By far, Utah has some of the best trails for hiking in the United States. There is a huge amount of variety between desert hiking, alpine hiking, urban hiking and just about everything in between. Even inside of these different types of hiking, you can find loads of different places to explore. If you’re looking to get your kids hiking, you’ll find something to please everyone here in Utah.
What age should kids start hiking?
A lot of people ask us “What’s the best age for kids to start hiking?” We are firm believers that the sooner you introduce your kids to the outdoors, the better. Personally, we start hiking with our babies when they’re just a few months old in this carrier.This way, they start to get familiar with being outside. As our kids learn to walk, we let them out of the carrier for small stretches of our hikes so that they can learn to hike on the trail.
The only problem is, one-year olds love to stop, always. To accommodate this, we typically only have them hike for short stretches. Around age 2.5 all of our kids have been able to hike about 2 miles. Obviously they cannot go as fast as older kids, but allowing them the freedom to hike independently is so good for their confidence and for their future love of the outdoors.
By age 5, all of our kids can hike 5 miles, and last year our 7-year-old blew our minds by hiking 14 miles one day.
How To Get Kids To Hike Farther
You don’t need to train your kids intensely to take on longer hikes, but there are some things you can do to help them out. The first is to start small and gradually build up their mileage and time on the trail. The more often kids are hiking on the trail, the farther they can go.
Another trick is to get your kids out hiking with their friends. This can easily double their normal distance if they’re having fun and hiking with friends.
Read Next: 7 Fantastic Utah Resorts to Ski with Kids and Nature’s Masterpieces: Exploring the 13 Best Waterfalls in Utah
What to take when hiking with kids
Hiking with kids doesn’t require a huge kit, but there are some things you should never hike without. The first is a first-aid kit and lots of hiking snacks for kids. When kids are hiking, they love to eat even more than at home. The last is lots of water (especially in the summer). A lot of kids love to drink from hydration packs, so this will encourage them to drink even more water.
Aside from that, it just depends on the hike. If it’s going to be rainy, packable rain jackets are needed. If we are in bear territory, I never leave home without my bear spray, especially after my run in with a growling bear last year in Big Sky Montana. If you’re headed to the desert, check out our Moab packing list and checklist for Southern Utah so you have all the desert gear and clothing you need.
Best Hikes With Kids In Utah
Not every hike is meant for kids. That being said, there are so many out there that are as kid-friendly as it gets. It’s important to understand the difference and have a good plan beforehand to find the most kid-friendly trails.
So, we’ve made a list of the top hikes in Utah with kids. If you want to get more specific, check out these other articles that have even more hikes in each spot.
Best Hikes with Kids in Salt Lake City
If you’re looking for the best hikes with kids near Salt Lake, we’ve got you covered. These are great hikes for kids around Salt Lake City, though if you want more options, make sure to read about our favorite easy hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon as well as Little Cottonwood Canyon easy hikes.
Donut Falls
Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon
Distance: 3 Miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
This trail is incredible for everyone, regardless of their experience. It starts with slight elevation, but it doesn’t take too much to get past that small hurdle. The meadows and woods that the trail meanders through are hugely popular with kids.
Once you make your way to the falls, you can cross a small bridge to get a breathtaking view of the falls. At the falls, you may run into a lot of people in the summertime, so plan to get out there early. You can also downclimb a short way to get to the river and explore the falls even more! It’s also important to be aware of wildlife. Moose are common close to the falls, so you need to be paying attention. Teach your kids how to deal with moose if you see them on the trail. Read more details about hiking Donut Falls.
Lisa Falls
Location: Sandy
Distance: 0.3 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Lisa Falls should be your top pick for hiking with kids if you want to find some water close in to Salt Lake City. The waterfall is famous for cascading sideways down along a smooth rock. There is a pool of water at the bottom of the falls where your kids can jump and play to their heart’s content.
The hike here is very short but very rocky, so move slowly and use caution. At Lisa falls, your kids can make the most of climbing boulders and throwing pebbles into the water. Don’t be afraid to still channel your inner child and splash around!
Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Trail
Location: Sandy
Distance: 2.3 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge trail in Draper, Utah, offers a fun hike with scenic views and interesting features along the way, the most exciting is the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge. Starting from the Orson Smith Trailhead, the path is part of the broader Bonneville Shoreline Trail network, known for its accessibility and natural beauty. When you get to the trailhead, follow the signs for the Bridge Loop to get pointed in the right direction. You’ll mostly be hiking uphill for the beginning, so be prepared for that. The bridge itself, a point of interest for its slight sway and views of Bear Creek about 70 feet below. From the bridge you’ll get a really unique perspective of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. For those looking to extend their adventure, the Bear Canyon Loop trail provides additional exploration opportunities, including a small waterfall. Get More details on hiking the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge.
Bells Canyon Reservoir
Location: Sandy
Distance: ¾ miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Bells Canyon is a short 20-minute hike that can be a great introduction for your kids. There’s loads of parking and restrooms, making this easy for the whole family. Your children will love climbing the huge granite boulders and will have a hard time choosing all the activities that this trail offers.
There are loads of great views and so much green foliage that you’ll fall in love immediately. Once you hike up to the ridge, you can get a full view of the lake and can even try and catch some trout. This hiking site is bound to be your children’s favorite easy hikes.
Cecret Lake
Location: Alta
Distance: 1.7 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a trail filled with wildlife. There are so many flowers, bugs, deer, chipmunks, and birds that you barely have to hike to find an adventure. The trail is fairly flat, so your kids can wander around and scramble on the big rocks. We have a whole article dedicated to hiking Cecret Lake.
The trail ends at Cecret Lake, the perfect spot for a swim and a picnic. Your kids can keep exploring and find massive populations of tadpoles and pollywogs while you sit back and relax.
City Creek Canyon Trail
Location: Downtown Salt Lake
Distance: 6 miles, but you can do out and back to make it shorter
Difficulty: Easy
If you’re looking for a great hike with kids to do right outside of downtown Salt Lake City, just head up to City Creek Canyon. Located just to the Northeast of the Capitol, you can escape the city within minutes. While the actual routes (there are several) start at 6 miles, you can easily do an out-and-back route to make the hike shorter if you’re going with kids. Read our complete guide to hiking City Creek Canyon in Salt Lake to learn more about the trails.
Best Hikes with Kids in Davis and Weber Counties
If you’re looking for hikes in Davis and Weber counties, north of Salt Lake City, you’re in luck, because there is lots of trail access. In fact, with both of these counties tucked right up against the mountains, you can get to one of these kid-friendly Utah hikes without much driving at all. If you’re in teh area, you’ll also like reading about our favorite family-friendly hiking trails in Layton.
Farmington Creek Trail
Location: Farmington, Utah
Distance: 3.5 Miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
This lower area of Farmington Creek Trail is perfect for those looking for a light outdoor adventure. The two primary access points for this section of the trail are the Farmington Canyon Trailhead and the Farmington Pond Trailhead further down. The pond trailhead has a paved parking lot, and some accessible picnic tables nearby, and provides access to several other trails suitable for a relaxed walk. In contrast, the canyon trailhead is smaller and has only dirt parking.
The trail becomes paved and descends towards Lagoon if you choose to go downhill. This section of the trail offers a peaceful walking experience that doesn’t require extensive hiking or venturing far from the city. The trail leads to Lagoon Park Trail, which encircles the park and leads to Lagoon Campground. This area offers opportunities for families to view fenced livestock such as cattle, buffalo, and horses. This area also includes other wildlife like geese, ducks, and other small birds. Explore the trail and discover the secrets of the surrounding trees! You’ll find plenty of areas with fascinating information to keep you entertained and educated along the way.
Read our complete guide to hiking all the sections of the Farmington Creek Trail.
