Grand Teton National Park with Kids

Grand Teton National Park with Kids

Grand Teton National Park with Kids

Create memories that will last a lifetime in Grand Teton National Park with kids. This incredible national park in Wyoming features majestic views, hiking for all ages and abilities, wildlife viewing and water adventures. This family guide to Grand Teton National Park will help make your trip with kids a success.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy    Easy    Moderate    Hard    Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: Short to long depending on the trail, many trail options for all skill levels
Elevation Change: Flat to steep depending on trail

Terrain: Mountains, rocks, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, dirt trails
Time Needed: A few hours to several days (I recommend at least 2 days, we spent a week)

WHEN TO VISIT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

I recommend visiting Grand Teton National Park with kids in late spring, summer or early fall. The summer is busiest so be prepared for crowds. We spent a week in the park near the end of July. If you decide to visit in the summer plan ahead and visit the busy areas such as Jenny and String Lake in the early evening, late afternoon or morning before 10am.

You also need to plan your lodging ahead of time if you plan to visit in the summer – I recommend six months in advance. 

If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park in the spring or fall be prepared for all weather including possibility of snow. Bring coats for those kiddos!

COST

$35 per vehicle for a 7 day pass

Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program

AMENITIES

  • Campgrounds

  • Cabins

  • Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Jackson, Wyoming nearby

  • Bathrooms at visitor’s centers and most trailheads

  • Convenient stores and gas stations scattered throughout Grand Teton National Park

THINGS TO BRING

  • Camping gear if camping

  • Hiking gear (water, snacks, sturdy shoes)

  • Hiking carrier for young kids
  • Bear Spray! A must! We almost ran into a bear while hiking. 
  • Water gear if desired (kayaks, paddle-boards, water shoes, googles, life jackets)

  • Sunscreen
  • Binoculars for wildlife viewing

  • Jackets (weather can turn quickly) or coats (if visiting in spring/fall)
  • Water bottles/water packs

OVERVIEW

We absolutely love Grand Teton National Park. It has everything – Mountains for hiking and exploring, water for paddling, swimming and boating and excellent wildlife viewing. The views are absolutely stunning no matter what viewpoint you are looking from. We spent a week in Grand Teton National Park with kids and we were not ready to go home. There are so many adventures to go on in this 300,000+ acre park. 

THINGS TO DO AT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Hiking

There are endless hiking opportunities ranging from very easy to very hard within Grand Teton National Park with kids. We hiked trails that were very easy to moderate. Here are a few we did with an 11, 10, 7 and 3 year old.

String Lake Loop: 4.4 miles, 400 ft. elevation gain – Gorgeous views of Tetons up close and lakes below.

 

 

String Lake, Grant Tetons
String Lake

Moose Ponds: 2 to 3.2 miles, 150ft elevation gain: Complete the loop or hike an-out-and back to the moose pond. Keep your eye out for animals near the ponds. Hike earlier morning or evening to avoid crowds around Jenny Lake and to see more wildlife.

Moose Pond
Moose Pond

Hidden Falls Trail: 4.9 miles or 1 mile (if you take the boat), 600 ft elevation gain: Popular hike half way around Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls. You can opt to take a paid boat ride across the lake making the total hike only 1 mile to the falls. Will be crowded in the summer months. 

Hidden Falls
Hidden Falls

Jackson Lake Shoreline Trail from Signal Mountain Marina: 0.25 to unknown miles, rolling hills:

I can’t find this hike on All Trails or Google, but it was my favorite in The Tetons. It feels like you are walking the ocean shoreline in Oregon with incredible mountain views of The Tetons in the distance. It starts from the south side of Signal Mountain Marina near the beach and heads south. I’m not sure how far you can follow this trail, but we did about 2 miles total.

Bristlecone Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

String to Leigh Lake: 2 miles, flat: Easy, very family friendly hike next to that follows String Lake to Leigh Lake. We started at the north end of the String Lake parking lot, but you can make this longer by starting at the south parking lot or continuing further around Leigh Lake. Great views of Tetons and String Lake. Take a few minutes to wade in String Lake. Great for all ages and abilities.

 

Heron Pond-Swan Lake Loop: 3.2 miles, 150 ft elevation gain: Flat and easier hike for kids that begins on the south side of Colter Bay. Views of Jackson Lake in beginning followed by hike through forest trees. Beautiful swans in Swan Lake.

