October 10, 2023

Top Family-friendly Hiking Trails to Experience Fall Foliage

Top Family-friendly Hiking Trails to Experience Fall Foliage

Ah, autumn! 


That magical time when nature puts on its grandest show, with leaves transforming from their usual greens into a dazzling display of reds, oranges, and golds. As the crisp air fills our lungs and the landscape is painted with vibrant hues, there's no better way to fully immerse oneself in the season than with a family hike through some of the country's most scenic trails. 



Here’s our list of the top trails that showcase the best of America's fall foliage:


Northeast family-friendly hiking trails

Acadia National Park, Maine - The Jordan Pond Path

1. Acadia National Park, Maine: The Jordan Pond Path. 

This path is a relatively easy and scenic trail, providing views of ponds and foliage.

2. The White Mountains, New Hampshire: The Flume Gorge loop.

The loop is a family-friendly hike that offers waterfalls and stunning fall colors.

3. Catskills Mountains, New York: Overlook Mountain Trail.

The Catskills are a popular destination for New Yorkers looking to escape the city and enjoy the outdoors. The Overlook Mountain Trail is a moderate 2.4-mile round-trip hike to a scenic overlook with stunning views of the Hudson River Valley.


Mid-Atlantic family-friendly hiking trails

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia - The Limberlost Trail

1. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: The Limberlost Trail.

This trail is a wheelchair-accessible path, winding through colorful woods.

2. Bear Mountain State Park, New York: The Perkins Memorial Tower Trail.

The tower trail offers panoramic views of the Hudson Valley ablaze with autumn colors.


Southeast family-friendly hiking trails

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina - The Laurel Falls Trail

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina: The Laurel Falls Trail.

This trail is paved and relatively short, leading to a beautiful waterfall amid the fall colors.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia: Craggy Gardens.

Many overlooks and short trails, like Craggy Gardens, provide vistas of the Appalachian Highlands draped in fall foliage.


Midwest family-friendly hiking trails

Door County, Wisconsin: The Eagle Trail in Peninsula State Park

1. Door County, Wisconsin: The Eagle Trail in Peninsula State Park.

This trail offers views of limestone cliffs, Lake Michigan, and vibrant forests.

2. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana: Various trails. 

Many trails that offer views of sand dunes, forests, and the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio - Brandywine Falls Trail. 

This park is located just outside of Cleveland and offers a variety of hiking trails for all levels. The Brandywine Falls Trail is a moderate 1.5-mile round-trip hike to a beautiful waterfall.


Western family-friendly hiking trails

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: The Bear Lake Trail

1. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: The Bear Lake Trail. 

This is an easy loop with mountain views and shimmering aspens in the fall.

2. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington: The Naches Peak Loop. 

This trail offers views of Mount Rainier with subalpine meadows that turn gold in the autumn.

3. Yosemite National Park, California - Lower Yosemite Fall Trail.

Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, and for good reason. The Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is a moderate 1-mile round-trip hike to the base of Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.


Southwest family-friendly hiking trails

Sedona, Arizona: The West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon

1. Sedona, Arizona: The West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. 

The path is renowned for its beauty during the fall, with colorful leaves juxtaposed against red rock formations.

2. Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico: The Aspen Vista Trail. 

Hiking here showcases golden aspens and panoramic mountain views.


Pacific Northwest family-friendly hiking trails

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: The Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop

1. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: The Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop. 

This trail provides waterfalls, scenic vistas, and fall foliage along the way.

2. Leavenworth, Washington: The Icicle Gorge Trail. 

This walk is a gentle loop that offers views of the Icicle Creek surrounded by fall colors.


Our Autumn Adventures


The beauty of fall is magnificently showcased from coast to coast. Every region has its unique tapestry of colors and terrains that captivate and inspire. These family-friendly trails are a testament to nature's grandeur and the memories awaiting families who venture out to experience them. 


Bookmark this list! Heck, make a bucket list out of it. We’ll update it every year with new destinations.

Recommended Reading

View the Blog