Looking for the best kid-friendly hikes in the Mesa and beyond across the East Valley?
Kid-Friendly Trails in ArizonaWhether you’re in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Apache Junction, or San Tan Valley, there are plenty of family-friendly trails that make it easy to get outside together. Hiking with kids is one of our favorite low-cost activities—it boosts moods, gives us vitamin D, and creates family memories in the desert sunshine.
Here are six of our favorite East Valley hikes for families.
XO,
East Valley Moms
Silly Mountain, Apache Junction
Silly Mountain offers several short trails ranging from 1 to 2.3 miles. These easy-to-moderate hikes are great for beginners and kids who want to feel like they’ve accomplished something without going too far. Families love the small climb to a “viewpoint,” and it’s typically quiet on weekdays. Weekends can be more crowded, so plan accordingly.
Hawes Trail System, Usery Mountain, Mesa
The Hawes Trail System has a variety of hiking and biking trails with beautiful desert views. The Hawes Ridge Loop is an easy 3-mile trail that works well for families and is dog-friendly (leash required). Depending on the season, you may spot wildflowers, which make this Mesa hike even more scenic.
San Tan Regional Park, San Tan Valley
San Tan Regional Park has miles of trails with varying difficulty, but the Littleleaf, Moonlight, and Stargazer trails are especially good for hiking with kids. They’re easy, scenic, and one of our family favorites for views without too much effort.
Papago Park, Tempe
Almost every hike at Papago Park is rated as “easy” on most hiking websites, and also deemed as “kid-friendly.”
The Hole in the Rock Trail is rated as one of the best and top-rated hikes for kids in the valley and is an amazing choice for a first hike. It is only 0.2 miles and is an out and back trail located right next to the Phoenix Zoo.
Full disclosure: It is more of a walk on an unpaved path then it is an actual hike.
It gets pretty busy during peak photography hours (sunrise and sunset) and also gets busy during school breaks. Make sure you plan accordingly.
Hayden Butte (“A” Mountain), Tempe
This short but steep trail is iconic for Tempe families. Kids love climbing to the top to see the city from above, and parents appreciate how quick the hike is. It’s a local must-do for Arizona residents. Just be prepared for a steep start!
Hieroglyphic Trail, Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction
This trail is almost always crowded as it is considered one of Arizona’s favorite trails.
It is considered “moderate” on most hiking websites, including alltrails.com (one of my favorite websites to find trails on).
It is a 2.8 miles out and back trail that has a waterfall. There is a small amount of climbing over rocks, which in my opinion makes this a better option for parents with older kids.
A few tips for hiking with kids
- Research the trail before you head out so you know what to expect. As mentioned above, I like alltrails.com.
- Bring plenty of water! Amazon has some options for kid-sized Camelbak style hydration packs. If your kid is old enough to wear a backpack and hike, this takes a load off you.
- Snacks. Snacks. Snacks…they can carry their own in their fancy new hydration pack! Make sure to keep track of the wrappers so you don’t litter!
- Hold hands if the trails seem rough and keep them within an arms reach on steeper trails.
- Take lots of breaks. They’re kids and this is a new skill for them. The first couple times be prepared to turn back before the end of the trail and don’t take it too seriously if you do. It’s supposed to be fun and will get easier the more you go!
- Check the weather. If you’re new here or new to hiking; hiking in the Valley during the summer months isn’t safe, especially with kids. We can’t stress this enough – head out on the winter and spring before the temps heat up!