 

Schwabacher’s Landing: 1.8 miles, flat: Drive the the end of Schwabacher’s Landing Road off Highway 89 and walk along the trail near the calm river for spectacular views of all the Tetons and wildlife. Keep your eyes out for beavers at the beaver dam. Perfect hike/walk for all ages and abilities. Our toddler just wanted to throw rocks in the water the entire hike. Its an out-and-back trail so go as far or as little as you want.

Schwabacher Landing

Swimming and Floating

From the larger Jackson Lake to small streams, you can find a water adventure that suits you and your family at Grand Teton National Park. Boat permits are required for motorized boats and non-motorized boats such as kayaks. Permits can be purchased at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and the Colter Bay Visitor Center.

Paddleboarding on Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake is the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park. Motorized boats are allowed. Signal campground and Colter Bay both are next to Jackson Lake in different areas. We stayed at Signal Mountain campground and loved having close access to Jackson Lake. There is a large boat ramp and dock as well as beach area to swim in. We brought googles, paddle-boards and kayaks and spent hours enjoying the lake. The views are breathtaking.

Amphitheatre at Fruita Campground

Jenny Lake

The Jenny Lake area is a central hub for hiking and water craft of 10 horsepower max. Get here first thing in the morning or later afternoon in order to get a close parking spot and avoid the crowds.

Jenny Lake

String Lake

String Lake is narrow, shallow, clear lake that connects Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake. This was our favorite place to kayak because of the crystal clear water. Get here early or late afternoon to get a parking spot. There are a couple docking areas — One at the south end of the lake and another at the north end of the parking lot. There are also great swimming areas and a large rock to jump from.

Old Bryce Town

Camping

As of January 26th, 2021 you can now book campsite on a six month rolling basis at reservations.gov. I saw fights break out over first-come, first-served camping spots our week at Signal Mountain. The reservation system was definitely needed. In 2020, we arrived at Jenny Lake at 5:45 A.M. with 4 kids to get a spot but we were too late. However, we were able to get a spot at Signal Mountain at 7 A.M. (which we absolutely loved) and stayed an entire week.

Plan ahead and book your site six  months ahead of time if you would like to stay within Grand Teton National Park.

Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park

Gros Ventre

Gros Ventre Campground is the furthest south campground within the park and allows for tents, trailers and RVs. It is has 300+ sites. It is near the Gros Ventre River and a bit further away from the major hiking and hub of The Tetons.

I absolutely love Signal Mountain Campground! We stayed here for a week and absolutely loved the scenery as well as its central location. Signal Mountain sits on the south end of Jackson Lake. It is next to the Signal Mountain Marina allowing quick access from the campground to water recreation at Jackson Lake. It is only a 10 minute drive to the hiking hub of Jenny Lake.

It is a medium sized campground at 76 sites consisting of tent, RV and trailer sites. There is a gas station, convenient store, laundry facilities and pay showers. There are several camp sites close to the lake with gorgeous lake views. The sunsets are magical. Make sure to follow all the food regulations for bears. There is a bear box at every site. We had few bears walk through camp while we were there.

View of Jackson Lake from Signal Mountain Campground

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake Campground sits right under The Grand Teton. It is central hub for hiking. This is a smaller campground that is tent only. It is probably the most sought after campground within the park due to its location and atmosphere. 

Colter Bay

Colter Bay is a larger campground with 300+sites for tents, RVS and trailers. It is closer to Yellowstone so if you are hitting both parks this might be a good campground for you. It is also a great place if you are bringing a motorized boat due to the large docking area and bay. Colter bay has a larger gift shop/convenient store, gas station, laundry and pay showers. There are a several great hiking trails from Colter Bay.

Lizard Creek

Lizard campground is on the North end of Jackson Lake and is only 11 miles south of the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It is further away from the central hub of the Tetons which gives it a more secluded and rustic feel. Great place to stay if you want a quieter location close to Yellowstone. 

Headwaters

Headwaters Campground is the furthest North campground and is only a couple miles from the south entrance to Yellowstone. It offers 100+ camping sites plus an additional 40 camper cabins. Showers are available to every camper.

 

Wildlife Viewing

We saw more wildlife in at Teton National Park than we did in Yellowstone – yep, it’s true. Bears, moose, elk, deer, bison, swans, squirrels, and a variety of birds. I don’t know that there is really a special spot to see wildlife – we saw wildlife wherever we went. I just suggest keeping your eyes peeled and look around while driving and hiking. Bringing binoculars would be a plus. 

