places to hike with children
The Portland area offers plenty of hiking opportunities for children, set amid the world’s most beautiful scenery (fact). Here are a couple of tips I’ve followed over the years to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone… for more detailed accounts see here and here.
Take it easy. In my experience small children (ages 3-5) on trails average 1mph. Yes, I really did say 1mph. That includes time to rest, have a drink, look at something beautiful, ask questions etc. I also plan on not more than 1 mile total distance per year of age. Your mileage may vary.
You’ll need a backpack. I usually bring a few items along “just in case” – a small first aid kit, wipes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, bug repellent, anti-itch cream, a plastic trowel, change of clothes / layers; and, unless it’s the height of summer, an emergency rain poncho or anorak. And plenty of water. I also bring snacks for both nutritional and motivational value.
Choose your moment. If you enjoy hiking, as I do, then you’ll want to make sure your children do to, or else it’s not going to happen. Over the years I’ve decided not to hike unless the daily high is at least 50 degrees and I don’t set out if it’s raining or if anything more than a shower is predicted. A little drizzle and a lot of mud is just fine.
Latourell Falls- Two waterfalls in one easy hike.
Out of season.
Wahclella Falls- A giant waterfall! A cave! A canyon! Water to splash in!
Big Stump (Forest Park)- It's more peaceful up north.
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge- A nature trail within shouting distance of civilization (well, Westmoreland).
Powell Butte Nature Park- Open trails and woodland with a fantastic backdrop.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge- A great introduction to the great outdoors.
Tualatin Hills Nature Park- As assortment of lovely trails for little legs.
Rocky Butte- Portland's most scenic overlook?
Lacamas Park- A sublime showcase of Northwestern habitats.
Graham Oaks Nature Park- A fairly dull hike in fairly dull suburbs - with a nice playground.
Mount Talbert Nature Park- Quiet, forested paths just a whisker from the mall...
Jenne Butte Park- Shhhhh... it's a secret!
Triple Falls- A great day in the gorge for intermediate little hikers.
Mount Tabor Park- Three reservoirs, two playgrounds and a volcano.
Oxbow Regional Park- Beautiful forested and riverside trails over on the wrong side of Gresham.
Elowah / Upper McCord Creek Falls- Two of the more spectacular and lesser known falls.
Cooper Mountain Nature Park- Who knew there was a mountain in Beaverton?
The 4T Trail- Enjoy train, trail, tram and trolley in an afternoon.
Macleay Trail- Easy access to the natural beauty of Forest Park.
Marshall Park- Small but perfectly formed.
Smith and Bybee Wetlands- Wildlife on your doorstep. Pack DEET.
Tryon Creek- Miles of beautiful trails in an easy to reach, easy to explore package. .
Kelley Point Park- Sand, trails, driftwood and container ships. .
Oak Island- England, only cheaper and without the sarcasm.
Virginia Lake- An easy going wetland hike and nature trail.
Henry Hagg Lake Park- A pretty spot for hiking and other pastimes, if a little out of the way.
Elk Rock Island- Welcome to Portland's second creepiest park!
Kelley Butte- Portland's creepiest park. Avoid at all costs.
- Wahclella Falls
- A giant waterfall! A cave! A canyon! Water to splash in!
- Big Stump (Forest Park)
- It's more peaceful up north.
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
- A nature trail within shouting distance of civilization (well, Westmoreland).
- Powell Butte Nature Park
- Open trails and woodland with a fantastic backdrop.
- Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
- A great introduction to the great outdoors.
- Tualatin Hills Nature Park
- As assortment of lovely trails for little legs.
- Rocky Butte
- Portland's most scenic overlook?
- Lacamas Park
- A sublime showcase of Northwestern habitats.
- Graham Oaks Nature Park
- A fairly dull hike in fairly dull suburbs - with a nice playground.
- Mount Talbert Nature Park
- Quiet, forested paths just a whisker from the mall...
- Jenne Butte Park
- Shhhhh... it's a secret!
- Triple Falls
- A great day in the gorge for intermediate little hikers.
- Mount Tabor Park
- Three reservoirs, two playgrounds and a volcano.
- Oxbow Regional Park
- Beautiful forested and riverside trails over on the wrong side of Gresham.
- Elowah / Upper McCord Creek Falls
- Two of the more spectacular and lesser known falls.
- Cooper Mountain Nature Park
- Who knew there was a mountain in Beaverton?
- The 4T Trail
- Enjoy train, trail, tram and trolley in an afternoon.
- Macleay Trail
- Easy access to the natural beauty of Forest Park.
- Marshall Park
- Small but perfectly formed.
- Smith and Bybee Wetlands
- Wildlife on your doorstep. Pack DEET.
- Tryon Creek
- Miles of beautiful trails in an easy to reach, easy to explore package. .
- Kelley Point Park
- Sand, trails, driftwood and container ships. .
- Oak Island
- England, only cheaper and without the sarcasm.
- Virginia Lake
- An easy going wetland hike and nature trail.
- Henry Hagg Lake Park
- A pretty spot for hiking and other pastimes, if a little out of the way.
- Elk Rock Island
- Welcome to Portland's second creepiest park!
- Kelley Butte
- Portland's creepiest park. Avoid at all costs.
- Latourell Falls
- Two waterfalls in one easy hike. Out of season.
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