Have you ever hiked with a kid who just didn’t want to hike? It happens. In my five hiking guides, I give you a lot of general and hike-specific ideas to motivate your kids to keep hiking. However, after 10 years of hiking with kids of all ages, the most tried-and-true motivator that I’ve found (other than ice cream) is PLAYGROUNDS!
I have gone through all five of my books, and I’ve identified 22 hikes, within 50 miles of Portland (Oregon) and Vancouver (Washington), that have playgrounds along the trail, at the trailhead, or within a few miles of the trailhead. Better yet, my 10 year old (the original littlefoot) sat down with me to rank the top 10 playgrounds in her opinion (she has visited all of them).
Below, you will find these top 10. Stay tuned for another post with the remaining 12!
TOP 10 PLAYGROUNDS (AND THEIR HIKES) ACCORDING TO LITTLEFOOT
Summer is the best time to visit the Mt. Hood area. There are so many lovely lakes, and the mountain views are outstanding! While I got my feet wet (literally) at PNW hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood is where I really got hooked on hiking, backpacking, local history and my naturalist studies. It is such a gift to be able to hike in such breathtaking surrounds and learn so much while doing it.
Mt. Hood has a lot of trails, many of which are not kid-friendly. The area can also be quite rugged with limited cell service and bad roads. The good news is that there are at least 45 kid-friendly hikes around this dormant volcano (although it is considered potentially active and could become more active at some point). Continue reading to find out my favorite hikes (and nearby campgrounds) from my third book little feet hiking: Mt. Hood. For the best information, including where to hike when the mountain is hiding, as well as 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 around Mt. Hood:
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 that you can determine if a trail is right for your family. Many trails in the Mt. Hood area are quite remote, and you may encounter wildlife. Thoroughly-researched trail guides will prepare you better than free apps generated by all types of users.
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.Often, mountain mornings start out foggy/cloudy and afternoons get sunny. It is good to plan for changing weather conditions. To find the most accurate forecast, visit NOAA, and click on the spot closest to where you’ll be hiking (check the elevation).
Please respect any visitors who are paying to stay at the lookout; you won’t be able to go up the stairs or in the lookout, but you can still walk underneath it
Tamawanas Falls
3.8 miles round trip
The waterfall is pretty epic, and there are some neat rock formations seen from the trail
The trail has some cliffs and challenging rock fields
It can be quite busy on summer weekend, and is great on a cloudy day
Hike up to an amazing 360-degree mountaintop viewpoint without too much elevation gain; great for kids who want to summit a mountain
There are cliffs along the trail; please read up on the risks of this particular trail
Look for wildflowers in the meadows
Add in some place-based learning by reading about the rain shadow effect in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood, and then seeing if first-hand from the summit of Lookout Mountain
NORTH SIDE HIKES
Lost Lake Lakeshore Trail
1.6 or 3.2 miles round trip
Hike through old growth forest and along one of the most picturesque lakes around
Consider adding on a campground, yurt, or the lodge stay at Lost Lake Resort
Rent a boat at the resort, or plan for some lake play
Vista Ridge to the Rockpile
4 miles round trip
This high-elevation hike takes you through wildflower meadows to some awesome views of Mt. Hood (and without the big elevation gain normally required for this type of view)
There are cliffs and other hazards along the trail; please read up on the risks of this particular trail
Bald Mountain
1.6 round-trip miles
Hike through amazing forest before getting to one of the best Mt. Hood views of all time
Look for fairies in the forest
There is a very dangerous cliff on this hike; read little feet hiking: Mt. Hood for details on how to prepare for that cliff and where to stop your hike before getting to it
Are you ready to plan for your next adventure? Now go out and enjoy making some summertime family memories!
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.
Why Should You Check Out This Walk? This park is a beautiful spot on the East Fork of the Lewis River. In addition to a paved, flat, and accessible trail, there is river access, a playground, and restrooms. The river is very swift most of the year and caution should be used all year long. Thankfully, the path stays clear of the river, although there are paths that take you to the riverbank. This trail is an excellent spot for birdwatching.
