National Parks and Monuments - Pitstops for Kids

What to do in Ketchikan Alaska with kids

September 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s plenty to do in Ketchikan Alaska with kids! Whether in Ketchikan a day or two before or after a cruise or in the city for an extended time, there are a few must-sees.

SE Alaska Discovery Center

One of the best museums we viewed in Alaska, the SE Alaska Discovery Center is located in the heart of downtown Ketchikan, in easy walking distance of the cruise ship terminals. Start by viewing the 28 minute film, then tour through various ecosystems of Alaska, including rain forest, intertidal, and more. There are also exhibits on the fishing and crabbing industry, Alaskan Native populations and customs, and Alaskan wildlife. The museum exhibits don’t replace going out to see the ‘real thing’, but does give a great overview of the area. This stop would be best at the start of an Alaska vacation.

The museum is located at 50 Main Street. Admission is $5 per person.

Historic Creek Street

Ketchikan is known for its role as a gateway to the Klondike gold fields, and has a somewhat sordid past to reflect this pioneering history. Creek Street houses rows of historic buildings built along the pier over a large creek, most of which are now tourist shops. It’s worth a stroll along the boardwalk to catch glimpses of spawning salmon in the creek in summer and imagine what the town used to look like. A word of caution: Dolly’s, a one-time brothel, has been restored to its former glory for tours. Contrary to what the tour guides will tell you, the vast majority of parents would not consider the tour appropriate for children. The content discussed and some of the artifacts within the house are graphic. Learn from our mistake!

Misty Fjords National Monument

The best way to experience Misty Fjords National Monument is by boat. If you’re lucky enough to be cruising via small ship, you will have likely cruised through Misty Fjords, but if not, definitely include it in your day excursions. The best tour of the region: Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer, a 4.5 hour boat tour of the national monument run by longtime Alaskan-owned company Allen Marine. It’s easy to see wildlife aboard this two-story vessel, such as bald eagles and seals. There’s a natural onboard to point things out and answer questions, and snacks and tea and coffee are provided. We were most impressed by the 3,000 foot granite cliffs on either side of the boat, the numerous waterfalls, and New Eddystone Rock sticking out of the green-blue water.

Tip: If souvenir shopping, Ketchikan has ample opportunity to buy made-in-Alaska wares, such as Alaskan Native art or beadwork made locally. Ask shop owners whether their products are made in the state; you’d be surprised how much comes from oversees.

Exploring Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Alaska

September 9, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Part of the Tongass National Forest, Mendenhall Glacier is one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. Located just outside Juneau Alaska, Mendenhall can be driven to by tour bus or private vehicle, or can be explored from above via float plane or helicopter. While some helo tours do include a landing on the glacier, visitors arriving by car or bus will have access only to view Mendenhall and Mendenhall Lake via observation deck or trail.

Exploring Mendenhall with kids:

If possible, allow at least two hours to explore Mendenhall. Start at the visitor’s center, which is set above the entrance for optimal viewing of the glacier. Kids can look through high quality telescopes at viewing stations within the visitor’s center, and everyone will learn more about glacial activity (and Mendenhall in particular) before exploring it in person. The park service staff are very knowledgable, and though Mendenhall is run by the US Forest Service, kids can participate in a Junior Ranger curriculum. Tip: If you are on a cruise ship itinerary and don’t have time to finish, the completed booklet can be turned in in Ketchikan.

Take the Nugget Falls trail from the visitor’s center to the glacier. The trail is less than one mile on even terrain and is well maintained, and will take you to the base of the glacier and the shore of Mendenhall Lake. The rushing water of Nugget Falls flows into the lake here, creating quite the dramatic destination. This is a great place to get family photos at the glacier, and kids will burn off energy running around in the sand by the lake.

Date last visited: July 2013

Hour of operation: 8 am to 7:30 pm daily in summer. Open Fri-Sun in winter.

Directions: Mendenhall is at 6000 Glacier Spur Road. Follow signage from Juneau.

