Hidden-gem hiking destinations perfect for getting outdoors with kids

If you’ve ever typed ‘fun hiking for families’ into Google and ended up with the same five national parks you’ve already heard of, this one’s for you.

There’s a whole world of scenic, manageable, genuinely beautiful hiking destinations scattered across the U.S. that most families never find—places with trails short enough to keep the kids happy, views dramatic enough to fill your camera roll, and vacation rentals nearby that make the whole trip feel like an actual vacation (hot tubs, game rooms, and all).

We’re not here to gatekeep. We’re here to share. Here’s our region-by-region breakdown of the family hiking destinations worth putting on your radar.

Side Note: Check out our favorite Hiking With Kids Essentials on Amazon here!

🌿 The South

Red River Gorge Geological Area — Kentucky

These gorgeous hikes are what brought us to Kentucky for the first time. (Well, the hikes and the bourbon.) With easily do-able options like Natural Bridge, Chimney Top and Angel Windows, the only thing you’ll want to be extra cautious of is keeping toddlers in backpack carriers–there can be steep drops along these paths. On our last visit, we stayed in a vacation rental dome that was pure magic during a summer storm. 

[Vacation Rental Suggestion: This outdoorsy dome that sleeps six! We’ve also stayed in this rustic cabin with its own mini waterfall and hot tub… take note that you’ll hike a short bit to the front door.]

Breaks Interstate Park — Virginia/Kentucky Border

Sometimes called the ‘Grand Canyon of the South,’ Breaks Interstate Park straddles the Virginia-Kentucky border and delivers overlook views that will genuinely take your breath away. It’s still under the radar enough that the trails feel peaceful even on weekends. The rental market in the area is less developed, so this one rewards a little extra trip planning—but the payoff is worth it.

[Vacation Rental Suggestion: This three-bedroom cabin has a fun game room that kids will love.]

Great Smoky Mountains — Tennessee & North Carolina

Okay, so this one you’ve probably heard of. But it earns its reputation. The Smokies are hard to beat for families: trails like Laurel Falls and Alum Cave are short, dramatic and photographable in every season. The real bonus is the surrounding area — the Gatlinburg and Sevierville corridor has arguably the best vacation rental ecosystem in the entire country for families. We’re talking multi-bedroom cabins with game rooms, hot tubs overlooking mountain ridges (even indoor pools, sometimes!) and private theaters. It’s the full package.

[Vacation Rental Suggestion: I handpicked some family favorite vacation rentals here!]

Cloudland Canyon State Park — Georgia

This one is a genuine sleeper hit. Located in the northwest corner of Georgia, Cloudland Canyon is a deep, dramatic gorge with waterfall hikes that are absolutely doable with kids. The rim trail gives you sweeping views that feel almost cinematic, and the crowds are a fraction of what you’d find in the Smokies. The surrounding area is growing its vacation rental presence quickly, making it a smart pick before everyone else catches on.

[Vacation Rental Suggestions: These tiny “treehouse” homes with pool access; this rustic tree pod that sleeps 5 (I’ve never seen anything quite like it); or this hand-carved cavern with hot tub—just be mindful of that staircase with little ones).

🍂 The Mid-Atlantic & Northeast

Shenandoah National Park — Virginia

One of the most accessible national parks on the East Coast, Shenandoah is a fantastic choice for families who want the national park experience without the chaos of, say, a summer trip to Yellowstone. Dark Hollow Falls is short and stunning, Skyline Drive itself is a stunning two-hour photo opportunity, and the towns of Luray and Front Royal have a solid supply of charming mountain cabin rentals.

[Vacation Rental Suggestions: This cozy and adorable barn, located beside a family farm; a vacation home outfitted with all the fixings: kids room, game room, hot tub, sauna and more; or this modern stay with a sweet kids bunk room.]

Ricketts Glen State Park — Pennsylvania

If you’ve never heard of Ricketts Glen, clear your schedule. The Falls Trail passes 21 named waterfalls in a single loop through old-growth forest—it’s one of the best waterfall hikes in the eastern U.S., full stop. The trail has some elevation, so it’s better suited for kids who are a bit older or experienced little hikers, but the payoff is extraordinary. The nearby Poconos area has a well-established vacation rental market with all the amenities families love.

[Vacation Rental Suggestions: This farmhouse-chic home with a bubble tent for stargazing with the kids; or this petite creekside cabin.]