Waterfall Canyon
Location: Ogden, Utah
Distance: 2.5 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
This hiking spot is famous for the enthralling view of the breathtaking 200-foot waterfall that comes on the canyon’s upper end. It is a short but challenging hike that you can enjoy with your kids while exploring the different trails this area offers. The trail can be quite steep in places, but the views at the end are absolutely stunning. Waterfall canyon is also great because dogs are allowed on the trail.
Holbrook Canyon
Location: Bountiful
Distance: 5.4 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
The hike to Holbrook Canyon follows a creek for most of the way, which most kids will find to be adventurous. There are bridges and small swimming holes where you can explore the creek for different wildlife and rocks to learn all about.
This trail also allows dogs to be off their leashes. Some of the bridges are wobbly, so make sure you hold your children’s hands tightly. There are 2 trails that take off from the trailhead, so double check to make sure you are on the Holbrook Canyon trail and not the Sessions trail.
Wild Rose
Location: North Salt Lake
Distance: 1 mile or 2.5 miles RT (depending on the loop)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Located in North Salt Lake, Wild Rose is an exciting hiking site for both adults and children. It leads you to a great playground that your kids can play on before heading back to the car.
You can let your furry buddy off-leash to run through the path while you are enjoying the gorgeous views. There are a couple of different loop options so you can choose how far you would like to hike. The first is a 1 mile loop and the second is a 2.5 mile loop that gives you incredible views of Salt Lake City and City Creek.
Best Hikes with Kids in Utah County
Utah County is known for being very kid friendly and the trails are no exception. We love that there are so many short and easy trails in Utah County to get kids on the trail and out exploring more!
The Grotto Falls
Location: Payson
Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
This short and wide trail is perfect for all groups. It curves along through the forest while following a little stream. The forest service has placed large logs across the streams to make exciting bridges that your kids can explore.
A beautiful waterfall greets you at the end of your journey. As the water is shallow, the whole family can enjoy a well-deserved dip to wade off the summer heat.
Battle Creek Falls
Location: Pleasant Grove
Distance: 4 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Another one of the best hiking spots with kids in Utah is Battle Creek Falls, which leads to yet another gorgeous waterfall. There is a small pond where your little ones can splash and throw rocks in. Later on, there’s a cave that’s ripe for exploration and capturing memories with your camera.
The hike isn’t too difficult that toddlers can’t hike it, yet teens will also enjoy this Utah hike. There are some spots that can get slippery, so look after the young ones!
Stewart Falls
Location: Provo Canyon
Distance: 3.4 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Stewart Falls is a gorgeous hiking trail that is brimming with nature. Some of the path is rocky, so be careful when you get near the steeper terrain. Turkeys, rabbits, and deer are commonly seen at this trail, so make sure you and your kids keep your eyes peeled.
This trail can have a lot of people on it because the main attraction is a gorgeous overlook of a waterfall. If you’re going with kids, avoid the top area of the falls as there are steep cliffs, instead head down the trail towards the river at the bottom of the falls, where the mist from the waterfalls will cool you down and the kids can play in the river.
Best Hikes With Kids in Park City, Heber, & Uintahs
If you’re looking for the best hikes with kids in the Wasatch Back and Uintah’s, we’ve put them together here. This includes the best hikes with kids around Park City and Heber (here are our favorite biking trails in Park City/Heber) as well as the best hikes in the Uintah forest and wilderness.
Bloods Lake
Location: Guardsman Pass
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This is another easy hike that takes you to Bloods Lake, a magnificently calm lake that has a rope swing to launch off of with your kids. If you come here in the midst of the summer heat, there’s no worries about getting cooled off. Visiting throughout the year is doable, but it’s still a good idea to head there in the spring and early summer.
To get to Bloods Lake, make sure that you are using the new trail and parking lot which is about a mile east of the summit. The hike is a moderate downhill at first though the final stretch to the lake is uphill switchbacks.
