KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant Review

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Mar 13, 2023 | Featured Posts, Gear, Hiking, Tips

KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant Review

The KUHL FREEFLEX ROLL-UP pant is a versatile, light-weight and comfortable women’s hiking pant that is well-suited for the trail and everyday wear.

SIZING & FIT

Rating 4/5

The KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant comes in waist sizes 0 to 16 and inseam sizes 30, 32, and 34. I love the versatility of the sizing options at Kuhl.

The sizes are very true to size. I usually wear a size 4 to 6 pant, weigh 125 lbs, and am 5’5”. I chose a size 6 with an inseam of 30 inches.

My only complaint about the fit of these pants is the waist height. I prefer higher rise waist pants because they keep my love handles and mom belly tucked in as much as possible. These pants sit lower around my waist, and I feel like they sag a bit at times because of that. Luckily, there is a drawstring that prevents actual sagging. If you do not mind lower rise pants, then these pants deserve a 5/5 for size and fit.

COMFORT

Rating 4/5

These women’s hiking pants are extremely comfortable, soft, flexible, and light weight. This is my favorite material out of any of pants that I hike in. They adapt to my every move. The material is 50% polyester and 50% new polyester. They remain comfortable and flexible even when I use leggings under them in colder weather.

My only complaint about the comfort is the low rise, which I explained in the sizing and fit section. I would wear these pants more often for day-to-day wear if they were a bit higher rise. I wonder if I had an inseam of 32 inches instead of 30 if would have helped with this.

DURABILITY

Rating 5/5

The KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant are holding up great so far for me. A lot of my hiking consists of red rocks, along with climbing up whatever rock looks fun with my kids, which means I am consistently maneuvering over rough surfaces. Although breathable and thin feeling, these pants are proving themselves in durability as well. They also provide SPF 50+ protection and water resistance.

I tested the water resistance by letting almost a cup of water sit on the pants for 20 minutes. There wasn’t any moisture that leaked through until I scrunched the pants with my hand in a fist at the end of the trial.

POCKETS

Rating 4/5

There are six awesome pockets on the Kuhl Freeflex Rollup Pant. My kids are constantly asking me to hold their rocks they find on hikes so the many pockets help me carry them all.

The side and back pockets have a snap to keep items secure and are barely large enough to fit my Samsung Galaxy S22. Larger phones probably won’t fit which is the reason I ranked the pockets as a 4/5 instead of a 5/5.

There are also two front pockets without snaps that are medium depth.

COLOR

Rating 4/5

The Freeflex Roll-up Pant come in nine earthy colors, which is a good variety of colors to choose from. I have the antique gold pants. In the photos online the color looks mustard-like. However, I feel like they are more brown than yellow in real life, which was a little disappointing. However, I think that most outdoorsy people would like this color. Honestly, I feel like a park ranger when I wear them, which is fine, but I probably would prefer the Ganache or Rainstorm colors.

SEASON

Rating 5/5

Because these hiking pants are light, breathable, and loose they can be used for layering in cold temperatures and worn alone in the heat because of the option to roll the pants into capris. They are a great all season hiking pant.

Winter: We visited Moab, Utah on a cold weekend when the temperature was only 25 degrees. I wore some leggings under these pants and I was comfortable and warm the entire hike. Since the material is flexible and breathable, they worked great over a tight warm legging and added extra breathability that helped keep me warm and comfortable.

Summer: These pants are great in the summer because they are comfortable and breathable and keep the legs protected from the sun, bites, and brushing up against plants. You can also roll these up into a capri-style pant if you choose.

Fall/Spring: Great full-length hiking pant for spring and fall hiking. Waterproofing will keep you protected in the rain.

PROS vs. CONS

Pros

Super comfortable and flexible material
Light-weight and breathable
Water resistant
Lots of pockets
Can layer with leggings in colder weather
Can change to capri length in hot weather

Neutral

Lower-rise waist

Cons

Larger phones may not fit in pockets

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

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KUHL WEEKENDR Tight Review

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Mar 12, 2023 | Featured Posts, Gear, Reviews, Tips

KUHL WEEKENDR Tight Review

KUHL WEEKENDR Tight is a durable yet comfortable and lightweight skinny-pant style alternative to traditional women’s hiking pants that will hold up on your toughest hikes. The

SIZING & FIT

Rating 5/5

Sizing options range from XS to XL with a 29-inch inseam. I am 5’5” and 125 lbs. I got a size S. My pair fit perfect. The skinny pant style is form fitting enough without showing too much.

COMFORT

Rating 4/5

The material of the KUHL Weekendr Tight is flexible and comfortable and adapts to your movement. The material is breathable and moisture wicking. They are great for hiking or everyday wear.

When I initially tried the pants on, I could feel the inseams on the inside. These inseams bothered me for a few minutes, and I worried about it, but I did not notice them at all while hiking. However, if you are one who is bothered with feeling internal seams these might not be the pants for you. There are several areas of breathable material sewn in which creates breathability.

DURABILITY

Rating 5/5

The Weekendr Tight is made of a durable material that is also water resistant. The main fabric is 76% Nylon, 9% Polyester, 15% Spandex and the breathable areas are 96% Polyester and 4% Spandex. These pants are holding up well for me. They have rubbed against jagged rocky surfaces without any resulting blemish or compromise in material.

I ran water in a sink over the main fabric for about 20 seconds and moisture did not penetrate the inside of the pant. The breathable area does allow water in. The breathable areas of the pants are built in both outer legs and run the entire length of the pant. There are two other smaller areas above and below each knee, and around the waist.

POCKETS

Rating 4/5

There are two back open pockets with no zippers that hold my Samsung Galaxy S22. About an inch of the phone sticks out from my back pockets. The back pockets are tight enrough that I haven’t been worried about it falling out while hiking. There are two front smaller pockets with zippers that are not big enough for a smart phone. There are no side pockets.

COLOR OPTIONS

Rating 3/5

The KUHL Weekendr Tight only comes in two color options: Carbon (gray) and black. I have the carbon color which I like a lot because of the versatility. I would love to see these pants in additional colors.

SEASON

Rating 4/5

These are great hiking pants to wear in during the spring and the fall, between 40 to 75 degrees F, according to my temperature liking. I wore them while hunting for a Christmas tree in 30-degree F weather and I was a bit cold. Conversely, I think they might be a little too heavy for hiking in the heat of summer months with anything over 80 degrees F.

PROS vs. CONS

Pros

Zipper front pockets
Comfortable with breathable mesh-like material
Water resistant
Durable
Legging style does not get snag on trees/bushes/plants while hiking

Cons

Inner seams are felt when wearing initially (for me)
No side pockets
Phone sticks out of back pockets

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

10 Tips for Hiking with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Jun 7, 2021 | Featured Posts, Hiking, Tips

10 Tips for Hiking with Kids

Over the years hiking with kids, I have learned a few things that make hiking easier and more enjoyable. We value hiking because it gives us time away from the normal distractions at home, which allows us to bond and help our kids learn that they can do hard things. Here are 10 tips for hiking with kids to help get your family OFF the couch and on a great hike!

1. START WITH EASY HIKES

Start out with some easy, super fun hikes to get your kids use to hiking. You don’t want to ruin their perception of hiking by taking them on a hard and discouraging hike the first try. Build up to harder and more adventurous hikes over time.

2. HAVE A FUN DESTINATION

Kids need something to look forward to while hiking. Whether it is a stream or waterfall to play in, rocks to climb, caves to explore, or even several cool things along the way, kids are far more motivated when they have something to get excited about or captivates their attention during the hike.

3. LET YOUR KIDS GET DIRTY

Please, let your kids just have fun and get dirty and wet. They will love this! If there is a small stream let them wade. If there is a sand pile, let them play in it.

4. BE EXCITED & ENCOURAGING

Your excitement will wear off on your kids. Find things that excite your family about hiking and find your own traditions and the types of hikes that your family loves to do.

Our family loves rocks. When hiking we are constantly finding cool rocks and showing each other. My husband and I genuinely get super excited about the cool rocks that we find and that the kids find. I often come back from hikes with my pockets full of rocks my kids want to keep.

We also love to tell our kids, “look at that mountain you just climbed!” or “You must be a super hiker to have done all that!” Be super excited about where you are hiking to and what you see along the way.

5. PLAY GAMES & ACTIVITIES ALONG THE WAY

This was a game-changer for us and helped us through a couple of hard long hikes. It is amazing how much more your body can do when you are distracted. The purpose of games or activities is to keep the kids distracted so they don’t think about how tired they are or how much further there is to go.