Buffalo at Grand Teton National

Visit Mormon Row Historic District

Mormon Row contains old homes and barns from around 1900 of the early settlers of the area from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This area offers incredible views of The Tetons that many photographers seek. It is also fun to explore the area and look into the old buildings and imagine how life was 100+ years ago. 

Mormon Row

Scenic Drive to Signal Mountain Viewpoint

Signal Mountain Viewpoint is just off Teton Park Road just south of Signal Mountain Campground. Follow Signal Mountain road for 5 miles for an elevation gain of about 1000 feet. No trailers or RVs allowed. At the top you will see panoramic vistas of the valley below. 

Signal Mountain Viewpoint

Explore Cunnigham Cabin

John Cunningham built this cabin in the 1880s and was a rancher/farmer in the area until around 1930. He played an essential role in the preservation of the the Teton area. We had fun exploring the cabin and finding prairie dogs. 

Visitor’s Center and Junior Ranger Program

We love going through National Park visitor’s centers for learning opportunities and to get Junior Ranger books. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it. Grand Teton National Park has four visitor centers: Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, Jenny Lake and Colter Bay. Junior Ranger books can be picked up at any visitor center location. 

Star Gazing

Grand Teton National Park has an incredible night sky where you can easily see the Milky Way. We were lucky enough to visit when we could see the comet NEOWISE. Check the Visitor’s Center for ranger led astronomy programs.  

Night sky at grand teton national park

PROS & CONS

PROS

    • Beautiful scenery

    • All ages will enjoy

    • Variety of activities: Hiking, water fun, scenic drives, ranger programs, wildlife viewing etc.

    • Mild temperatures in the summer

    • Near Yellowstone National Park

    • Great opportunities to see wildlife
    • Many hiking options from short to long

CONS

    • Popular areas within the park can become overcrowded (if visiting the Jenny Lake area, arrive before 10am or after 4 pm)

    • Campgrounds fill quickly

DIRECTIONS

Grand Teton National Park is located in the north-western corner of Wyoming, just below Yellowstone National Park. There is a north, south, and east entrance into the park. Put your desired location within the park in your GPS to get to the right location. At the park entrance you will receive a map of the park which is great to have in areas where there isn’t great cell phone reception.

MAPS

 

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

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Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon, Nevada

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon, Nevada

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon, Nevada

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon is a small marble canyon for all ages to explore just beyond the Utah border in Nevada. Its’ smooth tall marble walls offer a cool and fun place to explore in the desert heat.

KID RATINGS

Fun:⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:  Very Easy    EASY   Moderate    Hard    Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 1 mile round-trip, out-and-back
Elevation Change: Around 50 ft

Terrain: Marble, dirt, rocks, desert terrain
Time Needed: 1 hour
When to Go: Anytime of the year when there is not rain or snow

COST

Free

AMENITIES

No amenities at Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon.

Closest public amenities are at a gas station on the Utah/Nevada border 45 minutes away on U.S. 50. If you go on a tour of the Crystal Ball Cave there are bathrooms at the Bates Family Ranch which is about 20 minutes from Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon.

THINGS TO BRING

  • Water

  • Hiking shoes with good grip (the marble is slick and it is helpful to have shoes with good grip)
  • Snacks for kids (and adults 🙂

  • Full tank of gas
  • Vehicle that can drive well on dirt roads, 4×4 not required

DETAILS

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon is a small slot canyon located just beyond the Utah border in Nevada. This is a fun adventure to couple with Gandy Warm Springs and Crystal Ball Cave. It is also within an hour of Great Basin National Park.

Devils Gate Slot Canyon Trailhead

This remote slot canyon is accessed via a series of dirt roads off of Highway 50. Follow my map below.  Below is a picture of the view of Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon from the dirt road above. Follow this dirt road downward and then take your left and park your vehicle. After reaching the trailhead you will walk west about 0.25 miles to the beginning of the slot canyon.

View of Devil's Gate Slot Canyon from Above
View of Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon From Above

After reaching the trailhead you will walk west about 0.25 miles to the beginning of the slot canyon.

Orson Smith Park Parking Lot
Beginning of Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon Hike

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon

After walking about a quarter mile you will drop down into the slot as pictured below. 

