The Columbia River Gorge is amazing year-round, but summertime seems to be most people’s favorite time to visit. The Gorge is very busy in the summer, especially on weekends, so it is best to visit in the early morning, late afternoon, or weekdays. You can also try out some lesser-known hikes and try to avoid the crowds (more on that below). It can be hard to know which hikes are appropriate for kids, especially since there are so many online resources labeling cliffy or steep hikes as kid-friendly. I’ve been hiking in the Gorge for over 15 years, and my daughter has been hiking there since she was a toddler….we’ve done the research and scouting for you! 

While most of the 50 hikes in my kids Gorge hiking book, little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge, can be hiked in summer, some are better than others. I’ve picked the must-do summertime hikes from my book, and listed them below. For the best information, including almost all the details you need for a safe and fun family hike, pick up a copy on Amazon or at Vintage Books before hitting the trail.

Pro-tips for hiking in the summertime in the Columbia River Gorge:

• Remember that not every trail will be right for your family. I go into this more in my books, but please assess your family members’ hiking abilities and pay attention to the risks outlined so you can determine if a trail is right for your family
• When hiking in the Gorge, especially near or east of Cascade Locks/North Bonneville, make sure you do a tick check after your hike and watch out for poison oak.
• Rattlesnakes can be seen along some Eastern Gorge hikes, so advise kiddos not to climb on or stick their hands into rock piles. 
• The Eastern Gorge can be quite hot in the summer, so these hikes are best done early in the morning or in the late afternoon. 
• If it is warm in town, it still may be cool in the mountains. On the morning of your hike, check daytime and overnight weather conditions and make sure to bring the right gear.
• Make sure to check mountain snow levels.
• Educate yourself on summer safety.
• Auto thefts happen
• Don’t forget your mosquito repellant, sun protection, and anti-itch cream!
• Check for wildfires and smoke, as well as air quality.
• In summer, water can still be cold and swift or even unsafe due to toxins. Washington.gov has great tips for keeping kids safe or learn more about kids and water safety here.
• Maintain reasonable expectations and have fun!

Latourell Falls

• 2.2 round-trip miles
• This is one of a handful of kid-friendly Gorge waterfall hikes unaffected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire
• There is easy creek access for a bit of splashing
• The rock formations on this hike are amazing
• Visit during off hours or on weekdays in order to find parking

Larch Mountain Environmental Education Site

• 0.9 to 1.8 miles round-trip
• Practically unknown hike, so it shouldn’t be busy
• Visit this site for solitude, shade, and creek play
• Look for Oregon Slender Salamanders (learn more in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)

Emerald Falls

• 1.2 round-trip miles
• This is a more obscure hike that isn’t written about in too many places
• The hike to Emerald Falls is less crowded than other kid-friendly Gorge waterfall hikes
• Keep an eye out for water ouzels

Starvation Creek State Park

• 0.6 – 4 round-trip miles
• Paved and stroller-friendly way to access up to three waterfalls
• Can be noisy due to proximity to the interstate
• Lots of spots for water-splashing

St. Cloud Day Use Area

• 1 to 1.5 miles round-trip
• Great spot for animal tracking when water is low (learn more about the bear and beavers that live there in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
• Rocky beach is great for river access
• Use caution near the river

Larch Mountain

• 0.6 mile or 4.2 round-trip miles
• Amazing mountaintop view of 5 volcanoes
• Wildflowers abound in summer
• The amazing forest here is unlike any other
• The 4.2 mile route isn’t described anywhere else other than little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge

Nellie Corser Wildlife Unit

• 0.85 round-trip mile
• This short hike is lesser-known and lovely
• The creek offers cool water to splash in on a warm day
• Pay special attention to directions in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge so you can avoid private property and ledges

Hood River Waterfront Trail

• 2.8 miles out-and back (but you can do less)
• Paved, stroller-friendly trail takes you past a playground and river access
• The trail is fun for watching kiteboarders and windsurfers in the summer

Dry Creek Falls

• 3.8 mile round-trip miles
• Hike through shady forest, right up to a waterfall
• There is good parking at the trailhead
• Look for wildflowers along the way

Nick Eaton Falls

• 4.4 round-trip miles
• This hike has shade, wildflowers, and a nice waterfall you can walk right up to
• The hike was impacted by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire (learn more in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
• This trail is cliffy and best for older hikers

Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail

• 2 to 2.8 miles round-trip
• Mt. Hood views and more shade than most eastern Gorge hikes
• Look for oak galls (see Hike #37 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
• Can add on or replace with a paved stroller-friendly 0.25 or 1.25 mile loop from the save trailhead (see Hike #45 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)

Mosier Tunnels

• 2+ round-trip miles
• Paved and stroller-friendly walk in and out of historical tunnels
• Great place in the eastern Gorge to hike on a hot day due to its shade

Hope you found this helpful! Now go out and enjoy making some summertime family memories!