Things to do in Sitka Alaska with kids: three not-to-miss attractions

August 26, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Whether you’re embarking upon an Alaska cruise from Sitka or charting a fishing excursion, there are multiple things to do in Sitka Alaska with kids. The town is rich in Russian and Tlingit (Alaska Native) history, and is a bustling fishing port to this day. Be sure to schedule at least one extra day in town to explore the natural, historical, and cultural sights. Sitka boasts 8,500 residents, but the central downtown area is entirely walkable; no need for a car. The three attractions for kids in Sitka below are all within a few blocks of one another, and all walkable from Sitka hotels.

Alaska Raptor Center:

Spend a few hours at the Alaska Raptor Center, located just outside of town just past Sitka National Historic Park (walk through the trails to get there!). This rehabilitation center for as many as 30 Alaskan birds of prey includes permanent housing for raptors who cannot be reintroduced back into the wild, as well as ‘rehab’ exercise and observation rooms for those who are recovering from injuries. The staff is well-educated on the goings on at the center, and can answer any questions about the rescue process.

Start at the birds of prey presentation to ‘meet’ some bald eagle friends and get an overview of the center, then tour the rehab area and the outside viewing areas. The kids loved the owls best–especially the very animated snowy owl–and the ravens. There’s a nice walking path where wild bald eagles can be spotted (and perhaps a bear or two) and a gift shop, of course. The good news: proceeds help the raptors.

Located at 1000 Raptor Way, off Lincoln Street. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for kids, and the center is open May through September 8 am to 4 pm.

Sitka National Historic Park:

En route to the Raptor Center is Sitka National Historic Park, which we were told is the smallest national park in the nation. Don’t judge it by its size, however: Sitka’s historic park has enough to do to keep a family busy for several hours. Start at the small but well-designed visitor’s center: view the short film which gives a good overview of the history of the area, then take a walk through the coastal rain forested trails to see the site of the Russian-Tlingit battle of the late 17th century and many authentic totem poles. Better yet: take one of the park’s guided walks to learn the most about the significance of each totem.

The walk deposits visitors near the beach, where great tide pool and intertidal viewing is possible at low tide. Either way, stop to take a photo of beautiful Sitka Sound and see if you can spot any large cruise ships anchored off-shore (the harbor cannot accommodate them). Back in the visitor’s center, check out the indoor totem poles and pick up a Junior Ranger booklet to complete in Sitka.

The park is free to visit and open 8 am to 5 pm. Located on Lincoln Street (a main thoroughfare), the park is a 10 minute walk from another historical site, the Russian Bishop’s House (also on Lincoln, toward town). Download a walking map.

Sitka Sound Science Center:

The Sitka Sound Science Center is easy to overlook, located in a set of warehouses by the bay, but we found it to be a hidden gem of Sitka. Locals enjoy the center’s educational day programs and camps, and there’s plenty to see as a visitor as well. Plan to spend at least one hour to tour the outside salmon hatchery (where you can learn about the process of tagging and tracking Alaskan Wild Salmon) and explore the indoor touch tanks. These tanks are extensive, showcasing the abundance of wildlife in the intertidal zone. Kids and adults can touch everything in the tanks (with one finger to ensure nothing gets accidentally pinched or squished), and we had a great time learning what all these critters felt like! The water in the touch tanks is very cold, so be prepared for a numb hand after a while!

In the touch tank room are also several exhibits about the intertidal zone, marine wildlife, and eco-conservationism. An orca whale skeleton draws the eye, too. The guides here comprise mostly of scientists and students, and are very knowledgeable about the animals and SE Alaska.

Admission is $5 per person (over age two), which includes the hatchery. The center is located at 834 Lincoln.

While walking Sitka, Castle Hill, the site of the signing of Alaska over to the U.S. from Russia, is also worth a stop. A series of stairs takes visitors to the best views around, with cannons kids enjoy seeing and vistas of both the town and the sound. Find Castle Hill at the end of Lincoln Street, by the Sitka Hotel and Totem Square.

