Kid-Friendly Hikes
Kid-Friendly Hikes in The Catskills & Beyond
This list of kid-friendly hiking trails in the Catskills and beyond focuses on easier, shorter, flatter routes.
Nonetheless, each provides a ton of interest.
There are excellent scenic views, interesting terrain, dramatic geology, and even some ruins to explore.
Hiking With Children: Safety Issues
Many young people can enjoy even fairly strenuous mountain hikes safely. You know best what your kids can handle.
These trailed routes cross relatively even terrain: no big ascents, no rock scrambles.
However, these are all still wilderness hikes — so make sure you’re prepared to hike in the wilderness.
At the very least, always carry the ten essentials.
[auMC2]
The Kid-Friendly Hikes…
Stoppel Point (Plane Crash)
An absolutely delightful hike from Colgate Lake, around Lake Capra, and along Stoppel Point’s beautiful and scenic escarpment ridge.
6 Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Catskills
These easy kid-friendly Catskills hikes have so much to offer your family.
Ashokan Rail Trail
Take a leisurely nature stroll (or cycle) along the scenic Ashokan Rail Trail, a premier Catskills destination.
Roaring Brook Falls
A very short and very fun hike to one of the most popular Adirondack waterfall destinations.
Best Bug Spray & Bug Repellent
This three-tiered best bug spray system keeps me (mostly!) bite free in New York’s backcountry every season
Shaupeneak Ridge
Shaupeneak Ridge 936.5 acre park contains almost 10 miles of easy trails, suitable for easy hiking, kayaking, fishing, trail running, picnicking, and excellent mountain-biking.
Kaaterskill Rail Trail
This is a short, super-easy hike to one of the most popular Catskills destinations. It includes views not seen by those who park closer to the falls. It’s the perfect trail in winter for some easy snow-shoeing or cross country skiing.
Huckleberry Point
Huckleberry Point is one of the most beloved Catskills destinations. The trail is short, relatively easy, and leads to one of the most dramatic vistas in the Catskill Mountains.
Hike Windham High Peak from Cross Road
This might be my new favorite way to hike WHP. The easy first mile and the hemlock-rich woods at the start of this route make it such a pleasant way to begin and end this beautiful day hike.
Red Hill Fire Tower Classic Trail
This short, easy hike up beautifully-maintained trail in bucolic New York leads to dramatic views of the Southern and Western Catskills.
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower Classic Hike
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower offers incredible 360° views of dozens of classic Catskill mountains.
Sloan Gorge Preserve
Sloan Gorge Preserve offers an absolutely delightful, short, and family-friendly nature walk.
Kenneth L. Wilson State Campground Nature Trail
This kid-friendly nature trail winds through mature hemlock, spruce, and red/white pine woods between Ticetonyk Mountain and Mt Tobias. There are views of Wittenberg and Cornell, and the campground amenities are top notch.
Slabsides / John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary
Slabsides is the rustic two-story cabin hand-built by famous naturalist John Burroughs at the end of the 1800’s. It is preserved just as he left it, including its personal contents. A series of interconnected trails wind through woods, a swamp, past dramatic rock outcroppings and waterfalls, and alongside peaceful lakes. The terrain is rugged but the trails are appropriate for well-managed children.
Hike Windham High Peak from Peck Road
One of the easiest Catskill high peaks to hike is also one of the most rewarding — with an enchanted spruce forest, great views of the Blackhead range, and three awesome summit lookouts.
Onteora Lake
Half way between Kingston and Woodstock, Onteora Lake is perfect for casual hikers, trail runners, and snowshoers. Three loops of increasing ruggedness allow you to choose your own adventure.
