18 Easy & Scenic Day Hikes Near Seattle for Families and Beginners

January 5, 2022 admin 0 Comments

Looking to escape the city and introduce your kids—or yourself—to the trails? These 18 day hikes near Seattle are not only beautiful, but easy enough for beginners and kid-friendly enough for families. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, strolling around lakes, or soaking in valley views, each hike offers a rewarding experience without too much effort. This post goes through my 18 favorite easy and scenic day hikes near Seattle!

Looking for overnight adventures? Check out our post on the 9 Best Easy Backpacking Trips with Kids in Washington.

Want mountain views and alpine lakes? Here’s our 3-Day Itinerary for the North Cascades.

Table of Contents

Tips for Hiking with Kids

Before hitting the trails, consider these tips to ensure a fun and safe experience:

Make it Fun: Incorporate games or scavenger hunts to engage their curiosity

Start Small: Choose shorter trails to match your child’s energy levels.

Involve the Kids: Let them help pack snacks or choose the trail to boost their excitement.

Set a Comfortable Pace: Allow time for breaks and exploration.

Stay Positive: Celebrate small milestones to keep morale high.

Quick Reminder: Leave No Trace with Kids

Teaching kids to love the outdoors starts with protecting it. Bring a trash bag for snack wrappers, stay on trail (no shortcuts!), and gently explain why we leave pinecones and flowers where we found them. Tiny actions, big impact.

Best Hikes for Families with Little Kids

1. Rattlesnake Lake Trail

Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
Location: North Bend
Why Go: This flat, wide trail leads to a serene lake surrounded by mountains. It’s perfect for young kids, strollers, and those seeking a gentle walk with rewarding views. The area also offers picnic spots and opportunities for skipping stones.

2. Franklin Falls

Distance: 2.0 miles roundtrip
Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Why We Love It: If your kids need a reason to hike, this trail delivers—a thundering waterfall at the end, with just enough rocks, roots, and little bridges to make it feel like an adventure. It’s short, sweet, and perfect for little ones (just hold hands near the falls—things can get slippery in spring!). If you are feeling extra adventurous, its a great snowshoe for kids!

3. Discovery Park Loop

Distance: 2.8 miles loop
Location: Seattle
Why We Love It: It’s hard to believe this loop is in the middle of the city. You’ll pass through forest, open meadow, and eventually reach a beach with mountain views. Great for a mini urban adventure and ideal for a nature scavenger hunt with kids.

4. Paradise Valley Conservation Area

Distance: Varies
Location: Woodinville
Why Go: Shady forested paths with flat loops—ideal for strollers, balance bikes, or a toddler wander.

5. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

Distance: 2–4 miles
Location: Olympia
Why We Love It: We bring binoculars every time. This is a peaceful, stroller-friendly trail system on boardwalks and gravel paths where you can spot herons, eagles, and even otters. Best on a dry day!

Beginner-Friendly Hikes with Great Payoff

6. Twin Falls

Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
Location: North Bend
Why We Love It: This one is just enough of a workout to feel accomplished. You’ll walk through lush forest, alongside a rushing river, and arrive at two beautiful waterfalls. There are some stairs, but it’s still totally doable for kids who love to explore.

7. Cherry Creek Falls

Distance:
Location:
Why Go:

8. Garfield Ledges

Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip
Location: Middle Fork Snoqualmie
Why We Love It: A quick, forested hike with a rewarding view over the valley. We usually pair it with river play nearby. The climb is steady but short, and the overlook is a great spot for a snack break.

Garfield Ledges, 17 Best Winter Hikes in Washington

9. Snoqualmie Falls

Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Location: Snoqualmie
Why We Love It: You can view the iconic falls from above with almost no walking—or take the trail down to the base for a bit more adventure. Easy access, great for visiting family or first-timers.

10. Keechelus Lake via Palouse to Cascades Trail

Distance: 4.0 miles roundtrip
Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Why We Love It: Flat, wide, and full of lake views. This is a stroller-friendly rail trail that’s quiet and scenic. Most of the time, we also just go on Keechelus Lake when its really low. Its so fun to play around on the logs and run with gorgeous views all over the place!

For Families Wanting Just a Bit More Adventure

11. Rattlesnake Ledge

Distance: 5.3 miles roundtrip
Location: North Bend
Why We Love It: This one’s a rite of passage for Seattle-area hikers. It’s a steady climb, but the sweeping views at the top are absolutely worth it. Great for motivated beginners and school-aged kids who like a challenge.

Explore more trails in this area with our guide to the Best Hikes on the Mountain Loop Highway.

12. Denny Creek Falls + Keekwulee Falls

Distance: 5.0 miles roundtrip
Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Why We Love It: You pass a natural rock water slide, hop creeks, and end at a stunning waterfall. A longer hike, but super engaging for school-age kids. Bring water shoes!

13. Barclay Lake

Distance: 4.4 miles roundtrip
Location: Stevens Pass
Why We Love It: This trail checks all the boxes—gentle incline, mossy forest, log bridges, and a breathtaking alpine lake at the end. Great for elementary-age kids and up. We always bring extra snacks to enjoy by the water.

14. Wallace Falls (Lower + Upper Falls)

Distance: 2.0 miles roundtrip (to lower falls)
Location: Gold Bar
Why We Love It: You don’t have to hike all the way to the top! The Lower Falls section is very doable for families and gives you all the waterfall payoff with less elevation.

15. Big Four Ice Caves

Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip
Location: Mountain Loop Highway
Why We Love It: This is a crowd favorite for good reason—flat gravel trail, mountain views, and the otherworldly ice caves at the end. Do not enter the caves—but standing a safe distance back is still magical.

16. Heybrook Lookout

Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
Location: Index
Why We Love It: A fun climb through the trees leads to a fire lookout tower. If your kids like stairs and big views, this is a great payoff for a short hike.

17. Lake 22

Distance: 5.4 miles roundtrip
Location: Mountain Loop Highway
Why We Love It: This one’s best for older kids or families ready for a bigger challenge. The lake at the top is stunning and worth the climb. Plus: bridges, boardwalks, waterfalls, and mountain reflections. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of trail.

18. Talapus Lake

Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Why We Love It: This trail is a gem—steady but manageable incline through forest leading to a peaceful alpine lake. We love it as a starter hike for families who want an alpine feeling lake. (we even brought a paddle board with us one time!)

Curious about lookouts? Don’t miss my roundup of the Best Fire Tower Hikes in Washington.

Tips for Hiking with Kids

Start early to avoid crowds and heat.
Bring snacks, layers, and plenty of water.
Let kids lead when possible—it builds confidence.
Make it fun with trail games or scavenger hunts.
Practice Leave No Trace (pack it in, pack it out). Even toddlers can learn to be stewards!
Hiking With Kids Essentials (That I Actually Use)

Hiking Gear We Actually Use (And Love)

Here are a few of our family’s go-to essentials for day hikes. These are the items that keep our kids comfortable, hydrated, and happy on the trail:

Hike Smarter Year-Round

No matter your hiking level, these trails prove that Washington’s natural beauty is accessible to everyone—even tiny feet. Happy hiking!

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18 Easy & Scenic Day Hikes Near Seattle for Families and Beginners

Tips for Hiking with Kids

Quick Reminder: Leave No Trace with Kids