12 Local Green Spaces for a Fun Family Outing
Sometimes, the perfect outing — for family, friends or a meetup — is at a park as close as your own neighborhood or just a town over. Check out these hikes that have something for hikers of all ages and experience levels, for everyone in your trail family.
Looking for more hiking ideas for you and the whole family? Sign up for our Families Go Hiking newsletter, and check out some of our tips on how to keep your fellow trail trekkers — especially some of the little ones — warm on a chilly day and entertained with trail games. And if you want even more hiking inspiration, download our Trailblazer mobile app to find some family-friendly hikes near you.
Puget Sound & North Cascades
Lake Wilderness Park
Location: Maple Valley
Length: 3.5 miles of trails
Elevation gain: 50 feet
Photo by Mary&Mollie.
This park truly has something for everyone — there are hiking trails, a playground, a disc golf course, tennis/pickleball courts and picnic areas. Hike through the arboretum to see all the local flora, labeled with placards to help you identify them, then have lunch with your group at the picnic area.
> Plan your visit to Lake Wilderness Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Rasar State Park
Location: Near Sedro-Woolley
Length: 3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 20 feet
Photo by jennekehikes.
This trail network has options for hikers of all ages, with trails that head into the forest, over to the riverbank, through a grassy meadow and to a campsite with a play and picnic area where you and your hiking party can have lunch or take a break.
> Plan your visit to Rasar State Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Rockport State Park
Location: Rockport
Length: 3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 250 feet
Photo by Muledeer.
Wander through the forest on the family-friendly loop around the park, where you can find mushrooms low to the ground and trees that reach high up into the sky. Walk across several wooden bridges across the many creeks throughout the forest and take a break on some benches with your loved ones as you take in the sounds of the woods.
> Plan your visit to Rockport State Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Central Washington & Central Cascades
Wenatchee Confluence State Park - Horan Natural Area
Location: Wenatchee
Length: 2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: Minimal
Photo by Bob and Barb.
Flanked by the Wenatchee River on one side and the Columbia River on the other, the Horan Natural Area provides hikers beautiful views of both, as well as wildlife galore, on a loop hike around the area. Hikers young and old will enjoy the viewpoints along the way, offering wide vistas of the surrounding water.
> Plan your visit to Wenatchee Confluence State Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Olmstead Place Historical State Park
Location: Near Ellensburg
Length: 1.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 25 feet
Photo by Wes Partch.
You might feel a little like you're stepping into another time period when you head to this park — historic schoolhouses, barns, cabins, gardens, all the elements of a homestead right in a state park open for you and your loved ones to visit right near Ellensburg. Everyone will have something to look forward to when exploring the park.
> Plan your visit to Olmstead Place Historical State Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Peshastin Mill Trail
Location: Near Leavenworth
Length: 0.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: Minimal
Photo by Claire Thompson.
Step just outside of Leavenworth to find a short quiet trail through Ponderosa pines and wildflowers in the spring. The site of an old lumber mill, this mild trail is great for hikers of all levels and offers access to the water via a few side trails.
> Plan your hike on the Peshastin Mill Trail using WTA's Hiking Guide
Olympic Peninsula
Railroad Bridge Park
Location: Near Sequim
Length: 1.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 67 feet
Photo by Bob and Barb.
Take a short stint on the Olympic Discovery Trail, where you can delight in views of the Dungeness River from the bridge and check out the Dunegness River Nature Center to learn more about the birds in the area and enjoy some family-friend activities.
> Plan your visit to Railroad Bridge Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Fort worden state park - point Wilson
Location: Port Townsend
Length: 2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: Varies
Photo by ServeltForth.
Fort Worden State Park offers a mix of short and longer trails, beach access, fabulous views and — best of all for the curious — old bunkers to explore. Bring a flashlight and a sense of adventure. (And keep little ones in reach — no one wants to fall off a bunker.)
> Plan your visit to Fort Worden State Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Southwest Washington
Columbia Springs
Location: Near Vancouver
Length: 0.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 10 feet
Photo by Anna Roth.
This small park has a fish hatchery and some short trails, making it a great outdoor excursion for hiking groups seeking something good for folks of all experience levels and attention spans.
> Plan your visit to Columbia Springs using WTA's Hiking Guide
Eastern Washington
Slavin Pond Loop
Location: Near Spokane
Length: 3.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 246 feet
Photo by TrailKat.
On a brisk clear day or when there's a light dusting of snow, this pond is a beautiful place to take the family for a low-key nature walk. You'll encounter all sorts of waterfowl when you reach the marshy pond, so bring your binoculars and bird guidebook to identify all the ones you find with your hiking companions.
> Plan your visit to Slavin Pond Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Rose Creek nature Preserve
Location: Near Pullman
Length: 1 mile, roundtrip
Elevation gain: 60 feet
Photo by RichP.
Just a short drive from Pullman, this family-friendly hike takes hikers along Rose Creek through native Palouse Prairie habitat, a rare and threatened ecosystem, found only in specific places now. The preserve is a great place for wildlife viewing so play the quiet game and wait for the birds to show up.
> Plan your visit to the Rock Creek Nature Preserve using WTA's Hiking Guide
Bennington Lake
Location: Near Walla Walla
Length: 20 miles of trails
Elevation gain: Minimal
Photo by Rachel Wendling.
With 20 miles of trails to explore, this trail network has options for everyone. You can head to the lake or craft your own hike by linking up different trails. It's a beautiful place to watch the sunset, so pack a dinner and some warm clothes for a fun way to end the day.
> Plan your visit to Bennington Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide