Connect with us

Arizona

These 8 Hikes in Arizona Are 1-Mile and Under and Perfect for Bringing Your Kids Along

Published

on

Hiking outdoors is one of life’s most thrilling activities. You get to commune with nature, chance upon beautiful photographic subjects along the way, and test your physical and mental strength. If you are into hiking, you’d probably want nothing more than to share your love for this activity with your kids. We get that. So take a look at this list of 7 kid-friendly hikes in Arizona.

P.S. It’s perfect because it’s not too challenging, but you’ll still break out a sweat! Your little one would surely see this as an awesome adventure.

The Best Kid-Friendly Hikes in Arizona:

1. ‘A’ Mountain Hayden Butte Trail

Hayden Butte Trail Tempe AZ Kid-Friendly Hikes in Arizona

Source: Instagram

Distance: 0.7 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 278 feet

If you’re in dire need of quick cardio or a leg muscle-building activity and bonding time with your little one, then this trail is for you. The ‘A’ Mountain Hayden Butte Trail is a nice scenic walk with city views at the top. Kids will surely enjoy running up and down to the “A” on the campus of ASU in Tempe.

Note: You may want to do an early morning hike if you don’t want the trail to get too crowded.

Location: 100 S Mill Ave, Tempe, Arizona, 85281

2. Hole-in-the-Rock Trail

Hole-in-the-Rock Trail Papago Park

Source: Instagram

Distance: 0.3 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 32 feet

This short climb is surely one of the easiest kid-friendly hikes in Arizona. The trail goes on for only about 0.3 miles out and back, and you can just run around the water, hills, and other various paths. Many people flock to the rock hole, and that’s where they usually take photo ops.

Note: Expect an elbow-to-elbow crowd because of the warranted photo shoots almost everywhere. If you want to avoid large groups in this trail, then prepare to hike early in the morning.

Location: Papago Park, 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona, 85008

3. Crystal Forest Trail

Distance: 0.9 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 36 feet

Take a little trip to log city by hiking the Crystal Forest Trail in Petrified Forest National Park. While it is a relatively short flat trail, you’ll surely be intrigued by the massive pieces of petrified wood along the way. Don’t expect the soil to be as colorful as the ones in some areas of the park. But the dull gray wood just makes the red-brown stand out more.

Note: This is a picturesque part of Petrified Forest National Park with some million-year-old logs. Make sure to take lots of photos.

Location: Petrified Forest National Park, 1 Park Road, Petrified Forest, Arizona, 86028. The Crystal Forest Trailhead is located approximately 20 miles from the Park Entrance Station on Park Road.

4. Cape Royal Trail

Cape Royal Trail Kid-Friendly Hikes in Arizona

Source: Instagram

Distance: 0.6 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 20 m

We’ll let you in on a little secret. The Cape Royal Trail actually offers the best view in the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. It’s simply phenomenal and will give you seemingly unlimited vistas to the east and west. Kids will have fun and will get to enjoy more if they hike either before sunrise and sunset. Be sure to stop in the several lookout points so you can take photos!

Note: You can even take your babies here because the trail is flat and paved.

Location: Grand Canyon National Park, Cape Royal Rd, Arizona 86052

5. Signal Hill Trail

Signal Hill Trail Kid-Friendly Hikes in Arizona

Source: YTravel Blog

Distance: 0.3 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 26 feet

Don’t confuse this one with the hilltop park in California. It’s completely different. This trail is perfect for people who want to combine an outdoor adventure with a little bit of history. Take your kid and follow the trail up to see the interesting and iconic petroglyphs. The Signal Hill Trail is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Arizona if you’re just starting.

Note: You may see warnings about African Bees, so be careful. But don’t let that scare you because no hiker has been harmed in this trail.

Location: Saguaro National Park, Signal Hill Rd, Tucson, Arizona 85743

6. Lava Flow Trail

Lava Flow Trail Kid-Friendly Hikes in Arizona

Source: Instagram

Distance: 0.8 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 72 feet

If you can spare about 30 to 45 minutes of your time, you better grab a bottle of water, plus your child, and hike this one. The Lava Flow Trail is super easy because the trail is practically paved and easy to follow. Expect fascinating lava formations as well as beautiful scenery you can show to your hiking buddies.

Note: The small portion or the first 0.25 miles of this trail is paved, so it is an advantage if you’re pushing children in a stroller or wheelchair.

Location: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Loop Rd, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86004

7. Blue Mesa Trail

Blue Mesa Trail Hiking Kid-Friendly Hikes in Arizona

Source: Instagram

Distance: 0.9 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 108 feet

Experience the wonderful desert geology by taking a hike at the scenic Blue Mesa Trail. The Petrified wood makes for amazing photos. It’s not all bad that the area also has a lot of interesting colors and textures. If you take a photo of your kid, he or she would seriously look so badass. The view of the rocks are just worthwhile!

Note: You will walk on a paved yet steep path along the way. It can be pretty challenging but it’s manageable.

Location: Chambers, Arizona, 86502

8. Hanging Garden Trail

Distance: 1 mile out and back

Elevation Gain: 62 feet

Enjoy an easy saunter through the sand and rocks while capturing precious photos of your happy kid in the Hanging Garden Trail. The bare terrain will reveal several gardens just hiding under the sandstone cliffs. It will also be your new favorite oasis in Page.

Note: Don’t worry about the steep parts of this trail. Since the mesas have a rough texture, it will be easier to climb. You can also bring your dog, but make sure to clean up after your furry buddy.

Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Page, Arizona, 86040

General Reminder:

If you’re planning on visiting any of these kid-friendly hikes in Arizona, make sure you think it through and practice extra precaution. In addition to that, remember to practice social distancing to avoid the risk of getting COVID-19.

What do you think of these kid-friendly hikes in Arizona?

Trending