 

 

Then you will come to a 15 ft drop that can be slick due to the marble surface. There are plenty of foot and hand holds but I do recommend having an adult at the top and then one in the middle of the drop to help the kids down. Shoes will good grip help a lot in this area of the canyon. 

We used the same system to scramble up the 15 ft drop with an adult in the middle and then the top. This is a short slot canyon but worth the adventure if you are in the area.

Plant fossil
Devil's Gate Slot Canyon

You will then walk through this short but beautiful slot. The slot walls are smooth, curvy and tall. 

The slot is less than a quarter mile and quickly opens back up to the desert. The kids roamed the desert for a few minutes before turning back around to hike back up the slot. You get back to your vehicle by hiking the same way you came. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

  • Free

  • Fun for all ages

Neutral

  • Remote location

  • Short slot canyon

CONS

  • No amenities at trailhead

  • Marble in slot canyon can be slick

DIRECTIONS

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon, Nevada is located just beyond the Utah border near the ranching community of Gandy, Utah. Follow my map below. Close to an hour of this drive from Hwy 50/Hwy 6 is dirt roads.

It is easy to get off the right path to Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon due to the many dirt roads in the area. There aren’t many signs either.

MAPS

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Crystal Ball Cave (20 mins)

Gandy Warm Springs (15 mins)

Great Basin National Park (1 hour 20 mins)

Hermits Cabin (1 hour 50 mins)

U-dig Fossil Quarry (2 hours 20 mins)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

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Mount Rainier National Park with Kids

Mount Rainier National Park with Kids

Mount Rainier National Park with Kids

Visit Mount Rainier National Park with kids for an awe-inspiring trip your family will always remember. Mount Rainier stands as a majestic icon in the State of Washington that can be seen from many miles away. This unique National Park allows visitors to get up close to an active volcano and glaciers, as well as breathtaking hikes that include beautiful wildlife, waterfalls and wildflowers all around. 

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy    Easy    Moderate    Hard    Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Dirt trails, paved trails, rocks, bridges, glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, volcano
Time Needed: A few hours to a few days
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking Distance: Varies depending on trail

Elevation Gain: Varies depending on trail. Some trails are steep and some are flat. 

COST

  • $30 entrance fee per vehicle (valid for seven days)

  • Free if you have a 4th grader with you through the Every Kid Outdoors program.

  • Additional fee for camping

AMENITIES

  • Lodging: Camping or Lodges

  • General store

  • Snack bars

  • Two restaurants

  • Water and bathrooms at visitor’s centers and campgrounds

THINGS TO BRING

  • Camping supplies if camping

  • Food/Snacks

  • Good hiking shoes

  • Hiking backpack

  • Water for hiking

  • Sunscreen

DETAILS

Exploring Mount Rainier National Park with kids is a must for families looking for a mountain adventure near Seattle, Washington. 

Mount Rainier National Park was our last stop on our two week road trip through Oregon and Washington. We spent just under 2 days in the park with a 10, 9, 6 and 2 year old. It was definitely not enough time to see it in entirety, but we did get a good taste. My 4th grader had one goal at this park — to touch a glacier — which we did.

Mount Rainier hasn’t erupted since the 1800s, but it is still considered an active volcano. We enjoyed learning more about volcanos in the parks visitor’s centers and googling info on our drive. The views of Mount Rainier are stunning as you drive through the park. 

Mount Rainier

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS 

Hiking

There are over 260 miles of maintained trails within the park. Most trails can be shortened if desired.

Family Friendly Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

(Hiking information found on the National Park Service website and All Trails)

Longmire Area

Trail of Shadows: (0.7 miles, 40 ft elevation gain) Hike through the forest and meadow to a spring and cabin replica.

Twin Firs Loop Trail: (0.4 miles, 100 ft elevation gain) Hike through the Evergreens of Mount Rainier

Ohanapecosh Area

Hot Springs Nature Trail: (0.5 miles, 50 ft elevation gain) Walk along a meadow and board wat to the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. You can’t go in the hot springs. 

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail: (1.2 miles, 45 ft elevation gain) Hike amongst some of the oldest trees in the park and walk across a suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River on this lush green hike.

Box Canyon Loop Trail: (0.3 miles, 20 ft elevation gain) Walk on a bridge to see a narrow slot canyon below.

 Sunrise Area

Shadow Lakes Trail: (3 miles, 300 ft elevation gain) Views of Mount Rainier and White River Valley

Carbon River and Mowich Area

Carbon River Rainforest Nature Trail: (0.3 miles, 60 ft elevation gain) Explore the only inland rainforest in Washington.