Looking for a place to stay in Sitka? Read our review of Totem Square Inn.

Cave spelunking at Craters of the Moon National Monument

July 22, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

For families driving through Southern Idaho en route on I-84 or toward Yellowstone National Park, a stop at Craters of the Moon National Monument is well worth the time. This park of lava tubes and geological displays is visually stunning with its rocky volcanic landscape and cinder cone, but the true wonders are below ground. The highlight for our family was certainly the cave exploration within the park.

Start at the visitor’s center at the park entrance, and watch a short film on the park, then obtain a cave permit. (Permits are required to enter any caves in the park in an effort to protect bats from a common bat disease.) Once you have your permit (and enough flashlights or headlamps for everyone in your party), head out on Crater Loop Road, and follow signage to the cave area. You’ll see a parking area and paved path to the lava field with five caves. We toured the Dewdrop Cave (small and good to start with), the Indian Tunnel (large but still well-lit), and the Boy Scout Cave (dark, icy, and requiring much scrambling). If you have adventurous kids in your group like we have, they’ll also want to explore additional lava tubes running throughout the beds.

Note: You’ll want sturdy shoes with good grip in the caves, as well as lights (headlamps are best). Keep kids close to you, because there are many ways to go inside the caves and many small tunnels that are tempting to explore. Be aware of icy rocks.

If cave spelunking isn’t your thing, the Crater Loop Road also includes numerous view points, a short hike up a cinder cone, and day hikes. There is a campground at Craters of the Moon which is visually beautiful but low on shade or wind protection; I’d recommend it for RV campers, not tent campers. The visitor’s center has an indoor atrium where families can eat bag lunches, but no outdoor picnic areas. Don’t forget to get the kids’ National Parks Passports stamped!

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the Interstate:

1.5 hours (right on US Highway 20).

Admission:

Car fee is $8. Campground fees may apply.

Operating hours:

Visitor’s Center: 8 am to 6 pm during summer months. Call for opening season dates: 208-527-1335

Directions:

Craters of the Moon is located off US Highway 20/26 between Arco and Carey, Idaho.

Uncrowded Yosemite: backpacking Yosemite National Park with kids

April 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Would you believe that in July, in the center of Yosemite National Park, we enjoyed an entire day where we never saw another soul? It’s possible, provided you depart from the usual tourist destinations in the valley and explore Yosemite backcountry.

Backpacking Yosemite National Park with kids:

We chose to hike a portion of The John Muir Trail, a 211 mile path between Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley and Mt. Whitney in the California desert. While hardcore backpackers will hike the entire length in as little as 15 days, the Yosemite National Park portion of the John Muir Trail makes for a nice escape for backpackers with less time (or young kids). Backpackers hiking the John Muir trail in Yosemite traditionally start at the base of Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park, and climb upward past Vernal and Nevada falls, Half Dome, and Little Yosemite Valley campground while making their way toward Tuolumne Meadows. For our John Muir Tail trip with young kids, we decided to tackle the John Muir Trail in reverse, which allowed for more downhill sections of trail and fewer crowds until the end of our journey.

Planning a Yosemite backcountry trip:

Backpacking the Yosemite National park backcountry with kids involves planning. Anyone planning to hike any portion of the John Muir Trail must obtain a Yosemite wilderness permit. Permits can be secured up to 168 days prior to the date desired, and for summer backpacking in Yosemite, reserving a permit the full 168 days out is recommended.

Upon arrival to Yosemite, you’ll need to check in at a Yosemite National Park Wilderness Center, where you’ll pick up your permit as well as bear canisters if you don’t have your own. Bear canisters must be used to store all food and scented items such as toothpaste, medications, and lotion, and can be rented (for only the price of a deposit). You’ll need to leave space in your packs for these.