Hudson Valley & The Catskills — New York

The Catskills region—especially around Woodstock and Phoenicia—offers a surprisingly wonderful family hiking scene. Kaaterskill Falls is iconic and the hike to reach it is manageable. Slide Mountain gives older kids a real sense of accomplishment. The Airbnb game up here is exceptionally strong: converted barns, vintage A-frames, cozy farmhouses with fire pits. It’s the kind of place that feels like a real escape from everyday life.

[Vacation Rental Suggestions: A mid-century mod woodsy cabin; or this luxe getaway home with sweeping views and built-in bunks.]

🌾 The Midwest

Hocking Hills State Park — Ohio

If you haven’t been to Hocking Hills yet, put it at the top of the list (you can read our full review and suggestions here!). Trails wind through sandstone caves, past towering waterfalls and into gorges that feel like something out of a fantasy novel—yet most hikes are under three miles and very manageable with children. The cabin rental market surrounding the park is fantastic, with tons of options featuring hot tubs, game rooms and private porches in the woods.

Starved Rock State Park — Illinois

This one surprises a lot of people. Located about 90 miles southwest of Chicago, Starved Rock was carved by glacial meltwater thousands of years ago, leaving behind 18 dramatic sandstone canyons—many with waterfalls. Individual canyon hikes are typically under two miles, making them perfect for younger kids. The Midwest rental market here is solid, and it’s a great option for families looking for a weekend trip without a long drive.

Devil’s Lake State Park — Wisconsin

The quartzite bluffs rising above a glacier-carved lake at Devil’s Lake feel far more epic than the relatively modest trail difficulty would suggest. It’s spectacular scenery for very achievable effort—which is exactly what you want when you’re hiking with kids. The Baraboo area has good vacation rental inventory, and it pairs well with a visit to nearby Natural Bridge State Park if you want to make a full weekend of it.

🏜️ The West

Sedona — Arizona

Sedona was practically designed to be photographed. The red rock formations are otherworldly at any time of day, but golden hour here is something special. Family-friendly trails like Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock offer that big-views-for-modest-effort ratio that makes everyone happy. Sedona also has one of the strongest upscale vacation rental markets in the country—a hot tub with a red rock backdrop is practically standard issue here.

Bend & Smith Rock — Oregon

Bend is one of those towns that just works for families. Smith Rock State Park has dramatic canyon scenery with river-level hiking that’s accessible for all ages. Beyond the park, Bend is surrounded by waterfalls — Tumalo Falls and Proxy Falls are both within easy reach and wildly photogenic. The vacation rental scene in Bend is strong, the restaurants are great, and the whole vibe is relaxed in the best way.

Capitol Reef National Park — Utah

If Moab is on your list but you’re dreading the crowds, consider Capitol Reef as a complementary or alternative destination. It’s stunning—slot canyons, sweeping desert scenery and a charming historic orchard you can actually walk through; and it’s a fraction of the traffic. The small town of Torrey nearby has a lovely collection of cabin and ranch-style rentals with that classic Utah landscape as your backdrop.

🌲 The Pacific Northwest

Columbia River Gorge — Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge is a heavyweight destination that still manages to feel undiscovered if you venture beyond Multnomah Falls (gorgeous as it is). The gorge is lined with dozens of short waterfall hikes, dramatic viewpoints, and forest trails that kids tend to love. Hood River is the perfect base town—vibrant, beautiful and full of excellent vacation rental options with mountain and river views.

Olympic Peninsula — Washington

Few places in the U.S. pack as much variety into one region as the Olympic Peninsula. Temperate rainforest, sea stacks on wild Pacific beaches, mountain meadows. It’s all here, often within a single day’s drive of each other. The national park keeps it wild and beautiful, and the towns of Sequim and Port Angeles offer comfortable rental options for families. It’s the kind of destination that makes kids feel like genuine explorers.

🥾 One More Thing Worth Knowing

After looking at all of these destinations, a pattern emerges: the places with the strongest family rental markets tend to sit near towns with an established tourism backbone—places like Gatlinburg, Sedona, the Poconos and Hood River. When a small town has a Main Street full of outfitters and ice cream shops, you can bet the cabin rental scene nearby is well-developed and family-tested.

The wilder, more remote gems (Breaks Interstate, Capitol Reef) require a little more planning on the lodging front, but they reward you with fewer crowds and a feeling that you’ve really discovered something. Both kinds of trips have their place in a family’s travel life.

Wherever you go, get outside. Chances are good that some of your best family memories happen on a trail.

p.s.: You can find my favorite Hiking With Kids Essentials here 🙂