Looking east towards Silver Star Mountain
Considerations: The trail is great for strollers and young walkers. Young walkers may need help staying on the trail and out of the conservation areas alongside the trail. The trail down to the river is not completely stroller friendly. Extra caution must be used near the water’s edge with all kids.
River access during summer
Ways to Engage Kids:
Watch for birds
Watch people float down the river
Look for animal tracks in the cement along the trail
Play on the playground on the other side of the park
Learn about riparian areas by reading informational signs
If you play by the water, wear a flotation device and keep a special eye on little kids near the rushing water
Look for cloud animals in the sky
See if you can spot Silver Star Mountain in the distance while looking east
Bird tracks in the cementGravel path down to the riverbank
Trail Description: From the Lower Daybreak Trailhead, head west down a paved path. Along the way, you will pass several informational signs and a path (on the right) heading down towards the river. After 0.3 mile, you will see a gravel path going off to the left. Take this to make a short loop around the western part of the park. After 0.3 mile on this gravel trail (0.6 mile into your walk), you will come back to the paved trail at the westernmost part of the trail. Turn right and head back along the paved trail towards the parking area for a 1.1 mile walk.
Heading towards the benches at the westernmost part of the trail
Important things to know:
Seasons: Year-round; the park gets very busy in the summer
Dogs okay? Yes, on leash; keep an extra eye on them near the river due to parasite danger (from eating raw fish)
Conveniences: Restrooms and playground on the east side of the park; benches; picnic tables
Restrooms: Located on the east side of the park; access requires crossing or driving across a busy road
Risks specific to the trail: Rushing river near the trail; there is little to no shade on the trail; there may be fishing litter (like hooks) near the river; despite leash laws, you may encounter off-leash dogs
Recommended extra gear: Sun protection; change of clothes and flotation devices if getting near the river
Trailhead GPS coordinates: 45.813233, -122.591274
Parking Directions: If coming from the south on NE 82nd Avenue, turn left into the Daybreak Park Boat Launch area before crossing over the East Fork Lewis River. The trailhead is on the west side of the parking area.
Walk Length: About 1 mile round-trip with opportunity to extend
Elevation Gain: Minimal after one big, short hill
Seasons: Year-round
Trail surface: Mostly pavement and gravel
Popularity: Low
Parking: Limited street parking
Why Should You Check Out This Walk? This hidden gem is located in a quiet neighborhood in Salmon Creek. It is a great place to connect with nature and stretch your legs. Bring binoculars for bird-watching too!
View of a flooded trail next to one of the ponds
Considerations:
Stroller – Works for jogging strollers, except where noted. The trail surface is a mix of pavement, gravel, and boardwalk, except where noted. There is one short, but steep hill.
Young walkers – Okay for younger walkers. Keep an extra eye on kids when near ponds, creek and road crossings. Please keep kids out of the conservation areas as well.
Ways to Engage Kids:
Race leaves from the bridge over Salmon Creek
Listen for frogs and birds near the ponds
Identify native trees like black cottonwood and western red cedar
Look for bird nests in the trees (especially when trees are bare)
Roll down a grassy hill
Do some birdwatching
Keep an eye out for deer
Visit in the fall for changing leaves
View of one of the paved trails
Trail Description: After entering the park on a paved path, stay left at the first junction. You will see the school off to the right. Walk along the paved path that skirts a large meadow and runs adjacent to private home fences. At a quarter mile into your walk, come to a split at a sign with a watershed map. To the left is a paved path that goes back into neighborhood. On the right is a gravel path. Check out the map at the junction, and then head downhill to the right. This is the steepest part of the trail and is short-lived. Keep in mind that you will have to push a stroller back up this hill. At the bottom of the hill, you will see a trail going off to the right. That will be your return if you don’t have a stroller (it is too narrow and rooty in places for a stroller).