6. KEEP THEM TALKING

Hiking creates a great opportunity to ask your kids questions about friends, school, extracurricular activities, etc. It has been a really great bonding time for our family to let the kids just tell us all about their experiences. And once they start, it just seems to keep coming. This also helps to keep them distracted similar to the games helping them to hike further.

7. TAKE LOTS OF SNACKS

Kid metabolism is so much faster than adults. My kids need a snack about every 30 to 45 minutes when hiking to keep everyone happy and blood sugar up. I also use snacks as motivation. For example, I might tell my kids that if they hike for 5 more minutes then we can stop and have another snack. It works. Kids will hike for more snack time.

8. HAVE WATER ACCESSIBLE

Hiking became so much easier for our family when we got small hiking backpacks with water bladders in them for each of our kids. Each kid can just grab a drink real quick without all of us having to stop, take a break and pull water bottles out of the back packs each time someone gets thirsty. It is also important to keep these kiddos hydrated. Kids dehydrate so much faster than adults.

9. PREPARE FOR WEATHER

Do not take your kids for a hike in 90 degree weather and expect them to have fun. Plan for the weather you will be hiking in. If it’s going to be hot, start early in the day, or if it’s going to be colder, bundle up. You can ruin a hike that would have been amazing by not preparing for weather — believe me, its happened to us.

10. TAKE BREAKS ALONG THE WAY

Kids need more breaks than adults….this is hard for me….I am a go-getter and just want to keep hiking. However, to make the entire experience more enjoyable you must take breaks. And to be honest, breaks really can help re-energize, as long as you don’t overdo it. Take breaks in the shade or somewhere good to sit and don’t be afraid to let the kids know that you’re tired too.

I hope these 10 tips for hiking with kids will help you and your kids enjoy hiking together. I would love your hear what tips you have for hiking with your kids. Please comment below! Happy Trails!

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

Grand Teton National Park with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Jun 3, 2021 | Featured Posts, Hiking, Mountains, National Parks, Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park with Kids

Create memories that will last a lifetime in Grand Teton National Park with kids. This incredible national park in Wyoming features majestic views, hiking for all ages and abilities, wildlife viewing and water adventures. This family guide to Grand Teton National Park will help make your trip with kids a success.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: Short to long depending on the trail, many trail options for all skill levels
Elevation Change: Flat to steep depending on trail

Terrain: Mountains, rocks, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, dirt trails
Time Needed: A few hours to several days (I recommend at least 2 days, we spent a week)

WHEN TO VISIT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

I recommend visiting Grand Teton National Park with kids in late spring, summer or early fall. The summer is busiest so be prepared for crowds. We spent a week in the park near the end of July. If you decide to visit in the summer plan ahead and visit the busy areas such as Jenny and String Lake in the early evening, late afternoon or morning before 10am.

You also need to plan your lodging ahead of time if you plan to visit in the summer – I recommend six months in advance.

If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park in the spring or fall be prepared for all weather including possibility of snow. Bring coats for those kiddos!

COST

$35 per vehicle for a 7 day pass

Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program

AMENITIES

Campgrounds
Cabins
Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Jackson, Wyoming nearby
Bathrooms at visitor’s centers and most trailheads
Convenient stores and gas stations scattered throughout Grand Teton National Park

THINGS TO BRING

Camping gear if camping
Hiking gear (water, snacks, sturdy shoes)
Hiking carrier for young kids
Bear Spray! A must! We almost ran into a bear while hiking.
Water gear if desired (kayaks, paddle-boards, water shoes, googles, life jackets)
Sunscreen
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Jackets (weather can turn quickly) or coats (if visiting in spring/fall)
Water bottles/water packs

OVERVIEW

We absolutely love Grand Teton National Park. It has everything – Mountains for hiking and exploring, water for paddling, swimming and boating and excellent wildlife viewing. The views are absolutely stunning no matter what viewpoint you are looking from. We spent a week in Grand Teton National Park with kids and we were not ready to go home. There are so many adventures to go on in this 300,000+ acre park.

THINGS TO DO AT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Hiking

There are endless hiking opportunities ranging from very easy to very hard within Grand Teton National Park with kids. We hiked trails that were very easy to moderate. Here are a few we did with an 11, 10, 7 and 3 year old.

String Lake Loop: 4.4 miles, 400 ft. elevation gain – Gorgeous views of Tetons up close and lakes below.

String Lake

Moose Ponds: 2 to 3.2 miles, 150ft elevation gain: Complete the loop or hike an-out-and back to the moose pond. Keep your eye out for animals near the ponds. Hike earlier morning or evening to avoid crowds around Jenny Lake and to see more wildlife.

Moose Pond

Hidden Falls Trail: 4.9 miles or 1 mile (if you take the boat), 600 ft elevation gain: Popular hike half way around Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls. You can opt to take a paid boat ride across the lake making the total hike only 1 mile to the falls. Will be crowded in the summer months.

Hidden Falls

Jackson Lake Shoreline Trail from Signal Mountain Marina: 0.25 to unknown miles, rolling hills:

I can’t find this hike on All Trails or Google, but it was my favorite in The Tetons. It feels like you are walking the ocean shoreline in Oregon with incredible mountain views of The Tetons in the distance. It starts from the south side of Signal Mountain Marina near the beach and heads south. I’m not sure how far you can follow this trail, but we did about 2 miles total.

Bristlecone Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

String to Leigh Lake: 2 miles, flat: Easy, very family friendly hike next to that follows String Lake to Leigh Lake. We started at the north end of the String Lake parking lot, but you can make this longer by starting at the south parking lot or continuing further around Leigh Lake. Great views of Tetons and String Lake. Take a few minutes to wade in String Lake. Great for all ages and abilities.

Heron Pond-Swan Lake Loop: 3.2 miles, 150 ft elevation gain: Flat and easier hike for kids that begins on the south side of Colter Bay. Views of Jackson Lake in beginning followed by hike through forest trees. Beautiful swans in Swan Lake.

Schwabacher’s Landing: 1.8 miles, flat: Drive the the end of Schwabacher’s Landing Road off Highway 89 and walk along the trail near the calm river for spectacular views of all the Tetons and wildlife. Keep your eyes out for beavers at the beaver dam. Perfect hike/walk for all ages and abilities. Our toddler just wanted to throw rocks in the water the entire hike. Its an out-and-back trail so go as far or as little as you want.

Swimming and Floating

From the larger Jackson Lake to small streams, you can find a water adventure that suits you and your family at Grand Teton National Park. Boat permits are required for motorized boats and non-motorized boats such as kayaks. Permits can be purchased at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and the Colter Bay Visitor Center.

Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake is the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park. Motorized boats are allowed. Signal campground and Colter Bay both are next to Jackson Lake in different areas. We stayed at Signal Mountain campground and loved having close access to Jackson Lake. There is a large boat ramp and dock as well as beach area to swim in. We brought googles, paddle-boards and kayaks and spent hours enjoying the lake. The views are breathtaking.

Jenny Lake

The Jenny Lake area is a central hub for hiking and water craft of 10 horsepower max. Get here first thing in the morning or later afternoon in order to get a close parking spot and avoid the crowds.

String Lake

String Lake is narrow, shallow, clear lake that connects Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake. This was our favorite place to kayak because of the crystal clear water. Get here early or late afternoon to get a parking spot. There are a couple docking areas — One at the south end of the lake and another at the north end of the parking lot. There are also great swimming areas and a large rock to jump from.

Camping

As of January 26th, 2021 you can now book campsite on a six month rolling basis at reservations.gov. I saw fights break out over first-come, first-served camping spots our week at Signal Mountain. The reservation system was definitely needed. In 2020, we arrived at Jenny Lake at 5:45 A.M. with 4 kids to get a spot but we were too late. However, we were able to get a spot at Signal Mountain at 7 A.M. (which we absolutely loved) and stayed an entire week.

Plan ahead and book your site six months ahead of time if you would like to stay within Grand Teton National Park.

Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park

Gros Ventre

Gros Ventre Campground is the furthest south campground within the park and allows for tents, trailers and RVs. It is has 300+ sites. It is near the Gros Ventre River and a bit further away from the major hiking and hub of The Tetons.

Signal Mountain Campground

I absolutely love Signal Mountain Campground! We stayed here for a week and absolutely loved the scenery as well as its central location. Signal Mountain sits on the south end of Jackson Lake. It is next to the Signal Mountain Marina allowing quick access from the campground to water recreation at Jackson Lake. It is only a 10 minute drive to the hiking hub of Jenny Lake.

It is a medium sized campground at 76 sites consisting of tent, RV and trailer sites. There is a gas station, convenient store, laundry facilities and pay showers. There are several camp sites close to the lake with gorgeous lake views. The sunsets are magical. Make sure to follow all the food regulations for bears. There is a bear box at every site. We had few bears walk through camp while we were there.

View of Jackson Lake from Signal Mountain Campground

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake Campground sits right under The Grand Teton. It is central hub for hiking. This is a smaller campground that is tent only. It is probably the most sought after campground within the park due to its location and atmosphere.

Colter Bay

Colter Bay is a larger campground with 300+sites for tents, RVS and trailers. It is closer to Yellowstone so if you are hitting both parks this might be a good campground for you. It is also a great place if you are bringing a motorized boat due to the large docking area and bay. Colter bay has a larger gift shop/convenient store, gas station, laundry and pay showers. There are a several great hiking trails from Colter Bay.

Lizard Creek

Lizard campground is on the North end of Jackson Lake and is only 11 miles south of the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It is further away from the central hub of the Tetons which gives it a more secluded and rustic feel. Great place to stay if you want a quieter location close to Yellowstone.

Headwaters

Headwaters Campground is the furthest North campground and is only a couple miles from the south entrance to Yellowstone. It offers 100+ camping sites plus an additional 40 camper cabins. Showers are available to every camper.

Wildlife Viewing

We saw more wildlife in at Teton National Park than we did in Yellowstone – yep, it’s true. Bears, moose, elk, deer, bison, swans, squirrels, and a variety of birds. I don’t know that there is really a special spot to see wildlife – we saw wildlife wherever we went. I just suggest keeping your eyes peeled and look around while driving and hiking. Bringing binoculars would be a plus.

Visit Mormon Row Historic District

Mormon Row contains old homes and barns from around 1900 of the early settlers of the area from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This area offers incredible views of The Tetons that many photographers seek. It is also fun to explore the area and look into the old buildings and imagine how life was 100+ years ago.

Scenic Drive to Signal Mountain Viewpoint

Signal Mountain Viewpoint is just off Teton Park Road just south of Signal Mountain Campground. Follow Signal Mountain road for 5 miles for an elevation gain of about 1000 feet. No trailers or RVs allowed. At the top you will see panoramic vistas of the valley below.

Explore Cunnigham Cabin

John Cunningham built this cabin in the 1880s and was a rancher/farmer in the area until around 1930. He played an essential role in the preservation of the the Teton area. We had fun exploring the cabin and finding prairie dogs.

Visitor’s Center and Junior Ranger Program

We love going through National Park visitor’s centers for learning opportunities and to get Junior Ranger books. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it. Grand Teton National Park has four visitor centers: Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, Jenny Lake and Colter Bay. Junior Ranger books can be picked up at any visitor center location.

Star Gazing

Grand Teton National Park has an incredible night sky where you can easily see the Milky Way. We were lucky enough to visit when we could see the comet NEOWISE. Check the Visitor’s Center for ranger led astronomy programs.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Beautiful scenery
All ages will enjoy
Variety of activities: Hiking, water fun, scenic drives, ranger programs, wildlife viewing etc.
Mild temperatures in the summer
Near Yellowstone National Park
Great opportunities to see wildlife
Many hiking options from short to long

CONS

Popular areas within the park can become overcrowded (if visiting the Jenny Lake area, arrive before 10am or after 4 pm)
Campgrounds fill quickly

DIRECTIONS

Grand Teton National Park is located in the north-western corner of Wyoming, just below Yellowstone National Park. There is a north, south, and east entrance into the park. Put your desired location within the park in your GPS to get to the right location. At the park entrance you will receive a map of the park which is great to have in areas where there isn’t great cell phone reception.

MAPS

MORE INFO

Grand Teton National Park

Boating and floating park regulations

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Yellowstone National Park

Town of Jackson

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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Olympic National Park with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 24, 2021 | Featured Posts, National Parks, Washington, Water

Olympic National Park with Kids

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Beaches, ocean, mountains, bridges, lakes, rivers waterfalls, trails, temperate rain forest
Time Needed: 1 day to several days, I recommend several
When to Go: Anytime of year, but summer/early fall is best

Hiking Distance: short to long depending on what you are doing

COST

$30 entrance fee to some areas of the park (valid for seven days)
Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program
Beaches are all free
Sol Duc Hot Springs is an added cost. Cost depends on age and time of day visiting.
Fees for camping

AMENITIES

Camping (book 6 months in advance)
Lodges and Cabins (book 6 months in advance)
Hotels in gateway cities such as Aberdeen and Port Angeles
Bathrooms available at visitors centers and some trailheads
Hot Springs
Water available at campsites, resorts, visitor’s centers and some trailheads

Where to Stay at Olympic National Park

It takes over three hours to drive the coastal perimeter of Olympic national park without stopping. I recommend staying in the park to minimize drive time. Book your stay six months in advance if you would like to stay within Olympic National Park either at a campground, cabin or lodge. See below for additional information on campgrounds within Olympic National Park.

