Last month I took a break from social media and this website to be present with my kids and soak up summer. We had a blast and did so many fun adventures and outings. We went camping as a family for the first time at Lost Lake, and then camped again this past weekend out in easter Oregon. We had a blast! We finally rode the train out at the coast, and I did some solo hikes with the kids, too. A whole recap video of the month is here.

Here are some trails we hiked this summer. I’m always on the hunt for hikes that are kid friendly but not boring. They need to be worth my time if I’m going to pack everyone up and head out for the day.

5 Kid Friendly Hikes We’ve Done This Summer

Wahclella Falls

I’ve talked about this trail in previous posts. I don’t even know how many times we’ve hiked to these falls. We hike it year round and it’s been fun to see A hike it faster and faster each time. Can’t recommend this trail enough! We take all our out of town visitors who come to Oregon to these falls.

Lucia Falls

This trail was a random find and a last minute decision on a random Wednesday we did a few weeks ago. It is not really a hike and more of a large park with trails around these beautiful falls. The kids loved this and A kept asking when we could go back. It’s a bit of a drive from Portland, and sort of in the middle of nowhere, but we’ll definitely go back! Endless rock throwing is always a win.

Laurence Lake Trail

We stopped at this lake on our way to camping at Lost Lake. Again – endless rock throwing for little kids! The trail goes up and over the lake and you get better views of Hood.

Trillium Lake Loop

This loop is super easy and flat. We always end our hikes at the little beach. This area gets super popular, so definitely go on a weekday if you can. One of these summers we will camp here.

Horsetail Falls

These falls have an upper and a lower falls. Pictured above are the lower falls. We stopped by here while riding the trolley in the Gorge. We’ve done the entire trail up to Ponytail Falls, but if you’re looking for an area to just eat lunch and play near the water fall, this is your spot. The trail itself is pretty quick and A has done it a handful of times.

A Day Date Hike!

My parents came to Oregon in July and we were able to sneak away for a day date and did a hike out near Mt Hood. We finally got to do the Tom Dick and Harry hike (via Mirror Lake). The views were insane! We got to see Mount Hood, Jefferson, Adams, Helens, and Rainier. It was awesome and so fun! And certainly not kid friendly, lol.