If you plan to hike Half Dome, Half Dome permits are required, and they are separate from backcountry permits (though you can obtain both simultaneously). And if you plan to stay a night before or after your backpacking trek in Yosemite National Park (recommended), be sure to secure lodging early, as this is one of the most crowded national parks in America. Backpackers can also make use of free backpacker campgrounds the day before and after their backpacking trip.

On the John Muir Trail:

Day 1: Tuolumne Meadows to Sunrise Lake (3 miles)
In order to start our Yosemite backpacking trip in Tuolumne Meadows, we began at the Sunrise Trail Head at Tenaya Lake on Tioga Road. We followed the Sunrise Trail up steep switchbacks to connect with the Forsyth Trail near beautiful Sunrise Lake (a great first night camping option).

Day 2: Forsyth Trail to Clouds Rest and beyond (8 miles)
From Sunrise Lake, we continued to follow the Forsyth Trail to intersect with the Clouds Rest junction, leading 2 miles to arguably the best viewpoint in Yosemite National Park. From Clouds Rest, hikers can see the entire Yosemite Valley, including an unique view of Half Dome. Note: the pinnacle of Clouds Rest is fully exposed, with steep drop offs on each side. This is not a place for young children or anyone with vertigo or a fear of heights. Since I fall into that category (hiking with a small child), we viewed the Yosemite landscape from just .2 mile below the top, which also offers wonderful vistas.

Hikers can continue past Clouds Rest to intersect with the John Muir Trail several miles later, but as this section of trail is still exposed and at great heights, we opted to return the 2 miles back to the Forsyth Trail and join the John Muir Trail much earlier. This first section of John Muir winds through old growth forest alongside Sunrise Creek, and affords several nice camp sites adjacent to this water source. This section of the John Muir Trail is less traveled, but we were still surprised to find we didn’t encounter a single hiker all evening, night, or morning.

Day 3: Sunrise Creek to Little Yosemite Valley (5 miles)
Day 3 took us along the John Muir Trail from Sunrise Creek into Little Yosemite Valley. This backpackers’ haven offers numerous campsites along the Merced River (perfect for swimming in after a long day hiking!). Though lively, Little Yosemite is a fun oasis for hikers, offering conversation and companionship around the communal fire pit after days of relative isolation.

En route to Little Yosemite Valley, the John Muir Trail offers views of Half Dome, and the steady accent of hikers navigating its cable system to the top. Should you wish to ascend Half Dome yourself, the trail intersects with the final 2 miles of the Half Dome Trail mid-way through your hike down to Little Yosemite. Note: this is another steep, exposed trail. Though children can ascend it, be advised that very small kids may not be able to reach the cables, essential to a safe ascent. Our 13 and 11-year-olds could make the trek, but not our seven-year-old. For those not challenging Half Dome, it’s fun stop on John Muir Trail or Little Yosemite Valley and use binoculars to watch the climbers.

Day 4: Little Yosemite to Valley Floor (4.5 miles)
Our final day on the John Muir Trail led us down from Little Yosemite Valley to spectacular Nevada Fall, where the trail splits into the John Muir or the popular Mist Trail. We opted for the Mist Trail in order to glimpse the best views of nearby Vernal Fall, but the steps descending both falls are steep and can be slippery when wet. Be advised that the Mist Trail gets crowded with day hikers, and can be hard to navigate with overnight backpacks. The option of continuing on the John Muir Trail has its own set of disadvantages: it’s a longer route to the valley floor, and more exposed, providing little shade.

Safety on the John Muir Trail and in the Yosemite backcountry:

In addition to dizzying heights, bears, and crowds near the valley floor, backpackers need to be aware of the significant elevation gains to be experienced on the Yosemite section of the John Muir Trail. Elevations reach over 9,000 feet, necessitating plenty of water intake to prevent headaches and nausea. Other wildlife can pose a threat if hikers are not alert, including rattlesnakes — we encountered the biggest we’ve ever seen at Little Yosemite Valley.

