March 22, 2024 – Phoenix, Ariz. – What started as a list of recommendations for out-of-town friends more than a decade ago has spiraled out
Hiking the Mormon and Hidden Valley Trail in Phoenix with kids is a fun outdoor challenge and worth the hike!
Water Wheel Falls near Payson, AZ has been on our list for awhile. It did not disappoint! This 1.6 mile out and back trail follows a creek, to an amazing swimming hole with a gorgeous waterfall.
Hiking the Apache Wash Trail With Kids in Phoenix. The Apache Wash Trail is just over 2.5 miles round trip, and offers beautiful desert scenery, an overlook – and is good for kids!
We love hiking in Phoenix with our kids! Did you know there’s a seasonal waterfall you can enjoy? Streams to play in? Or what about the popular Hole in the Rock? But let’s face it, hiking with kids is never easy. Even a mile trail can seem an eternity for little legs. Nature may call, and hearts may answer – so how do you get the body to follow? We currently have three children, ages 9, 5, and 20 months and have been hiking since our oldest was a few years ago. We are definitely not experts, or 5 milers! We do, however, enjoy a few miles of hiking trails with our kids and here are some tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years.
It’s been on our bucket list and finally happened: hiking the iconic Camelback Mountain! It was so rewarding. We were sore for a couple days afterwards, but the sense of accomplishment made it worth it.
The Hieroglyphics Trail in Gold Canyon is a moderate 1.5 mile in and out trail (3 miles total) that has seasonal water. The water can range from pools to flowing water, especially after a rain. We visited in early January and it did not disappoint!
Hiking the White Tank Waterfall Trail with kids is a short and sweet adventure with a fun reward: a seasonal waterfall! Even if there isn’t a waterfall, the scenery is beautiful and there are hieroglyphics along the way. This hike is on our top 10 favorites for kids in Phoenix!
Hiking the Victory Stairs, otherwise known as the Verrado Stairs, in Buckeye with kids is a short and challenging trail with amazing views. And by challenging, we mean it’s all uphill but totally possible for little legs with some breaks.
Hiking the Blue Wash Trail with kids is an easy distance, with moderate parts. The 2.8 mile trail is in and out, following two usually dry washes, and leading to a waterfall. We visited in January, with hardly any rain for the last 6 months, and there was still water! So while this spot is popular in the summer, we think this makes a great water hike any time of the year.
Hiking Fossil Creek and the Waterfall Trail with kids is a popular spot near Camp Verde, boasting lush vegetation in an otherwise dry desert and a gorgeous waterfall, often showing turquoise water! You can access Fossil Creek and the waterfall by two ways. One way is hiking the 9 mile trail from Strawberry, and this is a strenuous hike that is not recommended for kids. The second way is to drive the majority of the distance to one of the three parking lots along Fossil Creek, and then hiking the 1.5 miles to the waterfall. This blog post covers the latter option.
Hiking the Badger Springs Trail with kids is a fantastic day trip option from Phoenix. The in and out hike is less than a mile to the gentle beginnings of the Agua Fria River, and offers shallow water and swimming holes that will delight toddlers to teenagers! We’ve hiked to and enjoyed this river before from the Black Canyon City Trailhead, but the Badger Springs Trail is much easier, both in terrain and distance.
If you want an epic day experience for the family, you need to try hiking the Black Canyon City Trail with kids. It’s a moderate
If you want an epic day experience for the family, you need to try hiking the Black Canyon City Trail with kids. It’s a moderate 5 mile round trip hike amid gorgeous desert scenery, that takes you to the Aqua Fria River. You can venture beyond, but this water oasis is a fun place to explore and create.
Hiking Jewel of the Creek Preserve in Phoenix with kids is one of the most amazing combinations of desert and lush trees, all in a
Tempe is also a fantastic place to spend the day and offers so many kid friendly activities!
We recently went hiking at Lost Dutchman State Park over at the Superstition Mountains. They are beautiful, majestic, and just jump out of the desert floor. They are unbelievably overwhelming in contrast to the flatness of the desert.
Here are some of our favorite hikes within the City of Phoenix Hikes! Winter is the best time to hike with your kids in Phoenix for sure. You can venture out any time of the day and enjoy an adventure.
In the heart of the desert, Phoenix boasts a plethora of parks, each with its own unique allure. From the rugged beauty of Papago Park to the tranquil oasis of Encanto Park, there’s something for everyone. Your kids are going to love it.
I love the idea of camping and dream of being that family that ventures out to remote Arizona landscapes and camps.. and somehow stay alive… but we aren’t quite there yet! One weekend last October when we were able to participate in the Arizona Family Campout Program, I saw a side of my children that I didn’t know existed and we realized that we could be that awesome camping family- we just need some practice and a great way to learn is with the AZ Family Campout Program!
Visiting Colorado in the Winter: YMCA of the Rockies. Do you or your kids want to see snow this winter? Get out of Arizona? Have endless activities available to you within 5 minutes or less? Look no further than the YMCA of the Rockies in beautiful Colorado!
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Silly Mountain is a super fun hike for kids!
Looking to get the kids out into nature without venturing too far from home in Phoenix? Joshua Tree National Park makes for the perfect family-friendly weekend trip! Located just 5-6 hours away by car, this unique desert landscape offers scenic beauty and fun adventures little ones and grown-ups alike will enjoy.
It’s no secret that we love exploring Arizona, and we’ve stayed at some of the best Airbnbs for families in Arizona! Most of these places
We have the perfect place for a lovely family adventure: South Mountain!
We have the perfect place for a lovely family adventure: South Mountain Park in Phoenix! This park/preserve offers hiking trails for all levels, picnic spots, a nature center, and a short drive up to an amazing lookout point. And it’s all free!
Adventure Awaits: Discover Nature’s Wonders with Your Little Explorers on the Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail – Hiking Fun for the Whole Family!
Village Camp near Flagstaff is a new getaway spot with cabins and RV spots, plus a restaurant and pool with a hot tub!
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Things to do in Scottsdale Scottsdale, Arizona is a fantastic place for families to visit, offering a blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural attractions,
Red Mountain Trail near Flagstaff probably goes down as one of Top 10 favorite hikes in Arizona. With mini canyons to explore, and boulders to climb, it’s an amazing hike that will leave you saying “wow”.
We are definitely an animal family! We have five rescue cats and two dogs, and have been fostering locally for over three years. So a family trip to an animal sanctuary was the perfect spot for us! A few years ago, I learned about Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah and have always wanted to go visit.
Walnut Canyon National Monument in Flagstaff is a unique historical site that is not to miss! The monument has two hikes, an up close look at Native American dwellings, and the Visitor Center offers informative resources.
Camping at Rose Canyon Campground near Tucson is a great way to beat the summer heat. Located just a little over an hour from Tucson
As we enter the dog days of summer, I can’t think of a better idea than a day trip to Mount Lemmon! The drive is an experience in itself and there’s plenty to explore in the mountaintop town, Summerhaven, or on the various hiking trails.
Phoenix With Kids lists activities, destinations, and things to do in Phoenix with kids.
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