Old Mine Trail: (3 miles, 300 ft elevation gain) Hike through a lush forest to the entrance of an old mine.

Paradise Area

Nisqually Vista Trail: (1.2 miles, 180 ft elevation gain) View Nisqually Glacier as you walk through the stunning meadows of Mount Rainier. This is a paved trail so bring a stroller if you need to. 

Bench and Snow Lakes Trail: (2.2 miles, 450 ft elevation gain) Hike through meadows and forest paths to explore two stunning lakes. 

Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls:  (1 mile, 160 ft elevation gain) Walk to Myrtle Falls along a paved path.

There are several trail options ranging from short to long from the Paradise area. The shorter hikes are paved and are great for strollers. There is also a short easy 1 mile round trip hike to the Myrtle Falls that the Skyline trail hooks into.

Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls View from Above

Skyline Trail

The skyline trail is a steep 6 mile loop trail that takes you to the base of Mount Rainier’s Glacier’s. It provides gorgeous views of the volcano, surrounding cascade mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, streams and meadows filled with wildflowers. This is one of the most scenic hikes I have been on. The pictures just don’t do it justice.

Mount Rainier

This is a hard hike for kids, but I was so proud of my little hikers for sticking it through. They were super motivated to be able to see a volcano up close and to touch a glacier.

Bridge over Sulphur Creek at Capitol Reef National Park

Camping

There are three main campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park: Cougar (SW area of park), Ohanapecosh (SE area of park) and White River (NE section of park). Cougar and Ohanapecosh can be reserved six months in advance and White River is first come first served. Get more information on the campgrounds here.  

We stayed two nights at Cougar Rock Campground and enjoyed the Junior Ranger park programs at the amphitheater nearby. We had plenty of space on out site and enjoyed being surrounded by tall pines.  I booked our site about 3 months ahead of time. There were still several sites available at that point. For most national parks I recommend booking campsites 6 months in advance, especially post covid. 

Cougar Rock Campground

Scenic Drive

There are many scenic viewpoints along the drive through the park. We entered the southwest entrance and exited on the southeast side. You could honestly spend a day just driving the park and stopping at different viewpoints.

scenic drive mount rainier national park

Visitor’s Centers

There are four visitors centers in Mount Rainier National Park: Longmire, Ohanapecosh, Paradise and Sunrise. We were able to visit Ohanapecosh and Paradise. The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center is small and quant. Whereas, the Paradise Visitor Center is large with many interactive displays. We enjoyed learning all about how volcanos are formed.

Junior Ranger Program at Bryce Canyon National Park

Junior Ranger Program

Mount Rainier National Park with kids isn’t complete without getting your junior ranger badge! Grab a Junior Ranger Book at a visitor center at the beginning of your visit and let your kids work on them throughout your trip. Before you leave Mount Rainier turn in your finished Junior Ranger book for a Junior Ranger Badge. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it.

becoming junior rangers

Kid Activities Outside the Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park:  View native northwest animals on nature trails or in your own car. Let your kids play on the imagination kindling playgrounds and go on the zipline/ropes course. 

Rusty Plow: Pick fresh blueberries with your kids on a 3 acre blueberry farm. This is a little bit of a drive from Mount Rainier, 1 to 2 hours depending on which area of the park you are coming from. 

Mount Rainier Gondola: Ride the Gondola up more than 2000 ft to the summit of Crystal Mountain. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

    • Beautiful scenery

    • Diverse hiking opportunities: short, long, flat, steep.

    • Glaciers

    • Volcano

    • Opportunities for learning at Junior Ranger programs

CONS

    • Longer, harder hikes to get up close to the glaciers.

DIRECTIONS

Mount Rainier National Park is located among the Cascade Mountain Range and is two hours south and slightly east of Seattle. It is two and a half hours northeast of Portland. Below is a map to the Visitor Center in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. 

MAPS

 

MORE INFO

Mount Rainier National Park official site.

 

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (1 hour)

Mount Rainier Gondola

Seattle (2 hours)

Mount St. Helens (2 hours)

Portland (2.5 hours)

Olympic National Park (3 hours)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

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Olympic National Park with Kids

Olympic National Park with Kids

Olympic National Park with Kids

Discover tranquil beaches, sea-life, majestic rain forests, lakes, serene waterfalls and hot springs at Olympic National Park with kids. Olympic National Park is a gorgeous and diverse area, covering the majority of Washington State’s peninsula with a variety of fantastic outdoor adventures. 