Checking out the watershed mapHeading downhill on the gravel trail
Continue straight heading downhill a bit more and pass an old gazebo. Pass between two ponds, where you should look for beaver sign (trees cut with teeth). The trail may flood in this area during the wetter seasons. After another 0.2 mile, come to a junction. The trail to the left goes over the bridge, and the trail to the right takes you on a root-filled loop connection back to the main trail. Take the time to walk over the bridge to peer over Salmon Creek.
Beaver sign by one of the trailside pondsThe bridge over Salmon Creek
If you’d like to extend your walk beyond the bridge, use the crosswalk to cross Salmon Creek Avenue, and head left on the paved sidewalk. After a third of a mile, the sidewalk turns onto the WSU campus, where you can walk for quite a ways. See this map for more information.
Salmon Creek
Head back the way you came or, if not with a stroller, continue the short loop on the rootier, narrow trail. Cross a little boardwalk and go uphill a little bit through woods until you come back to the junction with the main gravel path. Go left to head up the hill to the paved trail, and retrace your steps to your vehicle.
This is the non-stroller-friendly path that returns to the main path
Important things to know:
Seasons: Year-round, but the trails could flood during the wet seasons
Conveniences: benches and picnic table under a gazebo
Restrooms: None
Risks specific to the trail: Slippery bridge; flooded trail
Trailhead GPS coordinates: 45.724818, -122.623133
Parking Directions: Find street parking near NW 143rd Circle and NE 47th Avenue. Be sure not to block any driveways. Some people park at the Pleasant Valley Middle School when not in session.
Spring is such a mixed bag around here. In a given year, we can have snow, ice, rain, hail, and sunshine. Spring in the PNW means wildflowers are popping up everywhere, the waterways are full, and temperatures are (should be??) warming up.
Looking for migratory birds at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
It can be hard to know where to hike in the spring since the weather is constantly changing and snow levels are still quite low. Urban trails, as well as the local national wildlife refuges are usually a good bet with their low elevation and migratory bird excitement. Hikes in the Gorge, as well as most hikes below 2,000 feet are a good bet in spring.
Admiring Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge
While I can’t fully prepare you for spring hiking, below are a few tips on how to hike with your kids in spring:
Plan for quickly changing weather. Check the weather the morning of your hike, but make sure you have extra layers for rain, wind, or hail.
Dress in layers and avoid cotton. The combination of cool spring temperatures and rain can still put you in hypothermia territory.
If you are going up into the area’s national forests, check conditions on trailhead pages (included in book descriptions), as well as here for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and here for the Mt. Hood National Forest
Assume you will encounter mud and bring a change of clothes for kiddos!
Make sure you do a tick check after your hike and watch out for poison oak, especially when hiking through oak woodlands and east of the Cascades. Learn about how to hike in tick country.
Check out these great spring hiking tips from the Washington Trails Association.
Consider an after-dinner hike as sunset gets later.
Checking out the Willamette River at Canemah Bluff
Now that you know how to hike in spring, how do you know where to hike with your family? No worries, I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled my favorite spring hikes by book. Check them out below.
For springtime kid-friendly hikes in the Portland area, visit this page.
For springtime kid-friendly hikes in the Mt. St. Helens, Southwest Washington, Vancouver, and Clark County areas, visit this page.
For springtime kid-friendly hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, visit this page.
For springtime kid-friendly hikes in the Mt. Hood area, stay tuned for a future post.
Curious where to hike with your kids this spring in the Vancouver, Clark County, and Southwest Washington Areas? Look no further because I’ve written two kids hiking guides covering 55 hikes in the area. While some of these hikes will be covered in snow for a few more months, there are so many other hikes that are accessible and lovely in spring.
I’ve picked the must-do spring hikes from my books little feet hiking and little feet hiking two. You can get all the details you need for a safe and fun family hike by picking up a copy and hitting the trail.