Getting to and from Your Car:

Whether you hike the John Muir Trail from the valley floor up or from Tuolumne Meadows down, as we did, you’ll need transportation back to your car at the end of your trip. Yosemite National Park offers free shuttle service throughout the valley, but to travel to Tuolumne or vice versa, you’ll need to take Yarts, a paid shuttle service with stops in Yosemite Village and points throughout Tuolumne. Hikers cannot make reservations in advance for Yarts, and though we were told busses never fill up, that was not the case. Be sure to be at the stop before the allotted time and have cash in hand. One-way tickets were $8 at the time of our visit.

No rain dance required: three soggy days on the Olympic Peninsula

March 13, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

According to the middle-aged waitress in Hoquiam, Washington’s only coffee shop, it had already been raining on the Olympic Peninsula for two days straight when we drove through en route to nearby Lake Quinault Lodge. And the forecast was not promising to get any better.

“Can’t imagine why you’re visiting in March,” she observed, pouring my coffee into a brown ceramic mug.

“It’ll still be raining in July,” I shrugged.

Her answering ‘humph’ came with a nod of agreement, though I’m sure she still thought we were crazy to be here. The truth was, not one of us cared an iota about the rain. We had our rain jackets. We had gloves. We had wool hats and waterproof hiking boots. We weren’t here for a sun tan.

One might argue that no three days can be perfect while traveling with kids, but while on the Olympic Peninsula, you simply have to find something other than storm clouds to blame. Unruly children, perhaps. Traffic out of the city. The near-constant drizzle is as much a part of the package as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, or red rock is to the Grand Canyon. You can’t have the lush beauty of this temperate rain forest without the rain.

Lake Quinault Lodge certainly doesn’t take notice of the weather. It sits stoically no matter the season, quietly waiting it out. When we arrived, it was with a mad dash into the sanctuary of the wood-beamed lobby, where a fire crackled and thick rugs graced the floor. The kids began a game of chess by the fireplace while we checked in, then ran to the back porch, where they had to crane their necks upward to check the rain-guage. Already 52 inches this year. In our lake-view room, we donned swim suits (yes, really!) over which we zipped rain jackets. With hoods drawn, we dashed across the wide lawn to the pool house, where we pushed open the door to a wall of steam and the smell of cedar.

It’s hard to tell where Lake Quinault Lodge’s indoor pool ends and its spacious sauna begins. All you really know is that you’re warm, the high interior windows are fogged over, and the sound of your children’s laugher is echoing back at you from everywhere at once.

We dined on cedar-planked salmon and lake trout that night in the lodge’s historic Roosevelt Dining Room, where the kids sipped from their water glasses with pinkies out, cloth napkins safely on laps. They dared each other to try the ‘banana slug ice cream’ for dessert, laughing with relief to find it to be banana-flavored.

The next morning, we hiked under the rain forest canopy of national forest trails with the feeling of cotton balls in our ears: the steady pattering of the rain falling on the leaves muted the kids’ cries of delight, the occasional dog bark, and the hellos of passing hikers. As the kids ducked under ferns and climbed moss-covered nurse logs, the raincoats came off. Under the trees, we were sheltered completely as our tread found footing on the pliant forest floor.

Lunch was an impromptu picnic in our room, after which we looked up, startled, at the slant of sunlight cast across our floor. Yes, the clouds do part at Lake Quinault, if only temporarily. And when they did for us, we had to catch our breath. From the spacious deck of the lodge, the lake spanned wide and blue, each white cap winking in the rare sunlight as if amused to reveal herself to us. We wasted no time piling into the car for the short into Olympic National Park for an afternoon of beach combing. As we navigated windy Highway 101, signage for ocean beaches sported native Quileute and Hoh names that tangled on the tongue. We taught them to the kids as we drove, but their eyes were out the window, waiting to catch a glimpse of sand and sea.

We stopped at Kalaloch, where the root systems of giant trees clung, exposed, against sandy bluffs, the wind whipped, and driftwood sat piled, begging to be pressed into service as walls of beach forts. If Lake Quinault Lodge looks tranquil in the face of the rain, the lodge at Kalaloch appears hunkered down, battered and brutalized by direct exposure of salt and sea. We note the location for future ocean storm watching.

That night, we fell asleep to the pounding of rain on the Lake Quinault Lodge roof, and woke to brief dazzling sunshine which was replaced by long shadows across the dining room floor before we’d finished our granola and berries. We hit the forest trails under dark cloud, and back under the canopy, it was hard to say then they burst open. The forest floor absorbed moisture like a sponge. The rain fell steadily for two days more, as promised, and by the time we checked out, our room smelled of dank cotton and nylon from the clothing we’d spread out near the heater to dry. On our way back through town, we waved to our friendly waitress in tribute as we passed the diner, the last of our wet clothing piled in a ball in the back of the van.

Manzanar National Historic Site

December 20, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re driving along US Highway 395 through California, take an hour or so to stop at the Manzanar National Historic Site, the site of a World War II Japanese-American Internment Camp, outside of Bishop, CA. Built only in 2004, this National Park Service site is wonderfully well run and free for visitors.

When you enter the site, you’ll be struck by the stunning high desert views and stark isolation, and the first thing you’ll see is the ominous guard tower. Visitors have the option of a three mile driving tour of the barrack areas, or a stop at the interpretive center. I recommend starting at the latter, especially with kids, as this center does a great job of explaining Japanese internment during World War II. Start with the 22 minute film, then wander the auditorium (once a dance hall for the interred), looking at all the fantastic exhibits. Kids are immediately drawn to the display of what a barrack looked like inside, complete with kids’ toys and clothing, and the descriptions of school in the camp (you’ll even find a year book for middle schoolers).

The National Park rangers on-site are friendly and very knowledgable, and there’s a Junior Ranger option for kids. We walked part of the driving tour afterward, to experience a bit of the scenery (the Sierras are stunning) and camp-life of the Japanese-Americans at this time in history.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Hwy 395.

Hours of operation:

The outdoor sites are open every day, dawn to dusk. The interpretive center is open 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in the summer season, and 9 am to 4:30 pm in winter (November 1-March 31). Closed Christmas Day.

Admission price:

Free

Dining options:

None. And most times of year, it’s either too hot, too windy, or too cold to picnic here. There are nice bathrooms and water fountains for drinking and filling up water bottles.

Directions:

Manzanar is located nine miles north of Lone Pine CA (and just south of Bishop, CA), right off Hwy 395.

Where to find tide pools in Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC

August 31, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Every tide pool we saw in Tofino, BC on Vancouver Island’s west coast was more amazing than the last. After a while, we stopped exclaiming about it and learned to expect to be stunned by the intertidal beauty of this area. Where to find the best tide pools in Tofino? Below are our top picks:

1. MacKenzie Beach: Just a few miles south of Tofino, MacKenzie Beach stretches widely in low tide, allowing visitors to explore not only the rocky coastline at the south end, but several small islands that are not accessible in high tide. Start down near Ocean Village turn left for the rocky outcroppings. While we visited this beach, Calvin decided to try to count 100 sea stars: he stopped at over 300! In addition, you’ll find sea anemomes and lots of crabs and small fish. Most amazing (to us) were the abundance of ghost shrimp just under the sand in low tide. You can identify their burrows by the tiny ‘volcano’ shaped holes in the wet sand. If you dig, you’ll uncover one, but be warned: they’re squirmy, big, and a bit scary!