There are no hotels located within Olympic National Park. Check out hotels in the surrounding cities of Port Angeles to the North and Pacific Beach, Ocean City and Aberdeen to the south.

THINGS TO BRING

Camping gear if camping
Good hiking shoes
Food/Snacks
Good rain jacket
Water

DETAILS

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks we have visited. It has ocean beaches, mountains, hiking, camping, lakes and hot springs. Our family loves the mountains and the beach so it was the best of both worlds for us. We spent hours on the beaches exploring, discovering tide-pools and playing on drift wood and hiked through the lush temperature rain forests to waterfalls.

We spent about 5 days in the park and we didn’t even get to explore everything the park has to offer. Olympic National Park is nearly one million acres and contains 70 miles of coastline. It is no wonder we couldn’t fit everything in.

Olympic National Park with your kids will be an adventure your family always remembers. We visited with our 2, 6, 9, and 10 year old and had an absolute blast.

THINGS TO DO AT OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Explore Beaches and Tide Pooling

Olympic National Park includes miles of serene beaches where no two beaches are exactly alike. From sand to rocks to drift wood to tide pools, each beach has its own characteristics.

The water is cold, definitely different than the beaches we were use when we lived in Florida. However, the beauty of these beaches is almost unreal and we especially enjoyed finding the diverse sea-life.

Tide pooling was our favorite part of Olympic National Park with kids. We spent hours exploring the tide-pools filled with ocean life. Make sure to visit the beaches at low-tide for optimal tide-pool viewing. Check out the NOAA tide predictions before going.

First Beach

Quileute Oceanside Resort sites right on First Beach. We camped here and loved having such quick access to this beach. There are firerings to enjoy a sunset fire and smores. My kids loved playing on the driftwood on the beach here. Walk about a half mile to the North on this beach for sea-life viewing along the side of the causeway.

First Beach

Second Beach

This is a secluded beach with majestic sea stacks and many tide pools to explore at low tide. My kids actually swam in the water at this beach, I preferred to just wade. Remember you are in Washington not Florida…The water is cold. It is about a mile walk to get to second beach, but it is well worth it. This makes it more secluded with less people.

Second Beach

Rialto Beach

Rialto beach is just north of the La Push, Washington and is 3 miles from the Mora Campground. It has many tide pools at low-tide. 1.5 miles from the beach entrance is the hole in the rock structure.

Rialto Beach

Kalaloch Campground Beach

This isn’t an official beach name because this beach doesn’t have one. This is the beach just off of the Kalaloch Campground. We walked along this beautiful misty beach for about a mile north.

If you walk just south of the Kalaloch Lodge you can find the “Tree of Life”. This large tree is right next to the beach and most of its root system is hanging in air without any soil to feed it.

Kalaloch Beach 4

This was our favorite beach because of the many star fish we found on the rock structures just north of the beach entrance. We also saw sea-lions swimming nearby. There were also tons of smooth beautiful rocks. We love collecting rocks so this was super fun for us. It is north of the Kalaloch Campground but south of Ruby Beach.

Ruby Beach

Possibly the most known beach along Washington’s coast with its famous Abbey Island. Great place for a beach stroll and tide pool exploring.

Ruby Beach

Hiking

There are countless hikes within Olympic National Park ranging from very easy to very hard. Here are the hikes we did on our trip. Full reviews on each hike to come.

Sol-Duc Falls: a 1.6 mile easy and flat hike to a beautiful waterfall.

Hoh River Trail: This trail follows the Hoh River through the beautiful rainforest. You can make this is along or short as you want. We hiked a total of 5.5 miles to the Mineral Creek Falls.

Second Beach: an out-and-back 2 mile trail round trip that walks you through Oregon’s beautiful coastal lush forest to a secluded beach. It is downhill on the way to the beach, uphill on the way back.

Rialto Beach/Hole in the Wall: A 3 mile flat beautiful beach walk with views of sea-life in tide pools to a rock formation with a large hole. Make sure to do this hike at low tide so you can walk out to the Hole in the Wall.