There are many more excellent springtime hikes in the area. For Portland area spring hikes with kids, check out this post. For Columbia River Gorge area spring hikes with kids, check out this post.
Curious where to hike with your kids during our amazing spring in the Portland Metro Area? Look no further. While all 50 hikes in my Portland book are fun in spring, I’ve picked the must-do spring hikes from my book little feet hiking: Portland Metro. You can get all the details you need for a safe and fun family hike by picking up a copy and hitting the trail.
Path through Camassia during the camas bloom
Camassia Nature Preserve
West Linn
0.75 to 1.35 miles
Visit in late April and May to see the epic camas bloom
Kids need to be able to stay on the path to avoid crushing the flowers
Lacamas lily fields as seen from the trail
Lacamas Park
Camas, WA
1.4 to 2.5 miles
Visit in late April and May for the camas bloom
Kids need to be able to stay on the path to avoid crushing the flowers
We are so fortunate to have so three national wildlife refuges nearby; all are excellent for watching the spring bird migration and looking for native plants
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge – Washougal, WA – 2 to 4 miles
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge – Ridgefield, WA – 1 to 4.1 miles
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge – Sherwood, OR – 1.6 to 2.8 miles
Seasonal trails open up in May
Flooding can be an issue, so it is good to check web links (in my hiking guide) before venturing out
Have a great time making springtime family memories on the trail!For more kid-friendly springtime hiking recommendations, check out this post for the Vancouver/SW Washington area and this post for the Columbia River Gorge.
The Columbia River Gorge is amazing in spring, but it can be hard to know where to safely hike with kids or where to go to see the best wildflowers. I’ve been hiking in the Gorge for over 15 years, and my daughter has been hiking there since she was a toddler. So many Gorge hikes are too steep or cliffy for kids…thankfully, I’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 spring, some are better than others. I’ve picked the must-do spring 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 before hitting the trail.
Pro-tip: 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.
WESTERN GORGE
Cape Horn
0.8 to 3 round-trip miles
Many hike routes in the Cape Horn area are dangerous for kids due to cliffs; check out my guide for lesser-known and less-cliffy variations
Touch a waterfall and check out amazing spring wildflowers (learn about some trail-specific wildflowers in my book)
Stay on the trail to avoid poison oak
Coyote Wall
3.6 to 4.6 round-trip miles
Coyote Wall is not the most kid-friendly due to cliffs, but in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge, I’ve detailed the most spectacular kid-friendly loop on the wall
Learn about the threatened western meadowlark that calls Coyote Wall home
There is no shade on this hike, so plan accordingly
Crawford Oaks
4.5 round-trip miles
This is a harder hike due to elevation gain and lack of shade, but you can hike less and still experience awesome views and flowers
Visit in spring to see amazing wildflowers like lupine, larkspur, and balsamroot
Learn about the history of the area by visiting the nearby interpretive ranch
Memaloose Hills
2.8 to 3.6 round-trip miles
This hike is very popular on weekends, consider a weekday or late afternoon weekend hike
Spot two volcanoes from the top of the hills
Be sure to stay on the trail and not damage the wildflowers
Klickitat River Trail from Fisher Hill Bridge
2.6+ round-trip miles
So many interesting things on this trail: river, wildflower, fish hatchery machinery, and tribal fishing
Hope you found this helpful! Now go out and enjoy make some springtime family memories!
P.S. If you’re looking for the best springtime kid-friendly hikes around Portland, check out this post! Also,check out this post for springtime kid-friendly hikes in the Vancouver/SW Washington area.
Fall is personally my favorite season in the Pacific Northwest. The snow level tends to hang high enough into early October to still get up into the mountains, and the mushrooms and changing leaves can be so colorful. We also get to enjoy less-rainy outdoors adventures with less heat and less smoke. My favorite part, however, is all the opportunities to see salmon spawning. Of the 20 hikes in this post, 6 take you to places to watch the salmon!
