Kid-friendly hikes and nature walks around Seattle
These hikes are measured in toddler steps: short loops, flat or gently graded, with something good to see (turtles, waterfalls, mountain reflections, salmon) before anyone needs to be carried. Each place says whether it's a stroller walk or a carrier hike.
For a first 'hike', the classics are the wetland boardwalks at Juanita Bay and Mercer Slough, or the wide gravel Bus Trail at Tradition Lake. For waterfalls, the Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint is a 3-minute flat walk from the lot; Coal Creek Falls, Twin Falls and Franklin Falls suit kids who can manage a mile or two. In summer, head up Snoqualmie Pass to Gold Creek Pond, a paved 1-mile loop around an alpine lake that a stroller can reach, and in July and August, Paradise on Mount Rainier is the wildflower hike to end all wildflower hikes.
- 16 places
- 9 free
- 12 stroller-friendly
- closest is 5 min away
16 places
Drive times from Bellevue
Juanita Bay Park
5.0Kirkland · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot at the Market St entrance, fairly full on weekend mornings
Seward Park old-growth loop
5.0Seattle · 20 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots at the entrance and the south end of the peninsula
Saint Edward State Park
5.0Kenmore · 20 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: State park lot, Discover Pass required
Snoqualmie Falls
5.0Snoqualmie · 30 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot across the road (with a footbridge), expect a wait on weekend afternoons
Green Lake Loop
5.0Seattle · 30 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lakeside lots (east shore / by the community center), fairly tight on weekend mornings
Ballard Locks and fish ladder
5.0Seattle · 35 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Paid lot next to the grounds (about $2-4/hour) or nearby street parking
Gold Creek Pond Loop
5.0Snoqualmie Pass · 55 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Northwest Forest Pass required at the trailhead ($5/day); a Sno-Park permit instead in winter
Mercer Slough Nature Park
4.0Bellevue · 5 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot at Winters House (2102 Bellevue Way SE)
Tradition Lake Loop (Tiger Mountain)
4.0Issaquah · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: High Point trailhead; Discover Pass required ($10/day or $30/year)
Point Defiance Park (Owen Beach + Five Mile Drive)
4.0Tacoma · 45 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free parking at each spot in the park
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
4.0Olympia · 65 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Refuge lot, $3/car (cash or envelope drop; National Parks annual pass accepted)
Coal Creek Falls (Cougar Mountain)
3.0Newcastle · 15 min drive
2 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Free at the Red Town trailhead, tight after 9am on weekends
Discovery Park beach and lighthouse
3.0Seattle · 35 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots at the east and south entrances; limited beach parking permits from the visitor center
Twin Falls Trail (Olallie State Park)
3.0North Bend · 40 min drive
2.5 h · carrier recommended
$ · Parking: State park lot, Discover Pass required
Franklin Falls
3.0Snoqualmie Pass · 50 min drive
2 h · carrier recommended
$ · Parking: Northwest Forest Pass required at the trailhead; arrive before 9am on weekends
Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
3.0Ashford · 135 min drive
5 h · carrier recommended
$$ · Parking: Park entry $30/car (valid 7 days); the Paradise lot fills before 10am on weekends
💡 Good to know
- Mountain trailheads fill by 9am on weekends, so leave early. National Forest trailheads need a Northwest Forest Pass, state parks a Discover Pass.
- Seattle dirt trails are muddy after rain; keep rain boots and a change of clothes in the car year-round.