Hot Springs

The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has one fresh-water pool and 3 mineral pools that vary in temperature from 99 degrees to 104 degrees. We spent an afternoon here and had a lot of fun. It was nice to relax and do something a little different for a day. My kids love swimming no matter where we are at and will usually choose swimming over any other activity. There are cabins located right next to the resort.

Camping

Each major area of the park has camping opportunities near it. All campgrounds fill quickly and open for reservations on a 6 month rolling basis. I recommend reserving a site at the 6 month mark before traveling if you want a site in the summer months. The campgrounds that can be reserved in Olympic National Park are Kalaloch, Hoh Rainforest Campground, Mora and Sol Duc Hot Springs. You can reserve here.

We really enjoyed the campgrounds we stayed at. Here is a little information on each.

Kalaloch Campground is between the main highway and the ocean. If available, pick a site closer to the ocean than the highway. The beach is a short walk and was easy to access. You can also stay at the Kalaloch Lodge if you are not camping. It is the only place to stay that is non-camping within about 1 hour in each direction.

Sol Duc Campground is nestled in the beautiful Washington rain forest near the north end of Olympic National Park. It is near the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the Sol Duc Waterfall hike. It is also closer to crescent lake if you are exploring that area.

Quileute Oceanside Resort is privately owned and not operated by Olympic National Park, however it is surrounded by the park and is close to the beautiful First, Second and Third Beaches. The camping here was more KOA style and there are only a few sites. I loved falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. There are several cabins available right along the ocean-side that looked really nice. This resort books on a 1 year rolling basis and books quickly.

Explore the Lakes

Crescent Lake is nestled among Washington coastal mountains and is absolutely beautiful. I wish we had more time to explore this area. There is hiking, camping and a lodge nearby. Marymere Falls is a popular hike in the area. Kayak and canoeing rentals are available.

Crescent Lake: Photo Credit Michelle Mower Mulholland

Lake Quinault: This area is surrounded by the temperate rain forest and offers boating, hiking, camping, fishing, food and lodging. It is the gateway to the southwest base of the park.

Quinault Lake: Photo Credit Michelle Mulholland

Scenic Drive on Hurricane Ridge

This is a 17-mile road takes you through the majestic snow-capped Olympic Mountains. There are several hiking options off this road. It is a curvy road and a couple of my kids started to feel a bit car sick. Just be prepared.

Hurricane Ridge: Photo Credit Michelle Mower Mulholland

JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

We love getting Junior Ranger books from National Park visitor centers. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Unique and beautiful scenery
Diverse outdoor adventures
Stunning scenery
Not crowded, park is big and people are spread out
Sea-life viewing
Mountain-life viewing
Gorgeous beaches
Waterfalls

CONS

Can rain a lot
Requires a bit of driving to get from one location of the park to another

DIRECTIONS

Olympic National Park is located on the north west portion of Washington State. If you put in Olympic National Park into your GPS device or phone you will be led to the middle of the mountain range of the park. Make sure to put the specific location within the park that you want to visit.

MAPS

Map to southwest corner of park

Map to northeast corner of park

MORE INFO

Olympic National Park official site

Olympic National Park NOAA tide chart

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Forks (20 minutes from Second Beach)

Seattle (3 hours from the park’s northeast entrance)

Portland (3 hours from park’s southwest entrance)

Oregon’s Coast (3 hours to beaches such as Seaside and Cannon beach from park’s south west entrance)

Mount Rainier National Park (3 hours)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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Willis Creek Slot Canyon with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 10, 2021 | Desert, Featured Posts, National Parks, Slot Canyons, Southern Utah, Utah

Willis Creek Slot Canyon with Kids

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy EASY Moderate HARD Very Hard (Easy to Hard depending on how far you hike)

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 1 to 5 miles, out-and-back
Elevation Gain: Mostly flat
Terrain: Creek hiking, dirt, sand, mud, shaded
Time Needed: 1 to 4 hours depending on how far/fast you hike
When to Go: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall (Do not hike if there is a chance of rain due to flash flood potential)

COST

Free

AMENITIES

No water or bathrooms at trailhead
Closest amenities in Cannonville, 30 minutes away, including restaruants, hotels and gas stations
Lodging and food also available in Bryce, 45 minutes away
Camping 30 minutes away at Kodachrome Basin State Park

THINGS TO BRING

Hiking shoes or sandals that can get wet
Water
Snacks/Lunch
Vehicle that can handle driving on dirt/sandy roads (disclaimer – we drove this with a minivan and did okay, however when we do this hike again we will bring our truck. There are areas that were a little rough and a high clearance vehicle would do much better) A 4WD isn’t required, but recommended. Check recent road conditions on the All Trails reviews of Willis Creek.