October is the perfect time to hike in costume
My amazingly supportive followers have asked for fall hiking recommendations, so I’ve outlined my favorite fall hikes by book title. Check them out! If you’d like to subscribe to my quarterly email newsletter for more tips and news, sign up here.
I love this hike for the falling heart-shaped cottonwood leaves and the chance to see birds preparing for winter. Leaves start changing colors in mid-October and are usually off the trees by mid-November. This hike is appropriate for new hikers through adults.
Lucia Falls is a year-round favorite for our family, but we especially love it in October for the salmon run. Check out this video and this post to see salmon jumping there in October. Along this short hike, you will also see lovely changing falls colors and neat mushrooms. Consider visiting on a weekend in October so you can check out Pomeroy Farm’s Pumpkin Lane after your hike. This hike is appropriate for all ages, although littles will need help staying away from the rocks and walking through the parking lot.
The forest at Whipple Creek Regional Park is such an urban oasis for the area. The forest is beautiful year-round, but especially mid-October to mid-November when the big-leaf maple tree leaves fall. The trail itself is okay for all ages, but littles will need help if you encounter horses.
The Whistle Punk trail is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, so it requires a little bit of a drive. However, the drive through the Gorge and into the forest is quite lovely, and this trail also features some neat historical equipment interspersed throughout the forest. Consider tacking on a trip to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery to see adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning. This trail is appropriate for all ages.
This hike takes you to subalpine meadows with a lovely lake. Late September and early October are the best time to hike if you want to see changing fall colors and colorful mushrooms (look, don’t touch!). Keep an eye on changing snow levels as the trailhead is located at 4,100 feet. This trail is appropriate for all ages.
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a busy place in summer, so I like to visit in the fall when leaves are changing and crowds are down. Hiking around the lake also provides an opportunity for some place-based learning. You can learn about the volcanic origins of this lake in my second hiking book. Littles may find this trail challenging at times due to rocks on the trail – and then there is the lake:)
This short, flat hike is another place where place-based learning can occur. This hike not only has tons of historical connections, but you also get some neat views of Bonneville Dam. Consider hiking this trail in November for fall colors and to honor Native American Heritage Month. Along the trail, you will find signposts that correlate with an online brochure detailing what each signpost. Unfortunately, much of the information you will find about this trail focuses on the western settlers and how they built forts to protect the portage from the people who once lived here. Before this land was taken in the 1850’s, the Fort Cascades Loop Trail was occupied by members of the Watlala and Cowlitz tribes. Before or after your hike, educate your kids on the people who lived here before it was taken. While this trail works for all ages, littles will need help staying off the historical equipment.
October is a fantastic time to hike the Ape Cave surface trail. The vine maple leaves are changing to a vibrant red, fun mushrooms start popping up in the forest, and you can hike along the trail through the lava fields without getting overheated. You can also explore the cave with smaller crowds (I recommend the lower cave for kids). Timed parking reservations are still required. I would avoid this with littles because it is easy to get scraped up on the lava field or fall in hole.
Barlow Wayside is a lovely place to see changing fall colors, but it is also known as a great place to watch spawning salmon late September to early December.. You can learn all about where to look for the salmon in my Mt. Hood hiking guide. Unfortunately, the area is currently closed due to the nearby Camp Creek fire, but fingers crossed that the area opens back up soon. Look for updates here. This hike is appropriate for all ages, but you will want to keep littles out of the creek to protect the salmon.
The Wildwood Recreation Site in Welches is such a neat place. If you visit in the fall, you will definitely see changing falls colors, but you are also likely to meet some small fry at the fish viewing window and see salmon spawning in the Salmon River from late August through November. This hike is great for all ages.