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy    Easy    Moderate    Hard    Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Beaches, ocean, mountains, bridges, lakes, rivers waterfalls, trails, temperate rain forest
Time Needed: 1 day to several days, I recommend several
When to Go: Anytime of year, but summer/early fall is best

Hiking Distance: short to long depending on what you are doing

COST

  • $30 entrance fee to some areas of the park (valid for seven days)

  • Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program

  • Beaches are all free

  • Sol Duc Hot Springs is an added cost. Cost depends on age and time of day visiting.

  • Fees for camping

AMENITIES

  • Camping  (book 6 months in advance)

  • Lodges and Cabins  (book 6 months in advance)

  • Hotels in gateway cities such as Aberdeen and Port Angeles
  • Bathrooms available at visitors centers and some trailheads

  • Hot Springs

  • Water available at campsites, resorts, visitor’s centers and some trailheads

Where to Stay at Olympic National Park

It takes over three hours to drive the coastal perimeter of Olympic national park without stopping. I recommend staying in the park to minimize drive time. Book your stay six months in advance if you would like to stay within Olympic National Park either at a campground, cabin or lodge. See below for additional information on campgrounds within Olympic National Park.

There are no hotels located within Olympic National Park. Check out hotels in the surrounding cities of Port Angeles to the North and  Pacific Beach, Ocean City and Aberdeen to the south.

THINGS TO BRING

  • Camping gear if camping

  • Good hiking shoes

  • Food/Snacks

  • Good rain jacket

  • Water

DETAILS

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks we have visited. It has ocean beaches, mountains, hiking, camping, lakes and hot springs. Our family loves the mountains and the beach so it was the best of both worlds for us. We spent hours on the beaches exploring, discovering tide-pools and playing on drift wood and hiked through the lush temperature rain forests to waterfalls.

We spent about 5 days in the park and we didn’t even get to explore everything the park has to offer. Olympic National Park is nearly one million acres and contains 70 miles of coastline. It is no wonder we couldn’t fit everything in. 

Olympic National Park with your kids will be an adventure your family always remembers. We visited with our 2, 6, 9, and 10 year old and had an absolute blast.   

Sulphur Creek Second Waterfall

THINGS TO DO AT OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Explore Beaches and Tide Pooling

Olympic National Park includes miles of serene beaches where no two beaches are exactly alike. From sand to rocks to drift wood to tide pools, each beach has its own characteristics.

The water is cold, definitely different than the beaches we were use when we lived in Florida. However, the beauty of these beaches is almost unreal and we especially enjoyed finding the diverse sea-life. 

Tide pooling was our favorite part of Olympic National Park with kids.  We spent hours exploring the tide-pools filled with ocean life. Make sure to visit the beaches at low-tide for optimal tide-pool viewing. Check out the NOAA tide predictions before going.

 

Tide pool at Olympic National Park

First Beach

Quileute Oceanside Resort sites right on First Beach. We camped here and loved having such quick access to this beach. There are firerings to enjoy a sunset fire and smores. My kids loved playing on the driftwood on the beach here. Walk about a half mile to the North on this beach for sea-life viewing along the side of the causeway.

First Beach, Olympic National Park
First Beach

Second Beach

This is a secluded beach with majestic sea stacks and many tide pools to explore at low tide. My kids actually swam in the water at this beach, I preferred to just wade. Remember you are in Washington not Florida…The water is cold. It is about a mile walk to get to second beach, but it is well worth it. This makes it more secluded with less people.

Second Beach at Olympic National Park

Second Beach

Rialto Beach

Rialto beach is just north of the La Push, Washington and is 3 miles from the Mora Campground. It has many tide pools at low-tide. 1.5 miles from the beach entrance is the hole in the rock structure.

Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach

Kalaloch Campground Beach

This isn’t an official beach name because this beach doesn’t have one. This is the beach just off of the Kalaloch Campground. We walked along this beautiful misty beach for about a mile north.

If you walk just south of the Kalaloch Lodge you can find the “Tree of Life”. This large tree is right next to the beach and most of its root system is hanging in air without any soil to feed it. 