DETAILS – Willis Creek Slot Canyon with Kids

Willis Creek is a great family slot canyon because it is flat, does not require additional equipment and the slot begins within a quarter mile of the trailhead. It is great for all ages and abilities. You can hike a just a short distance and have an amazing slot canyon experience or go longer if you want more.

It is an out-and-back hike, so go how far you want and then turn around. The canyon never gets less than three feet wide so it is great for those who want to experience a slot canyon but might be a little claustrophobic.

Willis Creek Slot Canyon was our first slot canyon adventure as a family. We were in absolute awe the entire hike and from then on we were hooked on slot canyons. We hiked with an 11, 10, 7 and 2 year old without any difficulty. The 2 year old hiked a good portion because he was loving walking in the water.

My socks never got wet on this hike. I easily stepped over of Willis Creek that were slightly deeper. The water I walked through never was deep enough to get into my shoes. Of course the kids were loving life splashing and walking in the water

Slot Canyon Safety

It is very important to check weather conditions before attempting to hike any slot canyon. Do not hike into a slot canyon if there is a chance for rain. Flash flooding can happen creating a dangerous situation. Before hiking any narrow canyon we check the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood for Flash Flood Potential. We only attempt to hike if flash floods are not expected.

Willis Creek Slot Canyon TRAILHEAD

The Willis Creek Slot Canyon trailhead is located off BLM500/Skutumpah road outside the town of Cannonville. It is within Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and is near Bryce Canyon National Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park.

BLM500/Skutumpah is a dirt road and is impassable when wet and muddy. I do recommend a high clearance/AWD or 4×4 vehicle because of steeper grades and maneuvering needed on rough terrain. We went in our mini-van and it was a questionable drive in some areas, but we did make it. Check recent road conditions on the reviews on All Trails.

The views on the drive are incredible!

Skutumpah Road overlooking Grand Staircase Escalante

The trail begins on the east side of the parking lot across the the dirt road. After walking only a short distance you will drop down to the creek and find yourself immersed in this stunning slot canyon. You will follow the creek bed the entire hike.

The Hike

After walking only a short distance you will drop down to the creek and find yourself immersed in this stunning slot canyon. You will follow the creek bed the entire hike.

Within the first half mile you come to a small waterfall and a canyon. You can get around this by going around either direction but the right side is a bit easier to maneuver.

As you continue, there are breaks in the slot. Keep moving forward and you will find another area of slots. When the slots open up there are beautiful canyon walls and forest/desert scenery.

Each area of the canyon has different texture, color and rock design in the walls. We spent our time exploring each new area.

You can choose to turn around and any point and head back to the parking lot. Just remember to turn around before you get too tired. You have to hike the same distance back to the trailhead parking lot.

When you hit a rock wall T in the trail this is the official end of the Willis Creek hike – This is where Willis Creek meets Sheep Creek. See map under directions below.

Panorama of the turn around point of the Willis Creek Slot Canyon Hike

PROS & CONS

PROS

Free
Beautiful slot canyon scenery
Not a technically difficult or super narrow slot canyon
Quick access to slot canyon from the trailhead
Fun for all ages and abilities: Not a hard hike – can make it short or long
Nearby other amazing adventures: Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

CONS

No water or bathrooms at trailhead
Might need 4×4 to access

DIRECTIONS

Willis Creek Slot Canyon is located in the on the west side of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument near Bryce Canyon. From Highway 12 in Cannnonville, you turn south on Kodachrome Road/Cottonwood Canyon Road for about 3 miles. You will then take a slight right onto BLM500/Skutumpah Rd.

There are several dirt roads off BLM500/Skutumpah Rd. I recommend printing off or taking a screen shot of a map to the trailhead from Cannonville before driving. Reception is very spotty and it is easy to get off track.

After 2.8 miles you will reach a T in the road where you will continue right onto BLM500/Skutumpah Rd and follow another 3.3 miles. There will be a parking lot on the west side of the road. The trailhead is on the east side of the parking lot across the road.