Ruth Lake
Location: Uintah Forest
Distance: 2 Mile RT
Difficulty: Easy
Ruth Lake is one of the most popular hikes in the Uintahs. The trail is relatively easy, and the kids will have a splendid time making their way through the gorgeous meadows and streams. The path does get rocky at some places, but your kids will do fine with a little assistance.
You can also make the most of the campsites around the lake and enjoy quality time with your kids. This is one of the best spots for introducing your kids to backpacking. It’s an easy hike, but secluded enough to get some real peace and quiet.
Nobletts Trail
Location: Woodland
Distance: 2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Another perfect hiking spot for families with kids is the Nobletts Trail. It’s well-marked and easy to follow. Along the way, you’ll find a lot of water and shade, making it a great hot summer day choice. The water is perfect for both your kids and your dog if you want to bring them along. Read more details about hiking Nobletts Trail.
Best Hikes with Kids in Eastern Utah
Eastern Utah is less frequently visited than the rest, which makes it one of the best places to hike with kids in Utah. We’re sharing our favorite hike with kids in Eastern Utah, but we’ve written a separate article all about the best hikes with kids around Vernal and Dinosaur National Monument.
Jones Hole
Location: Vernal
Distance: 7 miles to the river or 4 miles to Ely Falls
Difficulty: Easy, but long
Jones Hole has some incredible views and a fantastic stream to hike along in the summer. Pack your swimming suits so you can splash around in Ely Falls or take a dip in the stream or swim in the Green River.
The pictographs along the way make this hike even more unique. It’s accessible year-round and there are tons more options of things to do in the area including the Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery.
Best Desert Hikes in Utah With Kids
Desert hiking in Utah with kids is the absolute best. There are certain factors that make it challenging, like the heat, but overall there’s so much to explore for kids in the desert. Desert hiking in Utah means trying to catch lizards, exploring caves, racing across slickrock, and climbing rocks everywhere. You can even find rare wildflowers that kids will learn to appreciate.
Delicate Arch
Location: Moab, Arches National Park
Distance: 3 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Delicate Arch is a small hike and popular that leads to Utah’s most famous natural arch (It’s the one on the license plate). This fun-filled trip will give your kids a much-needed exposure to nature’s marvels. The kid-friendly trail takes you right up to the arch so you can get a great family photo underneath it. Get insider information about hiking Delicate Arch here.
The best time to visit this trail is early in the morning or a couple hours before sunset at the temperatures cool down as the temperature cools down, and the rocks give off a magical hue. Make sure you take plenty of water as the temperature gets quite high.
If you need ideas for more hikes to do in Moab and around Arches National Park, check out our Best Hikes With Kids in Moab article, as well as our article about What To Pack For Moab.
The Windows, Arches National Park
Location: Arches National Park, Moab
Distance: 2 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Arches National Park is filled with pristine desert hiking for kids. This trail is splattered with magnificent wildflowers in the spring and leads you to a beautiful arch with equally beautiful views.
If you want to avoid the crowds while doing this easy hike at Arches National Park, plan on going early in the day, or in the evening. As a bonus, the weather will be cool, since Moab can be incredibly hot for a lot of the year.
It’s well worth spending more time in Moab. That’s why there’s so much information we’ve put out there on full adventures for kids in Moab, what to do in Arches and Canyonlands National Park, and even more of what to do there.
Little Wild Horse
Location: Hanksville
Distance: 8 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Your kids will thoroughly enjoy making their way through the twists and turns that this canyon offers. At the start of the trail, the canyon is wide, but then narrows down the further you go. This slot canyon hike is perfect with kids because it doesn’t require any technical gear or rappels like many other slot canyon hikes in the area.
The walls of the canyon are beautiful, and your kids will love the rock formations. You can also take your dog on a leash so they don’t miss out on the fun.
Make sure to check the weather before you go for the immediate area and the entire San Rafael Swell. If any rain is in the forecast, DO NOT GO! The risk of flash floods here is incredibly high if rain is in the forecast, and the last time we went, there was a flash flood 2 days later and there were deaths involved. This is one of the most popular slot canyons to hike with kids in Utah, but do not automatically assume it is safe if other people are doing it. Educate yourself on the risks of hiking slot canyons with kids in advance.