2. Chesterman Beach: Even more impressive than MacKenzie Beach, Chesterman Beach is larger, wilder, and features an amazing fissure in the rock where families can walk through in low tide. In the center of the Chesterman Beach is a private island; it’s permissible to walk to it and on it, but respect the private property signs on each end. We found it fun to reach this island, but the best tide pools are on the south side of the main beach, where the rocks reveal massive sea anemones and other intertidal wildlife. (At this beach, Calvin’s sea star count rose to over 600!) Go through the rock fissure and climb over the larger rocks with muscles and barnacles, and check in the large pools for crabs and hermit crabs. We even found a rare sunflower sea star, known as the biggest predator of the intertidal pool area. The colors and size of the tidal pool inhabitants on Chesterman are truly jaw-dropping. If you only visit one tidal pool area in Tofino, make it this one!

3. Lismer Beach: Lismer Beach is located next to more well-known Wickaninnish Beach (famous for its surfing and sand dunes), and is accessible by South Beach Trail (1.5 km round trip). Kids will love the chorus of ‘music’ the many pebbles on the beach make in the rolling surf, but caution should be exerted: only attempt the tide pools along the bluffs at extreme low tide. The trailhead is located near Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s visitor’s center (a must-do): at the center, turn south.

Note: be sure to plan your visits to tide pools during low tide. Tidal information is available in the local paper, at every visitor center in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and from any local.

Tofino on Dwellable

What to do in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with kids

August 27, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island’s scenic west coast is a must-do for families visiting Vancouver Island. The park is divided in to three sections: Long Beach, Broken Island Group, and West Coast Trail. The Broken Island Group is off-shore, and accessible only by guided kayak tour if you’re inexperienced (and best for older children of at least 12 years old), and the West Coast Trail is a multi-day backpacking experience, but Long Beach provides less ambitious families with lots to do.

1. Pacific Rim National Park’s K’isitis Visitor Centre: This interpretive center is exceptionally well done, and is located just a few miles into the park at Wickaninnish Beach. With displays on the area’s First Nations history, including whaling traditions, and nature information on the park’s local intertidal and ocean inhabitants, this is a great first stop before exploring the rest of the park on your own. Information about the park’s nature and hiking trails are also found here, as well as a nice First Nations gift shop and cafe (open seasonally). Wickaninnish Beach is steps away, where families can picnic and kids can watch the surfers and build forts out of driftwood.

2. Willowbrae Trail: Willowbrae is a good hike for young children that leads through old growth forest to (another) spectacular beach. Located south of the visitor center on Highway 4 toward the town of Ucluelet, you’ll find the Willowbrae trailhead up a dirt drive off the right-hand side of the road. Park adjacent to campground parking, and head down the 2.8 km round trip trail. It’s only slightly steep (both up and down) but there are steep steps at the end, when you’re descending to the beach. The beach itself has moderate surf, but the draw here is the abundance of driftwood to play on, climb, and create with.

3. Rainforest Trail: Families actually get two for the price of one on this interpretive trail of two loops, each with different signage teaching kids about the temperate rain forest. Loop A explains forest life cycles and Loop B emphasizes forest inhabitants such as the salmon who spawn here.

4. Meares Island: This First Nations maintained island right off the coast of Tofino sports a cedar-plank boardwalk winding its way through the tangled forest, leading families to some of the oldest cedar trees in the area (800-1600 years old). To access the island, it’s necessary to hire a boat ride to Meares with Remote Passages or other Tofino water taxi operations.

What to skip: While all of Pacific Rim is beautiful, the trail to 3rd Beach is slightly less scenic than others, and locals let me know that visitors frequently get lost on Radar Hill. (More information on Pacific Rim National Park hiking trails.)

Tip: Be sure to purchase a park pass when entering the park. It will be good for 24 hours (3 day passes are also available), but less advertised is the option of a 4-hour pass. If you think you’ll only be passing through the park with one or two stops, this might be for you!

Top 10 family hiking trails in Utah

August 2, 2012 By Sharlene Earnshaw

It’s difficult to select only ten great family hiking trails in Utah, but the trails in Utah’s national parks are especially good places for families to explore the natural wonders of the world together. These are my family’s favorite trails from each of Utah’s national parks.