Kalaloch Campground Beach

Kalaloch Beach 4

This was our favorite beach because of the many star fish we found on the rock structures just north of the beach entrance. We also saw sea-lions swimming nearby. There were also tons of smooth beautiful rocks. We love collecting rocks so this was super fun for us. It is north of the Kalaloch Campground but south of Ruby Beach.

Starfish at Kalaloch Beach 4

Ruby Beach

Possibly the most known beach along Washington’s coast with its famous Abbey Island. Great place for a beach stroll and tide pool exploring.

Ruby Beach

Hiking

There are countless hikes within Olympic National Park ranging from very easy to very hard. Here are the hikes we did on our trip. Full reviews on each hike to come.

Sol-Duc Falls: a 1.6 mile easy and flat hike to a beautiful waterfall.

Sol-Duc Falls

Hoh River Trail: This trail follows the Hoh River through the beautiful rainforest. You can make this is along or short as you want. We hiked a total of 5.5 miles to the Mineral Creek Falls.

Old Bryce Town

Second Beach: an out-and-back 2 mile trail round trip that walks you through Oregon’s beautiful coastal lush forest to a secluded beach. It is downhill on the way to the beach, uphill on the way back.

Second Beach at Sunset

Rialto Beach/Hole in the Wall: A 3 mile flat beautiful beach walk with views of sea-life in tide pools to a rock formation with a large hole. Make sure to do this hike at low tide so you can walk out to the Hole in the Wall.

Hole in the Wall at Rialto Beach

Hot Springs

The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has one fresh-water pool and 3 mineral pools that vary in temperature from 99 degrees to 104 degrees. We spent an afternoon here and had a lot of fun. It was nice to relax and do something a little different for a day. My kids love swimming no matter where we are at and will usually choose swimming over any other activity. There are cabins located right next to the resort.

Camping

Each major area of the park has camping opportunities near it. All campgrounds fill quickly and open for reservations on a 6 month rolling basis. I recommend reserving a site at the 6 month mark before traveling if you want a site in the summer months. The campgrounds that can be reserved in Olympic National Park are Kalaloch, Hoh Rainforest Campground, Mora and Sol Duc Hot Springs. You can reserve here

We really enjoyed the campgrounds we stayed at. Here is a little information on each. 

Kalaloch Campground is between the main highway and the ocean. If available, pick a site closer to the ocean than the highway. The beach is a short walk and was easy to access. You can also stay at the Kalaloch Lodge if you are not camping. It is the only place to stay that is non-camping within about 1 hour in each direction.

Sol Duc Campground is nestled in the beautiful Washington rain forest near the north end of Olympic National Park. It is near the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the Sol Duc Waterfall hike. It is also closer to crescent lake if you are exploring that area.

Sol Duc Campground

Quileute Oceanside Resort is privately owned and not operated by Olympic National Park, however it is surrounded by the park and is close to the beautiful First, Second and Third Beaches. The camping here was more KOA style and there are only a few sites. I loved falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. There are several cabins available right along the ocean-side that looked really nice. This resort books on a 1 year rolling basis and books quickly.

First Beach, Olympic National Park

Explore the Lakes

Crescent Lake is nestled among Washington coastal mountains and is absolutely beautiful. I wish we had more time to explore this area. There is hiking, camping and a lodge nearby. Marymere Falls is a popular hike in the area. Kayak and canoeing rentals are available.

Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake: Photo Credit Michelle Mower Mulholland

Lake Quinault: This area is surrounded by the temperate rain forest and offers boating, hiking, camping, fishing, food and lodging. It is the gateway to the southwest base of the park.

Lake Quinault

Quinault Lake: Photo Credit Michelle Mulholland

Scenic Drive on Hurricane Ridge

This is a 17-mile road takes you through the majestic snow-capped Olympic Mountains. There are several hiking options off this road. It is a curvy road and a couple of my kids started to feel a bit car sick. Just be prepared.

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge: Photo Credit Michelle Mower Mulholland

JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

We love getting Junior Ranger books from National Park visitor centers. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

    • Unique and beautiful scenery

    • Diverse outdoor adventures

    • Stunning scenery

    • Not crowded, park is big and people are spread out

    • Sea-life viewing

    • Mountain-life viewing

    • Gorgeous beaches

    • Waterfalls

CONS

    • Can rain a lot

    • Requires a bit of driving to get from one location of the park to another

DIRECTIONS

Olympic National Park is located on the north west portion of Washington State. If you put in Olympic National Park into your GPS device or phone you will be led to the middle of the mountain range of the park. Make sure to put the specific location within the park that you want to visit.

MAPS

 

Map to southwest corner of park

Map to northeast corner of park 

MORE INFO

Olympic National Park official site

Olympic National Park NOAA tide chart

 

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Forks (20 minutes from Second Beach)

Seattle (3 hours from the park’s northeast entrance)

Portland (3 hours from park’s southwest entrance)

Oregon’s Coast (3 hours to beaches such as Seaside and Cannon beach from park’s south west entrance)

Mount Rainier National Park (3 hours)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

 

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Multnomah Falls with Kids

Multnomah Falls with Kids

Multnomah Falls with Kids

Visit the majestic 620 ft. Multnomah Falls with kids in the Columbia River Gorge! It is a must see when visiting Portland, Oregon and attracts millions of visitors each year. Grand views of the waterfall can be seen whether you are hiking to the top of the falls or stopping elsewhere along the trail.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:     Very Easy    Easy    MODERATE    Hard    Very Hard 

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 0.1 to 2 miles, depending on how far you go
Elevation Gain: Flat to 800 ft, depending on how far you walk
Terrain: Paved trail and bridges
Time Needed: 30 to 90 minutes
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall. Early morning or late evening if you want to avoid crowds.

COST

Free

AMENITIES

  • Bathrooms

  • Restaurant

  • Gift Shop

  • Water fountain

  • Snack bar

THINGS TO BRING

  • Water container

  • Good walking shoes

  • Stroller if needed

DETAILS

Multnomah Falls with kids can be a quick stop or a longer adventure depending on where you want to view the falls. It can be easily tailored to your family’s needs. 

Multnomah Falls with our kids was our first stop coming into the Portland Oregon after a full day of driving. We drove by at sunset and there were only a few other cars parked in the lot. You can see the waterfall from the interstate and parking lot but there are better views along the trail. We viewed the falls from the parking lot as we were all exhausted and wanted to get the hotel. We visited Multnomah Falls with our kids again a couple days later with a little more energy and sunlight. 

Multnomah Falls

Parking

We arrived around 4 pm near the end of the July and the parking lot was about 75% full. The main parking lot is in between the East and Westbound Interstate 84. You access the lot by the left sided exit 31 going either direction. We almost missed this exit so be aware as you get close. Once you park you will need to walk through a tunnel under east bound I-84 to get to the trailhead.

If you visit at a time where the parking lot is full you can drive to exit 25 to Rooster Rock State Park and take a free shuttle to Multnomah Falls. Rooster Rock does charge a $5 day use fee upon entrance into the park.

Multnomah Falls view from parking lot
View of Multnomah Falls from Parking Lot

Trailhead

You can see Multnomah Falls from the trailhead or you can get closer by following the paved trail. This trail is steep and can get crowded. I recommend visiting in the morning before 10am or in the late evening if you want to visit at a time with less people.

There is a small visitor’s center, bathrooms, restaurant and snack bar located at the trailhead.

The Hike

Just a short walk upward on the paved trail from the trailhead, you will come to the famous views of the falls and the Multnomah Falls Bridge (Benson Bridge). Wait your turn to get an awesome picture in front of the falls. 

Multnomah Falls

Continue upward following a few switchbacks to get to the Benson Bridge. On the bridge you can get a closer view of the upper and lower falls.

The Narrows, Zion National Park

This is where we turned around making our hike 0.4 miles round trip. You can continue to the top of the falls for a total of 2 miles of hiking or make an even longer hike by connecting to the Wahkeena trail.

This is a super touristy location but we were glad we took the time to see this beautiful waterfall with our kids. The crowds diminish as you hike further up. I wish we could of hiked further up, but we did not have the time that day. 

View of Orange Orchards at Bok Tower Gardens

PROS & CONS

PROS

  • Beautiful scenery and waterfall

  • Easily accessible

  • Good for all skill levels and ages

  • Free

CONS

  • Can be crowded and touristy

  • Steep 1 mile to get to the top of the falls

DIRECTIONS

Multnomah Falls is located along the Columbia River Gorge 30 minutes east of Portland. It is directly off of Interstate 84. Simply put “Multnomah Falls Parking” into your GPS device or phone to get you to the right location. You can also follow my map below.

MAPS 

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OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Portland (30 minutes)

Other hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

 

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