Hickman Bridge Capitol Reef
Location: Torrey, Capitol Reef
Distance: 1.8 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
This fun hiking trail in Capitol Reef National Park starts along the river’s side and then eventually makes its way up the mountains. There are so many cool things that kids will find along the way and help them to fully enjoy the trip.
The first of them is an ancient ring made of stones that is believed to be an Ancient Native American house. Further along, there is a small bridge that your children will love to explore. There are several easy hikes with kids in Capital Reef, but Hickman Bridge is one of our favorites.
Navajo Loop Trail
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 1.3 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, with slight elevation
Bryce Canyon is another National Park that kids will love. It has a marvelous landscape with loads of rocks to climb around on and enjoy. The Navajo Loop Trail is a short and easy hike that will allow kids to get a great taste of what the park is like.
The first bit of the trail is almost 500 feet in elevation change, so make sure you come with solid hiking boots, but the rest is much easier. You can extend this trail by 1.8 miles if you want to add on the Queen’s Garden trail to get a fuller experience of the park.
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Location: Boulder
Distance: 6.5 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Lower Calf Creek Falls provides a beautiful experience of hiking with the river on your side. This place can get really busy, and the parking is super limited. Get there early so you can embark on your journey that will lead you to the icy cold waterfall where your children can splash around.
This trail is also pretty exposed to the sun. Come prepared with sunscreen, water, and think about going early in the day.
The scenery that surrounds the trail is breathtaking and abundant in wildflowers and wildlife. Once you reach the waterfall, there are empty spaces where you can put up a hammock and relax. The kids can take a swim in the water or make castles in the sand. This will be one family hiking trip that you will cherish forever. This is easily one of the best Utah hikes with kids.
Escalante Natural Bridge
Location: Escalante
Distance: 3.2 Miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is located in Southern Utah, and hold a vast array of kid-friendly hikes. One of the best is the Escalante Natural Bridge hike, an easy 3-mile hike that takes you to a magnificent natural formation that can astonish kids that are just starting to explore the outdoors.
There are fun, yet easy, river crossings so you can throw in a sense of adventure. Rangers will often place poles here to make it easier, but it’s a good idea to bring trekking poles along with just in case. Throw in loads of snacks and water with those poles and you’re ready for a great family day.
Peek-A-Boo And Spooky Slot Canyons
Location: Escalante
Distance: 6.5 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
These hikes start to take hiking with kids in Utah up a notch. It’s a thrilling family experience that will take you parading through purple and red rocks that seem out of this world. As you start and climb into Peek-a-boo, you have to do a steep climb of about 20 feet to get into the canyon. This is the hardest part of the hike. If you cannot get up this section, it’s best to turn around. If you have climbing experience, we recommend setting up a hand line for your group anchored at the top.
Inside of these slot canyons your kids will discover their favorite hikes in Utah. From the top of Peek-a-boo, you can go and find even more to explore in Spooky, just follow the cairns!
There are various cut-outs to aid you in getting into the canyon. Moving further, you will reach Spooky Glutch’s entrance. The sandstone’s contours and natural waves make it perfect for photographing. This will be a fun-filled family activity that your children will thoroughly enjoy.
Take plenty of water as you have to hike uphill about a mile at the end to get back to the trailhead and temperatures can get incredibly hot in this section (there is no shade here).
Red Reef Trail
Location: Washington
Distance: 2.2 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail will prove to be one of the best family hiking adventures in Southern Utah. The Red Reef Trail’s lower portion moves up the Water Canyon and provides breathtaking views, ultimately leading into narrow valleys of red rocks and pools of water.
As you make your way through the trail, you will come across a huge old stump that sticks out of the ground, which is called the Elephant. You can take loads of memorable photos here. The trail then leads to a pool of water where you can enjoy a nice swim.