I use two criteria for determining whether a hike is family-friendly. First, the hike must be easy enough for a preschooler to walk on his own. My five-year-old has walked nearly all of these trails in the past two years. Second, the hike must be worthwhile for everyone in the family. If I’m going to spend the time and money to travel to a national park, I want to see what makes it special.

Zion National Park

1. Weeping Rock

I have visited Zion National Park dozens of times and there were few visits when I didn’t hike to Weeping Rock. This short, paved trail leads visitors to an alcove in the canyon wall where water drips continuously through the sandstone in front, creating a hanging garden in the desert. The alcove also provides a spectacular view of Zion Canyon.

2. Emerald Pools

This is my eight-year-old daughter’s favorite hike. Families will discover three waterfall-fed pools along this trail. The one-mile stroller-friendly walk to the Lower Pool is worthwhile on its own. The last third-mile between the Middle Pool and the Upper Pool is rugged and strenuous, but the Upper Pool is the best of the three.

Bryce Canyon National Park

3. Rim Trail from Sunrise to Sunset Point

The entire Rim Trail is about 5.5 miles one way, but it has several entry and exit points, so it’s easy for families to customize their experience. The half-mile between Sunrise and Sunset Points is flat and paved and gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs while appreciating some of the best scenery in Bryce Canyon.

4. Navajo Loop

This 1.3-mile loop starts and ends at Sunset Point. The trail descends dramatically through the hoodoos to the floor of Bryce Canyon. The walk back uphill is strenuous, but there is no reason to rush through scenery this beautiful. Even an amateur photographer like me can’t take a bad picture here

Capitol Reef National Park

5. Capitol Gorge

This two-mile flat, unpaved trail was the main highway through Capitol Reef until 1964. Petroglyphs and the signatures of Mormon pioneers in the rock walls indicate that it had been used this way for a long time. At the end of the trail, take the short, steep trail to see natural water tanks in the rocks where rainwater collects in the desert.

6. Hickman Bridge

Two natural bridges, an ancient Fremont dwelling, and magnificent scenery are a pretty good return on your investment in this 2.5-mile hike. Pick up a printed trail guide before you start to fully appreciate all this hike has to offer.

Canyonlands National Park

7. Mesa Arch

The payoff for this hilly half-mile hike is an arch that frames endless canyons behind it. There are unfenced cliffs at the end, but there is plenty of room to enjoy the view without going near the drop-off.

8. White Rim Overlook

We often have this trail’s spectacular panoramas to ourselves because it isn’t well-marked from the road. Look for a marked picnic area just down the road from the Island in the Sky visitor center. Signs for the trailhead are inside the picnic area. There are unfenced cliffs at the end of this trail, but there is a shady place to sit and plenty of space to enjoy the view without getting too close to the edge.

Arches National Park

9. Sand Dune Arch

The first time my husband and I hiked this short, flat and sandy trail, we found a family relaxing in the shade near the trailhead with their camp chairs, picnic, and sand toys. We haven’t hiked this trail with our kids yet, but we’re coming prepared with the same equipment when we do.

10. Delicate Arch

None of the many photos of this iconic arch compare with the experience of seeing it in person. The three-mile hike across exposed sandstone can be challenging, but the perfect photo ops and the opportunity to walk right up to Delicate Arch is worth it. Plan to hang on to young children at the end because there are some scary drop-offs once you get to the arch, but not before.

Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to hike in all of these parks, though Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands are a little cooler and Zion has a river in which to cool off. Winter is a great time to hike to Delicate Arch.

I grew up visiting Utah’s national parks and now I enjoy sharing them with my family. Make them a part of your family memories too.

Allison Laypath is a family travel writer at tipsforfamilytrips.com, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She and her husband took their first child on a two-week road trip at four-weeks-old and they have been traveling as a family ever since. Allison loves all types of travel, but especially road trips, national parks and travel within her home state of Utah.