Lookout Mountain is one of my favorite hikes around. In addition to volcano views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. St. Helens, we got to see western larch trees up close on the drive to the trailhead, and also in the distance from the top of the mountain. These deciduous conifers only grow on the east slopes of our PNW mountains and the needles change to a golden yellow starting mid-October before dropping off completely. Be sure to visit this one in early to mid-October before snow closes the road. This hike is best for older kids who can handle trails with steep drop-offs.
Lost Lake is a family favorite for fall hiking and camping (open through mid-October). The lake trail is flat and offers excellent views of Mt. Hood and changing fall colors. You can even rent boats on-site through the middle of October. This hike is appropriate for all ages, but littles will need help staying out of the lake and crossing campground roads.
One of the best places in the area to see salmon spawning is in Eagle Creek by the Cascade Salmon Hatchery. I don’t think the infamous Eagle Creek trail is safe for most kids, but I’ve crafted a more kid-friendly hike starting at this trailhead and passing one of my favorite salmon spawning viewing spots. The best time to see salmon spawning here is late-September to mid-October. This hike is okay for all ages but littles will need help staying out of the creek, walking through the parking lot, getting to the bottom of the waterfall, and not falling over the bridge above the waterfall.
The hike to Pool of the Winds is one of my favorite trails, but it can be hard to hike in the summer due to its popularity. As we move into October and November, the trails should be less busy and it should be easier to find a parking spot so you can get those amazing Hamilton Mountain and waterfall views. This hike’s elevation gain can be challenging on little legs and there are some drop-offs, so I recommend for sure-footed preschool-age and older kids.
I love the Columbia River Highway Trail heading west from Starvation Creek State Park because of its lovely waterfalls and it’s accessibility. The trail is paved, making it okay for strollers and even bicycles. As we move into the rainy season, the waterfalls will get fuller and colorful leaves will drop to the ground. It can be quite noisy due to the interstate, FYI. This hike is appropriate for all ages.
On the west side of the Columbia River Gorge, most of the leaves we see changing and falling come from big-leaf maple trees. On the east side, the most dominant deciduous tree is the mighty white oak tree. While hiking along the Catherine Creek trail in October and November, you’ll be struck by the contrast of the brown/orange oak leaves against the blue sky (because it is sunnier there than it is on the west side). This hike is best for older hikers due to elevation gain, drop-offs, and rattlesnakes (stay on the trail and you most likely won’t encounter them).
This trail on Sauvie Island is excellent in fall. On a typical hike in fall, you should see birds, caterpillars, frog, snakes, and maybe even some deer or crickets. If you visit in October, I highly recommend following your hike up with a trip to one of the island’s wonderful pumpkin patches. This hike is okay for all ages, but littles will need help near water.
You don’t hear much about the hike around Reed Lake, but its an absolutely lovely place for a hike and nature connection. My favorite part of hiking here is the opportunity to see wildlife up close. The City of Portland and Reed College have been working tirelessly over the years to restore Reed Lake and Crystal Springs Creek to its former, healthier self. Because of this, last October (while scouting for the Portland book), my daughter and I watched an otter eat a fish in the lake. 3 miles from downtown Portland! I can’t guarantee an otter sighting, but as this area gets healthier and more salmon return to the area in fall, your chances get better every year. Learn more about the restoration work and the hike itself in my Portland book. This hike is okay for all ages, but littles will need help near water and when walking on the road.
Oxbow Regional Park is known for its fall salmon viewing, as well as its beautiful forest. My books outlines several hikes you can do, but this brochure is the best for understanding the annual salmon run. When you visit, be sure to leave enough time for kids to play on Oxbow’s two playgrounds. This hike is okay for all ages, but littles will need help with road crossings and staying out of the rushing and dangerous Sandy River.
Hoyt Arboretum is one of the best places in the area to check out the changing seasons, especially the change from summer to fall. The arboretum’s massive deciduous tree selection is sure to put on a great show every October and November. Check out the website for seasonal activities and little feet hiking: Portland Metro for several kid-friendly loops through these changing trees. This hike is great for all ages.
little feet hiking 