If you want to continue past here, you’ll need a good amount of courage and some sure footing as you basically have to walk up a steep section of sandstone. This easy hiking trail is located just outside of St George Utah and is right off I-15 so it’s incredibly convenient.
Timber Creek Overlook Trail
Location: Zion National Park, Kolob Area
Distance: 1.1 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
The Timber Creek Overlook Trail is pretty easy for beginner hikers and younger children. Altogether it is a 1.1-mile roundtrip hike, with only 255 feet of elevation gain. The gently sloping trail gradually leads you up to a rock outcropping with a view of Shuntavi Butte, Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains. You get an amazing 360 view that takes your breath away.
Due to the ease of the hike, it only takes 20 minutes for experienced, in-shape hikers. For those bringing young children or for anyone who wants to soak in the view and get some gorgeous backdrop pictures for their social media, it takes closer to an hour. Read full details about this Zion area hike.
West Bank of the Virgin River
Location: Zion National Park
Distance: 2.6 miles one way
Difficulty: Easy
This trail is perfect for anyone that’s wanting to take their youngest out to explore. It follows the Virgin River and is one of the easiest ways to get yourself out of the car and immediately onto a trail.
You’ll get stunning mountain views on this flat and well-used trail. Take it to the trailhead for Emerald Pools, another magnificent kid-friendly hike in Utah.
Emerald Pools
Location: Zion National Park, Springdale
Distance: 3 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
This kid-friendly hiking trail in Zion National Park leads you to a gorgeous waterfall that makes its way down into a stunning pool. The trail starts at the mountain’s side and follows through a scenic forest. There are many rocks that your kids can climb and pose with, for a memorable photograph. The hike ends at a mesmerizing waterfall.
Northgate Peaks
Location: Zion National Park
Distance: 4.4 Miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Looking to get away from the crowd? This trail is tucked into a lesser-visited section of the park, making it prime for finding some solitude in the area. It has the classic sandstone, pines, and sage landscape that everyone loves in Utah, without the crowds that can be frustrating to navigate with a huge family.
Kannaraville Falls
Location: Kannaraville
Distance: 4 Miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
This hiking site will provide the best hiking adventure for kids with some of the best scenery. The trail is loaded with tiny waterfalls and is the perfect activity for water lovers. Prepare yourself to get wet as most of this trail goes through the water (make sure to wear wear outdoor sandals or water hiking shoes). It’s a great beginner slot canyon for kids.
There are many obstacles to climb that will add to the hike’s adventure. Your children will experience the ultimate thrill of climbing over wooden ladders and ropes to move around the canyon. This hike is not well suited to small children since the climbing ladders and ropes are very slick (unless they have the help of an incredibly competent adult), but kids over 10 will absolutely love it.
Reservations are required and entrance into the canyon costs $12 per person.
Chuckwalla Trail
Location: Santa Clara
Distance: 1.9 miles, though extensions can make it longer
Difficulty: Easy
The Chuckwalla Trail, located in the Paradise Canyon area within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve outside of Santa Clara Utah, is an easy and family-friendly 1.9-mile round-trip hike. This trail, known for its beautiful scenery and variety of wildlife, connects to other trails such as Turtle Wall, Beck Hill, and Gecko, offering hikers the opportunity to explore the desert’s unique rock formations and possibly spot desert tortoises, rabbits, and eagles. The trail is open to both hikers and mountain bikers, and you’ll often see lots of rock climbers near the trailhead. The trail is well-marked, combining dirt paths with some sandy sections, and is dog-friendly.
Jenny’s Canyon
Location: Snow Canyon
Distance: 0.5 miles out and back
Difficulty: Very Easy
Jenny’s Canyon is one of my favorite short hikes with kids in St Geoge. It’s located just inside of Snow Canyon State Park and is so beautiful. The hike is less than 10 minutes each way, but the slot canyon at the end is stunningly beautiful. We like to combine this hike with playing at the sand dunes across the street, or taking a hike to the Lava Tube Caves a few miles down the road. Read full details about hiking Jenny’s Canyon.