With how beautiful Arizona is, there is definitely no excuse for your kids to not spend time outside, especially in the precious months before the summer heat arrives. If you’re looking for ideas to plan a fun family outing, why not try out hiking? And don’t worry, you won’t need to contemplate how far to drag or carry a tired child, because the trails we’re featuring today are all one mile or less. Let’s take a look at some of the best hikes in Arizona for families with kids:

1. Cape Royal Trail at Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
If you're planning to visit the Grand Canyon's North Rim sometime, be sure to add this short trail to your to-do list. The trail is flat and paved, making it easy for little feet to traverse and to push strollers. You'll also appreciate the little signs along the way that detail the area's natural history. Length: 0.6 miles. Get all the details in this article!
2. Crystal Forest Trail at Petrified Forest National Park, Holbrook
Allison Richards/Flickr
Okay, this trail may not take you through a traditional-looking forest, but you will have the opportunity to explore a picturesque part of Petrified Forest National Park. Enjoy walking the trail loop and showing the kids the million-year-old logs that look like they could be made of rainbows. Length: 0.75 miles. Details can be found on the National Park Service website.
3. Hanging Garden Trail at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Page
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area National Park Service Headquarters, 691 Scenic View Rd Dr, Page, AZ 86040, USA
mark byzewski/Flickr
We've highlighted this trail in articles before, but it's definitely worth taking a second look. The one-mile trail leads you through the bare terrain until you encounter several "gardens" hiding under sandstone cliff. Length: one mile. Learn more on the National Park Service website.

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4. Hayden Butte (aka: A Mountain), Tempe
Tempe Butte, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Manuel Millway/Flickr
If you live in the Phoenix area, this short hike is a must-do, even for the kids. You don't know how many families we see practically running up and down the trail here, and your kids will love seeing the city from above. Length: 0.64 miles. Find out all the fin stuff on Hike Arizona.
5. Hole-in-the-Rock Trail at Papago Park, Phoenix
Don DeBold/Flickr
This trail has a bit of a climb involved, but it leads to a pretty cool spot that shows off a great view of the city. You'll also find plenty of families headed up the trail. Even with the short distance, remember to bring extra water for the kids so no one gets dehydrated. Length: 0.4 miles. Read more about this awe-inspiring urban hike here!
6. Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Lava Flow Trail, Loop Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA
Clembore Memotech/Flickr
About 0.25 miles of this trail is paved, so if you're pushing children in a stroller or wheelchair, you can enjoy at least a small portion of the trail. The rest of the trail is pretty flat and it offers a great view of the volcano and its leftover lava flow. Length: one mile. Take a look at this article to learn more about this amazing place.
7. Signal Hill at Saguaro National Park West, Tucson
Signal Hill, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA
Jim Roth/Flickr
Tucson has some great little trails, but what we like about this one is that it combines pretty views with an easy trail and learning opportunities! You'll find a large number of petroglyphs here, as well as local wildlife, so be sure to take advantage of whatever educational scenario may appear. Length: 0.3 miles. Details can be found on Hike Arizona.

Hopefully, your kids enjoy these hikes as much as we do! Are there any additional hikes you would suggest for families with children of any age? Be sure to let us know your favorites! Looking for more easy trails to hike in Arizona? If you want to explore the Grand Canyon a little more, we suggest reading These Are The 6 Easiest Trails You Can Hike At Arizona’s Grand Canyon.

We absolutely love seeing photos snapped on your adventures all across the state! You’ll find hundreds of awesome shots taken by fellow Arizonans in our Arizona Nature Lovers group on Facebook – feel free to share your own!

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Best Hikes in Arizona

Tori Jane | February 24, 2022

What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Arizona?  

Arizona is a wonderful state for hikers; many of our incredible scenic trails feel like something out of a movie more than features of the southwestern desert we live in. With as many hikes as there all peppered all over the Copper State, many are great for bringing the kids along. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona include legendary trails like the world-famous Horseshoe Bend Trail, which leads to an iconic Arizona landmark that will blow you – and the little ones – away. Other hikes easy enough for the whole family include the Fay Canyon Trail, which is in the Coconino National Forest, and the Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass Trail, in Sedona. Finally, we also recommend the Sugarloaf Loop Trail, which can also be found in the Coconino National Forest and is just two miles long.  

What are some of the most amazing scenic hikes in Arizona?  

As we stated above, Arizona is a true paradise for anyone who enjoys hiking even a tiny bit. There are hikes in this state so amazing that folks come from around the world to experience them; the West Fork Trail outside Sedona on the 89A is one that, for example, frequently makes “top 10” lists in terms of “best-of hikes” in the country. Other amazing scenic hikes in Arizona that we can’t get enough of including the amazing Fossil Creek Falls hike, which is in the Fossil Springs Wilderness near Payson and features – you guessed it – an amazing waterfall finish. Folks closer to Phoenix will also enjoy the amazing White Tank Waterfall Trail, which can be found at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. That one is 1.8 miles long and actually pretty easy – do it following a good rain event and the falls should be going! Finally, check out Ellison Creek Cascades Trail, in Tonto National Forest. That one is easy and should be great for all skill levels. Interested in ancient civilizations and ruins? Check out this list of some awesome Arizona ruins trails. 

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