s take a closer look at the states that stand out for offering the most hikes that the entire family can enjoy.
Louisiana
- 71.2% of all hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 1 hour, 1 minute
Illinois
- 68.5% of all hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 53 minutes
Ohio
- 66.2% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 56 minutes
Florida
- 66.1% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 56 minutes
Mississippi
- 66.0% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 42 minutes
The above states are home to relatively forgiving terrain and have a variety of scenic options for hikes from city and state parks to rolling hills and wildlife preserves. The average estimated time in each is less than one hour, with the exception of Louisiana, meaning your family outing on the trail won’t take all day.
On the other side of the coin, we have the states with the fewest family-friendly hikes.
Wyoming
- 18.1% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Utah
- 21.9% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 1 hour, 16 minutes
Montana
- 23.3% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 1 hour, 23 minutes
Idaho
- 24.3% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Colorado
- 24.3% of hikes are family-friendly
- Average time: 1 hour, 21 minutes
These states are all well-known for their more rugged terrain and mountainous hikes, which require more stamina and experience and are better suited for more seasoned hikers rather than families looking to get out on a trail with their youngsters.
But even with fewer options, there are still great family-friendly hikes to be explored across the country. Next, we’ll tell you the best family-friendly hike in your state.
Exploring the world around you as a family can create unforgettable memories and provide memorable outdoor experiences. To help you find the perfect trail, we've compiled an interactive table featuring the highest-rated family-friendly hike in each state.
Curious about the best family-friendly hike near you? Planning your next outdoor adventure? Use the table below to search by state or sort through the data to discover the top-rated family-friendly hikes across the U.S.
No matter where you call home, there are amazing hikes to explore that the whole family can enjoy. Our analysis highlighted the best trails that cater to families, ensuring everyone can enjoy their next outdoor adventure together. Now is the perfect time to plan your next family outing and create lasting memories on the trail.
At Chicco, we understand the importance of spending quality time together as a family. Especially outdoors. That's why we offer a range of baby carriers, like the Smart Support Backpack Carrier, to make your outdoor adventures more enjoyable and convenient. You can trust Chicco to provide comfort and support for your little ones.
Get ready to hit the trails and discover the beauty of nature with your family. Happy hiking!
To determine the states with the best family-friendly hiking options, we analyze data on over 28,000 hiking trails from AllTrails in May 2024.
We pulled data on the top family-friendly hiking trails in every state and were able to determine the states with the most, highest-rated, and longest family-friendly hiking trails. We were also able to determine the best family-friendly hiking trail in every state based on rating and review data.
For states that have more than 1,000 family-friendly hiking trails, our rating, distance, and time estimate data only reflects the first 1,000 listed on AllTrails. In the study, trails that did not provide estimates on distance or time are marked with ‘n/a.’
lightweight strollers available at Chicco!